The Islamic
Organization and its Fundamentals
The Prophet
(SAW) organized and trained all those people who believed him as the messenger
of Allah. The first underlying principle of this organization was that the
people who believed that Muhammad (SAW) is the Messenger of Allah (SWT), also
believed that whatever he is saying is from Allah (SWT) and this is divine
revelation. Therefore
it was just impossible for them to defy and dispute the Prophet's commands
and instructions. Is it possible for a believer to disobey the Holy Prophet?
You simply cannot imagine how strong a group can be when created on the basis
of Prophethood.
True prophethood being naturally the foundation for a very
strong and well knit organization, even false prophethood also sometimes
becomes a very strong base. Just look at the organization formed on the basis
of Ghulam Ahmed Qadiani's false claim of prophethood that has flourished like
anything. Whereas the faction of this movement based in Lahore that did not
accept Ghulam Ahmed Qadiani as a prophet has gradually dwindled and became
insignificant. So, the strongest possible organization in the world would be
one attained on the basis of a claim to Prophethood. Hence the organization
that was formed on the basis of the belief of Prophet's true Prophethood
and being the last messenger of Allah (SWT) was the strongest organization in
the entire history of mankind. It is about this organization that the Holy
Quran mentions "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah and those who are with
him" (Al-Fath 48:29). In this organization nobody chose or elected the Prophet
(SAW) as the leader. Rather he, being the Messenger of Allah and the preacher
of His message, was quite naturally the Ameer (i.e. leader and commander) of
this organization. The companions of the Prophet (SAW) acted upon and complied
with the principle of "samay'na wa ata'na" (we listened and we
obeyed). The Prophet (SAW) set an example of how a group might be formed in the
future when the Muslims might initiate the revolutionary struggle. The Prophet
started the practice of taking pledge of obedience (Bai'yah) even though it was
not at all formally required.
Consider
this hadith narrated by Hazrat Ubada Ibn Samit (RAA) which has been reported by
both Bukhari and Muslim and whose authenticity is beyond any question:
We
pledged ourselves to the Messenger of Allah (SAW) that we shall listen and
obey, in favourable circumstances as well as in adversity, irrespective of
whether we feel inclined or we have to force ourselves, and even if others are
given preference over us. We shall never quarrel with those who are assigned
office or authority. But we shall speak out the truth wherever we might be, and
in the matter concerning the cause of Allah, we shall not be deterred because
of the admonition or disapproval from anybody.
This
is the second fundamental principle of organization. You can also analyze and
see whether the Prophet (SAW) needed this. Wasn't it enough that people
believed in him and obeyed his every command? As the Holy Quran says: We have
not sent any prophet but that he should be obeyed by God's command (Al-Nisa
4:64). In spite of this the Prophet (SAW) took oaths of allegiance (Bai'yah)
which were actually for future guidance.
The Prophet
(SAW) held a counsel prior to the battle of Badr to decide about the situation
and the action to be taken. A caravan of the Quraish laden with trading goods
was coming from the North which had only 40-50 guards for its protection and
there was a band of army equipped with arms and weapons coming from the South
and Allah (SWT) had promised the Muslims victory over one of these two. The
question was which one should the Muslims opt for? Amongst the Muslims there
were some weak-willed people like us. They said, "O Prophet of Allah! Let
us attack the caravan, there are a few men and we can easily overpower them; we
will also get a lot of booty and weapons which we urgently need." But the Prophet
(SAW) kept on asking for further counsel. It was then that the Prophet's
venerated companions realized that the Prophet's mind was inclined towards
something else.
Hence,
at this stage, first it was the Muhajireen who delivered speeches and said,
"O Prophet of Allah! What do you ask of us? We are ready and present to
obey whatever you command". Speeches were delivered by Hazrat Abu Bakr and
Hazrat Omar Farooq (RAA) but the Prophet (SAW) paid only cursory attention. It
was felt as if the Prophet (SAW) was waiting for something significant. Again,
from amongst the Muhajireens, Hazrat Miqdad bin Aswad (RAA) stood up and said:
"O Prophet of Allah! Kindly go ahead with whatever is your intention to
do; please do not consider us to be like the people of Hazrat Moosa (AS) who
said to their prophet, 'O Moses! You and your God go and fight the war, we will
stay here'. Wondrous as it seems, Allah might approve our worth for your
satisfaction." But even now the Prophet (SAW) seemed to be waiting for
something.
Then
it struck to Hazrat Sa'ad bin Ma'az that the words of the Prophet (SAW) were in
fact addressed to the Ansaar. In the second pledge of Aqba it was resolved that
if the Quraish were to attack Madina while chasing the Prophet (SAW) the
Ansaars would protect the Prophet (SAW) as they would protect their own kith
and kin. But the actual situation was that the Quraish had not attacked Madina
and the Prophet himself had thought of initiating the clash. Hence, according
to this pledge the Ansaars stood exempted from having to go outside Madina and
fight. Suddenly Hazrat Sa'ad (RAA) realized that the Prophet (SAW) was waiting
for their consent. Hence, Hazrat Sa'ad stood up and said, " O Prophet of
Allah! It seems as if your speech is directed towards us". Now, please see
what a fine statement he made. He said, "O revered Prophet! We have
already believed and put our faith in you and we have accepted you as the
Prophet and Messenger of Allah. How can we do anything on our own? We will
follow every command of yours diligently. You may take us wherever you wish to.
By God! if you command us to jump into the sea we will do so."
The Prophet
(SAW) did not need to take any oath or pledge of allegiance. He (SAW) was the
prophet and messenger of Allah and in that capacity was the one to be obeyed
unconditionally. In spite of this why did he (SAW) take oaths of allegiance at
different occasions? This was done so that in future his followers should
preferably adopt this basis for developing an organization or revivalist party
instead of adopting any constitutional model, even though it is also
permissible. I assert that the institution of bai'yah is much more plausible
because it has been mentioned in the Qur'an, because it was practiced by the
Prophet himself, and because most of the Islamic revivalist movements
throughout history were based on this mode of allegiance and association.
To be continued ....
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