Episode 3 - The Dangerous Meaning of Gradualism in Applying Shariah

Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah

The Serious Meaning of Gradual Implementation of Sharia

Dear brothers, we are still in the series of defending Sharia. Do we want to rule with something other than what Allah has revealed for a period of time? Does a Muslim say this statement? The fact is that this statement does not differ at all from the statement "We want to gradually implement Sharia."

Gradual Implementation of Sharia as Ruling with Something Other Than What Allah Has Revealed

Because this gradual approach means that we do not want to rule with what Allah has revealed in a number of issues for a period of time. It does not differ at all from the statement "We want to rule with something other than what Allah has revealed for a period." Why?

Because the one who reaches the seat of power does not reach an empty space. If he reaches an empty space with no systems, no laws, no rulings, we would imagine that he will begin by applying ten percent of Sharia, then twenty percent of Sharia, and so on until he reaches one hundred percent of Sharia, without applying any positive laws during this period. But it can be said that he is gradually implementing Sharia and not ruling with anything else.

The Practical Reality of the Ruler and the Violation of Positive Laws

However, the one who reaches the seat of power will reach a complete system of positive laws that are established in the political, economic, social, and criminal systems. These positive laws contradict the Sharia of Allah the Almighty.

The one who says, "I want to gradually implement Sharia," means that he will initially rule with laws that are in accordance with Sharia by fifty percent, for example, while he will rule with positive laws by fifty percent. Does his statement have any other meaning?

The Position of Islam on Ruling with Something Other Than What Allah Has Revealed

Where does this go in light of the saying of Allah the Almighty: {And whoever does not rule by what Allah has revealed, then those are the disbelievers}, {Then those are the wrongdoers}, {Then those are the defiantly disobedient}? In contrast to changing the laws, regardless of all that, do we not agree that ruling with something other than what Allah has revealed is at least forbidden in all its forms?

Do the Islamists accept saying this statement: "We want to rule with something other than what Allah has revealed for a period of time"? Is there a verse that praises them at that time? Is there a verse that says: {And whoever does not rule by what Allah has revealed, then those are the doers of good} or {Then those are the successful} or {Then those are the excused}?

Do Good Intentions Justify Ruling with Something Other Than What Allah Has Revealed?

Was ruling with something other than what Allah has revealed forbidden for the previous systems, then became permissible for the Islamists because their intention is noble and their intentions are good and because they rule with something of what Allah has revealed? Is there not among them who called for the one who rules with something other than what Allah has revealed is a tyrant, who made himself a legislator so that people take him as lords besides Allah?

If the Islamists rule with something other than what Allah has revealed in a gradual manner by a certain percentage, what exempts them from these descriptions? Does the good intention and some of the Sharia that they rule with and the general direction towards Sharia, is all of this in the foundations of Sharia? Is all of this sufficient to exempt them?

Conclusion

Therefore, my brothers, when we hear this statement "We want to gradually implement Sharia," let us understand its meaning and its implications. It does not differ at all from the statement "We want to rule with something other than what Allah has revealed for a period of time that we determine based on the given data." The conclusion of this episode: the statement of gradual implementation of Sharia means ruling with something other than what Allah has revealed.

Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.