“And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know (it).”

[Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:42]

The truthfulness of Islam cannot be mixed with the falsehood of Secularism. Secularism is the distancing or separating of religion from the state, society and life. It is to disavow Allah (SWT), His dominance and to rebel against Him. It is to disavow the rules and commandments of Islam, which He (SWT) has obliged to be followed and implemented in all walks of life and at all levels of society.

Secularism, which is the Aqeedah (creed) of Capitalism, is diametrically opposed to Islam’s Aqeedah of ‘Laa ilaaha illa-Allah Muhammad-ur-Rasoolullah’. Several secularists and some ill-informed Muslims are still propagating the notion that Secularism does not contradict Islam and they promote it under the guise of freedom of creed being allowed under democracy. In fact, this call does not hold water since the reality of Secularism and the democratic system contradict the reality of Islam.

Secularism is built upon the separation and detachment of religion rather than believing in religion itself. Thus, if religion in essence did not regulate and govern life and were confined to issues of the hereafter alone in terms of beliefs and rituals, as is the reality with Christianity, it would not in this case undermine or contradict Secularism. This is the reason why religions such as Christianity do not clash with the secular framework and system, and those that adhere to such religions can live by and accept it.

But if religion attended to life’s affairs and addressed man’s relationship with others in governance, economics and social affairs (such as trading, marriage and the judiciary) as is the case in Islam, it would categorically clash with Secularism in all shapes and forms and no bridges could ever be built between them. In fact, Islam is not a mere spiritual religion but is a Deen i.e. a complete and comprehensive way of life that regulates all of man’s relationships.

The believer no doubt has complete Imaan in Islam. That is to say the he has tasdeeq al-jazim (decisive belief) in the ideology, i.e. the belief that is free of any conjecture whatsoever. So how could the believer band together the belief of separating religion from life and the belief in a Deen that has brought a comprehensive Shari’ah for life? It is clear that those who propagate the notion of Secularism not contradicting Islam are either deceivers or the deceived.

“How clearly He sees and how clearly He hears! There is not for them besides Him any protector and He does not share His Command with anyone.”

[Surah Al-Kahf, 18:26]