I believe this will be the first post I make on politics. I myself have little to no interest in it. I definitely see the usefulness in people being involved, especially in local government. But as far as being left or right. Conservative or liberal. I feel I’m Muslim and Islam is my path. I don’t fit conservatives or liberals. Islam is the middle way.
So it really bothers me when others try to push a certain candidate on the Muslim community, as though this candidate is our savior. I pray we get someone who is for peace, who is for prosperity, who is for fairness and so much more, but I’m not holding my breath either. I’m not expecting a non-Muslim to stand for justice the way Islam asks the people to do so, when he’s not even Muslim, and has no clue what true justice even is.
Another issue arises when Muslims become politicized, and that is it becomes a huge part of their identity. They start thinking of themselves as liberals or conservatives. Unfortunately this is a trap. It’s not a specific trap of politics, but rather it’s a danger that exists across nearly all spectrums. As Muslims we must see ourselves as Muslims first, then base our lives on that, rather than getting sucked into the different paths that lead no where.
“(Iblees) said: ‘Because You have sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight Path.
Quran [al-A‘raaf 7:16-17].
‘Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them as thankful ones (i.e. they will not be dutiful to You)’”
Ibn Mas’ud reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, drew a line in the sand with his hand and he said, “This is the straight path of Allah.” Then, the Prophet drew lines to the right and left, and he said, “These are other paths, and there is no path among them but that a devil is upon it calling to its way.” Then the Prophet recited the verse, “Verily, this is the straight path, so follow it and do not follow other ways.” (6:153)
Source: Musnad Aḥmad 4423
Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Ahmad Shakir
What Allah has given us is perfect, and is all encompassing. There is no addition or subtraction from it. It is complete. All we must do is follow it. I pray we can stick to the Truth that Islam brings, and stay away from the falsehood that others bring.
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