Jawed Anwar

WESTERN  leaders, including those in Europe and NATO, view Russia and “terrorism” as threats to Western civilization. By Russia, they mean the Orthodox Christian state power, and by “terrorism,” they refer to Islamic political and military forces. For years, Western powers have labeled politically empowered Islam as fundamentalism and extremism. Now, they unapologetically brand it as terrorism.

In my previous article, Western Civilization vs. Christian Power, I explored why Russia’s Orthodox Christianity and its resistance to Western values threaten Europe and NATO. In this article, I will examine why Islam is seen as a threat to Western civilization.

Western civilization is defined by values such as imperialism, racism, nationalism, secularism, capitalism, liberalism, democracy (majority rule), Zionism, feminism, transgenderism, and the promotion of obscenity, sexual perversion, adultery, liquor, drugs, and gambling.

I will use the term “Westernism” to describe Western civilization and its political, social, cultural, and educational systems, led primarily by the United States.

The West has no issue with Muslim kings, democracies, or dictators as long as they align with Western interests. Their concern arises when Islam gains political and military power, which signifies freedom from the West’s educational, economic, cultural, and mental dominance.

The West does not care about the sect or school of thought Muslims follow; their issue is with Islam rooted in the Quran and Sunnah, which teaches liberation from false gods and Western control.

The West opposes entities like the Islamic Republic of Iran, led by Shia scholars in Qom; the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, governed by Taliban (Hanafi scholars and students); and Palestine, controlled by Hamas, an offshoot of the Shafi’i-influenced Muslim Brotherhood. The West’s concern is not how perfectly these groups implement Islamic law but that Islam holds power in these regions.

The West tolerates Islamic movements striving for power through democratic elections, but only until they gain control. If such movements succeed, Western-backed client states often intervene to prevent their rise.

For instance, in December 1991, the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) won 188 of 231 seats in Algeria’s legislative elections. Fearing an Islamist government, the Algerian military, with Western support, staged a coup in January 1992, canceled the elections, forced President Chadli Bendjedid to resign, and banned FIS while launching a propaganda campaign to discredit it.

Similarly, in June 2012, Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood won the presidential election, making Mohammad Morsi the country’s first democratically elected president. However, on July 3, 2013, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi overthrew Morsi’s government in a military coup, suspended the constitution, and received full support from the West and its Middle Eastern allies.

Muslim kings and dictators who comply with Western demands are supported, but those who resist, like leaders in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Sudan, and Somalia, face regime change through covert and overt operations.

Islamic civilization stands in stark contrast to Westernism, rooted in three core beliefs: Tawheed, Risalah, and Akhirah.

Tawheed: The belief in the Oneness of God, the universe, and humanity. God created men and women from Adam and Eve, dividing them into nations and tribes to know one another. Tawheed fosters universal brotherhood and sisterhood.

“O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may ˹get to˺ know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (Quran Al-Hujurat 49:13)

The best humans are those who fear and love Allah most. The Quran, revealed through Angel Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), is a complete code of life:

“The command is for none but Allah. He has commanded that you worship and obey none but Him. This is the right way.” (Quran: Yusuf 12:40)

“Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow other guardians besides Him.” (Quran: Al-A’raf 7:3)

“And those who do not judge by what Allah has revealed are indeed disbelievers.” (Quran: Al-Ma’idah 5:44)

Risalah: Allah sent Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as a role model, guide, and leader. Muslims must obey him in all aspects of life:

“Every messenger We sent was sent so that, by Allah’s command, they would be obeyed.” (Qur’an: An-Nisa 4:64)

“Whoever obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah.” (Qur’an: An-Nisa 4:80)

The Prophet’s teachings and practices, known as Sunnah, guide Muslims.

Akhirah: The purpose of Islamic governance is to fulfill this supplication: “Our Lord, grant us goodness in this world and goodness in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.” (Quran: Al-Baqarah 2:201)

An Islamic government prioritizes: 1) Goodness in this world, 2) Goodness in the Hereafter, and 3) Protection from Hellfire.

Policies in all areas of life reflect these goals, with a focus on the eternal Hereafter. The state’s media and education systems are restructured to emphasize this mission.

“Remember Our servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—people of strength and insight. We chose them for their pure quality: the remembrance of the abode of the Hereafter. Indeed, in Our sight, they are among the chosen and the righteous.” (Quran: Sad 38:45-47)

“The believers are those who, if We grant them authority (power) in the land, will establish prayer, give zakat, enjoin good, and forbid evil.” (Quran: Al-Hajj 22:41)

The Quran and Sunnah form Islam’s constitution. When this constitution gains power, Western values like imperialism, racism, nationalism, secularism, capitalism, usury, liberal democracy, Zionism, feminism, transgenderism, LGBT culture, liquor, drugs, and gambling have no place.

jawed@seerahwest.com

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