When the call is raised that our law, our economy, our politics, and all parts of our lives should be under the guidance of Islam, the question arises: Why should it be this way? What is the reason for this?
These questions emerge because we live in a society where materialist ideas (secular ideas) dominate the minds of people. This perspective is widely accepted, asserting that the best system for governing a state is one based on materialism (the secular system), and it is under the auspices of this materialism (secularism) that a government can be run effectively.
In such an environment, both large and small governments not only endorse materialism (secularism) but take pride in it. If we were to proclaim in these societies that we must Islamize our country, our laws, our economy, politics, and every aspect of our lives, we might be met with the retort, “Islamize our society under the old principles that ruled 1,240 years ago.” This slogan not only appears unfamiliar to the world; rather, it leads to different brands and stigmas. The term “fundamentalism” has become a pejorative title globally, and in the eyes of the world, anyone who argues that the government system must be aligned with religion and Islam is labeled a fundamentalist. Such individuals are often subjected to negative propaganda.
However, if we examine the root of this term, “fundamentalist” refers to someone who adheres to fundamental principles. It is, in essence, a positive title; sadly, the world has distorted it into a term of disdain.
Why Islamism?
In this section, we will address the question: “Why should we give our lives an Islamic orientation?” and “Why do we want to regulate the laws of the country based on the principles of Islam?” This question arises despite the fact that religious teachings are over fourteen centuries old.
What I am discussing revolves around how secular governments organize and manage their systems and social lives. Such governments do not establish specific principles as their foundations; instead, they emphasize the importance of reason, observation, and experience to recognize the needs and demands of the present age. Based on this understanding, citizens can determine their interests and design laws accordingly. It is understood that rules can change with changing conditions, which allows for progress.
In a secular government, rationality, observation, and experience are considered the ultimate criteria. The main question, however, is whether these standards are robust enough to guide humanity indefinitely. Can reliance solely on reason, observation, and experience provide sufficient guidance?
