The Theory of Revolution in Islam

AUGUST 23 The Theory of Revolution in Islam We learn from the Qur’an that the state of a community is changed by God only when its members have themselves moved on to a higher spiritual plane. The Qur’an expresses this with telling simplicity: “God does not change people’s lot unless they change what is in their hearts” (13:11) The starting point of the Islamic revolution is, in fact, the individual. From the individual it gradually progresses on to the society or system, instead of starting from the system to the individual. Clearly, Islamic thinking on this subject is diametrically opposed to the communist ideology, which decrees that the individual can be reformed by a change of system. The Islamic view is that when the individual has reformed, society will of itself undergo a transformation. The theory of Islamic revolution recognizes that the individual is the source of both corruption and reform. Therefore, if the rectification of any aspect of society is sought, the starting point must be the individual and his spiritual wholeness. There is a hadith which gives metaphorical expression to this: “Listen carefully. In the body there is a piece of flesh. If that is healthy, the whole body is healthy. But if that piece of flesh is not in proper shape, the whole body will become unfit. Listen, that piece of flesh is the heart” (Al-Bukhari). If a social revolution is to be brought about, emphasis must be laid primarily on producing good character: the importance of the good and the right—in thought, word and deed—should, ideally, be inculcated from the very outset. Goodness then becomes the principle upon which all healthy social interaction takes place. This has a generally pervasive effect also on social institutions, which take their moral hue from the individuals responsible for their functioning at all levels. According to a hadith recorded in Mishkat, the Prophet of Islam said that the rulers would be of the same level as that of the ruled. That is, whether a system is good or bad for a society will depend upon the individuals who manage it, and also who are managed by it. In a society formed of good citizens, the system, whatever it may be, will run on just and equitable lines. Conversely, in a society formed of miscreants and moral backsliders, no system per se can conceivably engender social progress, while the system itself, because of the corruption of individuals, will appear to be riddled with iniquities.