The Error of Political Islam

CONTENTS Preface to the Second Edition 5 PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION 11 A Word to My Companions 24 DISCUSSION AND CORRESPONDENCE 26 First Phase: Informal Conversation 27 Second Phase: Informal Conversation 29 Third Phase: Formal Correspondence 41 Correspondence with Maulana Sadruddin Islahi 43 Correspondence with Maulana Jalil Ahsan Nadwi 59 Correspondence with Maulana Abul Lais Islahi Nadwi 96 Correspondence with Maulana Abu A’la Maududi 176 Appendix 208 UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUE 216 THE CONCEPT OF RELIGION 232 Understanding ‘Ilah’ 251 Understanding ‘Rabb’ () رب 272 The Collective Demand 290 Understanding ‘Ibadah’ 293 Understanding ‘Deen’ 307 INTERPRETATION OF THE ISLAMIC MISSION 334 Arguments from the Quran 345 A Doubt