The Error of Political Islam

CONSEQUENCES OF MISINTERPRETATION by circumstances to either reinterpret their previous stance and return to what they had once condemned as forbidden, or to adopt a means of livelihood even worse than government employment. Misinterpretation of Religious Dominance In the Quran, the concept of ghalaba (dominance) is consistently presented as a result of God’s support. This does not mean that dominance randomly “descends” upon anyone. Rather, it implies that in this world, only those whom Allah has decreed to achieve dominance are able to prevail. Our primary task is not to aim directly at dominance and launch movements focused solely on achieving it from day one. Instead, the real task is to strive to make ourselves deserving of divine support. Once we have achieved this worthiness, Allah will create circumstances for us. He will create opportunities for us, just as He created opportunities for the Prophet Joseph in one particular form and as He did uniquely in another form for the final Messenger. How does one attain this worthiness? The Quran describes this path in various ways. For instance, in Chapter Al-Ma’idah (5:12), a sawa as-sabil (clear path) is outlined for believers who live in particular circumstances. This path includes leading an organized life, establishing prayer (whose essence is humbly and eagerly connecting with one’s Lord), paying zakat