Islamic Revival

As the 2016 Olympic euphoria continues, a very different form of competition has been brewing on the streets of Rio De Janeiro. It is a race not for gold, but for survival. A fight not between athletes but between the elite and destitute. For many years the world has been fixated on Brazil’s prodigious growth, yet simultaneously oblivious to the extreme levels of inequality it harbours. Almost 20 million people in the country live on approximately $1 a day, whilst the richest 10% receive roughly 50% of all income as opposed to the poorest 10% who receive around only 1%. [1] Lest we forget, Brazil was once considered ‘Latin America’s gold standard for economic and social development’, yet today we find it to be the complete antithesis. [2]  It has shrunk for five consecutive quarters, with economists expecting it to contract further by 4.3% this year. [3]  In fact the value of Brazil’s economy has dropped from $2.6 tn to a staggering $1.8 tn, over the course of five years alone. [4]  T

  The modern day superpower politics is nothing but an art of deception. Depending on how well you deceive the populace and your opponents confirm your stay at the top. Niccolo Machiavelli who is considered the founder of modern political science said in his seminal work, “The Prince,” “Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception. ” He further writes, “ men are so simple so obedient to present necessities that he who deceives will always find someone who will let himself be deceived…Being clever is crucial. A genuine person is not what matters. Are you able to fulfil your ambition? Your survival and repression of others is the key .” It seems that the modern day politicians have learnt their lessons well from Machiavelli. Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister, once said in his meeting with former Soviet President Stalin, that the “truth is precious that it must be protected with a bunch of lies.” The same reality applies to the global superpower today,

Due to the intellectual decline that has affected the Muslims throughout the last few centuries the subject of Ijtihad has become vague in the minds of many, unfortunately, including some thinkers as well as Ulema . Different extremes exist, some believe the doors of Ijtihad are closed whereas others have broken the doors of Ijtihad altogether. The following are some of the key misconceptions that have crept into the minds: a) The doors of Ijtihad are closed i.e. it is impossible and not permitted to undertake Ijtihad today. b) The scope of Ijtihad includes most things including definitive matters such as the prohibition of Riba (usury) and the prohibition of having nation states with a multiplicity of rulers in the Muslim world. It allows Islam to be reformed in order to apply to the modern age. c) Ijtihad is only personal reasoning and not the hukm of Allah i.e. it is the reasoning of an individual and therefore cannot be a shariah rule. d) Ijtihad is an in