An Eyewitness’ Account of Death, Horror And Misery

Partners in spirit, partners in fact

By William Jefferson Clinton

Over the past eight years, I had the privilege of traveling to nearly 100 nations around the world on behalf of the United States of America. There are few trips that meant as much to me than the journey I took last year to India. This week, I will return to India.

When you think about how you`d like the world to look in 20 years - in Africa, in Asia, in Latin America, even in the Middle East - it`s hard to imagine how we could build the future we want without a partnership between the world`s two greatest democracies. After all, India and America are natural allies, each conceived in liberty, each finding strength in diversity, each seeing in the other a reflection of its own aspirations for a more humane and just world. But even though our democratic ideals gave us a common starting point, and our dreams of peace and prosperity gave us a common destination, for too long there was too little common ground between us.

I came to India last year with the hope that my visit would help the American people to see a new India and to better understand this proud nation that has given so many gifts to the world. In turn, I hoped that my visit would help India to better understand America. I believed that listening to one another, we could lay the foundation for a true partnership between our two nations based on mutual respect and common endeavour. I was heartened to see that following that many Indians now believe that a new day has dawned between us.

Of all the displays of grace that I saw on that trip last year, none compare to the overwhelming response of the Indian people to the victims and families of the devastating earthquake in Gujarat. Over the past two months, the tireless efforts of all those involved in the relief effort have proven that the worst natural disaster in Independent India`s history has brought out the best in its people.

But as news of the tragedy fades from world headlines, the urgency of the work still to be done must not. That is why I am returning to India -- to tour the affected areas, to meet with families and relief agencies, and to bring new attention to the challenge of reconstruction that remains.

As India knows all too well, there is much to be done. The numbers alone numb the senses -- more than 20,000 dead, 1.7 million injured, one million homeless. More than 1,200 schools were destroyed. More than one million homes must be repaired or rebuilt. For all the work that has been completed, damage estimates still reach above 350 billion rupees. And there is no way of accounting for livelihoods lost and lives disrupted.

Nothing can erase the devastating loss of the earthquake. Perhaps the best way to honor those who were lost in this terrible tragedy is work with the survivors to create a better future.

One positive development over the past two months is that the tragedy in Gujarat has given impetus to the creation of a new organization in America called the American India Foundation. This is a group of distinguished Indian-Americans who have contributed a great deal to our country, and who want to deepen their engagement with India to help India realise its vision for the 21st Century. This week, more than 20 distinguished members of this Foundation will tour Gujarat with me.

We hope to work with the people of this region to achieve their vision of a new Gujarat -- to work with government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGO`s), and concerned Indians not just to build Gujarat back, but to build it better. In the short term, we hope to work with local officials in any way they need us to provide relief to meet basic needs and help Gujarat get back on its feet, be it rebuilding schools and providing teachers; repairing hospitals and providing doctors; or empowering people to reopen businesses by making credit available.

In the long-term, we want to be a resource to the people of Gujarat as they work toward their dream of bringing this region and its people into the 21st Century: by wiring schools for the Internet and other tools of the new economy; by bringing the next life-saving devices into hospitals and health centers; by using new technology to help local craftsmen market their products across India and across the world; by including local villagers in the planning process to avoid the well-intentioned but widely acknowledged mistakes of Latur and construct new buildings designed not only to withstand future earthquakes, but to meet the needs of local citizens. For centuries, the vision of the Indian people helped change the world. That same vision is at work in villages across the region today, and we will be honored to be a part of it.

While we pray that no future disasters will visit India, we know that nature has not been so kind. As many in Parliament have expressed, we share the hope that our common efforts to rebuild Gujarat will serve as a model for future efforts, particularly as Parliament works toward establishing a federal emergency management agency for India. This is intended to help the people of India endure everything from tornadoes to floods to hurricanes and emerge, in the end, even stronger.

All of this work will not be completed quickly. But the partnership I spoke of last year between the people of the United States and the people of India is not subject to time limits or deadlines. This is how partners in spirit become partners in fact. I pledge to do all I can to help make that goal a reality.

(Former US President Bill Clinton wrote this article exclusively for The Times of India.)

dear brother omar phoenix #30

i have submiited a number of articles to chowk. sadly as of yet they have not published them. perhaps you can advice them to do so.

in many ways you are right.

many of the problems facing muslims today can only be resolved with sincere islamic leadership (the khilafah state).

practically it will only be the khilafah which will use the armies in muslim lands to liberate occupied muslim territories,, who`s combined military arsenal is 20 million soldiers (compare to usa 3 million).

which will insure that our economies are run according to the justice of islam, and not the corruption of nepotism, and exploitation by an elite few, as exists today.

as to the method to revive the muslim ummah and acquire sincere islamic leadership.

it iis not for us to decide how to acquire it(no matter how noble the aim). rather it is for Allah to define to us, through the application of islamic law.

Hizb ut tahrir has researched extensively on the methodoligy to re establish the khilafah. and since its formation in 1953, has been working tirelessly on the method (derived from islamic law to re establish it.

further it constanlty researches and updates its research (due to the dynamics of changing progression in the world) of how to implement the islamic systems of life today (whether it be in economy politk, judiciary foeign policy or education).

i will post a brieff summary of this methodology below.

alternatively you can read more about it from our website

www.khilafah.com

and can download a video of an international conference we held on this matter at the birmingham national indoor arena uk in september 2000

http://conference.khilafah.com/

if you would like to meet one of our members near where you live, who can give you indept information of this work (which sadly is not in great depth in talks as their is a wide audience base and limitations of time). please email me your telephone number, or contact details, and state your city and country and i will arrange for somebody to contact you.

my email is

barristeruk@hotmail.com

your brother in islam

Ahmer Sajid

Barrister-at-Law

shankar and krashid

the criteria i laid down for khalifah (head of the islamic state ) are criteria`s laid down by islamic law. The khalifah will be head of the islamic state and will be confined to rule by islamic law under the ruling system of islam.

hizb ut-Tahrir in its published book nidam al hukm (the ruling system of islam)

has stated that the ruling system of islam is founded on 4 principles.

1 sovereignty belongs to the sharia(islamic law) and not the ummah.

2. authority belongs to the ummah ( they have the right to elect the khaifah then authroity is transfered o him).

3. the appointment of a single Khaleefah is an obligation upon all the Muslims

4. The adoption of Shari`a rules is the exclusive right of the Khaleefah. (He is the one who adopts the constitutions and the rest of the canons,).

under this premise none of the present regimes in the muslim world, indeed the entire world fulfill this criteria. therfore even if a person is criteria of being a khalifah. he will not be apointed as such because the ruling system he heads is not islamic.

Saddam hussien and none of the present rullers in muslim lands are a reference for islam.

as krashid clearly pointed out saddam hussein is a baathist.

he has, from my organisation alone arrested imprsioned and tortured many of our members in iraq.

we advice all the rulers to implement islam. and as they all have refused we go to the influential muslims to work to remove these tyranical regimes, and re establish the khilafah.

for more info visit

www.khilafah.com.pk

or our worldwide website at

www.hizb-ut-tahrir.org





Click here to enter site

A Series Of Thoughts

26. Principles of the Ruling system in Islam

The ruling system is built upon four principles which are:-

Sovereignty is for Allah

Authority is for the Ummah

The appointment of a single Khaleefah is an obligation upon all the Muslims

The adoption of Shari`a rules is the exclusive right of the Khaleefah. He is the one who adopts the constitutions and the rest of the canons

These principles have been taken from the Shari`a rules derived from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (SAW).

PUBLIC TALKS BY Hizb ut-Tahrir Pakistan

Events in Lahore:





Circle at Hakim Jegranvi Dava Khana, 5N Gulberg II, (opposite Hico Icecream Factory), Sundays after Isha





Circle at Masjid Shuhada, Mall (near Regal Chowk), Wednesdays after Maghrib





Circle at 10/110 Bridge Lane, Gulberg II (off service lane next to Sherpao Bridge), Everyday at 9 pm





Circle at Masjid Umar Farooq, Sadar Bazaar (opp. Habib Bank Main Branch), Saturdays after Maghrib



for more info visit

www.khilafah.com.pk

dear Ahmed #28

part a

the leaflet on turkey does not say that the turkish earhquakes are a punishment from Allah. that was an inference you made and not expressly said in the leaflet.

as you rightly said only Allah knows what is punishment and what is not.

the lealfet highligted the fact that, all such incidendants are from Allah.

revelation for muslims has ended. the only source of guidance we have is the quran and sunnah.

And Allah encourages us to take guidance from the quran and sunnah

to reflect on creation and draw closer to Allah

Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alteration of night and day, these are indeed signs for men of understanding.`` [TMQ 3:190]

the lealfet pointed out that we should fear Allah and the earthquakes are a sign of Allah.

it further quoted from the quran and sunah that Allah punishes people who disobey him.

``Do they not see that they are tried every year, once or twice? Yet they turn not in repentance, and they take no heed`` [Tawbah:126]

``Do then those who devise evil plots feel secure that Allah will not sink them into the earth, or that the torment will not seize them from directions they perceive not? Or that He may catch them in the midst of their going to and fro, so that there be no escape for them (from Allah`s Punishment) Or that He may catch them with a gradual wasting (of their wealth and health)`` [al-Nahl:45-47]

Abu Dawud has narrated the Messenger of Allah saying: ``The people when they see the tyrant and do not restrain his hands, Allah will be about to punish them all``.

the leaflet did not make a direct corrolation between the earthquakes being a punishment from Allah, (as only Allah knows whether that is the case).

rather it implored muslims to remove these corrupt regimes, who have given humilation upon humilation and suffering upon suffering to the ummah, and work to re establish the khilafah, which islam has obliged upon us.

part b.

the leaflet further not only highlighted the suffering facing muslims, and humanity, not only in turkey, but throughout the world, contuinued to highlight the viable and compulsary duty and solution for these problems. which is the return of the islamic state, al khilafah.

Hizb ut-Tahrir has researched extensively into this matter from islamic law and has through its research of present day reality, derived detailed solutions on the re establishment of this state, and its practical implementation.

hence we do not give doon, and frustration to humanity, rather we highlight the evils prevalnt in society today, and highlight the islamic and viable solution to all these ills.

on you issue of Mohhamed saws mandate.

his mandate was not merely to guide from right and wrong. but rather he implemented and enforced islam.

he was head of the islamic state in madaina.

he implemted islam.

he inforced the sharia.. and he physically fought those who Allah commaned to do so.

all those these are highlited in numerous and authenticed narratioons of the lifestory of Mohhamed saws (please refer to ibn ishaq the classical biographer /seerah narrator of Mohhaed saws life story, and see other classical citations for refernce.).

Mohhmed saws further commanded and told huymanity that after he passes away there will be khulafaa and they will number many obey them as long as they abide by isllam (and do not commit kufr buah).

Bukhari narrated about Abada ibn As-Samet, he said ``the Prophet (SAW) called us, so we gave him a pledge to listen and obey in our activity, and our dislike, in our hardship, and our ease and in the things which are dear to us, and not to dispute the authority with its people unless you see clear kufr upon which you have proof from Allah``.

Abu Hazim also narrated that he accompanied Abu Hurairah for five years and heard him narrate about the Prophet saying: ``The Prophets ruled over the children of Israel, whenever a prophet died another prophet succeeded him, but there will be no prophet after me. There will be Khulafa`a and they will number many. They asked: What then do you order us?. He said: Fulfill the bay`ah to them one after the other and give them their due. Surely Allah will ask them about what He entrusted them with.``

Nafi`a narrates from Ibn `Umar, who said, ``I heard the Messenger of Allah say: He who dies whilst there was no bay`ah (oath of allegiance) on his neck, he dies a death of jahiliyyah.``

O you who believe! Obey Allah, obey the Messenger and the rulers from amongst you, and if you disagree on a matter then return it (for judgement) to Allah and the Messenger if you truly believe in Allah and the Last Day.`` [TMQ 4:59]

i hope this has answered you questions.

for more information please visit

www.khilafah.com.pk

Reply #: 505

tahmed321

dear Ahmed and all other fellow muslim borthers and sisters

Assalamu Aliakum

dear Ahmed i humbly apologise for the delay in responding to your questions on the postings i made on earthquakes.

i have been considerably busy over the last week, and will be so for the remainder of this week.

i have many commitments outside the cyber domain. and i am sure you understand, that some of these at times take priority.

in the last week, i with a number of other members of Hizb ut-Tahrir partipated in a panel discussion and conference to a packed out audience of muslim intlectuals and proffesionals at the university college london. where the subject of discussion was pakistan and shairia. and how islam is applicable for all times. and implementable in Pakistan.

the guest panalists includined Mr Farhan Bokhari the british Financial times correspondnat for Pakistan. and Mr Niazi the editor of the Jang Newspaper.

all those interested in this panel discussion will shortly be able to download and view it from

www.khilafah.com

i have during this time attempted to answer all the questions raised on the revival of the muslim ummah on this forum.

and have attempted a systematic approach, via responding to the postings i have made on several sections of this forum.

i responded to democracy breifly.

and did not respond to your honourable questions. as i was limited for time and wished to give them the time and consideration they rightly deserved.

please accept my humble apologies for the delay in repling to them.

inshallah i will respond to them within a week

yours humbly

Ahmer Sajid.

PS. fellow muslims let us discuss on an intelectual basis. devoid of slander and abuse.

Mohhamed saws is narrated to have said in one hadith

``there is good in me and my ummah until the last day``

i seek the goodness in all muslims.

i do not call muslims munafiq. as only Allah knows what is in there hearts. we can only judge there actions and not the concealed thoughts in their hearts.

as muslims we should guide those who are misguided amongst the ummah. not through abuse and slander. but through the intelcutal basis and strength of islam.

which thoughout history has won the hearts and minds of millions.

Quake Can`t Shake Caste System

By JOSEPH COLEMAN, Associated Press Writer

LAKHOND, India (AP) - The streets are strewn with rubble and house after house is a useless heap of stone. But there`s one structure that can`t be shaken in India, even by a killer earthquake - the caste system.

The town has six distinct tent camps for the earthquake homeless - all separated by caste or religion. When relief groups showed up to hand out aid, town leaders presented them with six lists of residents: four different Hindu castes, the untouchables - lower even than the formal caste system - and Muslims. All the camps are separate.

With the pattern repeated across the zone in western India ravaged by the Jan. 26 quake, relief groups find themselves wrestling with the country`s ingrained social hierarchy to get help to everybody - even untouchables.

``The whole issue of making sure all the castes are included has been a challenge,`` Graham Saunders of Catholic Relief Services said Wednesday as workers handed out buckets, soap and other aid to people in the town.

Officially, India`s traditional caste system - a social hierarchy with Brahmans at the top and the so-called ``untouchables`` at the bottom - has been illegal for decades, and discriminating against someone on the basis of caste in employment and housing, for example, can wind up in court. Unofficially, however, the social order in the countryside remains strong, determining how most people live, with whom they marry and socialize.

So while modernization and urbanization have blurred the lines between castes somewhat in the cities, in places like the quake-damaged villages of Gujarat the divisions are clear, and greatly complicate the already enormous challenges of getting relief to victims.

In the aftermath of the disaster, necessities are scarce and everyone is desperate for help. Those at the top of the pecking order use their connections and prestige to get the pick of the goods.

``Whatever the distribution of aid, it first goes to the upper castes,`` said Mayuri Mistry, a Catholic Relief Services worker in Gujarat.

The social hierarchy is only one of the problems with aid distribution. There have been complaints in the quake zone that political connections are playing a big role in determining who gets help.

The needs are overwhelming. The 7.7-magnitude quake killed more than 17,000 and left behind 1 million homeless, according to a United Nations (news - web sites) estimate. More than 60,000 were injured and survivors are in need of medical care, food, water and shelter.

The French group Doctors without Borders has a cultural anthropologist in Bhuj, near the epicenter, to coach workers on how to navigate the region`s social landscape.

``Indian villages look like a mess, but you know by the house what caste lives there,`` said Pilar Duch. ``You cannot think that a village is homogeneous. If you don`t know that, you can make a mistake.``

Her colleague Olaf Pots spent the day Wednesday moving from village to village northeast of Bhuj, assessing needs and handing out blankets, tarps for tents and water buckets.

But it was more than just a matter of dropping piles of aid off at each village and moving on. First he met with village leaders and figured out how many people lived in the town and what castes were represented.

Then came the hard part: deciding whether to hand over the goods to the top man in the village, distribute them among the leaders of the various castes in the town, or simply go door to door to make sure everyone got their share.

In Gada, a hilltop hamlet, Pots had a lengthy negotiation with village elders, peppering them with questions about the castes there and wringing from them guarantees that they would distribute the aid fairly.

A key to success is making sure there is enough to cover everyone in a village, so there is no fighting over short supplies.

For example, the sub-chief of Gada, Jiva Manda Rabari, assured Pots that he would see that the village`s four untouchable families would get their share - provided supplies were sufficient.

``You have to give us enough if you want them to get something,`` he said, adding that he would turn away deliveries that could not provide everyone with some relief.

In some towns, international organizations rely on local groups to police distribution. In nearby Traya, Pots struck a deal with the village elders to let a member of a local women`s development group supervise the handing out of blankets, tarps and water bottles.

In Lakhond, the leader of the untouchables there, Ramesh Kumar Hamirbhai, said he had no major problems with the distribution of aid so far, though he said the tradition of separating aid deliveries by caste caused unnecessary complications.

He said he preferred the way some international groups were operating, by gathering everybody in one place and handing out relief one person at a time.

``This is the best system,`` he said. ``This way, each and every person gets help.``

Shankar#

I am not here to justify people like Saddam Hussain or Hafiz-ul-Asad (If you know anything about Syria).

The point was that we are forced to believe CERTAIN FACTS and HYPOTHESIS which are forced down our throat.

I don`t know much. But I clearly feel that Foolish Saddam Hussain is a pawn in American hand (through his psyche). The eight year war between Iraq and Iran destroyed the might of two great powers in region. Also attack by Saddam on Kuwait caused America to enter gulf region without hesitation.

IF America removes Saddam and incite Nationalist movement where will America stand.

It is a ploy just to keep him in check.

So you see him as butcher (and rightly so) an Islamic fundamentalist who is worshipped by Muslims all over the world.

He is not even allowed entry into Arab League etc.

Are you influenced. Yes. Does media plays a role. It toes the policy of Government and CIA.

Hope this clarifies.

KRashid,

I agree with your observations re Saddam. He maybe a secularist & doesnt pick the people close to him based on their religion. But I feel he is a butcher with absolutely no conciensce. He is a muslim in name only. However, I feel he continually spits at the prophet(pbuh) by his actions. He wont hesitate to kill anyone in Iraq who dares cross him (including his own sons-in-law). He wont hesitate to massacre a whole village of civilians--even if the are women & children, with poison gas. His power is absolute & I dont think he even cares how he will explain his actions to Allah.

However, I think he fulfills Barrister sahib`s 6 criteria. If the good barrister was Iraqi living in that country & he disagreed that Saddam fits the 6 criteria--Saddam would cut his head, gift wrap it in a box & present it to the barrister`s wife. I heard that Saddam did that to one of his confidants who opposed him & his wife begged Saddam to spare his life. Maybe its Western propaganda...

Watch the inspirational film on Earthquake

Click here to watch the inspirational film on Earthquake with soundtrack and images.

http://www.klubq.com/earthquake/

Shankar #31

Your observation on Saddam Hussain is wrong.

He is secularist. Belong to Baath Party a highly secular party. (Hafiz Asad also belonged to Baath party).

His prime minister Tariq Aziz is a christian reflecting the same trend.

West portrays him as Muslim fundamentalist. And with power of money you can proove white as black. (by buying black glasses for everyone)

The only reason there is some soft corner for Saddam Hussain is because he challenged America in Gulf.

Regards

Barrister Sahib,

I hope you can get over your irritation at me when I pose you this serious question:

{{1 he must be muslim

2. he must be male

3. he must be mature

4. he must be sane

5. he must be just

6. he must be free.}}

Who determines whether such a person meets these criteria?

For instance, one can argue Saddam Hussein, Khomeni or Mullah Omer could fulfil the above criteria. There will be many who argue that they are/were sane, just & mature. So what if the West feels differently about them? What right does the West have to make such judgements anyway? To many millions of muslims throughout the world, they are/were role model muslim leaders of the latter part of the 20th century.

I`m very curious about your thoughts on this.

Dear Amer,

It would be good if you could actually write an article on what exactly the Khlifah solution is and how it differs/compares/shares similarities to the other political solutions-I assume your favourite one is Capitalism.

My knowledge of politics is absolutely nil, though over the XYZ period, reading the Chowk interacts/articles, I have become interested in learning a bit more about it.

I did actually go to one of those meetings of Hizbut Tahrir a couple of times in a Mosque and then left because I did not find the meetings to be educational. It was a case of “if there is a khalifah, then he would do this, and if there was a khalifa, then he would do that.” I was more interested in “how exactly” and a few practical examples would have been nice.

Though I do not have precise details of what a Khalifah, democracy, theocracy, capitalism etc etc is exactly (thereby I will refrain as much as possible from giving out any info regarding the subjects), I fear that the concept, in the wrong hands would be very dangerous. Why, because the public is not educated about this system. Although a Khalifah is questionable to the public, I can just imagine an upper class corrupt Khalifah ruling over the masses and this time he would have God on his side.

I then think that a collective of ‘intellectuals’ and professionals (whatever that means) of every type, be it humanitarians, lawyers, economists, writers, engineers, doctors, artists, social workers, religious scholars etc should take on the responsibility of raising awareness of various issues the bother us - whether it be population control, whether it be educational needs, whether it be promoting the wholesome image of Islam and the particular place they have chosen to target- the rights of the common folk and the degree of input the individual will have (in your case) under a khalifa leadership.

Obviously, the bigger the numbers, the more powerful this collective will become - a non-political government perhaps. And since this collective would be ruled by people with a common cause, that of the betterment of society, the revolution of change might not need be bloody, the replacement of the corrupt political system will be swift, as the public would be (hopefully) on this collective’s side.

I’m sure it will then be easier for you to choose your Khalifah.

I would appreciate anybodies input on this who is into politics. It would be interesting to learn something new.

Take care and best wishes

Omar Phoenix

Barrister Amir #24 aoa

I see I sent only part (a) in my previous post - that in itself is enough for purposes of supporting my contention. However, I should add part (b) as well: I think to say that someone has suffered misfortune as a form of punishment violates the spirit of kindness, which is a virtue that is attributed to Allah over and over again in the Quran. How can a muslim have anything but thoughts for the welfare of those who have suffered misfortune. And remember: this includes people of all religions and sects, as is repeatedly mentioned in the Quran (although ignored every day by muslims). Please reflect on (b) as well with the same open mind as I hope you do for (a).

I would also appreciate any thoughts you may have on the religious basis for establishing a Khalifah in light of Allah`s clear instructions to the Holy Prophet himself that his mandate is to guide, not to correct (see the ayah quoted in my previous post). Take an objective look at that ayah (and the same message is repeated a number of times in the Quran) and tell me how anyone can claim that the concept of Khalifah is anything other than a violation of Allah`s message.

Barrister Amir #24 aoa

First of all, please accept my congratulations on having maintained a calm and gentle tone despite my harsh indictment of your earlier post. We may not agree on some matters, sometimes some very important matters of practical importance to Pakistan, but you have provided an example of how we can try to resolve our differences, or even agree to disagree and yet wish God`s Blessings on one another.

Next, on the content of your post: You say: ``i have provided my presentations to this forum with detailed evidences from the authoritive sources of islamic law...kindly please forward your evidences from islamic law for your supositions to the contrary of the islamic views i hold. based upon the detailed evidences i have presented...general statements without any substance or evidence will not suffice.``

This is my response:

My objection was to your presentation of the earthquake in Turkey as a punishment from Allah for having strayed from the path.

I object to this for the following reasons:

(a) This statement implies knowledge of Allah`s intent. This represents a clear violation of the Quran, and I present the following as evidence:

Sura 2:79 Then woe to those who write

The Book with their own hands,

And then say: ``This is from Allah,``...

Sura 2:272 It is not required

Of thee (O Messenger),

To set them on the right path,

But Allah sets on the right path

Whom He pleaseth

NOTE: Also consider implications of these Words of Allah for the blasphemy laws.

Sura 19:78 Has he penetrated to

The Unseen, or has he

Taken a contract with

(Allah) Most Gracious?

Sura 6:93 Who can be more wicked

Than one who inventeth

A lie against Allah,

Or said, ``I have

Received inspiration,``

When he hath received None...

These are not isolated extracts, but part of the consistent message delivered to all muslims that no man after the Holy Prophet can claim to have received inspiration from Allah. There is even a wonderful story in Sura 18 which should be remembered whenever we are tempted to think that we understand the reason behind someone`s misfortune: In this story, the Moses asks one of God`s servants (whose name and further details are not mentioned, but is obviously not a human) if he may follow him in order to learn something ``Of the (Higher) Truth Which thou has been taught?``. In summary, the servant scuttles a boat. Moses asks why he has done this strange thing. Later on, the servant explains that he scuttled the boat to render it unserviceable to prevent it`s seizure by a certain King (with the boatmen presumably being able to repair the boat later one when the King had passed by).

The moral of the story is: We humans cannot understand God`s ways. And the message of Allah is clear and severe in cases where we pretend to have such knowledge.

I believe this story reinforces the message elsewhere in the Quran on this matter.

I pray that you will consider this evidence in the same graceful manner that you responded to my post.

dear fairdinkum #: 19

Assalaamu alaikum

i would be onoured to answer all of your questions regarding this vital issue facing the muslims.

the khilafah is is the namke given to the ruling system of islam.

it is defined as the general leadership over the muslims. it implements islam. defends islam and carries it to the world.

it is elucidated in many authorative sources of islamic law and is an obligation for all muslims to re establish and uphold.

as to who the khalifah will be.

Hizb ut Tahrir through detailed research of quran and sunnah consider there to be six criteria on who can be the khalifah these are..

1 he must be muslim

2. he must be male

3. he must be mature

4. he must be sane

5. he must be just

6. he must be free.

Therefore any muslim who is able to fulfill these conditions can become khalifah however today their is no khilafah ruling system in place in the muslim world. so we must work to re establish it and insure that the muslims have a khailfah who fuilfils the above requirements heading it

the khilafah is the ruling system of islam. the definition of politics is looking after the needs of people and regulating their societal interactions. hence in the western world people`s political problems are resolved through the capitalistic system of democracy. here people define and choose what laws are good and bad, and how there societal interactions should be regulated.

politics in islam are not democractic nor based upon the capitalistic system.

but rather they are based upon the islamic ideology

in islam man is not sovereign nor does he have the rigt to define what is good and or evil

rather it is Allah who defines what is good and bad.

islam has a comprehensive detailed solutions to all lifes affiars.

hence politics in islam

is looking after the affiars of people on the basis of islam only !

although democracy is haram.

this does not mean the islamic system is totalitarium and dictatorial

but rather it is a system where people are obliged to adhere to the humk sharia

further they have the intrinsic right to decide who will be the leader of the muslims

and muslims are entilled to elect the khalifah.

the muslims can elect them by universal suffrage

or via the election of the khaifash through the nomination and vote of the reprsentatives of the ummah.

in the islamic state this may be via the vote for the new khaifah being given by members of the majlis al ummah (council of the ummah)

this is a consulative assembly, with memebers elected via local franchise from their geographical locaties (hence they will be at the council of the ummah as the elected representatives of the general public in there localities who voted for them.

the khilafah is an obligation for all muslims

the needd to have a sincere general islamic leadership for all muslims

who implements islam

defends islam

and carries it to the world.

you will find all scools of islamic thought agree upon this neccessity and fard of islam.

hizb ut Tahrir is open to muslims from al scools of islamic thought

wheterh sunni shia or ahle adith

as the work for khilafah is an obligation to us all.

hizb ut tahir has defined 4 principles of ruling in islam

1 soveriegnty belongs to allah (ie islamic law is above allother juristidiction.

2 authority belongs to the ummah (te muslims have the right to elect and account the kailfah).

3 the khailfah is leader of all muslims and baya |(oath of allegance must be givwen to im by all.

4. the khailfah has the right to decide on a fiqhi issue wic will be binding on the sstate and polpulattion.

point 4 wix seems closely to wat was raised in your question.

ighlights the right of the khalif to adopt islamic opnions on laws whic will be binding on the entire country.

the evidences of this right are numeerous.

even thee saaba qarim understood this

and when abu bakr sadiq was kailfah ra

umar r.a was a judge in te isklamic court.

they bot differnet views on divorce

but omar applied the principle of abu bakr ra and continued to do so during the khilafah of abu bakr.

then when omar became khalifah he retuned to his own opnion which he considered stronger.

this right enables the khaifah to enusre the state muslims smotler

and in hizb ut tahrir`s view

this is something used in neccessity use to unify and give a cohenrent binding effect on day to day legislative matters and insures occuring with humans muslims interacting in society.

it does not consider this should apply to ibadat issues (ie namaz roza, aqeeda etc,) but only on intereaction of muslims brwteen themselves in society.

therefore it will not abolish fiqha

infact it will incourage healty discussion between the various schools of islamc thought to raisse the intelectuial level fo muslims

further if a mujtaid considers he has a stronger evidence from islam on how islamic matters can be resolv ed, he can contact the khaifa. wo can become convinced tat it is the strongest viepoint and therefore he adopts it on issued whoc it will relate to from legilative issues,

hizb ut tahri has detailed solutions on how we can practically and more importantly isalmically imprement islam.

it has writeen numous books

on the islamc economy

taxation policy

froegeign poliicy

cloning gm foods

and islamic ruling ystem.

for more info and links to many other hizb ut tahrir sites around the globe plz visist

http://www.khilafah.com.pk