Independence does not merely connote physical freedom from colonization but also surpasses that of mental and spiritual influence. From the Islamic point of view, does it mean that a person, race or nation is independent if it still upholds principles be it from the east or the west other than the Divine Revelations of the Quran and and sayings of the Prophet i.e. Al Hadith? Anything that is from the west is the best or anything that is from the east such as local practice and culture or that the supremacy of a particular race is considered pure and sacred and therefore must be adhered to at all costs? Even to the extent of having the right to do anything as one likes at the expense of injustice to fellow man or to discard the truth?
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has successfully built an exemplary Islamic nation capable of governing a just society for everyone commanding respect, inclusive of non-muslims around the city of Madinah in every aspects of life. So why is it that Muslims i.e. us in this later generations cannot emulate the same model to be implemented today?
Islam came to rejuvenate mankind and to free them from colonization of their minds and soul. Listen to what Ruba’ei bin Umair has to say when confronted by Rustam, the Roman general most feared by friends and foes. Rustam had asked Ruba’ei, “Why did you come to us?”
Ruba’ei answered, “We have come to free mankind from the subserviency of one to another and instead instill one’s obedience to One God only, to bring the light of faith from the darkness of disbelief and to enlighted mankind’s narrowness of this world to the vastness of avenues of the hereafter.”
When mankind is able to obey solely the words of his own Creator, then only is he empowered with the spirit of independence in the real sense…
Only God knows best…
Happy 52nd Independence Day!
Points have been modified from the malay version of this and this.
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