الحمد لله والصلاة عل رسول الله وبعد
As the Muslim Ummah is receiving the good news that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina — who ruled this great Muslim country for over two decades — has been forcefully made to resign and flee to India, we believe that the people of knowledge and wisdom in Bangladesh should immediately plan for the future of their country. [1]
Here, I would like to present a few points of advice that may help our brothers and sisters in this great Muslim country to make the best decision in this testing time.
BACKGROUND
For the past two months, students across the country protested against the government’s job quota system
The controversial system favoured descendants of the 1971 War of Independence
20-30 per cent of civil service jobs were reserved for such family members
Further ten per cent was designated for minority groups, so less than 60 per cent offered to the general population
Around 500 students died in the unrest, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigning and fleeing to Delhi, India, on 5 August
Prior to the demonstrations, Hasina had ruled Bangladesh for a combined total of over 20 years
Remind each other to maintain ikhlās
Your motivation should not be any worldly matter such as position, fame, wealth, or anything of that nature.
Your intention should be pleasing Allah by helping your country to be as close as possible to Islam and allowing the people of Bangladesh to live a honourable life that you all deserve.
A lack of ikhlās will ruin the efforts put towards helping your country and may also ruin the sacrifice your people offered throughout these years.
However, having ikhlās will invoke the help of Allah, which is mandatory for this “spring” of Bangladesh to be successful.
Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) says,
وَٱلَّذِينَ جَـٰهَدُوا۟ فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمَعَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
“And those who strive in Our (cause), We will certainly guide them to our Paths: for verily, Allah is with those who do right.” [2]
Maturity required while country is at a crossroads
Bangladesh is undoubtedly facing a crossroads in its existence; for this reason, you should observe a high level of maturity.
Hence, you should make sure that you don’t work in isolation from the rest of the people of knowledge and wisdom of Bangladesh, even if they are classified as “Islamic” people.
Any attempt to isolate key influential people in Bangladesh will be a nail in the coffin of your revolution.
This is a critical means of unity that is also an essential requirement for paving a better future for your country. Remember, Allah commands us to be united in numerous places in the Qur’ān.
He (‘azza wa jal) says,
وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنْتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُمْ بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنْتُمْ عَلَى شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِنَ النَّارِ فَأَنْقَذَكُمْ مِنْهَا كَذَلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ
“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favour of Allah upon you — when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favour, brothers.
“And [remember when] you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses, so that you may be guided.” [3]
Be wise and reasonable in dreams about the future
The whole world, including your own country, is not ready for countries that will apply Islam in full. Hence, they should aim for the formation of a safe, prosperous, and just nation that provides a reasonable level of social welfare for its citizens.
Let us all be inspired by the strategy of the Prophet ﷺ in building the Muslim nation and state in Madinah.
His manifesto was as follows (ﷺ):
“O people, spread Salam [which is the symbol of peace and safety], provide food for each other [which is a symbol of strong economy and social welfare system], maintain the ties of kinship [which is a symbol of a solid social structure], then pray at night while people are asleep.” [4]
This last one is a symbol of acts that strengthen the relationship with Allah. The aim of the whole manifesto was to take people to Paradise, which is the ultimate success.
Key priority to maintain country’s security
Your number one priority should be to maintain security, because losing it will lead to further major problems that are likely to hinder or even stop the progress of your country.
A lack of security will give a strong justification for the army to run the country according to their own agenda.
Coalition of voices is strongly recommended
I strongly recommend that you form a coalition between the people who desire to see a prosperous Bangladesh.
This forum should urgently discuss the vision of Bangladesh, along with the strategy to achieve that.
More attention should be given to identifying a plan for the coming 6-12 months. The vision, the strategy, the first few steps, and leadership posts are key elements of any change process.
Work with management and strategy experts
Having said the above, I strongly advise that you work along with experts in management and strategies to come up with solutions for these challenges.
Remember, sincerity and smart activism are the wings of success.
The scholars considered that the following Prophetic statement means actions that lack wisdom are not done in accordance with Islam:
“Whoever introduces into our matter that which is not a part of it, will have it rejected.” [5]
Allow neutral sincere people to run the country
The Muslim people of Bangladesh should consider allowing neutral and sincere people to run the country immediately after this change, even if they are not classified as Islamic people.
Those who analyse the reasons behind the failure of the Arab Spring conclude that Islamic people should not be the first to run a country after such major change. They are not ready for that, their country is not ready for that, and the whole world is not ready for them.
In fact, giving Islamic people the authority to run the country might be a trap that they should avoid.
Rooting out deep state will avoid surface-level change
We need to realise that the departure of the head of a regime does not necessarily mean the departure of the old system.
The people of Bangladesh should work hard to root out the old oppressive system which is usually known as the “deep state”.
The last thing we would like to see is a cosmetic change in some of the key positions while the old corrupted system is still intact and in control. The wise people should have a plan for changing what is bad into good within their respective system.
Ask Allah for more support and tawfīq
You should resort to Allah and ask Him for more help and tawfīq. You should get closer to Allah and perform more acts of worship.
Ma’qil ibn Yasar (radiy Allahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
“The reward of worship performed at a time of trials is equal in reward to an emigration to me.” [6]
May Allah grant the people of Bangladesh guidance and help to build a better future for their country.
Source: Islam21c
Notes
[1] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/5/world-reacts-to-bangladesh-pm-sheikh-hasinas-removal-from-power
[2] al-Qur’ān, 29:69
[3] al-Qur’ān, 3:103
[4] Sunan Ibn Mājah 3,251; https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:3251
[5] Sunan Ibn Mājah, 14; https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:14
[6] Sahīh Muslim, https://sunnah.com/riyadussalihin:1366
Shaykh Dr. Haitham al-Haddad
3 Saf 46 ◦︎ 7 Aug 24
2 Saf 46 ◦︎ 6 Aug 24