Is it actually possible to be a muslim and anarchist without sacrificing one for the other? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchism_in_Islam Or is this all bull?
This is all bull. The whole structure of Islam is authoritarian in nature. How can you have anarchy when women for instance are considered lower than men, and have strict dress rules prescribed for them etc? And there's the so-called commandments of Allah which preclude free will in many areas.Under anarchy we make our own rules or it isn't anarchy.
Sorry, i should have clarified more. This thread is directed at muslims, not non-muslims. So, if i could get a muslim perspective on Islam and Anarchism, please...
And not all muslims consider women to be below men or preclude free-will, just as all xtians are not fundies neither are all muslims. Judaism, Christianity and Islam can't be summed up in generalizations, each has various sects that can differ drastically from one to the other...
Maybe, maybe not, we'll see when they reply. I might just find some muslims who are not anarchists, but who might become interested in anarchist theory though... Hopefully though i'll a muslim will post who'll be able to clear things up, i'm not looking to "convert", just to understand further.
No, never have been. I'm REALLY curious on a devout muslim's perspective on non-heirarchical living, though.
shane not every culture supports the concept that it can become anarchist - thats the point - the west is looking for that at one end of its axis - that is why our culture is strong right now - we have such a broad depth of cultures within us - see minimal state anarchism in the book "anarchy state and utopia" by robert nozick at both ends of islamic culture is subservience at one end of capitalisms axis is anarchy and at its other is fascism our culture even embraces and contains the idea we could become muslims if we desired it - islam contains islam but democratic capitalism is growing to encompas islam within it islam would easily fit along that capitalist axis (capitalism is big enough to accomodate islam)but islam is too small to encompass all that capitalism entails on its axis because it doesnt have a concept of anarchism islam has the concept of freedom to adopt authority but not the concept of freedom from authority if its not a guy telling them what god wants - god will tell them what he wants - there is no anarchy its an authoritarian concept
Somalia is a muslim country, and they haven't had a stable government for years. Iraq is becoming increasingly anarchistic daily, and there are scores of third world countries with ineffectual, muslim leaders.
Anarchism is actually a common idea in Islam.~ If you read the writings of Rumi, Rabia, and others, you will get some sense of this. It is used as a tool for expanding religious perception, because - in reality - there is none but Allah subhanahu wa'talah whose will can govern your life. However, in the interest of properly teaching the religion on a large scale, the gates for free interpretation of His will were closed to ordinary people, and it was established that the learned would govern us all using the Fiqh based off the example Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasalaam left for us. So, 'anarchism' as it exists within the fold of Islam is only on a very small scale. Even in Sufi culture, where it is to some extent cultivated, it is stressed that one must first have a firm grasp of Islam before taking it upon oneself to interpret the will of Allah subhanahu wa'talah. A person can, conceivably, be both a Muslim and an Anarchist, but primary concerns need to be taken care of, such as the welfare of family, neighbours, fellow Muslims.... It is much more set up for Communism, honestly~
Salam Aliekum Rahmatullah wa Baraktuhu First I would like to reply to Eugene. While Somalia is now in anarchy, let us not forget it was briefly run by the Islamic Courts (me and my Somali freind were extremely happy) until the US ordered the Ethiopeans to invade. Same can be said with Iraq. Just because a country is made up of a majority of muslims does not mean its "islamic". Many countries were muslims are the majority, you can purchase alcohol, go to clubs, and date. No, there is absolutely no concept of anarachy in Islam. Islam is much like Judaism because it has a law system incoperated into it. The Shar'iah. I remember being at an islamic conference (in the states) and a speaker said "The major difference between us and the ideals of the west is that they are always wanting *freedom freedom freedom*, were in an Islamic society they always want *justice justice justice". And to a muslim, there is no system that is more just then the Shar'iah.
waaleikom assalam well, I agree that religion is a very structured thing, but there's really no reason a muslim can't be an anarchist. it's just uncommon, because in general we are very traditional. I also disagree very strongly when you say there is no concept of anarchy in Islam. True, innovation is strongly discouraged, and there is a reason that the gates of ijtihad were closed, but going off your own way to do your own thing is not exactly an inconceivable notion, and the concept of having no authority to answer to but Allah subhanahu wa'talah is not uncommon. You have a groovy day, man.
Salam Aliekum Rahmatullah Habibi, I'm not sure what you mean by "muslim anarchist". When I hear that term I think of Osama. Could you explain what you mean by that? –noun 1.a person who advocates or believes in anarchy or anarchism. 2.a person who seeks to overturn by violence all constituted forms and institutions of society and government, with no purpose of establishing any other system of order in the place of that destroyed. 3.a person who promotes disorder or excites revolt against any established rule, law, or custom. I'm not sure any of this is encouraged by our Messenger Muhammad SAWS or sanctioned by our Lord Allah SWT.
hehehe,~ Brother, by no means was I intending to imply by any of my statements that any 'anarchist' muslim should be a person opposed to a governing body in any violent manner. I was simply trying to allow for the view that, in reality, there are good muslims who stand aloof from the whole business of government and human regulation of their lives. Please don't misunderstand me in that respect! hehe Assalamu aleikom, buddy. You have a groovy day, Insh'allah
