MANY WILL BE attending (if not already) demonstrations across the world in support of our ummah in Palestine and against the Zionist entity’s aggression.
Like any action that we take, it is important to understand why we are protesting.
In essence, it is a form of public expression or declaration of objection, disapproval, or dissent to something that has happened or is happening when a person is otherwise unable to directly prevent or avoid it.
It stems from the hadith of the Prophet ﷺ: “Whoever among you sees evil, let him change it with his hand. If he is unable to do so, then with his tongue. If he is unable to do so, then with his heart, and that is the weakest level of faith.” (Muslim)
So in this case a grave and continued evil is being committed against the people of Palestine and as the majority of people on the street cannot change it with their hand (ie physically), they then try to change it with their tongue, a protest being one style that can be used amongst others.
It is something that is not unheard of in Islam. Shortly after Umar al Khattab (as) became a Muslim he complained to the Prophet ﷺ that the Muslims should not hide anymore. Rather they should come out boldly announcing their presence in Makkan society, for surely Islam was the truth and paganism was falsehood. The Prophet ﷺ then organised two columns of Muslims, led by Umar (ra) and Hamza (ra), and they marched to the kaba’a in public.
We can see how such protests, rallies, demonstrations etc can achieve several objectives.
1. Help raise awareness about an issue collectively and publicly.
2. Break the fear or inability to act that silences communities.
3. Give a voice and expression to the truth, which if not expressed allows falsehood to become acceptable over time.
4. The enjoining of good and forbidding of evil is one of the most virtuous deeds in Islam.
5. Call others to the truth publicly, which has greater projection than individual invitations.
6. Account tyranny, oppression, and their perpetrators; the path to the peak of martyrdom.
7. Pave the way for future material change through the influence of public opinion.
8. Offer the oppressed moral support by showing them that they are not alone.
9. Give voice to the oppressed where they have been made voiceless.
There are of course certain requirements to any protest.
Firstly, the cause that we are protesting must be something that Islam permits in the first place. Whilst we stand against the oppression in Palestine, Kashmir or East Turkmenistan for example, we cannot support a protest demanding unrestricted abortion rights or LGBT rights or nationalistic causes. Our basis is Islam and not liberalism or nationalism.
Secondly, any form of protest must maintain the etiquette of Islam. There cannot be violence, destruction of public property, free mixing, indecency in speech or action, missing prayers etc.
Thirdly, what we call for should be clear and in line with the objectives above. There is no point in joining a march just to swell up the numbers where the call is something vague or something that does not address the solution that Islam demands. For instance, it is agreed across the world that Palestine is occupied. The solution to occupation from Islam is liberation by an authority who has power. So, the call is to those in our lands who have the authority and ability to go and liberate Palestine as Allah has obliged them (that may be our rulers or those who lead the armed forces). But if they are unable or unwilling to, then they should stand aside to allow the ummah to come together under a sincere unifying Islamic authority (the Khilafah) which will take the right steps to do so. If that message is not made clear and it is just to have a ceasefire or to have a two-state solution or to raise charity etc, then this does not actually bring any solution. Rather it only consumes the energy of the people whilst perpetuating the evil.
Finally, protests alone will not bring about change. Rather it is a style amongst others that needs to be used where appropriate following the overall method of our Prophet ﷺ to bring about change.
وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى ٱلْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ ۚ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ
‘Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining good and forbidding evil. And it is they who are successful.’ (ale Imran 104)
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