Since December 2010, the Arab world has been in unrest. Ossified political structures that had
held for decades have been cracked open. Rapid success of revolts in Tunisia and Egypt helped to dispel the fear of state repression and encouraged largely young people across the region to carry their grievances onto the streets. Against the backdrop of similar problems in many places, protests affected almost all the Arab countries over the course of 2011, with mass demonstrations in many. The events that were metaphorically called the “Arab Spring” referring to the “Springs of Nations” of 1848.
However, after the toppling of Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali (of Tunisia) and Hosni Mubarak (of Egypt) and the initiation of transformation processes in Tunisia and Egypt, other Arab leaders dug their heels in. In most cases this initially meant ad hoc measures addressing socio-economic demands, but some also initiated broader reform processes in response to political grievances. Others went in the opposite direction, seeking to defend the status quo by violently suppressing dissent or applying a combination of repression, minimal reforms and sweeping financial handouts.
These recent incidences in Africa had wakened up the question “Is Protest Islamic?”. Just as we see those who outrightly accept Protest as a means, so also we see those who outrightly reject protest as a means, likewise we see those who stay in-between.
The major uproar of this question is in the definition and understanding of Protest. Those who want to be ideal, thus defining Protest in the actual form of it and concluding their ruling. Meanwhile, those who go against Protest refer to the reality of its being(The Arab Spring), thus making the conclusion of its ruling Haram. Undoubtedly, the basis of scholarship is the ability to accommodate sound alternative views.
Surprisingly, many of those who accept Protest as a legitimate means are not equipped enough of the (true) evidences supporting their views; as many of those who regard Protest as a means of deviation lack the real evidences to support their stances.
Worry not! I have written an outstanding book that will aid your inclination, a book which explains the Pros and Cons and true Islamic ruling as regard Protest.
Titled: PROTEST IN THE CREED OF SUNNAH
المظاهرات و الاحتجاجات في ميزان الشريعة
Launch Date: 1st October, 2020 (Nigerian Independence Day), in sha Allah.
Author: Ibn Taofeeq Abdul Azeez