Salam,
My interest in the subject of secularism stems from my opinion that it is the main cause of Muslim decline in our age. And by secularism, I mean the total separation of creed and life and not merely just the separation of state and religion. The biggest mistake, I think, that most people make is in viewing secularism as only just that; a separation of state and religion, when in fact, it encompasses a a much wider field. I do think, that a part has to be attributed to the definition of the word "secularism" itself, engineered and fed to us by the general bulk of academics. The typical rhyme of "secularism is the separation of state and religion" is parroted by any layman when asked "what is the meaning of secularism?"And when this is said by a Muslim, it is even more distressful, because the destructive meaning of that word is not fully comprehended.
The title of this entry : Islam and Secularism in the Middle East, is actually the title of a book edited by John L. Esposito and Dr. Azzam Tamimi. The book, rather than a book, is actually a compilation of papers and articles written by a gamut of excellent writers ranging from Professors of Religion and International Affairs to Professor of Sociology to Politicians, Teachers and Researchers. It's definitely an interesting mix and its been a joy so far going through the book. Each one has his own style and own point of approach. The issue is the same and all the authors reach and argue the same point, but from very interesting and different viewpoints.
I've gotten to the fourth article out of a total of eleven and there's so much I have learned. It has been very very interesting and satisfying, although I would say, it actually has been quite a tough journey. Coming from a science background, studying medicine at that, the terms and linguistics of social science is definitely hard for me to grasp, having to read several paragraphs several times before actually getting what they mean. But it has been fun. And this is definitely my interest, as alien and far off as it is from the medical field.
At first, going through the book, I thought "yes! this is the book! the book that's going to validate my theory that secularism is what's making Muslims not acting like Muslims". But at the end of the fourth article, gratefully, my ego is blunted. Alhamdulillah! =) The points and facts in the book is correct as far as correctness goes. The facts are there. But in reality, one find, that things are not quite like that. Sure, Muslims are not acting the way they are but its not because they are secularists. In Islam, a person is not sinful unless he knows that what he is doing is an act of sin. Applicable in this context is the fact that most Muslims are not even aware that they are acting secular-ly. They don't even know it. Hence, they are not to be blamed for it.
This however does not dismiss the clear obvious fact; that this exact ignorance is the bane of the Muslims. The ignorance of being in a state of secularism, the ignorance of a steel disconnection between aqidah (creed) and life, between belief and sports and hobbies and occupation and everything else as a Muslim. Sure, brainwashing from the west, mind colonization in place of physical geographical colonization is a huge contributor. But, has Muslims lost their mind? Lost their ability to think? Reduced to merely followers of interests, lusts and satisfaction?
Islam is a beautiful and empowering belief/entity/ad-Din! Failure of Muslims to fully practise, engulf and delve themselves into Islam is the exact reason for our deterioration. This, Muslims need to realize! Realization, knowledge, belief, izzah and action! will get us out of our misery. Realization that we are being secular, that we are separating our belief from our actions, actually realizing this situation and therefore being disgusted with it, and figuring out and working our way out of it, fixing and repairing and reprogramming ourselves away from it, will change us! And make us true Muslims.
