Islam Rediscovered
18. Islamic Activism
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18. ISLAMIC ACTIVISM
Addressing the Prophet Muhammad, may peace be
upon him, the Qur’an enjoins: “Therefore, bear up
patiently as did the steadfast apostles before you.
Bear up with patience and do not seek to hurry on
their doom.” (46:35)
That is, showing restraint in adverse situations and
refraining from negative reaction form the basic
principles of Islamic activism. This means that, in
unfavourable situations, no emotional move is
made; rather, by avoiding the path of reaction and
retaliation, actions are planned on the basis of
realism.
This principle can briefly be called positive
activism. That is, without interfering with the
prevailing state of affairs, one should try to discover
opportunities as they occur and avail of them. To
initiate one’s actions by challenging the status quo
amounts to choosing a negative starting point. On
the other hand, maintaining the status quo and
availing of all opportunities which present
themselves amounts to taking a positive course of
