Chapter 3 - The Party Of Allah

In Islam, and as contained in the Quran, Allah had clearly and firmly introduced the party of Islam with the title “Hizbullah” which means the Party of Allah.

Which in turn means that, Islam requires all its followers to be in such a party that is the Party of Allah. Not the party that follow the Western secular political system. This is stated in
the following verses:

Which means: “Verily, your leader is none other that Allah, His Messenger and the believers – those who perform as solah (prayers) and give zakah (tithes) and those who bow and submit themselves to Allah. And whosoever takes Allah, His Messenger and those who believe as their leaders, they are the party of Allah and they will be victorious.“ (Al Maidah: 55-56)


The Prophet, peace be upon him (pbuh) also firmly said that Muslims are obligated to be in a party. He said:

Meaning: “It is obligatory that you be with a jamaah (party), verily Allah’s hand (help) is with the jamaah (party).”

This next Hadith of the Prophet explains in detail the meaning of “the party”:

Meaning: “There will always be a toifah (group) among my followers that will be able to manifest the truth and they would be invincible before those who qppose them until the command from Allah comes.” (Narrated by Al Bukhari and Muslim)

The criteria of that party, jamaah or toifah which is said as the Party of Allah was also mentioned by the Prophet (pbuh) as follows:

Meaning: “Being in a jamaah (party) is a blessing and being divided is a torment.” (Narrated by Al Baihaqi)

In observing and analysing the Party of Allah which was established by the Prophet (pbuh), the four ‘Caliphs’ (Khulafaur Rashidin), the Mujaddids (reformers) and other promised leaders of the truth, we could clearly see the criteria or characteristics of the party or group (jamaah) or ‘toifah’ or ‘hizbullah’ as mentioned above. I would like to summarise these characteristics so that Muslims can form a party or a group (jamaah) of their own which is fit to be called the party of Allah or the Islamic Party or the party of the truth. At the very least, they could use the characteristics to determine whether any particular party or group that exist today is true or false. If possible we can search out the party which fulfils the exact characteristics of the party of Allah so that we can join it and be its followers.

Before I list down the criteria, I would like to emphasise that the difference between the Party of Allah and the secular party of Western Politics is like heaven and earth. Even though there are some groups who name their party as an Islamic party, but without the proper criteria and characteristics, they are not and cannot be deemed as the Party of Allah. Their principles, techniques, methods, characteristics, approach, objective, and everything else are so different from that of Islamic politics, as different as night is to day.

Even though it is difficult to find the party of Allah in this era, we cannot strive and struggle to uphold Islam through secular politics on the platform of democracy with the excuse that we have no choice. If we still do it, that is if we use secular politics to confront Western secular politics (the end justifying the means), in order to uphold Islam, then we will never be able to defeat the enemy. Only the Party of Allah is able to overcome the Western secular party which is totally unIslamic as well as being anti Islam.

Let us build the Party of Allah as shown by the Prophet (pbuh), the Caliphs (Khulafaur Rashidin) and the Mujaddids (Reformers). Among the criteria and characteristics of the party of Allah are as follows:

A. THE CRITERIA OF THE LEADER

1. The leaders of the party of Allah are the representatives or the caliphs of Allah. They are appointed or chosen by Allah through divine revelations (wahyu), Hadiths, by divine inspirations (ilham) or by the Ahlul Halli wal Aqdi (the consultative council). The Apostles were shown by divine revelations. The Caliphs (Khulafaur Rashidin) were shown by the Hadiths and the Ahlul Halli wal Aqdi. The Mujaddids (reformers) were and are shown by the Hadiths and divine inspirations. Saul (Tholut) and Alexander the Great (Zulkarnain) were shown by divine revelations. Muhammad Al Fateh was shown by the Hadiths and divine inspirations. The second coming of Prophet Isa or Jesus is shown by the Quran and Hadiths. Al Mahdi is shown by the Hadiths and divine inspirations. The Prince of Bani Tamim is also shown by the Hadiths and divine inspirations. There were also minor leaders who were saints and pious people whose birth and leadership were shown by divine inspirations.

The Caliphs or Allah’s representatives do not become leaders through the process of elections or counting of votes. In fact, they do not go through any specific method. They are accepted by the people around them because of their worship, their taqwa (fear of Allah), their exemplary character, knowledge, sacrifices, leadership, services to the society and their contribution towards the community. Even if non-Muslims do not convert to Islam, they still accept and love them and their leadership. These leaders are accepted by the hearts of people and not by votes or the show of hands. That is how Allah appoints His people.

2. Leaders chosen by Allah are given knowledge through divine revelations or divine inspirations or knowledge that goes direct to their hearts (laduni). Divine revelations are only for the Apostles and the Prophets whereas leaders who are not Apostles and Prophets are given divine inspirations (ilham). Divine inspirations give new meaning to the interpretation and understanding relating to divine revelations (Quran) and the laws of Allah (shariah). Every Mujaddid (reformer) brings divine inspirations of his own which form his mind or his thoughts, which is knowledge that is relevant and suitable for his time and era. His mind is knowledge which is new and different from those existing and those before it. His mind however is not a new teaching neither is it a new set of laws and regulations. It does not change divine revelations but expounds it and gives it a new understanding, meaning and dimension relevant to its particular era.

This brand of knowledge is not learned from the existing and contemporary education system of the time (schools, colleges or universities) but is specifically given to him directly by Allah. To the Prophets and Apostles, Allah gave them 100 percent of the knowledge. To His saints, Allah gives them a portion to be added to the knowledge already learned. Sometimes the knowledge of the saints are the result of their own mind (ijtihad).

With the greatness and wisdom of their knowledge, they can repair the damage done to the religion in their time and can again revive it and give it new impetus and a new lease of life.

Every mujaddid (reformer) brings with him different knowledge (mind) and thoughts. This is because they live in different times and they encounter different problems. The damage to religious life at every era is not the same. This shows that divine revelations can be interpreted and practised through different kinds of methods suitable for different periods of time. This is because each verse of the Holy Quran has 70 meanings some of which are explicit while most are esoteric. Such is Allah’s grace upon us. Imam Sya’rani had written about this in his book, which means: “Divine revelations (wahyu) bring new religious rules and regulations. Divine inspirations (ilham) bring new meanings and interpretations.”

Perhaps this new approach, understanding and interpretations of the mujaddids (reformers) which differ with the old and traditional one, is the reason why contemporary Islamic clerics, theologians and scholars who are tied to the old view, oppose the Mujaddids. They regard the new interpretations as foreign, alien and as such deviant and unIslamic.

3. With these new knowledge and interpretations, these leaders who are appointed by Allah, preach and educate mankind on the individual basis. This method is used to gather and to increase followers. Whosoever accepts, practises and is ready to strive and struggle with him, he is a member of the party. There is no form to fill or membership fee to pay to be a member. But the commitment to Islam is the prime condition. They do not operate as a political party through elections or as an association or guild. This concept of jamaah as taught by the Prophet (pbuh) is the basis of the Party of Allah.

4. For the followers of the party of Allah, the leader is a teacher; father, companion and comrade. The personality, attitude and character of the leader is the mirror for his followers to emulate and to judge themselves by. Allah’s caliph is the image of the Prophet (pbuh). Akin to how the companions (sahabah) gave their love to the Prophet (pbuh), that is also how the followers of the Party of Allah love their leader. They sell and sacrifice everything they own to “buy” Allah and the Prophet. Those who do not understand this phenomenon will label them as fanatics who give blind allegiance to their leader. But in truth, such allegation is made up by envious Islamic scholars and contemporary leaders because try as they may, they could not get followers who love, are loyal and are obedient to them.

5. The leader of the party of Allah is the poorest member of the party or is in the poorest group. All his wealth is sacrificed in the way of Allah. But he lives like a truly rich person. This is because he gets his every need whether for himself, his family or the party (jamaah). He gets his
sustenance from unknown sources, which Allah had promised to those who have taqwa (the fear of Allah).

6. As a leader, the caliph of Allah not only is capable of teaching the affairs of religion and nurturing mankind, but he also has social knowledge and knowledge concerning material development and physical civilisation. He encourages his followers to be active in the economy, education, social, health, agriculture, communication, mass media, culture, architecture, the art of war (when suitable to the period) and other worldly development in the proper Islamic way.

The caliphs of Allah do not learn all these knowledge in any centre of higher learning but they get their ideas through divine inspirations on how to develop physical and worldly civilisation in their party which is suitable to their time. They are able to balance between the human and material development. Their leadership and capability

in both aspects of human and material development can be clearly seen. They are the fathers of both sufism and technology, who can educate and lead mankind to be worshippers and warriors of Allah all at the same time, which can never be done by other Islamic scholars or political leaders alike.

7. Because his ascension is through a natural process and not through the result of lobbying, the leader of the party of Allah is a lifelong leader, whether such party is at the level of group (jamaah), state, nation or empire. There is no change of the top leadership in the party of Allah. There is no such thing as vote of no confidence and no one can topple him. His leadership is not limited to a timeframe or term of office because he is capable as long as he is not terminally ill.

B. THE CRITERIA OF THE FOLLOWERS

1. Normally members of the party of Allah are small in number but they possess quality and are greatly influential. Only their sympathisers are many. Perhaps because of the stringent requirement to be a member, many cannot qualify. The wisdom is that Allah wants to present Himself and show His greatness that His party, although small, is able to defeat their opponents of greater numbers. This will verify Allah’s decree:

Meaning: “How often a small group overcame a mighty host by Allah’s will? And Allah is with those who are patient?” (Surah Al Baqarah: 249)

Or at least, it is easier to uphold the complete and all encompassing Islamic way of life in a smaller party compared to a big one with Allah’s permission.

2. The levels of people who make up the party come from various groups and professions. There are farmers, undergraduates, judges, lawyers, businessmen, politicians, policemen, soldiers, civil servants, artists, clerics, millionaires, ministers and so on. Most of them are full time members, working in accordance to their skills and expertise.

3. Members of the party of Allah who are distributed in nations all around the world are similar and uniform in their thinking, character, identity, behaviour and in the way they struggle. They conform to each other as though they are of one father and mother even though some of them do not know and have never met each other because they live too far apart. This happens because the upbringing and education comes from one source, which flow through the established channels to every nook and corner wherever the members are around the world.

4. The ties of brotherhood between the followers is akin to a closely arranged set of bricks that make up a wall. There is no way and it is very difficult for the enemy to infiltrate and penetrate without being noticed. Their hospitality and love, the feeling of togetherness, cooperation, helping each other is clearly apparent, which is the result of emulating their leader. And it is also because brotherhood and fraternity is made the second basis of strength of the party after faith. These are the unique characteristics of those who practice Sufism. Their hearts are tied together and are held by the leader (guru). The ropes that tie them together are faith, brotherhood and fraternity, which are the fruits of zikr (contemplation in the remembrance of God). This cannot be done by contemporary clerics, scholars or theologians and other leaders.

5. The general criteria of the followers of the party of Allah is described as follows: They are monks by night and lions by day. They do not abandon the worldly nor do they abandon the Hereafter. Both the worldly and the Hereafter are kept in exact balance. Both are non-separable
and one compliments and strengthens the other.

6. The followers of the party of Allah, even though they do not have any power or authority over a state or nation, they are self-reliant. In every aspect of their life, they do not depend on others, let alone upon the enemies of Islam. The political leaders of their time are usually jealous, spiteful and are suspicious towards them. They do not work to earn salary with the un-Islamic system except for a small number of them who do so for strategic reasons. They have a complete Islamic way of life, which provide jobs for the party members. Even then, they do not work for the salary but mostly to fill the requirement of the struggle in the way of Allah. The party provides sustenance which is called “maash” for their livelihood. Some of them earn their own upkeep.

7. Members of the party of Allah practise the Islamic shariah or the Islamic way of life in accordance to the traditions of the Prophet with zeal. They are eager to practice the Prophet’s traditions from the smallest to the biggest ones. From matters related to the individual to social matters. They dress uniformly following the way of the Prophet (pbuh). While the women emulate the way the wives of the Prophet dress which were big and loose, and covering parts of their bodies which should be covered in accordance to the shariah.

C. THE CRITERIA OF THE PARTY OF ALLAH

1. The complete Islamic way of life

There is truth in the party meaning there is a complete Islamic way of life. Established in the party are the Islamic system of economy, Islamic social system and other Islamic systems in health, welfare system, Islamic information, motivation and communication, agriculture and systems in other aspects of life whether at the level of party, state, nation or even up to the level of an empire. All these are based on the Islamic shariah and are guided by faith (iman).

2. Human and material development

The difference between the party of Allah and that which is not is that in the party of Allah, there exist both material and human development. Like a steelyard, both are in complete balance. These are the factors that result in peace, prosperity and the forgiveness of Allah in the party because the physical development is owned and carried out by good people who are spiritually developed and virtuous. They are able to uphold the shariah or laws of Allah and the traditions of the Prophet in every aspect of life. They are able to manifest and practise Islam in real life, not only in their minds which are only theoretical and grossly impractical. This cannot be done unless they have the strength, power and energy derived from human and spritual development.

3. Its influence is universal

The influence of the party of Allah is universal. Its followers are of various races and they come from many countries. The way of the party can fulfil and satisfy the needs of all Muslims who love the truth regardless of their race and origin. It can fulfil their innate and inborn nature; whereby such nature is common to all humans no matter what their race and ethnic are. If a party comprise members and supporters of only one race from one country or of only one group or profession, may they be youths, scholars, clerics, farmers, labourers, literary people, businessmen and so on, then it is not the party of Allah because it is then exclusive and not universal.

4. Universal unity

In Allah’s party, there is universal unity or unity of the ummah. In other words, the party of Allah is where people from around the world unite, and they practise the same system and way of life. Everyone is bound by Allah’s laws. This is what Allah meant by the decree:

Meaning: “Holdfast all of you together to the rope of Allah, and do not be divided among yourselves.” (Ali Imran: 103)

The party that practises the laws of Allah is liken to a rope which whoever holds on to it would be joined together to one source of reference that is Allah. That is what is called unity.

5. Own system of livelihood

The party of Allah does not depend on its enemies for its system of life and its livelihood. It not only is able to patronise its members but can also support other people including the non-Muslims. In fact the whole world muslims and non-muslims alike once submitted to Islam under the Prophet (pbuh) and the Caliphs (Khulafaur Rashidin). This means the party of Allah is a place where people come for shelter and a place to refer concerning various aspects of life including education, finance, problems in life, news and whatever, even for the Non-Muslims. Allah gives the party strength so much so it does not need to beg from others. Even the Non-Muslims happily depend on the party on their own accord.

6. Own strength

The party of Allah, even if it has not reached the level of a government, but it is like a small government within a bigger government. It is like a small system within a bigger system. And it cannot be limited or contained by the bigger government because it has its own strength. Usually, the bigger government is afraid of it because of its great influence. But there are governments which accept it because of its potential and the truth that it brings.

7. Those who love truly love, those who hate truly hate

Those who love the party of Allah truly love it and those who hate it, truly abhor it. As such, people will be divided into two clear categories that is one that honour and praise it and one that belittle and oppress it. When this happens, then the truth and false will be clearly seen and it will be easy for the community to judge, to make their choice and to take sides. That is Allah’s way and wisdom in categorising and separating His servants.

8. Invincible to its enemies

No matter how terrible and severe the hate and oppression by the enemies; even in the battlefield, but the party of Allah can never be destroyed. Although with followers who are illdisciplined like that which happened in the battle of Uhud where the party of Allah lost, the party will still prevail. The party of God cannot be destroyed whether in a real war or in a cold war. Maybe its physical side can be injured and damaged but its faith and shariah cannot be destroyed. More so, the party cannot be dissolved or banned. It also cannot be broken up or divided by enemies who infiltrate. Their enemies cannot deceive or fool the party because it has strong protection. Its strength is esoteric and spiritual in nature. That is why it cannot be physically damaged. Its strength is based on faith (iman) and commitment. It is the enemies who will be thrown into disarray and deceived until they lose and fall. The party of Allah will end up victorious.

9. The party is wealthy but members are poor

Every achievement in material development within the party is achieved through the sacrifices of its members who love to live in poverty. In order to enrich the party, individual members are willing to be poor. And when the party is rich, it is the members themselves who enjoy its patronage and bounty.

This is what is called shared blessings and sustenance and it is not scrutinised (hisab) in the Hereafter as opposed to individual wealth and expenditure which is subject to scrutiny in the field of Mahshar in the Hereafter. That is how Allah’s party rise and develop. A method that is safe and full of salvation. Individuals do not have anything but strangely their every need is fulfilled.

10. Mysterious assistance

Since the party of Allah belongs to Allah, He consistently gives it mysterious assistance. If the leader of the party is an Apostle, then the assistance would be in the form of Mukjizat (divine miracle power). If the leader is a saint, then the assistance would be in the form of Karamah (divine power). At the very least, the leader of the party of Allah will be assisted in the form of Maunah (mystical or divine help). Mukjizat or Karamah can either be in a physical or spiritual or mystical form.

If all physical efforts are exhausted in helping or saving the party, then Allah will sent His mysterious, mystical and invisible forces. The assistance can be in the form of information, knowledge, strategy, methods, sustenance and other forces whether by wahyu (divine revelations), ilham (divine inspirations), true dreams, deja vu, kasyaf (mystical senses), yaqazah (physical contact with the mystical world), hatif (mystical hearing), firasat (clairvoyance) and so on. When Allah has sent His assistance, no one can oppose it. That is why the party of Allah will surely win.

11. The Non-Muslims accept and give their cooperation

Because of the goodness and truth portrayed and the success in human and material development, the non-Muslims become aligned and accept the presence of the party of Allah. Eventhough some of them may not be willing to convert to Islam but they are happy to submit, cooperate and to help the party of Allah. They are called the Zimmy of the party or in case of the nation, the Zimmy of the nation. They acknowledge the greatness and the truth of Islam and are loyal to its leader. Only they are not willing to change their belief. The Zimmies are protected by the party of Allah.

12. Its rise is unexpected

The way the party of Allah extend its wings to national and universal levels is so pure and genuine. It is not through war or rebellion or contending in the election process, but through a very unusual and unexpected way. There is a shift in the hearts of people to miss and love and to long for a just leader and for a life with a balanced human and material development. They ask to be sheltered under the party of Allah. If the party of Allah is forced to go to war, it is only because of the opposition from enemy groups or rulers whose power and personal interests are affected and threatened if the party of Allah were to come to power. These are the groups and the people who will start the war. They are mostly tyrants and oppressors. But the hearts of the common people are with the party of truth. That is why the enemies are easily defeated because their own people not only do not support them but they hate them. The rise of the Party of Allah is welcomed by the non-Muslims. This was why the empire of Islam could rule over three quarters of the world in the time of the caliphs.

13. Members must have Taqwa (fear of Allah)

Whenever members of the party lose their taqwa (fear of Allah), are not serious in their worship, misbehave, do not sacrifice and do not strive to uphold Allah’s laws; the strength of the party will dwindle and fade. Its strength and charisma depends wholly on the taqwa of its followers.

Such are the criterias of the Party of Allah. It brings blessings and victory to the Muslim community. It is not an election based political party, which brings nothing but enmity and factionation. Political parties based on democracy and elections, if they say they strive for Islam, they are utterly mistaken and confused. They are in actual fact secular Islamic parties. The difference between them and the party of Allah is like the heaven and the earth. Secular Islamic parties are solidly based on ideology whether they realise it or not. They operate on the basis of secularism and not religion. The Muslim community must be ready to correct this confusion and deception as regards to politics. In Islam, there are parties which do politics but not on the platform of the infidels and the enemies of Islam i.e. through democracy and elections.

The party of Allah has its own platform which is founded by the Muslims themselves based on the Islamic tenets. Islamic politics has nothing to do and cannot be confused with the Western political system. The fast remains, a secular party cannot be Islamic and an Islamic party cannot be secular.

One is the exact opposite of the other.

Just like any other system in Islam, may it be the system of economy, education, health, information, social, agriculture, and so on, they are built on the Islamic base and foundation. The same thing applies to Islamic politics. It has its own base and foundation within the framework of Islam.

Could the party of Allah attain power in a multiracial nation? This is the question that is often asked by people who are inclined towards the dirty Western politics. The answer is YES, by the will of Allah! This was clearly proven by the formation of the Islamic country and empire in thehands of the Salafussoleh (Pious people of early Islam). The people under their rule were both multiracial and multireligious. That is the right and most accurate path. If we follow their footsteps, with the will and benevolence of Allah, we not only can attain a nation but we can also become an empire, to take the place of America. Ameen!