Q Every fair and sincere person knows well that Muslim societies have survived through following the guidance of Allah and the implementation of His Enactments, what is the correct way and realistic method of bringing communities to a comprehensive Islamic life?
A: That is right, there is no other way for salvation or method for enhancement of cooperation among people except that people hold fast together to the Rope of Allah and His Book and to the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), knowing that the only way to do this is that each and every person be keen to unite with their fellow Muslims with the aim of making truth prevail, establishing the Religion of Allah, and applying Allah's Law. However, as long as everyone is only worrying about their own status and position, to the disregard of other Muslims and of unity and cooperation with those in authority, then disunity would persist in a way that gives the enemies room to carry out their cunning plans and aggravate the rupture Muslims already suffer.
Q: So, does the bigger share of responsibility here lie mainly on the rulers and those in charge, or on peoples and individuals?
A: The responsibility lies on the shoulders of presidents, rulers, scholars and dignitaries altogether. Thus, scholars and dignitaries are responsible for giving advice and observe such a matter in a serious and active way, and they must not despair. The rulers, on the other hand, should respond and have Taqwa (fearing Allah as He should be feared) in Allah, and they should cooperate with one another in righteousness and Taqwa, being themselves pioneers in this regard. They must rule in line with the Shari`ah (Islamic law) of Allah, applying it to themselves and their country. Then, Allah will make them victorious, will support them to maintain the truth, and will guide their subjects to follow them. He (Exalted be He) will instill awe in the hearts of their enemies through them, and He will enable them to maintain their rights, since Allah Alone is He who grants victory, as He (Exalted be He) says:
And there is no victory except from Allâh.
O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allâh, He will help you
Verily, Allâh will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allâh is AllStrong, AllMighty. Those (Muslim rulers) who, if We give them power in the land, (they) enjoin IqamatasSalât [i.e. to perform the five compulsory congregational Salât (prayers) (the males in mosques)], to pay the Zakât and they enjoin AlMa'rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and forbid AlMunkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism and all that Islâm has forbidden) [i.e. they make the Qur'ân as the law of their country in all the spheres of life].