New Book (The Natural Republic)

Layth

Peace All,

Here is the link to the 2nd ProgressiveMuslims.Org book that is being planned (save first, then open)

http//www.free-minds.org/Final_Edited_Manuscript.zip

Here is an excerpt

SUMMARY OF CHAPTERS

Preface

Why Do Muslims Lose?
The Enemy Within!
Obey God And Obey The Messenger
Is This Islam!?!?
Do We Follow Religion?
The Function Of Salat
Pilgrimage - The Lost Legacy Of Abraham
Calendar System In The Quran
Economic System
a. Value Of Money
b. Interest
c. Financial Institutions
d. Land Ownership
Environmental Protection
Warfare In The Quran
Social Responsibility
a. Etiquette
b. Jihad/Striving
c. Slaves And Concubines!
d. Dress Code For Women
Civil Laws
a. Marriage
b. Family Responsibility
c. Orphans
d. Divorce Procedures
e. Husband/Wife Disputes
f. Adopted Children
g. Child Custody
h. Death And Burial
i. Inheritance Rights
Commercial Laws
a. Breach Of Contract
b. Drug/Alcohol
c. Plagiarism
d. Property Disputes
e. Property Damage
f. Financial Interest
g. Borrowing Laws
h. Insolvency
Criminal Laws
a. Murder/Violence
b. Accidental Death
c. Suicide
d. Abortion
e. Rebellion/Spying/Espionage
f. Slavery
g. Indecent Exposure/Pornography
h. Adultery
i. Accusations Of Adultery By Husband
j. Sexual Molestation/Rape
k. Homosexuality
l. Theft/Financial Fraud
m. Bribery
n. Disturbing The Peace
o. Negligence And Impeachment
Structure Of Government
a. Sample Constitution
What Next?

Preface

Are you a Muslim?

If so, are you content with the state of Muslims in the world today?

Do you wonder why it is that although the Muslims are sitting atop most of the world?s natural resources, they are among the poorest and most backward of nations?

Do you ever wonder what has happened to the people who once led the world in arts, science, architecture, medicine, and, above all else, justice?

Where are the people who constructed great libraries and developed works of literature?

Where are the people whose example was considered a role model for humanity?

Where are the descendants of Ibn Rushd, Al-Khawarizmi, Ibn Sina, and Salah El-Din?

What has caused us to reach this state where we are failing at every turn, unable to stand for our rights, unable to defend our lands, unable to protect our children, and unable to look forward to the future?

Have we broken God?s covenant without even realizing?

?As for those who break the pledge of God after making its covenant, and they sever what God ordered that it be delivered, and they corrupt in the earth; to those is a curse and they will have a miserable abode.? (Quran 1325)

The Iranian Experiment

In 1979, the Shia experimented with the idea of an Islamic republic under the directives and leadership of the late Ayotallah Khomayni.
Khomayni?s government structure was that a group of the most learned clerics should use their study and knowledge of the Quran, the Sunnah, and the Hadith to make executive decisions and to veto or pass laws. The Islamic state would have laws written by a parliament elected in multi-party elections around the country. This parliament would be made up of people from all walks of life, would be managed by a prime minister representing the majority party, and would be responsible for passing laws and budgets. There is an executive branch represented by a president. But exercising power over the parliament and the president would be a guardian council, made up of the most learned and intelligent clerics. This guardian council would use the judicial principles of fiqh to determine whether laws accord with Islam or are non-Islamic, whether certain measures (such as land reform) are properly Islamic or not. In addition, fiqh courts would replace all secular courts, and these fiqh courts, typically independent and decentralized, would all be organized under a supreme court, which would, like the courts, be a fiqh court. This judiciary, too, would be ultimately subject to the guardian council. In post-revolutionary Iran, the Khomayni himself headed the guardian council before his death.
The end result was a government that was enveloped in long bureaucratic and theological debates, yet little movement forward towards the betterment of people?s lives. What also occurred was an increase in restrictions on the Iranian people who were expected to dress and behave in conformity with the guardian council?s view of morality.

The Iranian model was not duplicated in any other region as the merits with basing all power in a religious council was shown to be problematic and insufficient to meeting the dynamic needs of the people and the state.

The Afghan Experiment

In 1996, the Sunni Taliban emerged as the viable political power in Afghanistan feeding dreams that an Islamic utopia could be established.
The Taliban established themselves under the strict principles of Shariah law, whereby their judges would rule in accordance with the Quran, Sunnah, and opinions of the learned scholars. The Taliban model was a simple pyramid structure where all legislative and executive power rested with the Amir Ul-Mumineen, who was in this case the a man known by the name ?Mulla Omar.? The Taliban government structure severely restricted people?s lives, and women suffered the most as they were forbidden from attending school or working outside their homes, and publicly beaten if they were improperly dressed or escorted by men not related to them. The Taliban also made murder, adultery, and drug dealing punishable by death and made theft punishable by amputation of the hand. Men were required to grow their beards in emulation of the beloved Prophet Mohammed and women were required to be covered from head to toe.
The media frenzy over the Taliban?s backward ways was highlighted in early 2001 during the destruction of a 2,000-year-old, giant Buddha statue, which the Taliban claimed was in opposition to Shariah and represented a form of idolatry.
The end of the Taliban came as violently as they had emerged with a massive attack in late 2001 by the United States that decimated the in place government and its forces in a matter of days and left the Islamic world in recoil from the body blow suffered by the Sunni model.

The Alternatives

Below are some other alternatives that we have seen the Muslim states embracing in their search for the best solution to their ills

Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the Gulf States chose to be monarchies with a king having absolute power and authority.
Egypt, Syria, and Libya are all semi-monarchies, though they call their king a president/leader and give him authority for life.
Turkey is secular, removing any trace of religion from its politics.
Communism, Capitalism, Socialism, Arab Nationalism, and every other ?ism? has been tried and tested by the Muslims.

None of the above systems has provided the solution for the woes and problems of the Muslims. In fact, most of these systems have only added to their detriment, and the clearest proof is where we are today and what lack of choice we have over our own destinies.

Is There Hope?

After witnessing the inability of all Islamic nations that have emerged thus far to stop the plight of Muslims, the burden now falls on us to secure our children?s future.
The source for all our remedies and the answers to all our problems has always been at our fingertips, yet we have been too distracted to pay attention.

Be warned that what you will read in this book will be disturbing to many, and that to find the answers we must face the truth about what we have become.

?The Natural Republic? that is described in this book and for which a constitution is provided does not exist anywhere at this moment in time except in the realms of wishful thinking. However, this does not have to be the case. If we are willing to put in some effort and sweat and tears, we could give our children and humanity in general a better world to live in. Perhaps, The Natural Republic may be a viable replacement to Saddam Hussein?s tyrannical Iraq? Or, it may be a solution to Afghanistan?s tribal problems? Or, could it be a solution for the Saudis or Egyptians growing dissatisfied with their current systems?
All we know for sure is that we will not progress unless we are willing to take the initiative.

?That is because God was not to change any blessings He had given a people, except if they had changed what was in themselves. God is Hearer, Knowledgeable.? (Quran 853)

This book is our initiative.

What will yours be?

Progressive Muslims
www.ProgressiveMuslims.Org