The cyclical nature of Islamic history dictated that after a period of weakness and invasion, a new, powerful Muslim empire would arise, reclaiming the glory of the old Islamic states.
*After the rise of Christian states in al-Andalus*, the Murabitun and Muwahhidun arose in the eleventh and twelfth centuries to unite Iberia and North Africa.
*After the Crusader invasion* in the twelfth century, Salah al-Din’s Ayyubid Empire and its successor, the Mamluks, united Egypt, Syria, and the Hijaz under their powerful rule.
*The Mongol invasion in the thirteenth century* would lead to the rise of the Ottomans and their tricontinental empire that knocked on the doors of Central Europe.
Now it seemed that in the twentieth century, the tide of European imperialism had finally turned and the time was ripe for a new, world-dominating Muslim empire.
This time, the traditional Muslim empire would not come?
Dozens of Muslim states dotted the world map, disunited by arbitrary borders—a legacy of European colonization. This disunity proved fatal to the Muslim world.
Without unity, the relative political power of the Muslim world remained generally unchanged after independence. Small, competing states, reminiscent of al-Andalus’ Taifa period and the decentralization of the Abbasid Empire, were incapable of creating a powerful Muslim realm.
A big part of that failure was a decisive ideological shift in Muslim politics.
Throughout Islamic history, upstart empires had based their right to rule on Islam itself. Even in empires whose actions can probably be judged to be against Islamic law, the primacy of Islam itself as a unifying force was always a given.
In the twentieth century, however, newly-independent Muslim states generally did not look back at a glorious Islamic past and try to recreate it.
Instead they almost always had a secular and nationalist outlook. These concepts were entirely foreign to the Muslim world for its first 1200 years.
But with European imperialism, these ideas were implanted into the minds of the upper classes of Muslim society, which ended up leading post-independence governments.
There were exceptions, of course, the most prominent being Saudi Arabia, which functioned as an absolute monarchy, not unlike Arab tribal states centuries ago, and derived its legitimacy to rule from the Salafi ideology of Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhab. ( However MBS is in pricess to chsnge it all )
Overall, however, Muslim countries left behind the idea of political Islam in favor of secular ideologies promoted by the West.
(Even country like Pakistan , created on the basis of Islam has not been able to be fully Islamic state in practice, though theoretically it's an Islamic Republic. Pakistan, the only Muslim nuclear power have been blessed with ideal geography, manpower and resources to lead the Muslim world. But the selfish, corrupt, incompetent rulers make every effort to diverge from the goal of creation of Pakistan, hence serve as a tool to the imperialist powers. Once we realise and get rid of these impediment, the world will change, so the destiny of Muslims)
The Muslim world has yet to fully reconcile its Islamic-oriented past with its secular-dominated present.
There exist today traditionalists who demand that the Muslim world return to those lost days when Islam and politics were intertwined.
The extreme among them forcefully advocate a return to Islamic rule.
Others take a more moderate approach, believing that education, action within existing political frameworks, and community service can precipitate to the return of political Islam.
On the other end of the spectrum are those who argue that the days of Islam playing a role in political life are over. They advocate a break from tradition in favor of new ideas, mostly originating in the West, about government, society and politics.
Muslim society remains split over the role of Islam today.
Most recently, the Arab Spring and subsequent upheaval in Egypt, Tunisia and Syria has brought to light the seeming incompatibility of these two competing sides.
Turkey is once again at a crossroads between secularism and political Islam, as an Islamicoriented government attempts to reverse decades of state secularism.
This dichotomy exists throughout the Muslim world. How it is solved will dictate its direction in the coming decades and centuries.
Whether Islam once again plays a major role?
Whether nationalism and secularism will be the new driving ideologies?
Whether a balance between the two sides will be found?
That appeals to all, remains to be determined.
Those who answer these pertinent questions will dictate a new era for the Muslim world; one that surely cannot be detached from the 1400 years of Islamic history that came before it.
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What should we do?
Pakistan , created on the basis of Islam has not been able to be fully Islamic state in practice, though theoretically it's an Islamic Republic. Pakistan, the only Muslim nuclear power have been blessed with ideal geography, manpower and resources to lead the Muslim world. But the selfish, corrupt, incompetent rulers make every effort to diverge from the goal of creation of Pakistan, hence serve as a tool to the imperialist powers. Once we realise and get rid of these impediment, the world will change, so the destiny of Muslims.
The First step towards this direction is to elect honest, competent, sincere political leaders through power of ballot ... This is our religious, moral and national obligation, Pakistan was created through same power of ballot, it can work again ... More [••••••] Any other militant, or extremist option is recipe of disaster, Fisad, terrorism supported and financed by anti Islamic powers to create disunity and division among Muslims. Takfir groups lke ISIS (Daesh), TTP, Boko Haram served well their imperialist masters...
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Also read:
Rise and fall of Nations – Law of Quran قرآن کا قانون عروج و زوال اقوام
ووٹ کی شرعی حیثیت اور تبدیلی کی خواہش
Shift in focus: Rise of Pakistan just a matter of time, says Morgan Stanley:
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Shift in focus: Rise of Pakistan just a matter of time, says David M Darst
by Farhan Zaheer, tribune.com.pk
January 28, 2015
Darst says Pakistan is one of nine nations that will add another China in 35 years.
With over 100 million people below the age of 30 aspiring to change their lives, the rise of Pakistan is just a matter of time, Morgan Stanley Chief Investment Strategist David M Darst said on Tuesday. Darst, however, was speaking in his personal capacity and not representing Morgan Stanley at the lecture.
“Demographics will play a major role in coming decades. Pakistan is among those nine countries in Asia that will add another China in the next 35 years and the impact of this change will be phenomenal on the world economy,” he said while giving a lecture on “The World Economic Environment: Where’s the Global Capital Going”.
It was part of a special series of lectures that was organised by The Aga Khan University here at its auditorium.
With a young population of an average age of 22 years, “I believe the opportunities that the young entrepreneurs from Pakistan have are going to make an exceptional contribution to the economy of the region,” he added.
Darst, who is the author of 11 books and has a PhD in economics from Yale, said it is wrong to believe that Pakistan is lagging behind due to its proximity with Afghanistan, Iran and India. “In fact, I believe Pakistan is in the centre of Asian countries like Iran, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Indonesia that will significantly contribute in the world economy in coming decades.”
Speaking about the strong fundamentals of Pakistan’s stocks, he said, with 31% returns in dollar terms Pakistan led the world markets in 2014. “What is important is that the stocks in Pakistan are still very cheap compared to the markets in the industrialised world and they are performing better than many markets in terms of returns,” he added.
“I am surprised to see low number of investors in the bourses of Pakistan. This must change considering the strong fundamentals of Pakistani stocks.”
Darst said women in the world are playing an important role in today’s world economy. The rise of the entrepreneurs from the developing world, especially women entrepreneurs, will also bring significant positive changes in this century.
Listing down the challenges to the global economy, he said though Pakistan and India have benefitted from the current sharp decline in oil prices, sudden fall in oil prices has rejuvenated fears of deflation in many countries.
He said Europe is redefining itself and the sharp changes in Europe can surprise the world at large.
Speaking on the challenges facing Europe in relation to Greece, he said the new elected prime minister of Greece could take decisions that may not go well with the euro and the overall economy of the continent.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2015.
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