Recent events in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Syria have been termed Arab Spring by the chroniclers of current events.Conservative Muslims are a bit wary of some of the aspects of these events. Take the example of Egypt. Though Muslim Brotherhood (the Ikhwan-ul-Muslimoon) was not very prominent in the beginning of the events that lead to the disposition of Husni Mubarak but ultimately it is they who are in the driving seat after the elections. Now Ikhwan is hated by the west for that is what they do best - to hate anything that might have the label even remotely connected with Islam. Muslims on the other hand are cautious because the ideology and ideals of the Brotherhood have little to do with Islam. In its original form the inspiration for Brotherhood came from the ideas of Jamal-ud-Deen Afghani. In its latest phase the Brotherhood's ideology owes a lot to Jama'at-e-Islami, from Indian subcontinent, of late Maulana Maududi. People have termed this ideology crypto-Marxist and there lies the rub. You have the world crying Islamic spring while in reality you have those people in power whose connection with Islam is rather tenuous or in name only - not in reality. What makes the things worse are the sayings of the current Egyptian leader - he is at pains to assure the west that they have nothing to worry.
Here is how a brother sums up the situation in Egypt.
Here is how a brother sums up the situation in Egypt.
Salaam.Source : SF
And no-one can question the directness of the following statements by Mursi:
"We want a democratic, national state with a separation of powers"
“build a free and democratic Egypt that will enjoy social justice.”
“preserve the right for peaceful protest and demonstration” and vowed to respect women’s rights and their freedom to wear the “hijab (Islamic headscarf) or any dress of their choice.”
“Our Christian brothers, let's be clear, are national partners and have full rights like Muslims.”
"I am looking forward to exerting our best efforts to get the Middle East peace process back to its right track in order to achieve security and stability for all peoples of the region, including (the) Israeli people," Mursi said in the letter to Israeli President Shimon Peres.
“Here, you have security. Move around freely and make the most of Egypt’s climate and ancient civilisation (pharoanic sites)"
"We came to the world with a message of peace. We will maintain international charters and conventions and the commitments and agreements Egypt has signed with the world."
"We will also work to make the Egyptian system of ethics... in addition to human values particularly in freedoms, respect for human rights, maintaining rights of women and children."
As muslims we can only act on what is apparent, because only Allah knows what is in the heart.
Abdullah ibn Utbah ibn Mas’oud said:
“I heard Umar ibn Khattab say, “there were some people excused by the wahi in the time of rasulullah, but now the wahi has stopped. now we account you by what you do that is apparent. And whoever shows us any corruption, we will never believe him nor trust him even if your intention was good.”