In the Name of Allāh,

the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful

Praise is due to Allāh, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our master Muḥammad, the last of prophets, on his family, and all his companions.

Resolution No. 99 (2/11) Secularism

The Council of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, holding its 11th session in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, on 25–30 Rajab 1419h (14–19 November 1998),

Having examined the research papers submitted to the Academy concern- ing Secularism,

In light of the discussions that highlighted the dangers of secularism against the Ummah,

Resolves

First: Secularism, which is the separation between religion and life, started as a reaction to the arbitrary acts committed by the Church.

Second: Secularism spread in Muslim lands with the force of colonization and its stooges, and under the effect of orientalism, and thus led to the fragmen- tation of Ummah, to casting doubts on the creed of Islam and to the distortion of the brilliant history of our Ummah. It also led to the propagation of a mis- conception among the young generation that there is a discrepancy between reason and Shariah sources; and thus, secularism worked to replace the Noble Shariah with man-made laws and promote licentiousness, moral degradation and the destruction of noble values.

Third: From secularism spread destructive ideologies which invaded our countries under different names, such as racism, communism, Zionism, free- masonry, etc. which led to the dissipation of the Ummah’s resources and the deterioration of economic conditions. The result was the occupation of some of our lands, such as Palestine and Al-Quds, which indicates the failure of sec- ularism to do any good to our Ummah.

Fourth: Secularism is a man-made system based primarily on the principles of atheism which is against Islam, in part and whole. It converges with interna- tional Zionism and calls for licentiousness. Therefore, it is an atheistic approach that is rejected by Allāh, His Messenger and by all believers.

Fifth: Islam is a religion, a governing system and a complete way of life,

which is suitable for every time and place. It does not approve of the separation between religion and life and it requires that all laws and regulations emanate from it, and that practical life follow its system whether in politics, economics, social life, education, media, or any other field.

Recommendations

1. Muslim governments should prevent the methods of secularism against Muslims and their countries and take the necessary measures to protect them from its dangers.
2. Muslim scholars should include in their dawah and reformation efforts the denunciations of secularism and the dissemination of its dangers.
3. Developing a comprehensive Islamic education plan for schools, universities, research centers and information networks in order to formulate a single and comprehensive media, educational, and intellectual discourse and to emphasize the need for the revival of the role of the Mosque, to pay special attention to sermons, preaching and guidance, to train preachers with adequate qualifications that meet the requirements of our time, to refute misconceptions about Islam, and to preserve the objectives of Shariah.

Indeed, Allāh is the Giver of success.