On August 21, 2013, the Tyrant of Damascus, Bashar Al-Assad, exterminated more than 1400 Muslim civilians with chemical weapons after failing to break their will. Such brutality immediately sparked words of condemnation from world powers, especially the West. America was initially very vocal in calling for a military strike then quickly backed away towards a political solution where the Assad regime would surrender the chemical weapons. Why now has America taken a strong stance against the Syrian regime? Why was it standing still when hundreds of thousands were being killed in the last two and a half years?
The lives of those hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women, and children killed before the chemical weapons attacks are no less valuable than the ones killed with chemical weapons.
What has caused great urgency for the US and Europe is that currently the revolution forces have come closer to triumph and victory, while the Assad regime is on the verge of collapse. The sudden collapse of Assad would create an unfavorable situation to the US and Europe. General Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, explains the US view of the Syrian massacres and the reason for US involvement: “Syria today is not about choosing between two sides… It is my belief that the side we choose must be ready to promote their interests and ours when the balance shifts in their favor. Today, they are not” Dempsey leaves no doubt that the real concern of the US is not the plight of people, rather it is the interest of the USA, which Dempsey stated in his own words “a regime in complete alliance with the US and its agenda in the Middle East”.
America’s main concern is who should or should not lead Syria after the collapse of Assad’s regime. In his speech on September 10, President Obama further clarified America’s position when he stated “the day after any military action, we would redouble our efforts to achieve a political solution that strengthens those who reject the forces of tyranny and extremism.” What Obama means is that America would bring together the Assad regime with representatives from the opposition, of America’s choosing, guaranteeing a “resolution” that would keep the current regime with minor face changes. So what has caused Obama and Kerry to drastically switch their position from a military strike after hyping for weeks that it was the only solution? It is clear that the Muslims in Syria do not want just a change of faces; they want to completely replace the regime. By choosing the path of a political process, America has bided more time for the Assad regime. It also bought itself more time to garner support amongst the opposition with the purpose of creating a viable, “moderate” opposition.
The reality of war in Syria is not about the use of chemical weapons or conventional weapons. It is a revolution that was launched under the banners of Islam for the removal of the US installed regime of the Assad family, which has caused mass suffering, pain, destruction, imprisonment, and killing of tens of thousands of people over the course of 40 years. Any involvement by America, or the West, would only continue this suffering.
Muslims must not ask for America’s help. Nor should they seek protection from any non-Muslim nation. Allah سبحانه وتعالى has forbidden us from seeking such help:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الْكَافِرِينَ أَوْلِيَاءَ مِنْ دُونِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَتُرِيدُونَ أَنْ تَجْعَلُوا لِلَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ سُلْطَانًا مُبِينًا
“O you who believe! Do not take the disbelivers as friends rather than the believers. Do you want to give Allah clear proof against you?”
(Al-Nisa, 4:144)
It is further supported by the saying of our noble Prophet Rasul’Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم:
لَا تَسْتَضِيئُوا بِنَارِ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
“Do not seek light from the fire of the polytheists.”
(Baihaqi)
فَإِنَّا لَا نَسْتَعِينُ بِمُشْرِكٍ
“We do not seek help from the polytheist.”
(Ahmed and Abu Dawud)
The solution for Syria will not come from the East or the West. The sufferings of people of Syria will not be resolved by democracy or capitalism. The people of Sham will only get relief with the Islamic State. Only the Islamic State will give them honor and security. Indeed, only Islam will resolve the problems in the Middle East and the world; only Islam will replace tyranny with justice. Muslims should only work for the establishment of the Islamic State and support those who are working for its establishment in the Muslim World.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَجِيبُوا لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ
“O you who believe! Respond to Allah and to the Messenger when He calls you to what will bring you to life!”
(Al-Anfal, 8:24)
Hizb ut-Tahrir America
07 Dhul Qi’ddah 1434 AH
12/09/2013 CE