Islam & Marxism: compatible?

In 19th century Karl Marx put forth his communist ideas which promised to provide succor to the working class and save them from the clutches of the capitalist class. Inspired by his, Governments based on Marxian principles were established in some of the European countries, particularly in USSR and then in China. At one point of time it had appeared that the wave of Marxism was about to engulf whole of the world and change the very social fabric and the Economic basis of the world. Capitalism, sensing the threat, took up the cudgels and the cold war ensued. The utopian concepts of Marx and Lenin could not hold on for long and finally, crushed under its own weight which was symblised by the disintegrations of USSR. In contemporary times I meet people who think that they can follow Marxist principles and be good Muslims at the same time. Either they are ignorant of the facts or are deceiving others. The very basis of the Marxian scheme of things is antagonism to religion. Marx regards religion as the "sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people. Lenin says in his book Religion Atheism is a natural and inseparable part of Marxism. In simple words, religion to Marxist scheme of things is a device created just for the exploitation of the lower classes. Marxism in the end regards religion as a tool used by the ruling class for the exploitation of the ruled and for them religion, God, Prophet-hood, revelation etc. were just the creation of human mind for keeping the relations of exploitation intact. During their rule in USSR, religion was suppressed or at least allowed to remain just as a private affair of an individual. Objectively speaking, is religion really exploitative? Islam ordains charity, Zakat (including usher), recommends freeing of slaves (it was because if the attitude of the Islamic teachings that the institution of the Slavery had virtually ended in the period of khilafate Rashida as Islam promises great rewards for the same and for some sins it is made as a means of atonement.) Islam asks its followers to do social service, to help needy, to help downtrodden, to take care of old aged. The state has the responsibility to provide for those who have no means of living. If we scrutinize the history of Islam and its teachings, exploitation is nowhere seen; rather it is releasing mankind from the exploitation. Islam aims at establishment of an egalitarian society, based on just principles. The modus operandi is not the elimination of the rich but to

2 create sympathy in their hearts and to encourage them to help the needy and to use their wealth for the fulfillment of their needs. The allegation of exploitation by religion does not hold water. Islam, in economic sphere, provides a middle path between the exploitation of the capitalism and the utopian character of the communist system. Islam wants its adherents to engage in useful economic activity and not to stay idle. One can hold property, pass it on to his progeny, and gift it out, so he has a contentment that he did with his wealth what he desired. It does not seem to him that his wealth is getting wasted and provides him the required incentive for hard work. There is no place for from each according to his ability to each according to his need, which kills the incentive. Anyway who in communist system is going to make a show of his ability and who would not like to inflate his needs. A Muslim is enjoined to spend out of his own wealth on needy, starved, orphans, travelers etc. and even on animals. The system of Zakat, if implemented, would end whole the misery of the world and there would be surplus. It is our laxity that it is not implemented. In an Islamic atmosphere people are ready to part with a portion of their wealth, as they expect a bigger reward from Allah. In Muslim society, examples are not wanting when the people themselves remained hungry, but entertained the wayfarers. Such things are the result of the basic philosophy of life. In Islamic system selfishness is rooted out. The squandering of the wealth is discouraged, so there is no wastage and the inflation is kept under check. Hoarding of commodities is not allowed. Practices which are detrimental to the economy, like Gambling, speculation etc. are not allowed. That promotes harmony in the society. Islam aims at reducing the concentration of wealth at one place. The system of Zakat prompts a person to put his wealth into trade and not to keep it hoarded; wealth in circulation is a boon for economy as it increases trade and investment. The laws of inheritance ensure the division of the wealth. Interest, which is the backbone of the capitalist system and a means of exploitation, is prohibited. In recent years we have had the experience of Big Bubble in USA, which is the clear indication of the failure of the interest based capitalist system and one day it would show its still uglier face. That is the reason why more and more people are turning towards Islamic banking, the system propounded by Marx having already failed. Islamic principles of business are useful to the society as a whole and benefit every stake holder; and in

3 the event of loss, the same is shared between partners proportionately and a single person is not burdened and devastated. People followed Marxism with the hope of emancipation, as they had been crushed under the capitalist system, but ultimately history proved that the Marxism was not the panacea. Their slogan of ending exploitation was just a hollow cry, which concealed so many deceptions. Communism itself is exploitative in nature and kills incentive to hard work, and people do not get the fruits of their hard work justly. The dream of a communist society was never realised in practice even in USSR. Still the socialist state of USSR, which was thought of as a transitional state, couldnt sustain for long and slowly changes had to be made and finally the change was so drastic that the original model was completely lost. The final word: those who think that Islam is just a combination of rituals have simply misunderstood it. Such people who are living under such an illusion find no hesitation in thinking that one can follow Islam and Marxism in their own spheres. Islam is more than that: it has its own culture and its own Economic system and way of life which in no way can be compatible with Marxism. Marxism may seem to be concerned with the economic activity and aspect of life. But it is not so; Marxism affects every aspect of life. The main proposition of Marxism is that economy is the foundation (substructure) and every other activity (including religion) is an offshoot of the economic concerns of human beings and when the sub-structure (economic relations) changes, the superstructure (religion, political system and social relations etc.) automatically changes. Therefore, on their own terms, when the economic relations and system change, how should one expect that the religion would remain unaffected? In every facet Marxism is contradictory to Islamic principles, as Marx wanted to impose a particular ideology on the world, divorced from God; based just on his imagination. To Marx religion appears as the opium something that kept people under an illusion of happiness. Islam and Marxism uphold two opposite views on life: one basing its entire system on the assumption that Man is the vicegerent of God on this earth and his (Mans) main goal pertains to hereafter and the other basing its entire philosophy on the assumption that the Man is the highest evolved animal, concerned only with maximizing of his pleasures and fulfillment of his carnal desires.

4 Goals and means of both are diametrically opposite to each other, so where is the point of reconciliation? One has to choose one of the two. Mail at: mubashir_07@rediffmail.com