[Q]: What are the foundations that will enable the Islaamic world to arise again anew?

[A]: That which I believe, is what has been reported in the authentic hadeeth – which is a clear answer to this question, and to those questions similar to it which are asked in our present time – and that is the statement of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), “When you deal in 'eenah (a transaction involving usury), take hold of the tails of cows, become content with agriculture and abandon jihaad in the Path of Allaah, then Allaah will permit your humiliation and He will not remove it from you, until you return to your Religion.” [2] Thus, the foundation is the return to Islaam.

This very fact has been pointed out by Imaam Maalik (d.179H) – rahimahullaah – in a statement transmitted from him, which is worthy of being written in golden ink; and that is his saying, “Whosoever introduces into Islaam an innovation, and holds it to be something good, has indeed alleged that Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) has betrayed his message. Read the saying of Allaah – the Most Blessed, the Most High:

“This day I have perfected your Religion for you, completed My favour upon you and I have chosen for you Islaam as your Religion.” [Sooratul-Maa‘idah 5:3]

So that which was not part of the Religion at that time, cannot be part of the Religion today. And the last part of this Ummah cannot be rectified, except by that which rectified its first part.” [3]

The last sentence is the essential part with regards to the answer to this question, since he said, “And the last part of this Ummah cannot be rectified, except by that which rectified its first part.” So, just as the affairs of the Arabs in jaahiliyyah (pre-Islaamic ignorance) was not rectified, except by the advent of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) via Divine Revelation – which brought them happiness in this world and will bring them salvation in the Hereafter – then likewise, re-establishing a happy and successful Islaamic life cannot be based upon anything other than returning to the Qur‘aan and the Sunnah.

However, this matter is in need of some clarification, due to the presence of a multitude of Islaamic groups and parties in our midst today, each of them claiming to have set out the correct manhaj (methodology) which will bring about the Islaamic society and the rule of Islaam.

We know the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) that the path to be taken in order to realize this objective (of bringing about the Islaamic society and the rule of Islaam) is a single path, and that is the one which Allaah – the Mighty and Majestic – mentions in His saying:

“Indeed this is My Straight Path, so follow it, and do not follow other paths that will separate you from His Path.” [Sooratul-An'aam 6:152]

And the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) explained this to his Companions since: One day he drew a straight line for them on the ground and then drew many short lines on both sides of it. He then recited the previous aayah whilst he was moving his noble finger over the straight line, and he said, “This is the Path of Allaah.” He then pointed to the other lines and said, “These are other paths, and at the head of each of them is a devil calling towards it.” [4]

Our Lord – the Mighty and Majestic – emphasized in another aayah this very same point which was mentioned in the very same aayah; along with the explanation of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) in the hadeeth. Allaah – the Most High – said:

“And whosoever opposes the Messenger, even after the guidance has been clearly conveyed to him, and follows a path other than that of the Believers, We shall leave him in the path he has chosen and land him in Hell, what an evil destination.” [Sooratun-Nisaa‘ 5:115]

This aayah contains a great wisdom, since He – the Most Perfect – placed the path of the Believers in conjunction with that which the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) brought. And the fine point of this wisdom was also indicated by the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) in the hadeeth of al-Iftiraaq (the authentic narration concerning the splitting of this Ummah into seventy three sects), when he was asked about the Saved-Sect, so he replied, “It is that which I and my Companions are upon today.” [5]