Why Islamic solutions to global problems get over looked?

At least 38,345 people have been killed and 88,295 wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza, a staggering death toll that underscores the catastrophic humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. Such a monumental loss of life and widespread devastation demands urgent and effective solutions. Yet, the responses emerging from global and regional actors, although seemingly practical and realistic, consistently fail to bring about a lasting resolution. Why, despite the array of proposed strategies, do these solutions not seem to work?

Globally and nationally, Muslims face a myriad of challenges. However, despite the availability of Islamic solutions to these problems, many Muslims perceive these solutions as impractical or impossible. This perception stems from deeper issues rooted in historical, socio-political, and psychological contexts. Understanding these underlying causes can shed light on why Islamic solutions are often overlooked.

1. The Nation-State Construct vs. the Global Ummah

One of the primary reasons Muslims struggle to envision Islamic solutions is the dominance of the nation-state paradigm. This construct emerged post-Balfour Declaration and the subsequent carving up of the Muslim world, leading to the current geopolitical reality. The division of the Muslim world into distinct nation-states has fragmented the sense of a unified global Ummah.

Muslims today are socialised within the framework of these nation-states, leading to a worldview that prioritises national interests over collective Islamic identity. This perspective hinders the ability to conceptualise and implement solutions that transcend national borders and align with the principles of a unified Ummah. The result is a fragmented approach to problem-solving, where the focus remains on national rather than global Islamic solutions.

2. Absence of an Islamic System in Contemporary Experience

The second issue is that contemporary Muslims have not experienced life under a comprehensive Islamic system. This historical disconnect means that many Muslims are unfamiliar with how Islamic governance, economic principles, and social systems operate. Consequently, their default responses to modern problems are shaped by non-Islamic paradigms.

For instance, the solution to poverty is often seen as charity rather than an Islamic economic system that addresses wealth distribution comprehensively. Similarly, responses to occupation focus on welfare rather than an Islamic foreign policy that encompasses justice and resistance to oppression. Unemployment is tackled through education rather than integrating Islamic economic principles that ensure fair employment opportunities.

This individualistic approach, or reliance on nation-state constructs, stems from a lack of exposure to and understanding of a holistic Islamic system. Without lived experience or historical memory of such a system, the practical application of Islamic solutions remains abstract and seemingly impractical.

3. The Pressure to Conform to Liberal Norms

A significant factor influencing the Muslim community’s approach to problem-solving is the pressure to conform to liberal norms. This pressure is both external and internal. Externally, the ruling elite and dominant socio-political systems promote liberal ideologies as the standard for modern governance and societal organisation. Internally, Muslims face social and political pressures to align with these ideologies to avoid marginalisation or backlash.

This environment fosters self-censorship and a reluctance to advocate for Islamic solutions that may be perceived as counter to liberal values. The media and politicians in the Western world, in particular, often portray deviation from liberal norms as regressive or extremist, further discouraging Muslims from exploring and implementing Islamic alternatives.

The result is a tendency to seek solutions within the liberal framework, even when these solutions may not align with Islamic principles or effectively address the issues at hand. This conformity stifles the exploration and implementation of authentic Islamic solutions and perpetuates the cycle of dependence on non-Islamic paradigms.

The Challenge

The challenges Muslims face in adopting Islamic solutions are multifaceted and deeply rooted in historical, socio-political, and psychological factors. The dominance of the nation-state construct, the absence of lived experience under an Islamic system, and the pressure to conform to liberal norms all contribute to the perception that Islamic solutions are impractical or unworkable.

Addressing these challenges requires a conscious effort to reframe perspectives, educate the community on the principles and practicalities of an Islamic system, and foster a sense of global Islamic identity. Only then can Muslims begin to effectively implement solutions that align with their faith and address the myriad problems they face in a comprehensive and meaningful way.

Only when we look at Gaza, and the myriad other problems faced by Muslims, through a lens that transcends the nation-state and the liberal order that often coerces Muslims into submission, will we begin to see the correct solutions. It is imperative to move beyond the fragmented and imposed constructs that hinder collective action and Islamic unity. Embracing a perspective rooted in the principles of the global Ummah can guide us towards holistic and enduring resolutions. By doing so, we can address not only the crisis in Gaza but also the numerous other challenges confronting the Muslim world with the coherence and unity they demand.