The Sunnah of Activism

Quick Recap – Gold or Men? Beyond Wealth and Status

In Islam, the greatest asset in community service and activism is not wealth, but people. The Prophet ﷺ compared humanity to a hundred camels among which only one is fit for a journey, highlighting how rare true talent, reliability, and sincerity are. This means leaders must invest deeply in recruiting, training, and nurturing individuals of passion, integrity, and dedication. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab RA understood this well when he valued men of character like Abu ‘Ubaydah RA over gold or jewels, showing that the strength of a cause lies in its people, not its material resources.

The How: The Adab of Activism

Islamic Etiquette in Activism

In a world clamouring for change, Islamic activism offers a profound paradigm shift — one rooted not in mere reaction, but in a holistic spiritual and ethical framework. At its core, Islam is a complete value system inspired by Divine revelation, demanding that those who carry its banner strive to embody its commands wholly. The Holy Qur’an emphatically states:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ فِى ٱلسِّلْمِ كَآفَّةً وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ خُطُوَٰتِ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ

“You who believe, enter wholeheartedly into submission to God and do not follow in Satan’s footsteps, for he is your sworn enemy.” [Baqarah 2: 208].

This verse sets the stage for understanding activism as an integrated way of life, where intention, action, and demeanour align with divine principles.

A central objective of Islam is the cultivation of noble character (adab). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized, “I have been sent to perfect good character.” (Malik). This perfection is not abstract; it is woven into the very fabric of Islamic worship. The five daily prayers restrain from outrageous behaviour, charity purifies the soul, fasting instils Allah-consciousness, and pilgrimage forbids indecency and quarrelling. Each act of worship is designed to refine the believer’s conduct, ensuring that spirituality translates into ethical daily living.

“الدِّينُ النَّصِيحَةُ. قُلْنَا: لِمَنْ؟ قَالَ: “لِلَّهِ، وَلِكِتَابِهِ، وَلِرَسُولِهِ، وَلِأَئِمَّةِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَعَامَّتِهِمْ

The concept of nasīḥah — sincere goodwill — epitomizes the spirit of Islamic activism. The Prophet ﷺ declared, “The religion is all about sincere goodwill.” When asked to whom, he replied, “To Allah, His book, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims, and their common people.” (Muslim). Derived from the Arabic root nasaha, meaning to purify or cleanse from deceit, nasīḥah embodies honesty, sincerity, and genuine care. It is the antithesis of public shaming or performative call-outs; instead, it is a heartfelt advice offered with love and respect, as exemplified by Prophet Saleh AS’s plea to his people: “I had certainly conveyed to you the message of my Lord and advised you, but you do not like advisors.” [al-A’raf 7: 79].

In practice, nasīḥah entails unwavering devotion to Allah, acceptance of the Prophet ﷺ’s guidance, and compassionate engagement with society. The Qur’an outlines its methodology:

“Call people to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good teaching. Argue with them in the most courteous way.” [al-Nahl 16: 125].

Scholars like Al-Sa’di R explain that wisdom tailors the message to the audience’s understanding, prioritizes knowledge over ignorance, and uses gentle persuasion. If ignored, one should employ courteous debate, balancing logical reasoning with revelation.

Truth and Temperance: The Etiquette of Information

In an age of instant information, Islamic teachings on verifying news are profoundly relevant. The Prophet ﷺ warned, “It is enough for a man to prove himself a liar that he narrates whatever he hears.” (Muslim). This principle propelled Muslim scholars to develop rigorous chains of narration, ensuring the authenticity of Islamic sciences. The Qur’an reinforces this: “If there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance.” [al-Hujurat 49: 6].

Believers are urged to pause before sharing: Is the information valid? Is it useful? Who should hear it? This disciplined approach counters the modern obsession with virility, where clicks often outweigh truth. The Qur’an critiques those who spread news without reflection: “If any matter comes to them concerning security or fear, they spread it around. But if they had only referred it to the Messenger or to those charged with authority…” [al-Nisa 4: 92]. Leadership’s role is to assess situations with wisdom, especially in times of turmoil, ensuring responses are measured and just.

Excellence (iḥsān) is the DNA of a Muslim’s work. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Allah has prescribed excellence in everything.” (Muslim). Whether in worship, daily tasks, or even slaughtering an animal, Muslims are called to perform with utmost care and compassion.

This principle transforms activism from mere output to a sacred pursuit of quality and integrity.

Islamic activism is thus a journey of inner and outer transformation. It merges sincere intention with ethical action, truth-seeking with wisdom, and excellence with devotion. By embracing these principles, Muslim activists can navigate modern challenges with grace, ensuring their efforts are not just effective, but deeply rooted in divine love and timeless wisdom.