In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

The Pursuit of Digital Sovereignty By Some Muslim Nations-
[A Brief Rebuttal of The Pessimists and Envious Saboteurs]

Abu Hurairah [may Allaah be pleased with him] said, “The Prophet peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, ‘Verily, the leader is a shield behind whom they fight and he protects them. If he commands (people to) fear Allaah [The Exalted] and justice, then he will have a reward. If he commands something else, then it will be against him'”. [Ṣaḥeeh Muslim 1841]

“The leader is a shield”, Imaam An-Nawawi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Meaning, he is like a shelter because he prevents the enemy from harming the Muslims, prevent the people from (harming) one another [i.e. establish justice], protects the Muslim nation and the people fear his authority [i.e. because he will establish justice against the oppressor]. “Behind whom they fight”, meaning, alongside him they fight against the disbelievers [i.e. those at war with his country]- the rebels, the khaarijites and all the perpetrators of corruption and oppression. [Sharh Saheeh Muslim Vol 12. page 193. Publisher: Daar Al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah. 1st Edition 1421 AH (2000)]

Indeed, we all know that social media emerged with a new set of technology tools that allows people to interact, communicate and share their own content with others from all different walks of life. However, this beneficial means of communication is also exploited by deceitful, evil and manipulative people, especially those who organize and control the narrative on social media in order to destabilize Muslim nations. They spread fake news within few seconds and translate that into many other languages – both internally and externally – in the name of free speech. Muslim who understand the infallible divine revelation do not – as a fundamental rule – determine free speech based on the views of anyone; rather they fear the consequences of one’s speech in this life and the next life. They do not measure free speech based on the boundaries defined by social media networks; rather they guard themselves against every speech that will lead to destruction in this life and the next. Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ وَنَعۡلَمُ مَا تُوَسۡوِسُ بِهِۦ نَفۡسُهُ ۥ‌ۖ وَنَحۡنُ أَقۡرَبُ إِلَيۡهِ مِنۡ حَبۡلِ ٱلۡوَرِيدِ
إِذۡ يَتَلَقَّى ٱلۡمُتَلَقِّيَانِ عَنِ ٱلۡيَمِينِ وَعَنِ ٱلشِّمَالِ قَعِيدٌ۬
مَّا يَلۡفِظُ مِن قَوۡلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيۡهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ۬

And indeed We have created man, and We know what his ownself whispers to him. And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein (by Our Knowledge). (Remember!) that the two receivers (recording angels) receive (each human being after he or she has attained the age of puberty), one sitting on the right and one on the left (to note his or her actions). Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it). [Surah Qaaf. Aayaat 16-18]

The Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should not hurt his neighbor and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should serve his guest generously and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should speak what is good or keep silent.” [Al-Bukhaari 6136]

The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said: “When the son of Adam wakes up in the morning, all the limbs humble themselves before the tongue and say: ”Fear Allaah for our sake, (for) we are with you; if you are upright, we will be upright; and if you are crooked, we will become crooked”. [Tirmidhee Number 2407: Chapter: What has been reported concerning preservation of the tongue] [Hadeeth Declared Hasan By Imaam Albaani]

The Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said: “Whoever can guarantee (the chastity of) what is between his two jaw bones and what is between his two legs (i.e. his mouth, his tongue and his private parts), I guarantee Paradise for him”. [Saheeh al-bukhaari, Book of Ar-Riqaaq, Vol 8, page: 263. Hadeeth Number: 6474]

Imaam Abdul-Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “This requires two affairs: a lot of remembrance (of Allaah) and keeping away from gatherings of heedlessness and doubts, and that which will result in fornication and nonsense speech. [Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min At-Taliqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh al-Bukhari. Vol 4. Page:244. Footnote:2]

Al-Hasan Bin Saaleh [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: “I scrutinized Wara (apprehensive fear) thoroughly and did it find it more lacking in anything than the tongue”. [Siyar: 7/368]

Imaam Fudayl Ibn Iyaad [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: “Neither hajj nor taking up positions during battle, nor Jihaad are more difficult than restraining the tongue”. [Jaami-ul Uloom Wal-Hikam. page 145]

Therefore, due to the abuse of free speech and freedom of expression via social media networks and platforms, many Muslim authorities have mentioned the need for digital sovereignty – regardless of the opposition they continue to face from tech companies – because they have a right to curb the influence of those who seek to destabilize their lands in the name of freedom, liberty and free speech. There is no doubt that the internet and social media are game-changers in many affairs, because they greatly influence the manner in which many people communicate and interact, as well as the fact that it can be utilized to manipulate human behavior and emotions, destabilize the state and influence public opinion in an Un-Islamic way. Some of those people who have mastered the art of sophistry, concealment, deceit and misrepresentation say, “Do not violate the rights of the people and do not limit their access to information”, but behind this suggestion is a mighty plot and that is to use their media platforms to give a repugnant image to any affair that is based on clear proof and is understood in the manner it should be with certainty; then they appeal to the rabble through attractive slogans and misrepresentation through which the gullible are made to understand concepts in a way contrary to their true reality, divert the unsuspecting readers and listeners away from something that should prompt them to the fact that they are mistaken or bombard them with a lot of ambiguous information and thus leave them in a state of doubt. The perpetrators of this crime in the name of free speech voice their opposition when Muslim authorities pursue digital sovereignty to protect their societies- ranting and raving, spreading propaganda and accusing them of digital dictatorship when their avenues of manipulation are blocked. [See here: https://salaficentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Social_Media_Platforms.pdf ]

This is one of their goals on social media platforms, whilst waiting for their stooges, internal henchmen and henchwomen to emerge with slogans in the name of so called liberty and freedom of expression; then the gullible follow them after being duped through adorned and beautified slogans. Both the Khawaarij and some of the deceitful western ideologues and demagogues have used social media networks and platforms to bring Muslims in the streets and thus the ignorant amongst us destroy our homelands with our own hands. Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] stated: Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِـۧمُ رَبِّ ٱجۡعَلۡ هَـٰذَا بَلَدًا ءَامِنً۬ا وَٱرۡزُقۡ أَهۡلَهُ ۥ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ مِنۡہُم بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ‌ۖ

And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said, “My Lord, make this city (Makkah) a place of security and provide its people with fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day.” [2:126]

Indeed, he [Ibraaheem- peace be upon him)] gave priority to security (in his supplication) over seeking sustenance, because security is a necessity. Security is a necessity and the people cannot enjoy sustenance alongside fear; rather sustenance cannot be reached in the presence of fear. This is what the enemies’ desire–those who try to destabilize the Muslim societies.  They wish to disassociate the Muslims from their unity behind their Muslim rulers. This is what they desire and they do not desire good advice for the Muslims. (They wish to disassociate the Muslims from their unity behind their rulers) in name of actualizing beneficial affairs, rectification, removal of oppression and the likes. All of this is lies and false pretenses, because if ruler ship slips away chaos will be at large, corruption will spread and the beneficial affairs which they say will be actualized will be non-existent. Corruption will be at large and there will not be rectification. Therefore, for this reason there has to be ruler ship upon which the Muslims unite.   And even if (such ruler ship) has shortcomings and (affairs pertaining to) negligence, the (people) should exercise patience, because there is a prevention of that which is more severe and harmful in exercising patience.  Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “It is not known of a group that rose against their Muslim Ruler, except that their state of affairs after his removal was more evil than their state of affairs whilst he was present”. And this is something experienced at present.  The rulers and heads of state who have been removed, what is the state of affairs of their countries after they were (removed)? There has not ceased to be fear, anxiety, chaos, bloodshed etc. Excerpt From a Juma-ah Khutbah: Khutbah Number 1: dated 1432-03-15: http://www.alfawzan.af.org.sa/node/13208

Therefore, one should not be deceived by the slogans of the internal conspirators, even if they beautify their statements and swear by Allaah that they intend good, because it has been clearly witnessed that they call to rebellion, bloodshed and anarchy. Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يُعۡجِبُكَ قَوۡلُهُ ۥ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَيُشۡهِدُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا فِى قَلۡبِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَلَدُّ ٱلۡخِصَامِ
وَإِذَا تَوَلَّىٰ سَعَىٰ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ لِيُفۡسِدَ فِيهَا وَيُهۡلِكَ ٱلۡحَرۡثَ وَٱلنَّسۡلَ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡفَسَادَ
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُ ٱتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ أَخَذَتۡهُ ٱلۡعِزَّةُ بِٱلۡإِثۡمِ‌ۚ فَحَسۡبُهُ ۥ جَهَنَّمُ‌ۚ وَلَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمِهَادُ

And of mankind there is he whose speech may please you (O Muhammad), in this worldly life, and he calls Allah to witness as to that which is in his heart, yet he is the most quarrelsome of the opponents. And when he turns away, his effort in the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the crops and the cattle, and Allah likes not mischief. And when it is said to him, “Fear Allah”, he is led by arrogance to (more) crime. So enough for him is Hell, and worst indeed is that place to rest! [Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayaat 204-206]

[وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يُعۡجِبُكَ قَوۡلُهُ ۥ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا – And of mankind there is he whose speech may please you in this worldly life]: Meaning, the one who hears his speech is pleased when he speaks and thinks that he has uttered beneficial speech. He emphasizes what he says [وَيُشۡهِدُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا فِى قَلۡبِهِ – and he calls Allah to witness as to that which is in his heart]: Meaning, he states that Allaah knows that what is in his heart agrees with what he says, even though he is lying regarding what he says because his speech contradicts his deeds. His speech would have agreed with his deeds had he being truthful, because this the case regarding the believers- those who are not hypocrites. And due to this Allaah said: [وَهُوَ أَلَدُّ ٱلۡخِصَامِ – yet he is the most quarrelsome of the opponents]: Meaning, when you disagree with him, you’ll find him to be the most quarrelsome, bigoted and difficult person to deal with, as well as the ugly characteristics that results from this behaviour, which are the opposite of the manners of the believers- those who make ease their way, submit to the truth and pardon people.

[وَإِذَا تَوَلَّىٰ سَعَىٰ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ لِيُفۡسِدَ فِيهَا وَيُهۡلِكَ ٱلۡحَرۡثَ وَٱلنَّسۡلَ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡفَسَادَ – And when he turns away, his effort in the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the crops and the cattle, and Allah likes not mischief]- Meaning, when this person – the one whose speech amazes you – is not in your presence, he strives to commit sins which is tantamount to corruption in the earth, so cattle and crops are destroyed as a result of that corruption. The blessings in the vegetations, fruits and livestock decrease and become little due to evil deeds.

[وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡفَسَادَ – and Allah likes not mischief]: Meaning, when it is the case that Allaah does not like corruption, then He has an intense hatred for the person who sows corruption in the earth, even if such a person utters a good speech merely on the tongue (i.e. says one thing and does something else).

This verse contains proof regarding the fact that the statements uttered by individuals are not a proof regarding their truthfulness or whether they are upon falsehood, neither that they are righteous nor wicked until deeds ascertain them. And it is obligatory to examine the condition of those who bear witness, the one who is in the right and the falsifier amongst the people based on the righteousness of their deeds – examine the clear indications and their behaviour, and not to be deceived by how they portray themselves and the praise they give themselves. Then Allaah mentioned that when this person – the one who causes corruption in the earth through acts of disobedience to Allaah – is commanded to fear Allaah, he becomes arrogant and haughty,

[ أَخَذَتۡهُ ٱلۡعِزَّةُ بِٱلۡإِثۡمِ‌ۚ -he is led by arrogance to (more) crime]. So, he combines between disobedience to Allaah and being arrogant towards the sincere advisers. [End of quote: Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi]

Indeed, despite the clarifications and warnings given by the upright Salafi scholars regarding the evils of the internet, some of the deceitful western ideologues and demagogues are quick to criticize Muslim governments when they take swift action by shutting down some popular video-sharing and microblogging platforms. Imagine the evil that would grip the people when the ideologues, demagogues and rabble-rousers have free and immediate access to a Muslim nation where there are about 34 million bandwidth subscribers, 33 million on some social networking sites and 12 million users on a microblogging platform! Indeed, it is pleasing to the hearts of the believers when Muslim authorities shutdown networks that sow the seeds of discord, violence and chaos -all in the name of peaceful protest and freedom of expression. Safeguarding the religion, blood, sanity, honour and wealth of the Muslim nation takes precedence over profit making, un-Islamic public opinion, so called right to freedom of expression and so called freedom of peaceful assembly.

Do the treacherous Khaarijites (terrorists), the western ideologues and demagogues expect the Muslim governments to give them easy access to everyone?! Indeed, it is pleasing to the hearts when one learns that some telecommunication companies and prominent phone operators in the Muslim lands want domestically developed apps instead of foreign ones, so that the data of the citizens is safeguarded within the country, and so that anyone who violates the law- especially those who call to social unrest- are prosecuted. The Muslim authorities must give great concern to this affair in order to ensure cybersecurity in the digital world, protect the cyber homeland – protect personal data and digital sovereignty rights- so that data is not used for manipulation and chaos by the hypocrites, the hostile (internal and external) enemies of the state.

Many non-Muslim nations see the need to restrict foreign apps and technologies that threaten national security, foreign policy and the economy, because this is absolutely necessary in order to protect the nation’s internet-connected banks, trading systems, oil and water pipelines, dams, hospitals etc. How amazing that the pessimists and saboteurs do not say much when these non-Muslim countries embark upon this task, but why do you hear them ranting and raving when Muslim nations do so?! That is because they want to utilize social media for rebellion and social unrest. Some Muslim nations and rulers have also clearly stated that complete dependence on foreign technology would leave many of their state systems vulnerable. Complete dependence in this affair would necessitate the operation of very important infrastructure and communications infrastructure that are completely located in foreign data centres and under foreign-applicable laws. Therefore, who in his right mind would attack Muslim rulers for pursuing digital sovereignty by way of which Muslim nations are protected by the will of Allaah.

Likewise, it is pleasing to the heart when one hears upright Muslim experts in field of digital technology talking about the need to have cyber and electronic warfare weapons that are deployed to disable the missiles of hostile nations in times of conflict – paralyzing the hostile enemy’s Defense Industry, military command and control networks. This reminds us of a statement of Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] as follows: “Amongst the dangerous causes (of weakness)- their (bitter) fruits and what they necessitate – is that which has occurred in terms of weakness in the presence of the enemy and being delayed in everything – except what Allaah wills; inclining towards forbidden desires, preoccupation with what hinders from the path of Allaah and guidance, lack of preparation for the enemy in the arena of industry, not having sufficient weaponry that frightens the enemy, to help fight him, strive against him in Jihaad, taking one’s rights from him, not preparing the bodies for jihad and not spending money in what is obligatory (or befitting) to prepare for the enemy, guard against his evil, defend the religion and the homeland. The preparation is weak or non-existent and the goals are skewed, except that which Allaah wills”. The Imaam [may Allaah have mercy upon him] also said, “There should be industry in the Muslim countries, preparation and strength that will enable every individual through every means, so that he has no need of the enemy – until the enemy knows what he has of preparation and talent, and so that the enemy is afraid of him, treats him fairly and gives him his rights. The bodies are to be prepared and should refrain from over-indulging in that type of luxury that will weaken strength and the hearts when required to fight the enemy, and so that one has strength to perform Jihaad. There should be full cooperation between the state and the people on what is required of obedience to Allaah and His Messenger, refraining from what Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] has forbidden and also cooperating on what is required to make preparations, just as Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُمْ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ مِنْ قُوَّةٍ – And make ready against them all you can of power]. [Surah Al-Anfaal. Aayah 60]

It is necessary to prepare physically – prepare equipment (of defense and war), and other types of equipment in all respects so that we can suffice with what Allaah [Glorified be He] has given us and not to be in need of what our enemies have, because fighting our enemies with what they have in their hands is very difficult to obtain. If the enemy prevents you from acquiring weapons, then what do you fight with alongside poor insight and little knowledge? It is necessary to prepare what is possible, and what is possible is sufficient as long as the Muslims intend to do without their enemy, fight their enemy, save their country, intending to establish the command of Allaah in the land, and intending (to gain reward) in the Afterlife as much as they can, because indeed Allaah [Glorified and Exalted be He] says: [ وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُمْ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ مِنْ قُوَّةٍ – And make ready against them all you can of power], but Allaah did not say, ”And make ready against them that which is equal to their power”, because that might not be possible to achieve. If the Muslims are sincere, join hands, prepare for their enemy with as much equipment they can, and support the religion ordained by Allaah, then indeed Allaah [Glorified and Exalted be He] will support them, place them in front and above the enemy, and not under the enemy. Allaah – the One who is truthful in His speech and promise – said:

[يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنْ تَنْصُرُوا اللَّهَ يَنْصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ – O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you, and make your foothold firm].

Allaah is neither unable nor in need of the people, but He puts His good servants to trial by way of the evil ones, so that the truthfulness of the truthful ones is distinguished from the lies of the liars, the one who truly strives in the path of Allaah is distinguished from others, and the one desirous of safety (in this life and the next) is distinguished from others. This is the reason, otherwise Allaah is able to aid His allies and destroy His enemies without war- without the need for Jihad, preparation and other things, as He [Glorified be He] says: [ذَلِكَ وَلَوْ يَشَاءُ اللَّهُ لانْتَصَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَلَكِنْ لِيَبْلُوَ بَعْضَكُمْ بِبَعْضٍ – but if it had been Allah’s Will, He Himself could certainly have punished them (without you). But (He lets you fight), in order to test you, some with others]. [Surah Muhammad. Aayah 4] [Source: https://salaficentre.com/2021/02/17/some-causes-of-weakness-in-the-presence-of-the-enemy-sound-knowledge-obedience-to-allaah-and-his-messenger-and-an-independent-defense-industry-needed-by-imaam-abdul-azeez-bin-baaz/ ]

Finally, this pursuit of digital sovereignty is solely the responsibility of Muslim governments and those working under their authority – neither the responsibility of Hizb at-Tahreer nor the other Khaarijites (ISIS and their Ilk). The Muslim rulers – may Allaah strengthen them – have diplomatic relations with other nations and we ask Allaah to grant them every success in their pursuit to defend Islam and the Muslims, overlook our shortcomings and theirs Aameen.

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PDF: The Pursuit of Digital Sovereignty By Some Muslim Nations-[Rebuttal of The Pessimists and Envious Saboteurs]1