Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Chairman of the Association of Justice Defenders was among the speakers of the 5th International Islamic Union Congress, organized by the Association of Justice Defenders Strategic Research Center (ASSAM). Tarhan, addressing the obstacles to the establishment of the Islamic Union, stated: “We need a mental transformation that allows us to say that the interest of the Islamic world and the cause of the Quran are more important than my personal self, my interest, and even the interest of my country. First, let's heal our hearts and minds. Islamic unity cannot be achieved with excitement and fervor. Unity of mind and heart must be achieved. The interest of the ship of Islam is superior to personal interests.” he said.
The 5th International ASSAM Islamic Union Congress was held online with the main theme “ASRIKA Confederation Foreign Policy Strategies”. A total of 42 scientists from 19 countries, including Afghanistan, USA, Bangladesh, Egypt, Niger, Thailand, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, presented papers at the congress.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Justice cannot be ignored when reaching the goal”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Chairman of the Association of Justice Defenders, delivered messages regarding the establishment of justice in the Islamic world during his speech. Tarhan stated: “Regarding obtaining power, capitalism imposes the doctrine of 'the trap of power prejudice'. According to this understanding, a state cannot ensure justice if it is not economically and militarily strong. In fact, with the current new understanding, power has been divided into two: one is what they call 'hard power', which is military, monetary, and financial power, and the other is what they call 'soft power'. Soft power is the power of information, the power of wisdom, the power of big data. In this age of information, whoever obtains this power by reaching accurate information gains the greatest power. The greatest strength of a Muslim is to combine material power with spiritual power. The power of justice is soft power. It is necessary not to lose the sense of justice. Many people fall into the trap of ignoring justice to achieve a goal. They act with the understanding, 'Let's reach the goal, then think about justice'. Where there is no justice, there is no trust. Where there is no trust, there is no peace and tranquility. The Messenger of Allah, being justice-oriented and not power-oriented, established a Prophetic style by balancing power and justice. We need to return to the Prophetic style.” he stated.
“Muslims succeed if they place Allah’s pleasure at the top of their goal pyramids”
Tarhan, pointing out that Muslims cannot establish unity and are in a dispersed state, highlighted some points for the establishment of Islamic Unity. Tarhan stated: “In order for us to establish Islamic unity, we need to disable the diseases that came to Islam after the Age of Bliss (Asr-ı Saadet). One of those diseases is the disease of worshipping. However, allegiance is not given to a leader or a person, but to a cause. Another trap is the trap of intention. We see this trap of intention in a hadith of the Messenger of Allah. He says that a disease called 'wahn' (weakness/love of the world) will afflict Muslims in the End Times. Muslims will be numerous but scattered like the scum on a river. When asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, how do we recognize this disease?', he stated it has two symptoms. Firstly, he says, 'love for the world has increased'. Look, secularism; in my opinion, Muslim secularists have increased today. Wardrobe Muslims, superficial religiosity is at its peak. Secularist thought, worldly thought, the disease of worldliness is the first disease. Secondly, he says, 'Muslims begin to fear death'. They see the world as more important than the hereafter, fear death, and do not want to die. Therefore, from this hadith of the Messenger of Allah, we understand that we must place divine pleasure at the very top of our goal pyramid in our hearts. Material power and other powers should come second. If we do not corrupt our intentions, if we place Allah's pleasure at the very top, we will reach the top of the mountain and find that we have succeeded.” he said.
“The interest of the ship of Islam is superior to personal interests”
Tarhan, drawing attention to the obstacles to achieving unity in the Islamic world, stated that personal interests take precedence over Islamic unity. Tarhan stated: “Currently, we need a mental transformation that allows us to say that the interest of the Islamic world and the cause of the Quran are more important than my personal self, my personal interest, and even the interest of my country. If this mental transformation does not occur, we will repeat the same things and essentially be stuck in the same mental loop. For example, a very common trap in the Islamic world is the trap of conspiracy prejudice. A conspiracy theory is written for everything, and conspiracies are believed as if they are real. In such situations, we need to unite reason and heart. Islamic unity cannot be achieved with mere emotion, excitement, and fervor. Unity of mind and heart must be achieved. The Islamic world must reach a level where it can recognize mental traps through reasoning. The solution to this is not merely saying 'let my interests be met', but by succeeding in becoming 'us' while remaining 'me'. The interest of the ship of Islam is superior to my interest.” he stated.
“First, let’s heal our hearts and minds”
Tarhan stated that a transformation needs to take place in the Islamic world, emphasizing that the methods used for this must be changed. Tarhan said: “The methods you use are very important. There are three rules here. The method of this era is not one of oppression and coercion. One of the biggest traps in the Islamic world is the use of force. The trap of 'I will make them do it by force, even if no one accepts it' is being used. This method might have been valid 100-200 years ago. Secondly, in a good system, power should not reside in individuals. Power should reside in laws and rules. Thirdly, forcing one's own opinion should not be allowed. Forcing one's own opinion is the cause of quarrels and arguments. In such an environment, there can be no peace and trust. We need to uphold the tradition of consultation (shura) as required by the verse 'They consult among themselves'. Today, consultation takes place, but everyone participating only makes comments that will please the leader; no one criticizes. Such a meeting is contrary to the spirit of consultation and the Prophetic style of the Messenger of Allah. This is entirely Mesopotamian culture and has no relation to the religion of Islam. Oppression, threats, and forcing people to work are a result of Mesopotamian culture, stemming from Babylonian and Sumerian cultures. We need to change this culture; if we do, we will achieve beautiful results, just as the Ottoman Empire bore fruit in the 1200s and 1300s with the revitalization of the culture of wisdom by Sheikh Edebali and Mevlanas in Anatolia and the initiation of a mental transformation during its establishment. Therefore, let's not expect immediate results; first, let's heal our hearts and minds.” he concluded his words.