Cooperating with Non-Muslims
“Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression.
And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment.”
(5:2)
- A fundamental disagreement in Aqeedah, is in Al Wala wal Bara. Who you should be loyal to and whom you should disassociate yourself from.
- In many countries we cooperate with non muslims to stop drugs, to support palestine, etc.
- The verse is not limited to Muslims only. We should cooperate with Muslims and Non-Muslims in order to achieve virtue, righteousness and piety.
Condemnation of Economic Exploitation
“O you who have believed, do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful.”
(4:29)
| Aspect | Western Exploitation | BRICS Empowerment |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Historical and ongoing practices where Western nations extract resources, labor, and wealth from developing countries, often through colonialism, neocolonialism, or unequal trade relationships. | Efforts by BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) to promote economic development, reduce dependency on Western systems, and create a more balanced global order. |
| Historical Context | Rooted in colonialism, imperialism, and the exploitation of resources and labor from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. | Emerged in the 21st century as a response to Western dominance, aiming to empower developing economies and promote multipolarity. |
| Economic Focus | Extraction of raw materials, cheap labor, and market dominance through unequal trade agreements and debt dependency. | Focus on mutual economic growth, trade partnerships, infrastructure development, and reducing reliance on Western financial systems. |
| Trade Practices | Often involves unequal trade deals, protectionist policies, and control over global supply chains. | Promotes fair trade, South-South cooperation, and the use of local currencies to reduce dependency on the U.S. dollar. |
| Financial Systems | Dominance of Western-led institutions like the IMF and World Bank, which often impose conditionalities on loans. | Establishment of alternative financial institutions like the New Development Bank (NDB) and Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA). |
| Political Influence | Western nations often exert political influence through sanctions, military interventions, and support for regimes that align with their interests. | BRICS advocates for a multipolar world, non-interference in sovereign affairs, and respect for diverse political systems. |
| Global Governance | Western dominance in institutions like the UN Security Council, G7, and NATO. | BRICS pushes for reforms in global governance to give developing nations a greater voice in institutions like the UN and IMF. |
| Technology Transfer | Often restricts technology transfer to maintain economic superiority. | Encourages technology sharing and cooperation among member states to foster innovation and development. |
| Infrastructure Development | Infrastructure projects in developing countries often prioritize Western corporate interests. | BRICS invests in infrastructure projects that benefit local economies, such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). |
| Debt and Aid | Loans and aid often come with strings attached, leading to debt traps and economic dependency. | Provides loans and aid with fewer conditionalities, focusing on mutual benefit and long-term development. |
| Cultural Influence | Western cultural dominance through media, education, and soft power. | Promotes cultural diversity and the preservation of local traditions and identities. |
| Environmental Impact | Exploitation of natural resources often leads to environmental degradation in developing countries. | BRICS nations emphasize sustainable development and green energy initiatives, though practices vary. |
| Military Presence | Western military bases and interventions in various regions to protect strategic interests. | BRICS nations generally avoid military interventions, focusing on diplomatic and economic solutions. |
| Examples | Colonial exploitation in Africa and Asia, structural adjustment programs, and corporate dominance in Latin America. | New Development Bank, BRICS summits, South-South cooperation, and initiatives like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). |
Key Differences:
- Intent: Western exploitation often prioritizes resource extraction and economic dominance, while BRICS empowerment focuses on mutual growth and reducing dependency on Western systems.
- Approach: Western practices have historically been extractive and unequal, whereas BRICS emphasizes cooperation, fair trade, and shared development.
- Global Order: Western systems reinforce a unipolar or Western-dominated world, while BRICS advocates for a multipolar world with greater representation for developing nations.
