The ideology of communism

This is one of the slogans of communism, which is an ideology that is materialistic in nature and in its ideas, methodology and philosophy. It also has other slogans that are indicative of deep adherence to materialism, to the point of atheism, such as “The only way to unite the world is on the basis of materialism”, “Matter existed before thought”, “There was never a time when matter did not exist”, “Man is the product of matter”, “Thought is the product of the brain, and the brain is the product of matter.” 

The one who thinks that communism – or, more precisely, socialism – is merely a school of economic thought is mistaken. Rather it is a philosophy that is materialistic in the way in which it explains influential factors and the nature of society, and it relies on dialectics in the way it explains history. 

The best theory with regard to its origins is that it is one of the ideas that were formed in Western minds as a result of the conflict with the church and the clergy throughout many centuries, when oppression, suppression and tyranny were the hallmarks of that period. Hence atheism, secularism, communism, capitalism and other ideologies emerged as alternatives to the long centuries of the Dark Ages; they took over those societies and are still ruling them. Indeed they have become methodologies and ways of thinking, and philosophies in which their followers believe, and on the basis of which the thinkers developed theories. 

Scholars and thinkers have written a great deal about the materialism of communism. Here we will quote some of the most prominent and clearest things that have been written, so that we may reach a brief definition of this principle. 

In al-Mawsoo‘ah al-Muyassarah fi’l-Adyaan wa’l-Madhaahib wa’l-Ahzaab al-Mu‘aasirah (p. 929-934) it says: 

Communism: 

1. Definition

Communism is a school of thought based on atheism and the belief that matter is the basis of all things. It explains history in terms of class conflict and economic forces. 

It appeared in Germany at the hands of Marx (d. 1883) and Engels (d. 1895), and was manifested in the Bolshevik revolution which occurred in Russia (1917) at the instigation of the Jews. It expanded at the expense of other ideologies, by force. Lenin (d. 1924) is the one who put communism into practice, followed by Stalin (d. 1953), the secretary of the Communist Party. 

2. Main ideas and beliefs

– Denial of the existence of God and the unseen in general, and belief that matter is the basis of all things.

– They explain history in terms of conflict between the bourgeoisie and proletariat (the capitalists and the poor). According to their view, conflicts will end with the dictatorship of the proletariat.

– They oppose all religions and regard them as the opiate of the masses and servants of capitalism, imperialism and exploitation.

– They oppose private ownership and say that all wealth should be held in common between people and that inheritance should be abolished.

– Every change in the world, according to their view, is the inevitable result of changes in the means of production, and that thought, civilization and culture are the products of economic development.

– They say that morality is relative and is a reflection of the means of production.

– They believe that there is no hereafter, no punishment, and no reward except in the life of this world.

– In their view, the ends justify the means

Lenin said: “Destruction of three quarters of the world is nothing; what matters is that the remaining quarter become communist.” 

3. Spread and areas of influence

Communism has ruled a number of countries, including the Soviet Union, China, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland, East Germany, Romania, Yugoslavia, Albania and Cuba 

Collapse of Marxism 

Communism collapsed in its strongholds after seventy years of communist rule, and after forty years of application of its ideas in Eastern Europe. Senior officials in the Soviet Union, before its dismantling, announced that many Marxist principles were no longer fit to remain and were unable to deal with the problems and requirements of modern times. Everyone was convinced that it is a corrupt theory. It is impossible to apply, because it carries within itself the seeds of its own destruction. One of the greatest critics of Marxism among the Marxists themselves is the American philosopher Eric Mizom in his book The Sound Society; others among non-Marxists include Karl Popper, the author of The Open Society, and others. Then Gorbachev came along with his book Perestroika (Reconstruction), in which he exposed the problems in the application of communism in the Soviet Union. End quote. 

To sum up, the principles of communism are principles based on disbelief (kufr), and it is not permissible for any Muslim to believe in them or embrace them, or to join those who believe in them. A fatwa to that effect was issued by the Islamic Fiqh Council of the Muslim World League, which you can see by following this link. 

And Allah knows best.