‘Let’s be honest no-one would want to live in an Islamic State’

And if you have lived in democratic capitalist society how would you find living in an Islamic State.

It is a common concern many Muslims across the world have to contend with. At what point does an Islamic State become ‘Islamic’.

What makes it such?

Why can’t we class Saudi Arabia an ‘Islamic State’? What makes the laws any different from those you might find in an Islamic State.

An Islamic State is based on the application of shari'a law. Many Muslim countries have already incorporated Islamic law, wholly or in part, into their legal systems.

The belief in adopting an Islamic state is used by many scholars and speakers who are keen to state that this is something Muslims should aspire too.

Much of the concerns of ‘radicalisation’ and ‘extremism’ in recent years has stemmed from people exclaiming that the UK will one day be an Islamic State. Or the shocking notion that the false Islamic State regardless of how murderous is ‘still an Islamic State’ The self-proclaimed Islamic State in Iraq and Syria is not something that Muslims would ever want to live in. In conversation with British Muslims few will discount the idea of an Islamic State though. Many will point to the fact that this is necessity.

But truthfully, how many Muslims could survive in any Islamic State?

Tariq Waqas, aged 41 is a practicing Muslim who says much of what people say tends to be done out of this need to assert their religion.

“I practise my religion but would I honestly want to live in a place like Saudi Arabia? No, I don’t think I could survive.

“It is far too repressive. Does that make me a bad Muslim for thinking that?

“We go on Hajj and Umrah and that is to the holy lands and that is fine. But living there is a different story altogether. My children and family would not be able to survive.

“I know people who live there and they do it for the money. They eventually move back to the UK.

“There are other types of people. Some people go through their lives and then suddenly when they have kids they feel that Islam can protect them the ‘evils’ of western society.

“It may well have a positive effect but then they go further and think that cutting yourself from the outside world completely is the only way to achieve this.

“I have been to some Middle Eastern Countries and the only thing attracting me would be the weather.

“Here, we have our own mosques, food, shops but we also have the security of law.”

A true Islamic State system would see an individual elected by the people who can be removed at any time. It is said to be contrary to one that is based on democracy where sovereignty is given to the people. In an Islamic State the Sharia takes precedence over others.

Riaz, is a 32 year-old teacher and believes Muslim have a right and duty to create a true Islamic State.

He believes that man-made systems will always fail and Sharia Law is based on the Quran so is therefore infallible.

“We have to believe that we will be able to create a true Islamic State.

“The major issue is there is so much division in the interpretation of Islamic scriptures that it makes it seem almost impossible to do so in the modern world.

“It is a duty to create something that is a true representation of sharia Law were Muslims and non-Muslims are treated with respect.

“Who would not want to live in an Islamic State based upon on the true laws of Islam? I’m not saying the barbarous regimes and dictatorships that exist today but one where everyone is equal.

“I am saying a place which is based on Sharia Law and this is implemented by people who are truthful, sincere and have the good intentions of the people at heart.”

Yaqoob Iqhlas, aged 48 said he was sick of listening to people’s belief in this ‘ideal Islamic State’.

Deep down he suggests that if given the choice many would not want to live in an Islamic State. This despite being told that they have a responsibility to implement the laws of the Islam system and convey the Islamic Message to the rest of the world.

“I’m sorry but this is all rubbish and most people are afraid to admit this to themselves.

“I speak to some people who say our ultimate goal would be to live in a peaceful Islamic State.

“But how would this function? Simple things like freedom to access the internet, shopping products, brands, business, women in public. No-one can answer how this would function.

“We like living in free and democratic countries. There are problems but given a choice would I live anywhere else? Never.

“Do I really trust another Muslim to build a system where people are treated fairly? You can see how some Middle Eastern nations are run already.

“Things might start well but human beings are required to carry out the laws like in any other part of the world. What about true democracy?

“It is this dream state which in the modern world is not possible.

“People are quick to judge you if you bring this up. You a less of a Muslim for thinking that in the modern world it is very difficult to have this unique state.

Yaqoob’s uncle Bilal is 63 and said his generation new only too well what it is like living elsewhere, “I’m sorry but we can’t keep going on about this ideal Islamic State.

“In the modern world it would not be able to ignore the technological advances. There is nothing wrong in believing this but I come across people who are constantly saying this country is haram.

“You have a choice. Go somewhere else. If your grandparents wanted to live elsewhere they would have stayed there.”

The role of women in an Islamic State is one major bone of contention for those who have lived and worked in the west. It is said that women in an Islamic State would be given ‘right to wealth, property rights, rights over marriage and divorce’.

The idea is that women in an Islamic State are ‘protected’ and ‘safe-guarded’ with the official dress code being a jilbab.

But what about being elected officials? Who would dictate what is permissible for a woman?

Shameema Patel, 33 said most Muslims wanted a utopia which is a mix between Dubai and Saudi Arabia, “But you can’t have this can you? You can’t have all the pleasures of the west, the freedom to think for yourself and then have what are, let’s be honest, strict laws “It just doesn’t work. It won’t work. And as much as we want to think it does it isn’t going too?

“I wear a head scarf and would class myself as a practising Muslim but I like to go where I want, when I want in my own car. What would the laws be on travelling without a mahram?

“Ideally we would be able to live freely but at the same time everything would function to the true laws of the Quran and Sunnah. But what does this mean in a world where we are completely linked to the rest of the planet?”

Uzma Ahmed, is 24 and feels people feel they have to defend their religion at every turn, “I know women who are quite religious but they are addicted to Facebook and Instagram. And the kind of stuff they post on there is contrary to what their religion teaches them.

“There is a lot of hypocrisy in Islam which we choose to ignore. We have got used to living in world where we have the freedom to choose who we speak too and how we celebrate simple things like family functions and weddings.

“Most Muslims want the best of both worlds and if given the choice would not substitute living anywhere else.

“The truth is the same men yearning for this ‘Islamic State’ would have no problem watching porn, wanting two or three wives to fulfil their sexual desires.

“I wonder how they would do that in an Islamic State!”