In the words of a modern philosopher:
"Religion asks us to separate things of God from those of Caesar. Such a judicial separation between the two means the degrading of both the secular and the sacred ... That religion is worth little if the conscience of its followers is not disturbed when war clouds are hanging over us all and industrial conflicts are threatening social peace. Religion has weakened man's social conscience and moral sensitivity by separating the things of God from those of Caesar."
"Religion asks us to separate things of God from those of Caesar. Such a judicial separation between the two means the degrading of both the secular and the sacred ... That religion is worth little if the conscience of its followers is not disturbed when war clouds are hanging over us all and industrial conflicts are threatening social peace. Religion has weakened man's social conscience and moral sensitivity by separating the things of God from those of Caesar."
Islam totally denounces this concept of religion and clearly states that its objectives are the purification of the soul and the reform and reconstruction of society. As we read in the Qur'an:
We have sent our messengers with explanations, and sent the book and the balance down with them, so that mankind may conduct themselves with all fairness. We have sent down iron wherein is great violence as well as benefits for mankind, so that God may know who is supporting Him and His messenger even though (He is) unseen. (57:25)
Discretion belongs only to God. He has ordered you to serve Him alone; such is the right religion, even though most men do not realize it. ( 1 2: 40) (Muslims are) those who, if We establish them in the land will keep up prayer (salah) and pay the welfare due (zakah); command what is proper and forbid what is improper. (22:40-41)
The Holy Prophet said:
"Each of you is a keeper or a shepherd and will be questioned about the well-being of his fold. The head of the state will be questioned about the well-being of the people of the state. Each man is a shepherd to his family and will be answerable about every member of it. Each woman is a shepherd to the family of her husband and will be accountable for every member of it. And each servant is a shepherd to his master and will be questioned about the property of his master." (Bukhari and Muslim)
Thus even a cursory study of the teachings of Islam shows that it is an all embracing way of life and does not leave out any field of human existence to become a playground for the forces of evil.14. Balance between the Individual and Society. Another unique feature of Islam is that it establishes a balance between individualism and collectivism. It believes in the individual personality of man and holds everyone personally accountable to God. It guarantees the fundamental rights of the individual and does not permit anyone to tamper with them. It makes the proper development of the personality of man one of the prime objectives of its educational policy. It does not subscribe to the view that man must lose his individuality in society or in the state.
According to the Qur'an:
Man shall have nothing but what he strives for. (53:39) .And whatever suffering you suffer, it is what your hands have wrought. (42:30)
God does not change what any people have until they change what is in themselves. (13:11)
God only assigns to a soul what it can cope with: in its favor stands whatever it has earned, while it is held responsible for anything it has brought upon itself. (2:286)
For us are our deeds and for you are yours. (28:55). On the other hand, it also awakens a sense of social responsibility in man, organizes human beings in a society and a state, and enjoins the individual to subscribe to the social good. Prayer, in Islam, is offered in 14 For a more thorough study of different aspects of the Islamic way of life, see Abul A'la Mawdudi, Islamic Law and Constitution, congregation, a situation that inculcates social discipline among Muslims.
Everyone is enjoined to pay zakah, and it has been laid down in the Quran that: The beggar and the destitute have due rights in their (i.e., the rich man's) wealth. (51:19).
Jihad has been made obligatory, which means that the individual should, when the occasion arises, offer his life for the defense and protection of Islam and the Islamic state. The Prophet said: "All mankind is a fold, each member of which shall be a keeper or shepherd to every other, and be accountable for the entire fold."
"Live together; do not turn against each other; make things easy for others and do not put obstacles in each other's way."
"He is not a believer who takes his fill while his neighbor starves. " 15
"The believer in God is he who is not a danger to the life and property of any other."16. In short, Islam neglects neither the individual nor society—it establishes a harmony and a balance between the two and assigns to each its proper due.
15 Al Targheeb wa al-Tarheeb, al Mundhiree, classed as saheeh by al- Albani in Silsilat al-Ahadeeth al Saheeha, no. 149.
16 ``A Muslim is one from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe." (Bukhari and Muslim). The version he quotes is close to the one reported by alHakim in al-Mustadrak.
17 It might be worthwhile to recall here what the late Professor H. A. R.
Man shall have nothing but what he strives for. (53:39) .And whatever suffering you suffer, it is what your hands have wrought. (42:30)
God does not change what any people have until they change what is in themselves. (13:11)
God only assigns to a soul what it can cope with: in its favor stands whatever it has earned, while it is held responsible for anything it has brought upon itself. (2:286)
For us are our deeds and for you are yours. (28:55). On the other hand, it also awakens a sense of social responsibility in man, organizes human beings in a society and a state, and enjoins the individual to subscribe to the social good. Prayer, in Islam, is offered in 14 For a more thorough study of different aspects of the Islamic way of life, see Abul A'la Mawdudi, Islamic Law and Constitution, congregation, a situation that inculcates social discipline among Muslims.
Everyone is enjoined to pay zakah, and it has been laid down in the Quran that: The beggar and the destitute have due rights in their (i.e., the rich man's) wealth. (51:19).
Jihad has been made obligatory, which means that the individual should, when the occasion arises, offer his life for the defense and protection of Islam and the Islamic state. The Prophet said: "All mankind is a fold, each member of which shall be a keeper or shepherd to every other, and be accountable for the entire fold."
"Live together; do not turn against each other; make things easy for others and do not put obstacles in each other's way."
"He is not a believer who takes his fill while his neighbor starves. " 15
"The believer in God is he who is not a danger to the life and property of any other."16. In short, Islam neglects neither the individual nor society—it establishes a harmony and a balance between the two and assigns to each its proper due.
15 Al Targheeb wa al-Tarheeb, al Mundhiree, classed as saheeh by al- Albani in Silsilat al-Ahadeeth al Saheeha, no. 149.
16 ``A Muslim is one from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe." (Bukhari and Muslim). The version he quotes is close to the one reported by alHakim in al-Mustadrak.
17 It might be worthwhile to recall here what the late Professor H. A. R.
Gibb said some time ago:
"Within the Western world Islam still maintains the balance between exaggerated opposites. Opposed equally to the anarchy of European nationalism and the regimentation of Russian communism, it has not yet succumbed to that obsession with the economic side of life which is
characteristic of present-day Europe and present-day Russia alike. Its social ethic has been admirably summed up by Professor Massignon: 'Islam has the merit of standing for a very egalitarian conception of the contribution of each citizen by the tithe to the resources of the community, it is hostile.
No comments:
Post a Comment