“The Relevance
of Islam in the Modern World” is what everyone is talking about. I often find
myself in the middle of discussions questioning, ‘are the Islamic traditions
(shariah) relevant to the problems faced by modern world?’ The most argued
point which springs up in every discussion is the dire and rather declining
situation of the Muslim World in contrast with the progressive ‘Modern’
West. One may be justified in saying
that the vast majority of the Muslims are not concerned with the modern world.
No doubt, part of the reason for this is that, like most of the rest of world’s
inhabitants, they are uninformed and short-sighted; in any case, they have the
immediate worldly and spiritual concerns of everyday life to keep them occupied.
But a profoundly positive attitude can also be discerned behind this ‘lack of
concern.’ To the extent that Muslim are faithful to their own heritage and
partially uninfluenced by recently manufactured ideologies, they are certain of
Islam’s truth and its ability to provide them with everything that is necessary
for human life and hereafter.
May I also
suggest that, today many people from all religions are not sure about what
their own religions teach. So many compromises have been made with the’ Modern world’, especially in the last
few decades, that the boundary between the absolute and the relative, truth and
error, Goodness and evil, Beauty and ugliness has been totally obscured.
Fundamental concepts such as ‘Truth’ and ‘Goodness’ have been help up to a
doubting scrutiny that many ‘believers’ of these religions no longer think they
have meaning. Modernism has been used as cover to introduce the principles of
secularism into the minds of people. Secularism being the separation of life’s
affair from reverence. A better definition would be the changing of religion
from religion to a complete sham. Perhaps, this also answers the question, the
clarity and lack of ambiguity in the basic tenets of Islam may help some people
to reconsider the bases of their faith.
Anyway, in spite
of the negative picture I may have drawn, the above description of most muslims
shows that the Islamic traditions are far from dead despite living in a time of
immense skepticism. A time where humans rely on oft repeated ’norms’ and
‘truths’ rather than look at the reality of our situation and the divine truth.
Skeptics may ask; how can a way of life that was implemented fourteen centuries
ago be applicable today? Humans have ‘progressed’ and our lives have changed
dramatically since then. Our tools of production, means of trading and modes of
communication would be unrecognized by the desert Arab of the 6th Century CE.
So, what of
Modernism? The utterances of illusionist are no longer ‘abracadabra’ and ‘hey
presto’. The magic words are now; ‘new and improved’ and ‘best ever’. This
modern, plastic disposable society is obsessed with what is new and what is
modern. The spin used to sell us soft drinks is also used to sell us ideas
about; life, culture, society and politics. Does new really men better? Just
because this is repeated to us over and over again ad nauseam, it does not mean
that it is true. The average speed of travel in Alfa Romeo t-spark on the
grid-locked streets of London is no faster than horse-back in the Middle Ages.
The main differences being a stereo system and one in seven children becoming
asthmatics. This example may seem flippant, but we should all be quicker to
question modernity than we are to question Islam.
The complexities
of human existence and communal living are bewildering. If we are to take stock
of who are and how we live, we will find certain basics remain constant. We
have certain organic needs and instincts that have never changed. The first man
was in need of food, water and air to breath etc. all other human beings since
have all had these necessities. Islam had various laws revealed concerning the
intake of food. Because we have not done away with the need to eat those laws
may still be lived by today. 20th Century living has not stopped
Muslims from being mindful of Islamic dietary laws. Take for example :
“O you who
believe ! When the call proclaimed to prayer on Friday (the day of Jum’ah), hasten earnestly to the Remembrance
of Allah, and leave off business (bai’a) : that is best for you if you but
knew! And when the Prayer is finished, then may you disperse through the land,
and seek of the Bounty of Allah: and celebrate the praises of Allah often (and
without stint): that you may prosper.” (62:9)
The law that Allah (SWT) has laid down in this verse is
that is forbidden for the male mature Muslim to trade at the time of Friday
prayers. The word bai’a (trading) is explicitly mentioned. However, it is not
only trading that is forbidden during this period. To be more accurate, a
Muslim may not busy himself during this time. ‘Busying oneself’ is still the
same today and ever since the time of the Prophet (saw). ‘Busying oneself’ has
never changed and never will change. To sit and watch television is still ‘busying
oneself’, to read the newspaper is still ‘busying oneself’. To cook, clean or
crochet is still ‘busying oneself’. All of these are far removed from trading.
Nevertheless, they are all forbidden at the time of Jum’ah.
The principle of
studying the text of Islam and finding its application today is a whole science
in its own right. But it is a science that Muslims should all have conviction
and confidence in. These are principle which have not changed in essence since
the time of the Prophet (saw). The fine details of these things have obviously
changed but the essence and hence the rule is still apt, appropriate and
applicable. Allah (SWT) has people with intelligence and knowledge to make them
capable of bringing rules from the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
What sustains
the strength of Islamic Shariah is not only the authority of government. The
citizens must have belief and have confidence in Islam. This confidence and
belief not only helps them in this life and the hereafter as individuals, but
helps to implement Islam as a whole unit. These are the political implication
of believing in Islam as a complete way of life. Muslims should naturally have
the strength to participate in the dialogue concerning problems of the modern
world, presenting Islam as the ideological to secular capitalism.
The philosophy that ‘new is good’ is what instills in Capitalist nations
an insatiable need for ‘newness’. The principles that fuel Capitalism, are the
same principles that fuel consumerism. Muslims should consider consumerism,
capitalism and secular philosophy inextricably linked. Moreover, we should consider them all alien
to Islam, i.e. Kufr. We may be justified in asking; how is it that these
ideas become so popular amongst Muslims? We must remember that these ideas were
not adopted by in the Islamic lands over-night. They were slowly injected into
the Ummah in a most subtle and devious way.
(Faridah Khusna)
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar