[NH] Islam! - The Modern Alternative
Islam! - The Modern Alternative
Islam! - The Modern Alternative Some people think that to live an
Islamic life is "restrictive". Islam however, was revealed as a
balanced way of living. Allah (The Most High) created all the humans
with what is called 'A Fitrah' (a natural state/desire) [1] Islam
recognises that within this Fitrah there are motivations that
influence a man's role on earth e.g. a desire for good food and drink,
to have a home, a desire for love and sex, to protect and be protected
and to be successful and strong. Without some form of control and
limit, all of these legitimate motives could prove very dangerous. So
what constitutes the perfect control for the Fitrah? It must be a
method that provides an organised yet practical demonstration of how
to balance all these natural human desires. It cannot be something
that goes against the Fitrah, by placing on it extra burdens.
Likewise, it cannot be something that allows the human desires to run
wild without any form of control. Islam is the perfect control for the
Fitrah. It provides a divine method that elevates man above animals
and the rest of creation. Limited Wisdom Humans lack perfect knowledge
as well as perfect wisdom. No matter how hard we try, we will never
attain the perfect way of life by our own thinking and interpretation.
This is the reason why Allaah being the Most Wise, sent us the Qur'an
and the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)[2] to show us this practical and
organised way of life. Allaah, being Perfect, in His Wisdom and
Knowledge, perfected a complete way of life for us. He has set His
limitations and rules, all of which are beneficial to mankind, and
therefore, do not need changing: "These are the limits (set) by
Allaah, so do not approach them" (Surah al-Baqarah 2:1871) "These are
the limits set by Allaah, so do not transgress them" (Surah al-Baqarah
2:229) This is why Islam does not allow celibacy, because it is
against the Fitrah, i.e., the desire for sex. Celibacy goes beyond the
limits required by humans, and is something that cannot be fulfilled
because humans are designed to procreate. As humans we are not
expected to fast every single day for the rest of our lives (for most
30 days of the year provides an up-hill struggle). It is also from
ignorance to say that 'I shall not sleep during the night, but rather
I shall pray!' [3] Humans have not been created by Allah to live life
in such a manner. There is a balance which must be observed. The
following incident describes the Islamic stance towards such
behaviour, Anas reported that some of the Companions of Allaah's
Messenger (SAW) used to say: "I will not marry women"; someone else
said: "I will not eat meat"; and someone else said: "I will not lie
down in bed". (On hearing this): The Prophet (SAW) praised Allaah, and
glorified Him and said: "what has happened to these people that they
say so and so, whereas I observe prayer and I sleep too. I observe
fast and I break my fast; I marry women also. And he who turns away
from my Sunnah (i.e., my example or lifestyle), he has no relation
with me" [Narrated in Saheeh Muslim vol. 2. p703. no. 32361]. Islam on
the other hand, does not allow the person to surrender themselves to
lust and desire, as in contemporary 'civilisation'. Islam recognises
the love a man has for women, children, gold, silver, and other
possessions. But it provides a limit for the amount of this worldly
pleasure which we require, and reminds us of the life in the
hereafter. "Beautified for men is the love of things they desire:
Women, Children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful
horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the
present world's life, but Allaah has the excellent return
(Paradise)" (Surah Aali-Imraan 3:141) The inclinations and desires of
the Fitrah are not to become the objective in life. Rather they are to
be taken in a stabilised manner. The way to deal with them is real and
Allaah (The Most High) has given us the detailed de******ions of a
levelled approach. This levelled approach gives mankind the perfectly
balanced pleasure in this worldly life. The method of maintaining a
well-balanced life is not an endurance test to see who lasts the
longest. Allah has revealed Islam, to show us how to attain this
balance in a real manner. Life is not a torturous spiritual test,
where you are ordered to Iive in mountains and trees. Fasting all year
round is not obligatory. Marriage is permissible and you do not have
to beat yourself senseless to purify your soul! Rather as Muslims, we
must try to follow the Prophet and his balanced teachings of life and
living. As Allah says in the Qur'an: "Indeed in the Messenger of Allah
(saw), you have a good example to follow.." (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:21)
Restrictive Rules The use of the word "restrictive" often comes from
those who think they live a "free- life". But the fact of the matter
is that, wherever you go you will find rules and regulations. For
example, in the workplace, in colleges and universities and more
obviously on the roads, i.e. the highway and green cross codes.
Wherever you are, there are rules and regulations. Islam forbids us to
follow many of the rules which are held by western culture and
subcultures. Yet people in the west are more than willing to obey
them, because they believe that these rules will protect them. How
wrong they are! Rave subculture is a classical example of this.
Informal dance floor rules dictate to us ". . . . to drink lots of
water, have frequent breaks and don't take too many pills in one go!"
Despite these "recommendations", young people are still dying [4].
Western society is obsessed with 'safe sex', in order to 'prevent the
risk of catching AIDS'. Despite the wide availability of
contraceptives, AIDS is still on the increase, and people are dropping
like flies from this killer epidemic. Do we think of these rules as
being restrictive? If anything you would expect them to bring about a
sense of control and order, as well as increasing the pleasure.
Without realising, people are ready and willing to accept many man-
made rules. Rules that are invented by one group of people and to be
obeyed by the rest of society. These rules are not perfect because man
is imperfect, yet people accept them and hope and believe that they
will benefit from them. A Better Offer! So when the Creator of the
Heavens and the Earth is offering a reward which is high, and the
Benefit is eternal, shouldn't we at least see what's on offer? "You
desire the good of this world, but Allaah desires (for you) the
Hereafter. And Allaah is Almighty, All Wise" (Surah Al-Anfal 8:67)
". . . in a lofty Paradise. Therein will be a running spring. Therein
will be thrones raised high. And cups set at hand. And cushions set in
rows. And rich carpets (all) spread out" (Surah Al-Ghaashiyah
88:10-16) This worldly life has many good things in it. Things that
Allah has created for us to utilise. But the reality is all of these
luxuries and benefits of the world will come to an end. For example, a
person's good looks may do them many favours during their youth, but
will it hold them on good ground when they are 60. Such is the reality
of old age. Likewise with wealth. Islam allows you to gain wealth as
long as you do not oppress other people, and transgress the limits set
by Allaah (The Most High). An example of this is making people pay
back more money than they actually borrow, through usury or interest
payments. However wealth can not benefit you when you die, as it only
passes on to your family as inheritance. Such is the civility of modem
society, that many people are even killed, just so that inheritance
can be gained sooner rather then later!! Thus, we should see ourselves
as travellers on a journey. A traveller is one who is constantly on
the move. He will only take essential provisions, and not all his
life's possessions. Likewise, a person must realise that Allah did not
design the luxuries of this world to last forever. They only exist to
aid our worship of Allah, which will take us to the journey's end, the
hereafter. Being human, we must one-day die, and our worldly benefits
and luxuries will also perish. The true wealth is indeed with Allah in
the next-life. As Allah says: "Seeking the perishable goods of the
worldly life. There are much more profits and booties with
Allah" (Surah An-Nisa 4:94) Man-made restrictions exist in all aspects
of western society. Industry, travel and leisure, are just a few of
the sectors which are dominated by human restrictions. Humans
automatically assume that these restrictions are there to protect
them. In part this may be true, but what about the restrictions set by
Allah which can save the whole of man-kind? Such restrictions come
from the One Who is Perfect, and not man, who is imperfect! The so-
called 'freedom' of 'modern civilisation', is one which is defined for
you, by another human. We are often told what is 'politically correct'
and what is not. We are told that this is what everybody will be
wearing this Summer, and that this is the film to watch. Those are the
new Hollywood stars to emerge. You shouldn't be seen 'dead' in this
dress and you should paint your finger-nails this colour. The list is
endless. All of this is then redefined to fit in with the next wave of
fashion trends. Those who do not conform are labelled bigamist, narrow-
minded, backward, out-dated and so on. Modern civilisation allows you
so much freedom, that you can even waiver the law if you are 'well
connected'. Laws are often defined by a small group of people, with
everyone else conforming to what they consider right and wrong. What
kind of justice is this? This would be more acceptable to those who
accept the concept of man being divine. A concept where men decide
what is moral and immoral even if it contradicts what God has already
laid out for us. God has no part to play in such a civilisation,
because man has adopted the role of god for himself. History bears
witness to this as it was the way of the civilisations before the
advent of the prophet Muhammad (SAW), as Allah says: "They (Jews &
Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords
besides Allah (by obeying them in things which they made lawful or
unlawful according to their own desires without being ordered by
Allah)" (Surah 9:31) The true freedom of man is found in a
civilisation that has a divine value system. A civilisation in which
man submits to his Creator alone. A civilisation that reacts with the
life of this world and links it to the Day of Judgement. On that Day,
everyone will be held accountable in front of ALLAH, the Creator and
The True Master of the universe. The Purpose Allaah created man and
man belongs to Him. Allah decreed that one day man shall die and
return to Him. The world is just a temporary period. We are born, we
live in this world and then we die. So while we are on this earth
Allaah has given us the instruction manual to shape our lives
according to what He has decreed. This is the meaning of worship. It
requires absolute obedience, humility and love for Allaah, the way He
has prescribed it. We cannot love Allaah the way we want to,
especially if we do not know what Allaah loves or hates in the first
place. So through Allaah's Perfect Wisdom and Infinite Knowledge, He
sent us the Qur'aan and the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and told us how
this love is to be expressed: "Say (O Muhammad (SAW) to mankind): If
you really love Allaah then follow me (i.e. the Prophet (saw), and
accept that Allaah is the one truly deserving of worship, follow the
Qur'an and the Sunnah). Allaah will love you and forgive you your
sins. And Allaah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful" (Surah Aali-Imraan
3:31) The Problem with Human Law Humans by themselves cannot determine
what is good and bad for each other for all of the time. Man-made laws
are often defined by a person's personal motives, emotions, limited
intellect, beliefs and prejudices. Thus, they are designed with these
built-in flaws. This is why human law has so many loop-holes and
deficiencies. It is always requiring change, modification and re-
modification, time after time! So when Allaah (The Most High) revealed
the Qur'an and the example of the Prophet (SAW), all the details about
good and bad, or right and wrong, were not left for the limited nature
of mankind to define for themselves. Allaah (The Most High) says: "And
We have sent down to you the Book (Qur'an) as an EXPLANATION of
EVERYTHING and a GUIDANCE, a Mercy and glad tidings for those who have
surrendered (to Allaah as Muslims)" (Surah An-Nahl 16:89) So What is
Islam saying? The message of Islam fits the Fitrah of man. Allaah (The
Most Wise) created man in the best form. He gave his Fitrah the
ability to believe in the unseen. Thus, man's soul and its horizons
are broader and more open than that of the rest of creation - like the
animals, bird's and insects. In nature we can see the signs of Allah:
"Do they not look at the camels, and how they were created? And at the
heavens, how it is raised? And at the mountains, how they are rooted
and fixed firm? And at the earth, how it is spread out?" (Surah Al-
Ghaashiyah 88:17-20) In ourselves we can see Allah's signs through the
diversity of our languages, colours and nationalities. "O mankind! We
have created you from a male and female, and have made you into
nations and tribes, that you may know one another" (Surah Al-Hujuraat
49:13) Having been told this, we must now recognise the Perfect way
our Creator has chosen for us to follow, which is: "Indeed, in the
Messenger (Muhammad [saw]), you have a good example to follow" (Surah
Al-Ahzab 33:21) We have been commanded to worship Allah alone without
partners. We must recognise and understand that He is the Only True
God who deserves to be worshipped; "So know (Muhammad [saw]), that
none has the right to be worshipped except Allah" (Surah Muhammad
47:19) To help us do this, Allaah (The Most High) sent the Prophet
Muhammed (SAW), to deliver and explain the Final Message of Islam, and
to help us recognise and worship our Lord in the best manner. We have
been told to form our lives' according to this Message, by following
and imitating the Final Messenger who is our only guide to worshipping
our Lord: Allah. This is what is meant when we say: Laa-illaa-ha il-
Allaah, wa Muhammadur Rasool-Allah. "There is no true God worthy of
worship except Allaah, and Muhammad is the Final Messenger of Allaah"
Footnotes [1] This can be explained as, the inborn or innate nature of
mankind to recognise the Truth about the Creator [Allah]; that he is
the only one who truly and sincerely deserves to be worshipped. [2]
Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam, i.e. The peace and Blessings Of Allah Be
upon him (the Prophet). We as Muslims have been commanded to say this
every time the Prophet's name is mentioned. This is done as a mark of
respect and the honour which he deserves. [3] This is not to say that
prayer at night is not important, but if you don't get enough sleep
how are you going to fulfil your other obligations, e.g. going to work
in order to provide for your family. The times of praying at night
have been explained by the Prophet (SAW) as being in the last 3rd of
the night before the Fajr prayer. [4] The death of the teenager Leah
Betts a few years ago [in England], has shown how such rules work to
destroy the very society which forms them.
If you wish to know more about Islam, we prefer to visit the following
websites:
http://www.islamhouse.com/s/9661
http://www.thetruereligion.org
http://www.quran-m.com/firas/en1
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran
http://www.quranexplorer.com/quran
http://www.rasoulallah.net/v2/index.aspx?lang=e
http://www.prophetmuhammed.org
http://www.chatislamonline.org/ar
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