The society & culture based upon Islamic principles is not the society of ascetics and hermits. Adornments, recreation and fine arts within limits of morality and decency are also for enjoyment of believers. Ethics and human rights are accorded high priority. Many such aspects projected as ‘Dilemma’ are nothing but ‘Delusions’. Allah says:
“Say: Who hath forbidden the adornment of God [زينة ] which He has brought forth for His devotees, and the good things of His providing? Say: "All these things are for the enjoyment of the believers in the life of this world though shared by others; but these shall be exclusively theirs on the Day of Resurrection. Thus do We make Our revelations clear for those who understand. Say: The things that my Lord hath indeed forbidden are: shameful deeds whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or reason; assigning of partners to God for which he hath given no authority; and saying things about God of which you have no knowledge.”(Qur’an;7:32-33).
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Islamic Society & Culture
Ethics, Human
Rights, Adornments & Recreation
Introduction:
A group of
human beings broadly distinguished from other groups by mutual interests,
participation in characteristic relationships, shared institutions, and a
common culture, is know to form a
society. Broadly the society encompasses the totality of social relationships
among human beings. The most common feature of human behaviour is its dealing
with questions such as: How should we live? Is it justified to kill some one
who disagrees with your beliefs? Can we justify living in opulence while
elsewhere in the world people are starving? Is it right to be dishonest in a
good cause? What are our obligations to the other creatures with whom we share
this planet and to the generations of humans who will come after us? The answers
may be found through considering the fundamental issues for practical decision
making, and the major concerns include the nature of ultimate value and the
standards by which human actions can be judged right or wrong. Hence the
discipline dealing with: what is good and bad; moral duties, obligations, a set
of moral principles or values, the principles of conduct governing an
individual or a group is termed as
‘Ethic’, emphasised by most religions, especially in Islam.
While human work can not be perfect,
the divine guidance, holding rational appeal to the human, is the only reliable source of ethics in the
absolute sense of this word, which, in its turn, implies that the Last
Testament, Qur'an is the ultimate source of all God-willed ethical and moral
values, and thus an unchanging criterion of good and evil. (Qur’an;16:90,
98-105). Islam
is not a racial faith, it believes in equality of human race, the only criteria
of superiority of one over other is righteousness: (Qur’an;49:13). The motive
force in Islamic ethics is the notion; "enjoin the good and forbid the
evil" (Qur’an;9:112, 22:41 ,
3:104) in all spheres of life (Qur’an;3:110).
The Qur'an defines and sets the standards of social and moral values
for Muslims at many places. Islam teaches nobler ethics for individuals and
nations. A fine code of individual and social ethics, a ladder of spiritual
development, open to all, the virtues of the true servants of God mentioned in
Qur’an;25:63-75. The sacred duty of fulfilling all obligations of every kind,
to Muslims and non Muslims, in public as well as private life, is a cardinal
feature of Muslim ethics. Islam covers all aspects encompassing social, moral,
public, business, trade and international relations preserved in Qur’an and
Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh). Family life and relations with other humans has
an important position in the Islamic society; Islam strictly forbids adultery,
homosexuality and other immoral acts. The equality and dignity of humanity was
restored through a gradual process.
Islam emphasises moderation and balance in every
sphere. The society based upon Islamic principles is not the society of
ascetics and hermits, adornments of God, [زينة] recreation and enjoyment within
limits of morality and decency are permissible. Ethics and human rights are
accorded high priority. Many such aspects are projected as ‘Dilemma’ are
nothing but ‘Delusion’.
Islamic culture:
It is a contentious term. Muslims live in many
different countries and communities, and it can be difficult to isolate points
of cultural unity among Muslims, besides their adherence to the religion of
Islam. Anthropologists and historians nevertheless study Islam as an aspect of,
and influence on, culture in the regions where the religion is predominant. Islamic
culture is a term primarily used in secular academia to describe the cultural
practices common to historically Islamic peoples. As the religion of Islam
originated in 7th century Arabia , the early
forms of Muslim culture were predominantly Arab. With the rapid expansion of
the Islamic empires, Muslim culture has influenced and assimilated much from
the Persian, Bangladeshi, Turkic, Pakistani, Mongol, Chinese, Indian, Malay,
Somali, Berber, Egyptian, Indonesian, Filipino, Greek-Roman Byzantine, Spanish,
Sicilian, Balkanic and Western cultures. Hence some of the cultural practices
adopted by local Muslims like circumcision of females in some Arab &
African countries, honour killing for marriage by choice, denying inheritance
to women etc cannot be termed as Islamic culture but they are local in nature.
Any cultural practice with the broad parameters of Islam are acceptable others
rejected.
What
Islam expects from the Muslims
·
To inhere in their best civilisation and matchless culture in
a manner that they surpass all the civilised nations of the world. They should
be the most prosperous of all as far as the different branches of knowledge are
concerned. Invite the humanity towards Islam, by conveying the message with
wisdom, peacefully, in a logical and convincing way. They should argue with
them in ways that are best and most gracious.
·
Not to kill the innocent people of any faith (including own
self, through suicide) except by law, they don’t have to create mischief on
earth by creating anarchy or disturbing the peaceful coexistence. Warfare
against injustice and oppression and self defence is permissible, to be
declared by the Islamic State but the rules lay down for its conduct by Shari’a
(Islamic Law) be strictly adhered to. Those who surrender or do not fight or
remain neutral are not to be disturbed. The prisoners are to protected and
provided peace and security.
·
To use the right of retaliation to any injustice or
oppression with equality, not exceeding the limits forgiveness and
patience is however preferable.
·
To fulfill all bilateral and international accords for peace
and stability of humanity. To treat all members of society with equality
fairness and justice.
· Non Muslims in the Islamic
society enjoy complete protections and freedom to practice their faith. The
places of worship of other religions are to be protected.
· Islam does not demand
form a Muslim to give up the world altogether.
· Nor does it require one to
make the mosque a permanent abode, never to leave it. Islam also does not
insist that one should live in a cave and spend his whole life there Not at all
The
Political Philosophy of Islam:
In Islam the
Sovereignty belongs to Allah, the power is exercised by the ruler, elected or
chosen by Muslims through consultation (Shura) as representative (Khalifah)
through Shari’a [Islamic law]. The Islamic political and social philosophy is
based on the belief that all spheres of life, spiritual, social, political, and
economic form an indivisible unity that must be thoroughly imbued with Islamic
justice, ethics and values. This ideal forms such concepts as "Islamic
law" and the "Islamic state" and accounts for Islam's strong
emphasis on social life and social duties. Even the cardinal religious duties
prescribed in the five pillars of Islam have clear social implications
therefore; religious authorities have had considerable political influence in
the Muslim societies. Because the mission of the community is to "enjoin
good and forbid evil" so that "there is no mischief and
corruption" on earth. The Islamic system of government is based on
consultation (Shura), equal justice, freedom of expression, and serving the
interest of the community. A government that does not serve and protect the
interests of the community is not Islamic even if it professes to believe in
Islam and its system and values. [For details refer to book ‘Khilafat:
Redundant or Relevant?’ http://wp.me/PCgrB-lS]
The
Cardinal Principle of Peaceful Coexistence:
Today we are living in a
Global Village; the humanity has to learn to live in peace as good neighbours by
tolerating the divergent views of members of other Faiths. The Bible and Qur’an
are unanimous:“.. Thou shall love thy neighbour as thyselfs..”.[Matthew
22:39-40, similarly Leviticus 19:18 ],“..be
good to your parents, kinfolks, orphans, the helpless, near and far neighbours
who keep company with you..” [Qur’an;4:36 ].
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned that; "The Angel
Gabriel has reminded me so often of the rights of a neighbour until I began to
think that a neighbor may have a claim to inheritance."[Sunnah Abu
Dawood.2446]. “Prophet said: You like for the people what you like for
yourself, and you dislike for them what you dislike for yourself.”[Al-Tirmidhi
Hadith,11, 1334]. Islam brought revolutionary changes to restore human dignity,
some mentioned here.
INDEX:
- ISLAMIC SOCIETY AND CULTURE
- Chapter-1: Socio Economic Issues: Slavery, Usury
- Chapter-2: Extremism & Violence
- Chapter-3: Human Rights & non Muslims in Islamic R...
- Chapter-4: Modern Issues like Blood Transfusion, O...
- Chapter-5: Recreation, Adornments, Music, Fine Art...
- Related:
- Islamic Culture & Modern World:
