[FONT="]ISLAM and the Problems of Contemporary Man[/FONT]
[FONT="]The teachings of Islam can broadly be divided into two parts. The first part consists of mans relationship with God, and the second concerns mans relationship with man. The term [/FONT][FONT="]ibadah [/FONT][FONT="](worship) covers the teachings of the first category and the term [/FONT][FONT="]Muamalat, [/FONT][FONT="]or human affairs, covers the teachings of the second category.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The teachings of Islam pertaining to worship are unchangeable. To add to them or detract from them in any way would amount to [/FONT][FONT="]bidaa, [/FONT][FONT="]or innovation, a term which applies only to matters of worship. Commandments regarding mans dealings with his fellow men are not immutable in this way. Here we have been provided only with the basics, and we are free to apply them to changing circumstances at all times. Independent judgement can only be exercised in this second category; it is only means of such independent judgement, or [/FONT][FONT="]ijtihad, [/FONT][FONT="]that the basic teachings of Islam can be applied to the changing face of the world.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The difference between the two types of teaching is clear from [/FONT][FONT="]Hadith. [/FONT][FONT="]On the one hand the Prophet said, Anything invented by anyone in this religion which is not a part of it should be rejected. This statement refers to matters of worship. On the other hand, the Prophets conversation with Muaz ibn Jabal, when he was being dispatched to Yemen to takeover as governor of that province, shows the different nature of the second type of commandments. The Prophet questioned his companion before his departure: How, he asked will you judge matters? With the help of the Quran, Muaz replied. The Prophet then went on to ask what he would do if he did not find the guidelines in the Quran. Muaz said that he would have recourse to the [/FONT][FONT="]Sunnah, [/FONT][FONT="]or practice of the Prophet. And what, the Prophet asked if you do not find the necessary guidelines in the [/FONT][FONT="]Sunnah? [/FONT][FONT="]Then, said Muaz, I will exercise my own judgement to the best of my ability. The Prophet expressed his and Gods approval of Muazs Policy, and thanked God for granting his companion sound judgement.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Note: [/FONT][FONT="]This paper was presented to the Second Caribbean Islamic Conference, Barbados (March[/FONT]
[FONT="]31_April 4, 1983).[/FONT]
[FONT="]These two examples from [/FONT][FONT="]Hadith [/FONT][FONT="]show that there is no [/FONT][FONT="]ijtihad [/FONT][FONT="]in matters of worship. As far as worldly affairs are concerned, however, the right of independent judgement shall always be valid. This is clear from the Prophets comment on the verse of the Quran which enjoins the believers to muster against them all the force at (their) disposal (8:60). The meaning of force, the Prophet said, is shooting arrows. One and a half thousand years ago, the bow and arrow were considered a powerful military weapon. That is why the Prophet explained the verse in this manner. Now time has changed. Now the word force will be taken as referring to those weapons which possess an effective military capacity today. The Prophets statement was only a timely commentary on the verse of the Quran to which he was referring. This shows that as far as worldly affairs are concerned, the basic teachings can be found in the Quran; but one is free to exercise independent judgement in their application.[/FONT]
[FONT="]In this paper, I will deal only with the second category of Islamic commandments. This category can be subdivided into two parts: the first concerns the basic approach of Islam towards human affairs and the second is related to the legal framework which the Islamic [/FONT][FONT="]Shariat [/FONT][FONT="]offers for solving the problems of man.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Here I will confine myself to the first aspect of the topic.[/FONT]
[FONT="]WHAT IS TRUTH?[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Quran states: Had the truth followed their desires, the heavens, the earth, and all who dwell in them, would have surely been corrupted (23:71). Gods scheme of creation is a perfect one. The whole universe, except man, is following this divine scheme. That is why; as the Quran points out that the universe is faultless (67:3). But man is free to act as he likes. He follows his desires and forsakes the true path. The result is corruption and disorder in the human world. Mans perversion is the price of his freedom.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Islamic solution to the problems of man is the same as that which has been ordained for the rest of the universe. If man follows the path of truth, like the universe, he can produce the same spirit of peace and harmony which the cosmos already displays. The path of truth as opposed to the path of mans[/FONT]
[FONT="]desire can be understood from this verse in the Quran: The sun is not allowed to overtake the moon nor does the night outpace the day. Each runs in its own orbit (36: 40). It is Gods will that everything should move in its own orbit. All astronomical bodies act accordingly, never clashing with one another on their course. If man were to apply this principle to his life, everyone would operate in his own given sphere, thus rectifying the friction which exists in human society. On the other hand, if he follows his own desires, he comes into conflict with his fellow men which causes trouble in the domestic and international arenas.[/FONT]
[FONT="]UNIVERSAL NORMS[/FONT]
[FONT="]The laws which man must follow, if he is to succeed in this world and the next are the same as those which are applied to the rest of the world. The difference is that man adopts these laws of his own free will, whereas they have been forced upon the rest of the universe.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Quran Says:[/FONT]
[FONT="]Give just weight and measure and do not defraud others of their possessions. Do not corrupt the land after it has been set in order. That is best for you, if you are true believers (7:85).[/FONT]
[FONT="]According to this verse, the world made by God is a perfect world, where everything is set in order. Everything in it functions as it ought to. This disciplined system provides a model for man. He should follow the pattern of nature in all his actions. Only then can he establish a just and peaceful society. His refusal to follows natures pattern results in a corrupt society, and a degeneration of a previously orderly system.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The secret of our success on earth lies in our ability to act in accordance with nature. Man has shown great prowess in his ability to exploit nature for technological and scientific ends; yet he has not put the simple lesson of nature to work in his life. An understanding of nature, and harmony with the world around us, has had startling effects on human progress in the material world. This success has not been repeated in the human world because man has not applied the laws of nature to his own life. Just as harmony with nature is the key to material advance so it is the key to the reform and well-being of the human soul. Islam, one might say, is an ethical application to human society of the same divine norms which are observed by the rest of the world as natural laws.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Mans deviation from universal norms can be illustrated by an example. When the U.S. gained its independence from foreign political domination, a newly liberated American is said to have gone out to celebrate his freedom in his own way. He strutted exuberantly down the street, swinging his arms in a carefree manner, and ignoring other pedestrians. Eventually he hit a passerby on the nose.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The passer-by was enraged and said: What is this foolhardiness? What makes you walk in this frivolous manner, swinging your hands about in this way? America is free, the man replied. Im free to do what I want and walk as I wish. Well, replied the passer-by, your freedom ends where my nose begins.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The passerbys response was, in fact, the voice of mans true nature, calling out for the establishment in human society of the universal norms. All astronomical bodies revolve in their own orbit. No star or planet leaves its orbit to enter another. As a result the vast order of the universe has functioned without deviation for billions of years. This is the law of nature. Man instinctively wishes to be guided by this universal law. The American passerbys response was an expression of this desire.[/FONT]
[FONT="]In a world which has been forcefully subjugated to the will of God, only man has a will of his own. The problems which he encounters in life are in fact the price that he has to pay for his freedom. The entire universe conforms to the will of God, and functions in a system of exemplary harmony. Man, however, misuses his freedom and strays from the path that God has laid down for him. All his problems can be traced to this fundamental deviation.[/FONT]
[FONT="]There are multiple problems facing man today: the nuclear arms race, the danger of a third world war and the inevitable holocaust that would ensue the economic recession which has led to unprecedented unemployment in the industrial countries, inflation, crises in industrial relations, exploitation of backward countries by technologically advanced nations, and pollution to name just a few. All these problems can be traced to one fundamental source: mans misuse of his freedom. Man does not keep to his own sphere; he does not restrict his freedom to the area which has been allotted to him. He continually infringes upon the domain of others; he is not ready to confine himself to the sphere where the nose of the other begins.[/FONT]
[FONT="]THE LAW OF GOD[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Quran states that God created everything, and He has set for each a measure (25: 2). This principle is startlingly clear in the world of physics, where research has shown everything in this universe to be governed by laws, which every element adheres to with strict determinism. Physicists marvel at the uniformity of the universe.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Man, however, fails to fit in to this scheme exactly as the universe. This is because man is free to act according to his choice, whereas the universe follows a set course. The Quran exhorts man to adopt that course for himself.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Do they seek a religion other than Gods, when everything in heaven and earth has submitted to Him, willingly or by compulsion? To Him they shall all return. (3: 83).[/FONT]
[FONT="]In another place the Quran says:[/FONT]
[FONT="]God has forced the sun and the moon into His service, each pursuing an appointed course. He ordains all things. He makes plain His revelations so that you may firmly believe in meeting your Lord. (13: 2).[/FONT]
[FONT="]The words, God ordains all things refer to the cosmic order. God makes plain His revelations refers to the word of God as revealed to his prophets. The laws which are directly imposed by God on the rest of the world are revealed to man through prophets to be implemented by man of his own free will. It is as if the book of God is the literal statement of the divine principle of which the universe is a practical demonstration. Man is obliged to subordinate his own will to the will of Gods; he is expected to forsake his own power for the sake of God. In this task he must apply the cosmic order to his own life, and follow the path which the prophets trod. Only then will Gods will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) has rightly said that this world is extremely beautiful. There is only one thing in it which is not beautiful and that is man. In a world where nothing bears enmity against any other thing, man becomes the enemy of man. In a world where rains come in order that crops may grow, man destroys them by fire. In a world where harmony is in evidence in all things, man wreaks havoc.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The only way that man can mend the havoc that he has caused on earth is by following the pattern which the rest of the universe adheres to. The forcible subjugation of the universe to the will of God means that man has a model on which to base his life. He also has access to the word of God, which enables him to interpret the message of the universe in a realistic and practical manner. If however, he chooses to follow his desires and forsakes the divinely inspired pattern which the rest of the universe follows absolutely, then he can expect only a world torn by strife and trouble followed by an eternity of despair and remorse.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]MAN AND NATURE[/FONT]
[FONT="]Science is really just an implementation of the laws of nature. Just as science bends matter to the ends of civilization, so religion provides the means of converting human life into an ideal human society. In this respect one can rightly say that religion, by which we mean Islam, is the science of life. For the rest of[/FONT]
[FONT="]the material world this science functions according to the immutable laws of nature, while man adopts this law of nature by his own choice.[/FONT]
[FONT="]There is a branch of science called bionics which seeks to understand how nature functions and produces natures pattern in mechanical form. It is an important subject in that it reflects the ability of science to copy nature: boats are a copy of fish; aeroplanes of birds, cameras are a mechanical reproduction of the function of the eye; computers are an imitation of human brain, and so on. We use the models provided by nature in our mechanical world with great success. The message of Islam is that the same model of nature should be applied to our own lives and society. The science of the universe which shows us how we should construct the individual as well as the society. In fact, all the necessary models for the organization of human life are available in the universe. But man has been allowed to run loose in this world if he wants. He is not forced to apply the message of nature to his life. He is being tested as to whether he uses his freedom to good or bad ends.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The models which nature provides us with are symbolic. Man must see them in the light of divine revelation if he is to interpret them as they should be interpreted. This in itself is a great challenge to man. He must look at the world around him in its real light. He must show that he can hear the silent message of the Creator of the universe, and can put the hints of nature into words. If he understands this model of nature correctly, then he can implement it in his life. Man has to do voluntarily what other things do involuntarily.[/FONT]
[FONT="]NATURES MODELS[/FONT]
[FONT="]Let us take a look at some of the models of nature.[/FONT]
[FONT="]1. I mentioned the movement of innumerable astronomical bodies earlier. They all move strictly in their orbits without encroaching on one another; they never clash, for they never exceed their limits. The astronomers tell us that sometimes a whole galaxy consisting of billions of stars moves through another galaxy without any clash between the two.[/FONT]
[FONT="]This model shows man how he should continue on lifes journey without clashing with the interests of anyone else. A nation a galaxy of people should be able to come into contact with another nation without a clash of interests.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]2. Bee-hives serve as another model. Bee-hives have a highly organized infrastructure. The system of this state functions under a queen-bee. All other bees carry out their duties efficiently and diligently. Highly result-oriented activities go on inside the bee-hive day and night.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Human society should be organized in the same manner. All human beings should follow one system. Everyone, both on an individual and a community level, should obediently fulfill their duties to one God.[/FONT]
[FONT="]3. The trees provide us with another model. Man breathes. With every breath he inhales oxygen and exhales carbon dioxide. Trees, on the contrary, inhale carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen. This process preserves the right environmental balance. This model is also applicable to human life. One should be forgiving towards those who wrong him. One should return sweet words for bitter ones. One should not react negatively to the bad behaviour of others.[/FONT]
[FONT="]DIVINE CHARACTERISTICS[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Prophet provided us with the most perfect example of the divine characteristics which he exhorted us to adopt. He is reported as saying, My lord has commanded me to offer friendship in face of enmity, to give those who deprive me, and forgive those who oppress me. It takes an effort on the part of man to assume the divine characteristics which are displayed in the rest of the world and which the Prophet practiced so perfectly. The Islamic life is to follow the cosmic and prophetic patterns. In it lies the solution to all the problems of man. The meaning and wisdom which are made manifest in the wider universe under the direct control of God, have to be adopted by man in his personal life of his own accord. What God has established in the rest of the world on a material plane, man has to establish on a human plane.[/FONT]
[FONT="]What is found in the form of iron on a cosmic level is required of man in the form of strong character. On a cosmic level springs gush forth from rocks; this action is required of man in the form of kind heartedness. Fragrance and colour are found aplenty in the cosmos; man should beautify his life by being fair and honest in his dealings. Trees breathe in polluted air, carbon dioxide, and breathe out oxygen, in return; man should learn from this to adopt the habit of being kind to those who wrong him. Nothing in the cosmos ever encroaches upon other objects. Everything concentrates solely on playing its part in the order of the universe. Man is also required to engage in the same positive struggle, which involves avoiding all negative activities. The principle of recycling and decomposing is at work in the cosmos. Refuse is converted into gas in order to be reused. Leaves fall from trees and turn into humus, which benefits the land. This is required of man in the sense that whatever he spends must be of use to others; his struggle should bear fruit for others. Innumerable activities are going on in the cosmos on a grand scale without recompense. The same thing is required for man; he should keep fulfilling his duties without expecting any recompense in this world for his deeds. Lofty mountains, trees and other such things cast their shadows on the earth. Man should emulate their act and be humble. No one should be proud; no one should consider himself superior to others. Man should emulate their act and be humble. As the Prophet has enjoined, no one should be proud; no one should consider himself superior to others.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The cosmos is entirely predictable because the events in this cosmos are governed by immutable laws. Everything in the universe functions with such precision that every event can be predicted. God has thus provided in the cosmos a model of predict able character.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Man should follow the cosmic pattern of predictability. This must be an essential element in his character. If you have to criticize someone you should be able to predict that he will take your criticism seriously and that his reaction will not be negative. If someone makes a promise, it should be certain that he will fulfill it, etc... Thus, one must possess a character which could be forecast.[/FONT]
[FONT="]CONCLUSION[/FONT]
[FONT="]I hope that it has become clear from the above discussion that the solution to the problems of humanity is the same as the solution which has been applied so successfully to the rest of the world. The rest of the world is a living proof of the fact that wherever the principles which guide the universe are applied, peace and harmony prevail. Man can perfect his own society only by applying these universal norms to his own life. God imposed these norms on the rest of the world but he allowed man to deviate from them. For He wishes to grant man the credit of having chosen for himself the path which the rest of the world is forced to follow. Mans action by choice is the price he has to pay for heaven. To prove himself worthy of heaven man has to be tested in this world, and he cannot be tested if he is not free to act as he chooses.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The coming world of God (heaven) will be inhabited by those who impose the same truth by themselves which is now imposed on the rest of the world by God. Paradise is just a perfect world to be occupied by those who prove themselves to be self-disciplined. Observance of discipline makes one predictable and predictable character alone can entitle one to enter paradise.[/FONT]
