SHOULD ISLAM BE MODERNISED TO FIT INTO THE 21ST CENTURY?

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL

With the rise in secularism and other so-called advance thinking of the so-called modern 21^st society – many people feel that Islam is still left behind in the 7^th century. Even some religious groups such as Christianity are compelled to change due to the pressure of these so-called human rights group and secular society.

• The Pope even have to acknowledge the change needed for same-sex relationship and marriage
• The role of women to lead the mass has changed in Christianity with female bishops appointed
• In some countries of Europe such as Belgium there is a movement which wants to ban or prohibit halal and kosher meat – claiming animal rights had been infringed with the way the Muslims and Jews slaughter the animals
• Segregations in schools among boys and girls prohibited
• Even some Muslim countries are compelled to change the laws to suite this secularist views. So, The Emirates now and even Saudi Arabia are allowing non married couples to cohabitate and mix together.

I have divided this talk 2 parts – those in relation to non Muslims and their misconception and the Muslims and what they should know about Islam.

THE NON MUSLIMS

SOME FLAWS IN LAWS MADE BY HUMANS

Human beings live in this world thinking that there is no Creator who has the right to determine how they should lead their lives. The law that human beings made are so flawed that they need to be continuously changed in order to fit into the different era.

• Heads were chopped under the British system not too long ago by the Royal family.
• In countries who are Catholics, there do not even allow divorce. So, in order to divorce his wife, King Henry VIII reformed the religion and formed the Church of England. 
• There was no such thing as human right in society and the European Convention of Human Rights were just started in 1950, signed in Rome on 4 November 1950. were just formed after the second world war to protect human rights and the rule of law.
• Moral decay is prevalent in many countries which has no control of alcohol consumption. In countries such as the UK – go to any hospitals of Friday and Saturday evenings and you will find the Accident and Emergency department inundated with patients with alcohol related issues, including accidents and fighting
• Many countries are in debt, because of the existence of interest or Riba’ – where the only benefit will be gained by a handful of people.
• The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer

DON’T GET CONFUSED

Do not confuse Islam with Muslims. The pure teachings of Islam are clearly stated in the Qur’an and authentic hadiths. Many Muslims in Muslim countries fail to reach the level required by Islam due to the following:

1. Lack of understanding of Islam
2. Culture
3. Political systems that are flawed and unislamic
4. Taking Islam as a ritual
5. No fear of Allah

ON RIGHTS OF A WIFE

So for example, it is a fact that in some Muslim countries, the men treat the women is a very bad way. Some even beat their wife, using an excuse of prophet Ayyub (AS) who took the sticks to beat the wife (surah 38 verse 44)

“And take in your hand a bundle of thin grass and strike therewith (your wife), and break not your oath . Truly! We found him patient. How excellent (a) slave! Verily, he was ever oft-returning in repentance (to Us)!”

Even in the last sermon of the prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), it expressedly championed good treatment of wives –

“O People it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well never to be unchaste.”

HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES

Some of the systems such as the human rights have existed in Islam and ingrained in the Qur’an and sunnah.

• Right to Life: The first and the most important basic human right is the right to live and respect human life. In Quran Allah says: “Saving a life it is as though he had saved the lives all mankind, whosoever kills a human being without any reason, it is as though he had killed all mankind” (Quran, 5:32). So from this, we can conclude that one should give respect to other human life and let them live their life without interfering in their lives.
• Right to Freedom: Islam has strictly forbidden the fundamental practice to conquer a free man and making him a slave or to sell him into slavery. Our beloved Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “There are three categories of people against whom I shall myself be a plaintiff on the Day of Judgment. Of these three, one is he who enslaves a free man, then sells him and eats this money” (Al-Bukhari and Ibn Majjah) The words of this hadith of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) are also general, they have not been qualified or made applicable to a particular nation, race, country or followers of a particular religion. The greatest guarantee of personal freedom for a Muslim lies in the Quranic decree that no one other than Almighty Allah can limit human freedom.
• The right of Equality among Human Beings: Islam recognizes the principle of absolute equality between men irrespective of colour, race or nationality. Racism is not allowed in Islam in Quran Allah says: “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted” (Quran, 49:13) Allah has created all human beings and all are equal in the sight of Allah they can be distinguished on the basis of their faith and devoutness. Islam established the principle of equality of the entire human race. According to Islam, Allah has given a man this right of equality as a birthright. Prophet (Peace be upon him) said in his last sermon: “No Arab has any superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; no white man has any superiority over a black man neither does the black man have any superiority over the white man.”
• Right to Equal Justice: Islam is the religion of peace and Justice. Allah said in Quran: “And act justly. Truly, God loves those who are just” (Quran, 49:9). Since all humans are equal, they are equal in the eyes of the law. Thus everyone has the right to justice. Justice before the law is to be strictly impartial without regard to religion, race, position, wealth or any other  This is another important and valuable right given in Islam to all people, irrespective of race, religion.
• The right of Honor and Respect: Islam protects honour, in Islam insulting others and making fun of them is not allowed whether a person is a believer or non-believer. Our beloved Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “The best among you is the one who doesn’t harm others with his tongue and hands.”One should not humiliate and disrespect another human especially in public. The humanness of all human beings is to be respected and considered to be an end in itself.
• Right to Basic Necessities of Life: Islam emphasizes on helping poor and needy who needs your help if you are more fortunate. In Holy Quran Allah says: “And in their wealth, there is acknowledged right for the needy and the destitute” (Quran, 51:12).It is also the Government’s duty to help such people who are in need of these basic necessities of life. This includes food, health, education, and shelter.
• Rights to Privacy: It is a basic right of every citizen that his private life should be respected. He must enjoy moments of privacy at his home. The Holy Quran says: “O believers! Do not enter houses of others, without respectfully seeking permission of their occupants; this is the conduct enjoined on you. And if you find none in a house, do not enter it unless directed otherwise. And go back if you are not allowed entry, this is what behooves you; and God knows all that you do. There is nothing wrong on your part, if you enter uninhabited places, if they are of any use to you; but God knows what you express or conceal.” (Quran, 24:27-29. In Islam, it is forbidden to spy on other people’s private lives. We should respect the privacy of others so do they will respect of us.

FOR THE MUSLIMS

The Muslims must truly understand that Islam means complete submission to Allah, and that it is a way of life. We have to understand the verse which was revealed after the last sermon of prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him):

“…This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…” 5: 3

Whatever instructions to us in order to guide us has been informed by Allah either in the Qur’an or through our prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). It is not up to  you and I to pick and choose which commands we want to follow and which we want to ignore. Allah Warned us when He warned the children of Israel:

“…Then do you believe in a part of the Scripture and reject the rest? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you, except disgrace in the life of this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be consigned to the most grievous torment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do…” 2: 85

We have also been informed to follow the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and his ways:

“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad, Peace be upon him) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.” 33: 21

“Say (O Muhammad Peace be upon him  to mankind): “If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Say (O Muhammad, Peace be upon him ): “Obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad, Peace be upon him).” But if they turn away, then Allah does not like the disbelievers.” 3: 31-32

“Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e.Muhammad, peace be upon him) whom they find written with them in the Taurat (Torah) (Deut, xviii, 15) and the Injeel (Gospel) (John xiv, 16), – he commands them for Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained); and forbids them from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); he allows them as lawful At-Taiyibat [(i.e. all good and lawful) as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods, etc.], and prohibits them as unlawful Al-Khaba’ith (i.e. all evil and unlawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods, etc.), he releases them from their heavy burdens (of Allah’s Covenant), and from the fetters (bindings) that were upon them. So those who believe in him (Muhammad, peace be upon him), honour him, help him, and follow the light (the Qur’an) which has been sent down with him, it is they who will be successful.” 7: 157

“O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad, Peace be upon him), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger (Peace be upon him), if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.” 4: 59

“It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error.” 33: 36

Most importantly, our purpose of life is to worship Allah, as clearly stated in surah 51 verse 56 and also our life is to be tested which one of us are the best in deeds (67: 2)

So, should Islam be modernised? Definitely not, because if you know the true and pure Islam, it is a very modern religion based on justice and most importantll, submission to Allah. Remember that all these things in the world would disappear and everyone must eventually answer to Allah in the Day of Judgment. Nothing must be changed to suit the needs of society or culture because Islam itself has been made to suit everyone of us in different era and time.

May Allah Guide us to completely Obey him and Refrain ourselves from disobeying Him, and Forgive us for our mistakes and shortcomings.