04-08-2009, 05:08 PM
PART 2
Individuals constitute society, the nucleus of which is the family. Thus, many Quranic injunctions teach individuals to practice the Quranic edicts themselves and exhort others to follow suit. This is essential if the society at the very least:
a) is to be comprised of people who acquire knowledge and fully apply
their faculties of learning and reasoning positively and constructively.
B) is to opt to live in peace, and practice justice and equity.
c) is to show care for the needy and oppressed
d) is to preserve and protect mutual rights and obligations
e) is to be free from exploitation
f) is to ensure equality of opportunity for all
g) is to ensure that the resources of the universe are employed to society's best advantage and well-being equitably and without harming or damaging them and maintaining a perfect balance.
These have been the goals of all civilizations. Each has employed its own means and devices to inculcate in individuals a sense of responsibility and obligation towards the building and preservation of a good society striving for these goals.
Today, western society may claim to be the closest of all to these goals.
However, its reliance is solely on the human intellect and its laws. These are enacted without seeking the guidance of an authentic Revelation such as the Quran, or the earlier Revealed Books, which unfortunately, no longer exist intact. Moreover, the concepts of the separation of Church and State, and of humans being totally free and not bound by any Divine Laws have dramatically altered peoples' thinking and conduct. As a result, people continue to suffer injustice and are disillusioned/discontented and have no peace of mind or genuine happiness, in spite of all material progress. They mistakenly place them¬selves and their comforts above everything else. Laws have proliferated and governmental controls and regulations have restricted men's freedom and hin¬dered their acquisition of good moral values.
Our present society compares poorly with the conditions that existed when the Islamic Way of Life was practiced in a large part of the world. History bears wit¬ness and provides more than ample proof of the efficacy of the teachings contained in the Quran.
The present-day condition of Muslims and their decline is directly related to their following personal whims, desires and traditional and family practices, customs and values, rather than the Quranic edicts.
Unless humans accept the Supremacy, Authority and Power of the One and Only God who is the Evolver, Shaper, Sustainer, Owner, and Sovereign ofthe Universe and all that is in it; natural human selfishness and egotism will prevail, thereby demeaning man's noble nature and disrupting his welfare.
It is only when the individual is steadfastly righteous in his conduct in everyday life that he can hope to achieve PEACE OF MIND, through God's Blessing and guidance. This will give him a comfortable and happy life on earth, and, more importantly, an eternal life after death.
The Quran (the final Divine Revelation; being the only one in existence in its original language) provides guidance and contains directives in respect of all human activity. Amplification of these can be found in the sayings (Hadith) of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
In addition, the Prophet's life history, (Seerah) exemplifies how these rules are to be applied in everyday life.
Thus. the study ofHadith and Seerah provides sound guidance in living the Islamic Way of Life, since the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) personified the Quranic teachings in all of his actions.
In the interpretation and application of the teachings of the Quran, Hadith and Seerah, it is very important to bear in mind the kind of society which Islam aims to establish, and to ensure that this interpretation conforms to the guiding principles contained in the following verses of the Quran:
And so. set thy face steadfastly towards the (one ever-true) faith, turning away from all that is false, in accordance with the natural disposition which God has instilled into man: (for,) not to allow any change to corrupt what God has thus created• this is the (purpose of the one) ever-true faith; but most people know it not. (30:30)
God wills that you shall have ease, and does not will you to suffer hardship; (2:185)
And thus have We willed you to be a community of the middle way, so that (with your lives) you might bear witness to the truth before all mankind, and that the Apostle might bear witness to it before you. (2: 143)
To be able to lead the Islamic Way of Life, it is essential to be ever mindful of the acceptance and commitment one makes while accepting Islam. In short, one must always be GOD CONSCIOUS - (Muttaqi). To help achieve this goal, the performance of five regular prayers (Salat) has been prescribed:
Convey (unto others) whatever of this divine writ has been revealed unto thee, and be constant in prayer; for, behold, prayer restrains (man) from loathsome deeds and from all that runs counter to reason; and remem¬brance of God is indeed the greatest (good). And God knows all that you do. (29:45)
Constant remembrance of God is also achieved by using appropriate words of greeting and invocation, such as:
Assalam u Alaikum
Wa Rahmatullah - Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon you
Bismiullah i'r
Rahman i'r Raheem - In the name of Allah the Mercy Giving the Merciful
In sha' Allah - If Allah Wills
Ma sha' Allah - Allah has willed it Alhamdulillah - Praise be to Allah Subhanallah - Glory be to Allah
The following verses direct us to remember God in our behavior and in our speech:
But when you are greeted with a greeting (of peace), answer with an even better greeting, or (at least) with the like thereof. Verily, God keeps count indeed of all things. (4:86)
And never say about anything, "Behold I shall do this tomorrow," without (adding), "if God so wills." And if thou shouldst forget (thyself at the time, and become aware of it later), call thy sustainer to mind and say: "I pray that my sustainer guide me even closer than this, to a consciousness of what is right!" (18:23)
A study of the Quranic verses will show that the required matters of"ma'roof' (good deeds) are no different than those required by Law or society in the U.S. Indeed, such ethical rules have contributed to its greatness. In the matter of "Al-munker" (forbidden), however there are many differences between Islam and American Culture. The present problems arising in the American society can be seen as the result of transgressing the Quranic edicts.
A Muslim is required to observe these commandments as an act of worship ¬namely, in obedience to and for seeking the pleasure of Allah. Consequently, he does not seek ways to get around them. For the Muslim these com¬mandments are eternal and no society or authority can change them.
QUOTED BELOW ARE QURANIC VERSES REGARDING CERTAIN HUMAN ACTIVITIES. FOR THE MOST PART THE TRANSLATION OF ONLY ONE VERSE (USING "THE MESSAGE OF THE QURAN" BY MUHAMMAD ASAD) HAS BEEN PROVIDED UNDER EACH TOPIC.
KNOWLEDGE
And your God is the One God: there is no deity save Him, the Most Gracious, the Dispenser of Grace.
Verily, in the creation of the heavens and of the earth, and the succession of night and day: and in the ships that speed through the sea with what is useful to man: and in the waters which God sends down from the sky, giving life thereby to the earth after it had been lifeless, and causing all manner ofliving creatures to multiply thereon: and in the change of the winds, and the clouds that run their appointed courses between sky and earth: [in all this] there are messages indeed for people who use their reason. (2:163-164)
Read in the name of thy Sustainer, who has created - created man out of a germ-cell! Read - for thy sustainer is the Most Bountiful One who has taught [man] the use of the pen-taught man what he did not know! (96:1-5)
PIETY AND THE PIOUS
True piety does not consist in turning your faces towards the east or the west ¬but truly pious is he who believes in God, and the Last Day, and the angels, and revelation, and the prophets; and spends his substance - however much he himself may cherish it -upon his near of kin, and the orphans, and the needy, and the wayfarer, and the beggars, and for the freeing of human beings from bondage; and is constant in prayer, and renders the purifying dues; and [truly pious are] they who keep their promises whenever they promise, and are patient in misfortune and hardship and in time of peril: it is they, that have proved themselves true, and it is they, they who are conscious of God. (2: 177)
VIRTUOUS
[The truly virtuous are] they [who] fulfill their vows, and stand in awe of a Day the woe of which is bound to spread far and wide, and who give food - however great be their own want of it - unto the needy, and the orphan, and the captive, [saying, in their hearts,] "We feed you for the sake of God alone: we desire no recompense from you, nor thanks: behold stand in awe of our Sustainer's judg¬ment on a distressful, fateful Day!" And so, God will preserve them from the woes of that Day, and will bestow on them brightness and joy. (76:7-11)
PEACE
o men! Behold, We have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply cons¬cious of Him. Behold, God is all-knowing, all aware. (49:13)
HUMAN RIGHTS
Behold, God enjoins justice, and the doing of good, and generosity towards [one's] fellow-men; and He forbids all that is shameful and all that runs
counter to reason, as well as envy; [and] He exhorts you [repeatedly] so that you might bear [all this] in mind. (16:90)
Blame attaches but to those who oppress [other] people and behave out¬rageously on earth, offending against all right: for them there is grievous suffer¬ing in store! (42:42)
SANCTITY OF LIFE
And do not take any human being's life - [the life] which God has willed to be sacred - otherwise than in [the pursuit of] justice. Hence, if anyone has been slain wrongfully, We have empowered the defender of his right [to exact a just retribution]; but even so let him not exceed the bounds of equity in [retributive] killing. [And as for him who has been slain wrongfully - ] behold, he is indeed succored [by God]! (17:33)
THE ENVIRONMENT
... Do not spread corruption on earth after it has been so well ordered. And call unto Him with fear and longing: verily, God's grace is ever near unto the doers of good! (7:56)
FOLWWING TRADITIONS
For when they are told, "Come unto that which God has bestowed from on high, and unto the Apostle" - they answer, "Enough for us is that which we found our forefathers believing in and doing." Why, even though their forefathers knew nothing, and were devoid of all guidance? (5:104)
UNITY
All believers are but brethren. Hence, [whenever they are at odds] make peace between your two breathren, and remain conscious of God, so that you might be graced with His mercy. (49:10)
WOMEN'S RIGHT OF INHERITANCE
Men shall have a share in what parents and kinsfolk leave behind, and women shall have a share in what parents and kinsfolk leave behind, whether it be lit¬tle or much - a share ordained [by God]. (4:7)
WOMEN'S EQUALITY
And thus does their Sustainer answer their prayer: "I shall not lose sight of the labour of any of you who labours [in My way], be it man or woman: each of you is an issue of the other. (3:195)
Marriage
And [forbidden to you are] all married women other than those whom you rightfully possess [through wedlock]: this is God's ordinance, binding upon you. But lawful to you are all [women] beyond these, for you to seek out, offer¬ing them of your possessions, taking them in honest wedlock, and not in fornication. (4:24)
Equal Treatment For Wives
And it will not be within your power to treat your wives with equal fairness, however