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Islam
and Civilized Societies
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By
Muhammad Al-Bahi
the Late General Director of Islamic Culture
It is frequently claimed that Islam is valid only for primitive people,
as it elevates them to a better standard, and that is why it appealed to
tribal communities, while in civilized societies it is no longer in use.
But, what is meant by civilized societies? Does this refer to modern
societies which are based on materialistic industrial culture?
Actually, the great advance in natural and mathematical sciences helps
man upgrade his living standard, but it does not elevate his soul.
Science has nothing to do with morals; it is mainly concerned with
materialistic and mechanic aspects. Natural and mathematical sciences
play a great role in disclosing secrets of the universe, but they are
far away from human moral values. Rather, some people may be misled to
follow materialistic laws, taking spiritual values slightly.
There is no correlation between materialistic civilization and elevated
human values, i.e. between natural sciences and morality. To reach a
high standard of morality, man should be rightly guided, and to perceive
the existence of the Supreme Lord, Almighty Allah, man should be
religiously guided.
Materialistic progress does not necessarily entail moral reform; a
society may witness great advance in natural sciences, even though it
has moral degeneration. So, if egoism and individualism prevails, ties
of curtsy will weaken and people will lose their faith in Allah and,
thus, the society will lose its humanitarian aspects. That is to say, if
there’s a friction between materialistic and industrial culture man
will tend to violate the rights of others, then this will mislead him to
lose his dignity as a human being.
Thus, this shows that using modern sciences for destructive purposes
makes man decline to a low standard of humanity.
Man is not a machine, for man has a free will, while a machine has no
power of choice; it has to be operated, and it is man who operates the
machine not the other way round. Man can manage his affairs and operate
mechanical aspects of life wisely once he realizes morality,
distinguishes between right and wrong, realized the value of curtsy and
cooperation and sense the existence of the Allah overall.
Piety includes fearing Allah, righteousness, tolerance, patience and
persistence on the right path, unlike the natural and mathematical
sciences. They have no value unless they are accompanied by piety.
The message of Islam is to guide man to a better standard of humanity,
no matter where man is, in a rural or urban industrial society. Almighty
Allah describes Islam as a message that aims at sanctifying man’s soul
and elevating him over the rank of brute animals. It is concerned mainly
with the moral side of life, so as to guide deviant people to the right
path. Thus, Islam is a universal message; it is revealed for people of
all races everywhere and at all times. Almighty Allah says:
{He
it is Who hath sent among the unlettered ones a messenger of their own,
to recite unto them His revelations and to make them grow, and to teach
them the Scripture and Wisdom, though heretofore they were indeed in
error manifest. Along with others of them who have not yet joined them.
He is the Mighty, the
Wise}.
(Al-Jumu`ah: 2-3)
Deficiency of Educational Systems:
It
may be argued that man may do without Islam, as long as there is
education that also elevates man’s manners and corrects his beliefs.
Nevertheless, there is no system of education that elevates man’s
manners and beliefs in a way that makes him good for himself, his
society and his Lord. If there is such educational system, then it is
Islam in the name of education.
In fact, education guides man’s behavior and instill in him many
values, but they disregard the religious side. Thus, education is full
of defects and, thus, turn out as insufficient for man’s salvation.
Islam, by and large, is not only a guiding message; rather, it is
concerned with preserving man’s belief in Allah and monotheism, and it
encourages piety. So doing, it awakens man’s conscience and drives him
automatically to realize moral values of life and follow the right path.
By applying such values all man’s deeds will be good.
Put it short, Islam’s first target is man’s heart, to purify it and
fill it with true faith; then his mind, to instill in it the moral
values of life. This is something education falls short of doing, as it
focuses on enlightening man’s mind, paying no heed to the spiritual
and religious aspects.
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