Muslim Woman

The economics of Zakat and its relevance to modern times is a hotly debated issue among both religious and liberal Muslims. This series of articles will attempt to explain the concept of zakat in the light of only the Quran and the faithful implementation of this concept by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). We will see how a similarly implemented system can solve the current economic problems of not just Muslims, but of the whole world.

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Deen is the name of a system. This system meant that human beings should live together in such a manner that every individual should have an equal opportunity for to develop its full potential or self-realisation. A system in which each individual should become a means for the development of potentials of others and in this way finds way of his/her Own development of potentials. In this system, the needs of the natural life are very elementary things. A system that is responsible for the development of all natural potentials, cannot forget the natural needs of human beings.Obviously, such a great system will have many elements of various kinds. Any tiny element of the system will be unique and vital and will have a role in producing the results of the system, while the whole system will be paralysed if that tiny element failed to function, just like a loose of a screw of railway track will stop all trains.Various injunctions in the Islamic system have equal importance. When that system was established, all actions those were in accordance with the system principles played role in bringing out the results. But when the system vanished, its elements remained like a railway junkyard, with out-of-order signals and broken railway tracks. We heard about the blessings of this (like railway) system, but did not see it in practice. Now we consider the old signals and broken railway track (the elements of Shariah) a means of blessings of the system.

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The knowledge of divine law relating to the external universe is derived from a close observation of nature, scientific experiments and discoveries, but not in the case of laws relating to human life and the regulation of its conduct which are communicated only through Revelation to the Messengers and conveyed by them as Messenger of God to mankind. It is this wherein Islam as a din also distinguishes itself from the Material concept of life which takes no cognizance of the Divine Guidance by means of revelation.

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All children born in this world are equal by birth on account of their being human beings. None of them is rich or poor, high caste or low caste, officer of servant. But these differences are brought into being soon after birth. Everybody shall try to take care of rich parents child but few shall try even to look at a child born in a poor house. A child born inside the room of a bungalow and the other one born in the servant quarters of the same bungalow become differentiated immediately after birth. All shall pay respect to the child of an officer but shall rebuke the child of a servant. It is no fault of any one child to take birth in a poor house and it is no virtue of any other child to take birth in a rich family. Thus it is unjust to differentiate one from the other. Similarly it is absolutely a wrong attitude to distinguish between people as one of low caste and the other of high caste.

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It is a misunderstanding that Islam has permitted polygamy, to marry and keep four wives at a time(false concept). The fundamental principle is to have one wife at a time. The Quranic instructions that if one decides to marry another woman in place of his existing wife he has to divorce as per the given procedure and this itself clarifies that no one is allowed to have more than one wife at one time; Quran chapter 4 verse 20

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The main doctrine of Islam is that the purpose of existence of man, as of all other creatures, is the submission to the inimitable laws of God. But whereas nature in general obeys God's laws instinctively, man alone possesses the choice to comply or to disobey. The consequences of man's action are judged by God, He being the creator and the real law maker in this universe. There is, however no compulsion in Islam and man is encouraged to reason to seek, to question and to judge. This naturally generates a moral struggle, manifested by man's constant endeavour to comfort and satisfy his inner self and then to look beyond himself to utilize his many potentialities for the sake of others. This is a far reaching responsibility, which according to Islamic perspective is a vital purpose of our existence.

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The vacuum on religious front was filled by Mullah (priest hood in today's islamic perspective)when it is lef alone by the rulers of the muslim states. Majority of them were also insincere to the cause of Islam. Most were interested in strengthening their power and position. Their power grew parallel to the power of the rulers and they gradually evolved into institutions. The heads of these institutions became so powerful, that their ruling became the last word. They created followers and supporters, slowly personality worship started. As they say, two of a trade seldom agree; Interpersonal jealousy and struggle for power among the Mullahs has divided one nation into numerous sects. Through these so called Ulema was introduced in Islam who had reduced Muslims next to nothing. Today every Muslim proudly identifies himself with the titles of Sunni, Shia, Ahle-Hadith, Ahle- Fiqah, Ahle-Quran, Hanfi, Shafi, Malki, Hanbli, Dewbandi Brailwi so on and so forth. Sufis have not lagged behind, they too have hundreds of factions. The rulers and Mullah have fragmented one Ummah into so many sects that there is hardly any hope of reunion in the near future.

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Hi Folks

A comparative study of religion and Deen, should help us understand the vital and fundamental characteristics of each and the differences between the two: "Religion & Deen (Islam)"

→ Religion is merely some sort of subjective experience and is concerned only with the so-called private relationship between God and man. Deen is an objective reality and a system of collective life. Every follower of a Religion is satisfied that he has established a communion with the Almighty, and the objective of each individual is his own salvation. The aim of Deen on the other hand is the welfare and progress of all mankind, and the character and constitution of a society indicates whether or not it is founded upon the Divine Law.

→ Religion does not afford us any objective. criterion by which we could determine whether or not our actions are producing the desired results. In a social order governed by Deen, the development of a collective and harmonious life correctly indicates whether or not the people are pursuing the right course.

→ Religion is hostile to scientific investigation and is an adversary of reason, so that it could flourish unhampered with the aid of a blind faith. Deen helps in the development of human reason and knowledge, allows full freedom to accept or reject on the basis of reason and arguments, and encourages investigation and discovery of all the natural phenomena to illumine the path of human life and its advancement in the light of the Permanent Values.

→ Religion follows the susceptibilities and prejudices of men and pampers them. Deen seeks to lead men to a path of life that is in harmony with the realities of life.

→ In every age, therefore, Religion sets up new idols and mumbo-jumbos in order to keep the people's attention away from the real problems of life. But Deen is rational and radical: it breaks all idols, old and new, and is never variable in its principles.

→ Religion induces a perpetual sense of fear in the minds of men and seeks to frighten them into conformity; While Deen treats fear as a form of polytheism and seeks to make men courageous, daring and self-reliant.

→ Religion prompts men to bow before every seat of authority and prestige, religious as well as temporal. Deen encourages man to walk about with his head erect, and attain self-confidence.

→ Religion induces man to flee from struggle of life. But Deen calls upon him to face the realities of life squarely, whatever the hazards.

→ Religion treats the world of matter with contempt and calls upon man to renounce it. It promises paradise only in the Hereafter as a reward for the renunciation of the material world. Deen, on the other hand, enjoins the conquest of matter and leads man to immeasurable heights of attainment. It exhorts him to seek well-being and happiness in this world as well as felicity in the life Hereafter.

→ Religion encourages belief in fatalism, and this tends to dissuade man from active life and self-development. Deen gives man power to challenge fate, and provides energy for a life of activity and self-development.

→ Religion seeks to comfort the weak, the helpless and the oppressed with the belief that the affairs of this world are governed by the Will of God and that its acceptance and resignation helps to endear them to God. This sort of teaching naturally tends to morbidity, and emboldens their religious leaders who profess to interpret the Will of God, so that they indulge in their misdeeds with perfect impunity and persuade the adherents to a complete and quiet submission. Deen, on the other hand, raises the banner of revolt against all forms of tyranny and exploitation. It calls upon the weak and the oppressed to follow the Divine Laws and thereby seek to establish a social order in which all tyrants and oppressors will be forced to accept the dictates of right and justice. In this social order, there is no place for dictators, capitalists or priests. They are all enemies of Deen.

→ Religion enjoins religious meditation in the name of worship and thus induces self-deception. Deen exhorts men to assert themselves and struggle perpetually for the establishment of the Divine Social Order, and its betterment when attained. Worship in din really means obedience to the Laws of God.

→ Religion frowns and sneers at all things of art and beauty. Deen defies those who forbid the enjoyment of the good and beautiful things of life which God has created for the enjoyment of man.

→ Religion denounces everything new and declares all innovation as sin. Deen holds that the needs and demands of human life keep changing with the change in the conditions of life; change and innovation are, therefore, demanded by life itself. Only the Divine Laws are immutable.

It should now be easy for us to see the fundamental difference between Deen and Religion. Islam means saying "Yes" to life; while the response of religion is "No"!

By
Religion Islam
http://www.parvez-video.com

The mere enactment of good laws, the Quran asserts is not enough to ensure peace in the world. It is necessary that the laws should be properly enforced :We sent Our messengers with clear arguments and with these Our laws and the criterion of justice so that man may establish himself in justice ; and with it We have , also created steel wherein is mighty power and many other uses for mankind (57 : 25).

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Before the advent of Islam slavery prevailed all over the world. To men in those days, it seemed perfectly normal for the strong and wealthy to have slaves whom they had captured in war or purchased in the market. The Greeks were the leaders of thought in the ancient world. No Greek thinker had ever raised his voice against the institution of slavery. The Quran proclaimed the equality of all men in the sight of God. It struck at the root of slavery by recognizing the moral worth of man as man. However, there were, at the time of the advent of Islam, numerous slaves, both men and women, in Arabia as elsewhere in the world. The Arab economy was based on slavery. To abolish it at one stroke was impracticable. It could not be done without plunging the whole society into confusion. Yet, in every conceivable way, the Quran discouraged slavery and improved the lot of the slaves. The Muslims were urged to be kind and considerate to their slaves. They were told that to emancipate a slave was a meritorious act. They could atone for some of their offences by setting a slave free. Thus the number of slaves was gradually reduced and society was made less dependent on slave labour. The words "whom your right hand possessed" occurring in the Quran are in the past tense and refer to those who had already been enslaved. When they were emancipated through a gradual process, slavery died a natural death. The main source of slaves-men and women-was prisoners in war. The Quran laid down that they should be set free either for a ransom or as a favour (47 : 4). The door for future slavery was thus closed by the Quran for ever. Whatever happened in subsequent history, was the responsibility of the Muslims and not of the Quran.

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