by Iman Badawi | Summarized from the last chapter of Islam the Future Civilization, by Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradaawi, el-Fatah Foundation for Translation and Distribution, Cairo, Egypt, 1998 ((Some sections of this article are taken verbatim from the original text.))
Perhaps the most blatantly apparent quality of the 21st century world is that the success of nations is based upon their material advancement with complete disregard for the moral status of its civilization. However, Allah subahanahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He) has given us many examples in the Qur’an that illustrate His dealings with those nations that met their respective prophets with an attitude of stubborn rebelliousness. The Qur’an clearly indicates that the material strength of these nations did not avail them in front of Allah’s punishment.
Allah (swt) says: “Have you not considered how your Lord dealt with `Aad—[with] Iram— who had lofty pillars, the likes of whom had never been created in the land? And [with] Thamud, who carved out the rocks in the valley? And [with] Pharaoh, owner of the stakes?—[All of[ whom oppressed within the lands and increased therein the corruption. So your Lord poured upon them a scourge of punishment. Indeed, your Lord is in observation,” (Qur’an 89:6-14).
Each of the nations were given some sort of material power. The people of `Aad were able to construct huge, lofty buildings much like those today in the Middle East. The people of Thamud dexterously carved their dwellings out of mountains. It may be that the “lord of stakes,” Pharaoh, was named this way in reference to the pyramids that still remain intact today as witnesses to the architectural genius of the people of his time. Yet, all of these achievements could not save them from the punishment that was inflicted upon them due to their rejection of God’s revelation.
Based upon a detailed examination of these people and related verses that describe the destruction of previous nations, the scholars have mentioned the following as causes for their deterioration:
- Denial of the revelations of the Lord and disobedience towards the prophets
- Following the bidding of the insolent tyrants and transgressors who made mischief in the land and did not reform themselves (such as the people of `Aad and Thamud)
- Rejoicing over scientific knowledge and turning away from the revelations of God
- Insufferable intellectual and material arrogance intermingled with heedlessness of Allah’s severe punishment (the error of Pharaoh and Qaaroon)
- Oppression, defrauding people of their possessions, and injustice particularly against the poor and weak (this was the error of the people of the Prophet Shu`ayb `alayhi assalaam, peace be upon him)
- Committing abominable offenses, and indulgence in lust (for example the sins which ruined the people of Lut)
- Widespread corruption, committing evil in public without the least attempt to forbid each other from these wrong-doings (characteristic of the Children of Israel)
- Use of Allah’s blessings in disobedience, denial of many of those blessings altogether, and refusal to do good deeds
- Indulging in luxurious living and ingratitude to Allah (swt) for His blessings
Each of these transgressions accelerates Allah’s wrath. Hence, the horrors that await a nation or society plagued by a number of these violations are beyond human imagination. ((The nine points listed are taken almost verbatim from the original text.))
Upon examination of the civilizations of our own time, it is apparent that each of them is dominated by one or more of these transgressions. Consequently, Allah’s wrath and retribution is inevitable so long as the people of these civilizations persist in following in the footsteps of the doomed. In this regard, Allah (swt) says:
“And you lived among the dwellings of those who wronged themselves, and it had become clear to you how We dealt with them. And We presented for you [many] examples. And they had planned their plan, but with Allah is [recorded] their plan, even if their plan had been [sufficient] to do away with the mountains,” (Qur’an 14:45-46).
So the very important question arises: What is the solution to the predicament faced by present-day societies? Al-Mawdoodi writes, in comment to a speech given by Lord Luthen at Olaykara University in which he states that the only way to salvation is to swear allegiance to a religion:
“One gets the impression that he resembles a thirsty man who is not even aware of the existence of water, still he can feel all the symptoms of his thirst. He lists the properties of the thing which can put an end to his thirst but he is not able to name it. If we put a glass of water in front of him, he will say on instinct that this is the thing he felt thirsty for and will jump and drink it. Others who suffered the devastating consequences of the Western civilization and urbanism in Europe, America and the rest of the world, share Lord Luthen’s condition. […] Undoubtedly they heard the word ‘water’ before but they are terrified whenever it is mentioned because they were not given a chance to know the real meaning of it. Their ignorant and fanatic ancestors told them that water refers to a poisonous thing which no one should approach. Ironically, if that thing was put in front of them and was not named, they would have instantly cried out saying that this is the thing which they felt thirsty for…”
Islam is the only system which offers humanity a completely balanced and integrated system; this is the straight way (siraat-ul mustaqeem) that Muslims ask for guidance to in prayer.
By balance, what is meant is that Islam is a middle way that doesn’t veer off into extremes. What is meant by integration is that Islam integrates sciences and faith, truth and power, creed and activity, religion with the state, instruction and legislation, religious scruples and the duties of rulers, material creativity and moral loftiness, and military power and morale. This integration is based upon the principle that belief in God is essential to the life of humanity.
The mission of religion and belief is represented in the following:
- First, Belief builds and develops the relationship between the believer and Allah (swt) into an ethereal intimacy which fills that person with love, trust, and certainty.
- Second, It elevates man from the level of a “developing animal”, as some people describe human beings, to an honorable, rational creature who has to fulfill certain duties and who was fashioned according to the best organizational plan. Man is Allah’s vicegerent on earth. Hence man shouldn’t give in to the petty vanities of life which drag him on the downward path. He should always aspire to higher values.
- Third, Religion broadens the scope of man’s relationship with the vast universe. Man is not an intruder in this enormous cosmos. This universe is created for man’s service and it is one of the Signs of Allah’s existence. All people are brothers and sisters.
- Fourth, It makes man realize the meaning and wisdom of morality.
All these values aim to make us realize the secrets and truth of our existence and our mission in life. They stem out of belief in Allah (swt) and the hereafter which are the pillars on which religions are built. Hence, it is essential to restore the constructive influence of belief upon humanity and life.
When belief infiltrates the society and enlightens the hearts of its individuals, people will exhibit the characteristics of a true Islamic society and will build its foundation upon the following pillars:
- Brotherhood and Love: It is a natural result of faith to unite those upon the firm creed.
- Sympathy and Mercifulness: These characteristics are especially obligatory regarding the weak, the orphans, the needy, and the wayfarers.
- Support and Cooperation: It is a must for the believers to cooperate upon righteousness and piety and not to work together for vice and hostility.
- Solidarity and Mutuality: It must be a society in which the rich support the poor, and the strong come to the aid of the oppressed.
- Mutual Consultation and Advice: No one in this society is above the law or above being corrected if they do not adhere to God’s commands
- Purification and Advancement: The Muslim society is a hygienic one that educates its individuals in purification, decency, chastity, and prohibits every kind of abomination whether hidden or open.
- Justice: It includes economic and social justice as well as just treatment by the law.
- Progressiveness: This is perhaps the most important characteristic of Muslim society—it is progressive and not underdeveloped! However the definition of this progress is based upon the collective goal of humanity which is to perfect the worship of God, to fulfill the vicegerency on earth, and to accomplish preservation of the earth.
Such a society can learn from identifying the positive aspects of Western civilization and incorporating them into its fabric. These include:
- Scientific and technological application
- Excellence of administration and management of life’s affairs
- Giving due consideration to human rights and freedom (although Islam already guarantees these principles, it is not wrong to learn from these methods)
However, an Islamic nation will not be able to introduce an alternative to contemporary civilization if it imitates it and follows its every step. Indeed, the only way an Islamic nation could fulfill this goal is to stick firmly to its “balanced and integrated civilized project” and struggle until death to fulfill its identity and mission.
Jazakallah khair for this much needed post!
Jazakallah khair!
It was a pleasure to read this article.
Also add Islam provides a balance between Home and Society.
[quote] “Islam is the only system which offers humanity a completely balanced and integrated system” [/quote]
It’s easy to say this as theoretically it makes sense and we believe this will work. However, in practice I don’t see it happening anytime soon, as a “true Islamic society” requires “true Muslims”.
Maybe the whole point is to try and reach the unachievable goal.
If Islam is to be a panacea for all the social, economic, spiritual, and (and anything else you wish to add here) malaise for people, then it falls upon Muslims to translate those principles into reality and NOT just pontificate about how Islam advocates this or that solution for this or that problem. Far too often I hear Muslims talking the talk, espousing the convincing and alluring theories of social progressivism (to some degree), egalitarianism, or any other type of positive “-ism”, but seldom do they put their money where their mouths are when the chips hit the fan. It’s one thing talk about balance; the actual act of doing so is an entirely different beast.
To quote Charles le Gai Eaton from his beauty book Remembering God: Reflections on Islam: “Tension and effort are involved in maintaining a balance, together with skill and judgment. Those who watch ballet with enjoyment may think, if they know little about the technique of the dance, that it looks easy. They do not know that the dancers sometimes have blood in their shoes. A dancer achievers balance through training and discipline, but also through the conscious cultivation of a talent that is innate. Contrary forces must be kept in perfect equilibrium.”
But then, I often wonder if the Qur’anic injunction to be as God’s Viceregent is an open invitation to pursue the impossible, the horizon we strive for but one we never can seem to reach. Maybe the Prophet (pbuh) achieved such a balance, but we are far away from him and his example.
Asslamualaikum,
May Allah Bless you and guide us to the blessed path.Aameen
I thank you from my heart for this beautiful site which has conbributed a lot in increasing my knowledge about the true religion called Islam.
Great article and great comment from Ra’shaan
Cause and consequence of structured life today are spinning out of control as a result of events taking place long before we are born. We are born into results as such and therein are challenged to choose. Adherence to high aspired values is the goal of this article and it is commendable but practice is another matter. Most of us are not born into the dominant ruling force and are subjected to adhere to the given standards in order to exist on basic necessities. Spiritual wealth can be dangerous in today’s standards, because of the deep inherent truth of what happens to those in the past who abused the blessings of life. I wish too, that the world could be improved, but this would mean the RULERS have to submit defeat in their endeavors, not US who carry the burden of their wrongs and blunders through being forced to live within the given social and economic structures. The Quran holds the key to improve on personal coping skills and spiritual protection from a world that I can at best deem somewhat overwhelming. Life has never been easy for me because of my inborn leeriness toward modern life; it just has so many double standards and an amazing array of justifying itself into existence that the Quran is a pleasant epiphany in comparison to the all the different doctrines I have weathered in my half an century walk upon this earth. In conclusion I find having left the urbanized European catholic theater in 1980 to come to America the western land of the free and civilized trend maker, I find that in an spiritual sense, I have come to the root or source of all dilemmas; To find this is an nation that was given an opportunity as no one else on earth before, only to turn it to the greatest blunder of all, while also assuming a total self-righteous superior stance of power toward the rest of the world. Yet it has failed in all its self-righteousness to come up with its own presidential assassins from the 1960 while it still, sole concerns itself with matters abroad in reckless abandon. So are we not then witnessing the darkest fulfillment of modern human blunder possible? The teaching of the Quran are an culmination of answers and affirmations, the answer I knew God/Allah one day would provide me with, for He is the only one that can be trusted. Allah is love and beauty and no matter where we are in the world or what language or culture we are indeed one because of Him and when He so wills this. I recognize today, after only four months of reading and studying that Allah will have the final say on all dilemmas, try as we may only He can sway the stray and lost rulers on this earth, only He can stop the destruction caused by careless greed and arrogance over success. I see the truth is under attack because of fear and denial by and of the rulers, and we, the not so guilty of war famine and destruction are the sought after. Did He not allow first Man in the beginning to name creation so he might remember? To the high and the low He gives freely to all, abuse of His privileges will result in His perfect law to allow CREATION to punish men for what man created. It is up to man who created to repent. This is reality. Do you think ANY of today’s leaders will take accountability of what was started 300 years ago? Think again! The east has been intruded by peace makers for how long now? Those countries that do not have the wealth of modern convenience are labeled 3rd Countries, talking about arrogance…never mind the whales beaching death from toxins or the birds dropping from the skies diseased, let’s just keep on pretending we the humans are His only creation suffering and let’s keep on modernizing so we can justify total blunder and exterminate the earth. Surah 72 is poignant. Imagine 1400 years ago peeping-toms in space. Today I am grateful for the privilege to read ancient revelation for I live in a world that makes sure the worst case scenario will result. Understanding this through the grace of those words I read eases my burden of knowing this. 11/19/11 Barbara Montana USA.