We often receive questions, in various different forms about adapting to the present day, which I thought I would briefly answer. Here is one such question:-
Questions/Comments: The Quran was written many years ago. Modern society has obviously changed from the time it was written. Does this allow for greater ‘Ijtihad’? Does this mean people can make their own judgements more? While still trying to follow the basic principles of Islam. Is it possible for religion to ‘adapt and evolve’ whilst maintaining the fundamental principles? Places like Saudi still use the literal injunctions as it says above and are very strict and intolerant. Is there allowance then for more open interpretations as we are in a more modern and often dare I say ‘Westernised’ society in somewhere like Dubai. I’m thinking for example regarding cross cultural marriages?
Concerning your questions, yes Islam allows for people to make their own judgements when there is no mention in the Holy Qur’an, but it should be based on the Qur’an and Hadith and keeping the essence of the teachings of Islam. Islam is forever and the teachings apply as much today as when they were first revealed. But it is important to understand the spirit behind the law. The Muslims of today as very much like the Jews were at the time of Jesus. They took everything literally and did not understand the spirit behind the law. So Jesus explained that spirit, emphasising of ‘love and forgiveness’ which is in the Jewish law, but not really emphasised. He explain to them when they criticised him for picking corn on the Sabbath Day, that it doesn’t mean that you cannot do anything, you must eat, a baby must be delivered etc. but one should not go and earn a living on that day. So the same with Saudi etc. today that they always look for the firmness in the law and do not look to the spirit behind the law. This is why Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the second coming of Jesus and the Imam Mahdi was sent to the Muslims to explain, like Jesus, the spirit behind the law and how to apply it in this age. Sadly, like Jesus, he was also turned against, as the leaders didn’t want to hear his message.
But as for ‘Westernised’ what is that? It is a society that is running after the pleasure of the world – materialism. That has always been there, the Romans and Persians were just the same in the time of the Holy Prophet, and that was why he was sent – to bring mankind back to God. So these days, the greatest Satan is the TV, which constantly sends out a message of running after the materialism and pleasures of the world. And so mankind has had its head turned and is constantly seeking these things. But they do not bring real peace and contentment. They only turn man away from their Maker and pretend to be the answer they are seeking. But all it does is excites our low passions of greed, hate and desire and causing just pain and heartache. This is why you never saw Jesus or the Holy Prophet or any Prophet guiding you to this path. They were all content with God and they are the people who had true happiness and contentment. So running after a Westernised society is not the answer.
Concerning cross cultural marriages, I’m sorry but they rarely work. It is all about compromise, and compromising is good but there has to be limits. You can bend only so far until you break. Marriage is about two souls embarking on a journey together, so it is important that they are both going the same way. If they are going in opposite directions, then it will fail. Now if a Muslim marries let’s say a Christian, then they are two different paths, so either the Muslim will have to give up his/her beliefs for the sake of compromising or the Christian will have to give up his/her beliefs. No doubt, they can make a go of it, perhaps the Christian women will not mind him praying, fasting etc., but what happens when children come? What faith will they be raised as? The woman is the main influence in the home, she will raise the children etc. so will she impart her Christian beliefs? If so then what will the Muslim man think and do? If she raises the child as a Muslim then why doesn’t she become a Muslim? The child will quickly pick up that things are not right, she is saying one thing, but doing a different thing. What would happen with the food, she will have to give up pork. What will happen when the boy needs to circumcised? How will the woman react, or the girl has to wear a scarf and the mother is not wearing one? So either they have to leave religion out of the relationship, which would be a disaster, or they have to compromise which will greatly affect the children and they may leave their religion, or one will have to allow the other to practise their faith and they must give up their own faith, in which case, they should either become a Muslim or Christian. So in my experience it doesn’t work and that is why I always recommend they the Christian should study Islam (which is the fulfilment of Jesus’s teaching) and if they find it to be true, then accept Islam (should not be just for marriage as this will resolve nothing) or they should split up and the Muslim should find a Muslim partner.
Following on from this, a similar question we receive is:-
There are different nations with different languages, customs, clothes, heritages. And given the fact that Islam is a religion for mankind my question here is why Islam opposes this variety and strives to impose on people the Arabic culture, language, customs and heritage.
You are perfectly correct, Allah has made such wonderful diversity in the earth and this is something we should all ponder over, but this is encouraged to ponder over in the Holy Qur’an. Islam never opposes this variety and if you see that happening then that is man, not the teachings of Allah. There are many passages in the Holy Qur’an pointing out the variety for instance in Ch 49:14 it states
“O mankind, We have created you from a male and female; and We have made you tribes and sub-tribes that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable among you, in the sight of Allah, is he who is the most righteous among you. Surely, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware”.
What a beautiful verse to show equality amongst mankind. It doesn’t matter what race, colour, position etc. you have, we are all equal and should only judge one another on how righteous we are. This point was greatly emphasis on the occasion of the Last Farewell Pilgrimage of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) when he addressed all the Muslims and part of that address was
“O ye men! Your God is One and your ancestor is one. An Arab possesses no superior over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab over an Arab. A white is in no way superior to a red, nor for that matter, a red to a white, but only to the extent to which he discharges his duty to God and man. The most honoured among you in the sight of God is the most righteous among you”.
This is the true teachings of Islam and this is why, I being a convert and white, can be an Imam over born Muslims, whether they are from Arab lands or anywhere else in the world. As far as Islam teaches, whoever has been placed in authority over you, you must obey, even if he is a slave with a brain the size of a grape, if he has been given the authority over you, then obey him.
Again the Holy Qur’an states
“And the things of diverse hues that He has created for you in the earth also serve your purpose. Surely, in that is a Sign for a people who take heed.” (Ch16: 14)
If we ponder over this verse, that Allah is making it clear, that with all His Creations, there is not any two things or persons alike. If this diversity was not there, then it would have been a very boring world, with everything and everyone the same, so this is why when Allah gives His teachings, it appeals to everyone, whatever the differences and diversities, whether a person is very knowledgeable or has little knowledge, the teachings appeals to everyone.
Again we see in Ch 13:5
“And in the earth are diverse tracts, adjoining one another and gardens of vines, and corn-fields, and date-palms, growing together from one root and others not so growing; they are all watered with the same water, yet We make some of them excel others in fruit. Therein are Signs for a people who use their understanding.”
Another lovely verse which points out how the same water, waters a variety of different trees which all bear vastly different tastes and colours so likewise, different people respond differently to the same message from Allah. Some excel, others alter it and others reject it, but this is the variety due to choice.
Now there is no such thing as a Muslim dress being an Arab dress. We wear different clothes according to our taste, nature, weather etc. All Islam guides is that you should dress modestly and the women must cover their heads and bodies with loose clothing. Likewise, a Muslim is not obliged to eat what Arabs eat, or even talk Arabic. Yes in the prayers we say them in Arabic, but it is also important to understand what we are saying and when we are addressing Allah, we can speak in our own language, as you get more meaning and understanding from your own language. But the Holy Qur’an had to be revealed in a language and the best language is Arabic. We actually believe that Arabic was the first language of man, but that is another story. Arabic has all types of forms of language in it, so each word can have many different meaning, due to the roots and so it is a very expressive language. But the main thing was that it had to be the language of the Prophet and the people to whom he was originally sent. This is the same with every prophet. There would be no point with Allah sending a prophet to Morocco and he spoke English, let’s say. The people would not have understood him. So a prophet always speaks the language of the people he has been sent to. But as far as I am concerned, English is my first language, and I can be an Englishman and be a Muslim. Yes there are certain things which I am not allowed, but generally, I can practise my faith in this or in any other country.