“The True order of life with Allah is Islam…”[Qur’an, 3:19]
Humanity has remained a victim of injustice, aggression, and brutality since the time immemorial. The forms, methods, and degrees of barbarity by man against his own kind have varied through history, but not the core ferocious motives. Behaviorally, man still lives in the dark ages and continues to subject himself to the animal side of his personality character and suppresses the moral instincts that urge him to conduct himself rather humanely. It is only the science, technology, means of mass destruction, and the like that have advanced. On one hand, the rapid modes of transportation and communication have shrunk this world into a global village; on the other, the people of the world are divided into the “First World” and the “Third World.” The two worlds are a gulf apart due to the non-existence of the “Second World.” The criteria, primarily the affluence and poverty, which define these camps of the world communities, are painfully appalling even to think of in this phase of the 21st century. A constant dehumanization of people in many parts of the world through deplorable economic conditions, violation of human rights, denial of civil liberties, political repression, invasion, occupation, ruthless and unchecked genocide of the powerless, and deprivation of even the very basic existential essentials is contradictory to all claims of the free world bragging about freedom, democracy, and modernity.
Astoundingly, in this day and age, all human miseries are self-created and by design. This world is huge and its resources are vast to accommodate everybody and provide for each sufficiently. The problem is not just an unfair and skewed distribution of economic resources but, in a larger context, it is a perpetrated geopolitical obstruction of opportunities to excel and enrich societies that the human potential and endeavors are otherwise capable of accomplishing. Consequently, all institutions of human development – social, economic, educational, and political – are flawed or non-functional or are simply non-existent in many societies. There is no injustice conceivably more serious against fellow humans than depriving them of the tools they need to build themselves up within their own frame of reference defined by their cherished values and standards.
The total disarray that the human race faces today is contrary to the Islamic vision of humanity and the creation itself. The perfect code of Islam is a self-sufficient system of belief and conduct, and an order of social life imparting all necessary guidance for man. This true order is the ultimate gift of the Creator to man for orderly and richly organizing his life of earth: “…This day I have perfected for you your religion (Islam), and have bestowed upon you My bounty in full measure…” [Q, 5: 3] Under this universal vision, the entire human population on this planet is considered as one family, whose members are offsprings of the same parents. With time, of course, it was inevitable that countless families, tribes, nations, and a variety of ways of living should emerge all around the world. In this way alone could members of an extended family distinguish themselves and, at the same time, develop a common bond and way of life enabling them to cooperate with each other in worldly affairs. This natural way is the central Truth: “O mankind, We created you from one man and one woman, and then made you into nations and tribes so that you may recognize one another…” [Q, 49: 13] Consistent with this Truth, an order has been established by the Creator for the continual growth of human civilization, which must not be hindered after it has been set aright: “Do not create chaos on earth after it has been set in order and call your Lord with fear and with hope…” [Q, 7:56]
Initially, the man began his life in the full light of this Truth. Allah SWT revealed it to the very first man He created, one to whom He intimated the right way of life for man. Later, however, people invented deviating ways. This did not happen because the Truth was not communicated to them or had vanished. The cause was rather that some people willfully sought to acquire privileges, benefits, and advantages beyond their legitimate limits, and thus subjected others they found weak to injustices and increasingly became aggressive in their lustful pursuit for more still. It was to enable people to overcome this corruption that Allah SWT periodically sent His Prophets. They exerted their utmost to illuminate before people the Truth which they had allowed to be lost, and once again make them into one community existing in peace.
Ironically, however, the human attributes that were designed to provide the needed strength through diversity and variations for the enrichment of human civilization have been diverted defiantly to do just the opposite. Man has created nothing but chaos everywhere: “Mischief has appeared in the land and the sea on account of man’s own doings…” [Q, 30: 41] Man’s wickedness, oppression, and tyranny inevitably transpire in human conduct as a result of ignoring the laws of nature and the concept of accountability. The source of the disorder in the world is that man has become unresponsive to his conscience by submitting to his greed and contemporary pressures rather than building his morality, society, and culture based on the true order of life instituted by his Creator. This crippling corruption is not inherent in the system. It has rather been injected into it by the follies of the evildoers for selfish and wrongful purposes.
Islam is a path of moderation and that is the role Allah SWT has assigned to Muslims to play in conducting their lives: “…We appointed you to be the community of the middle way…” [Q, 2: 143] The Divine Guidance enables them to know the Straight Way so that they can attain progress to the point of being recognized as the community justly balanced. These distinguished people follow the path of justice, balance, and moderation. Their friendship with all is based on equity and righteousness. Yet, Islam is not opposed to worldly accumulations. But it cannot allow their pursuit at the expense of moral degradation. In fact, it encourages the acquisition of the best of both worlds: “…Our Lord, grant us what is good in this world and what is good in the World to come…” [Q, 2: 201] Without dampening the material aspirations, it urges moral acceleration that ultimately results in natural moderation. In contrast, material progression at the expense of moral regression leads to the debasement of society due to race for worldly attainments.
Greed, jealousy, and a deep-rooted sense of superiority – the thorns that rip the social fabric – lead to a disease of unjust selectivity and discrimination. Given the opportunity, a person suffering from this disease distinguishes himself from others by using dual standards. In his mind, others do not deserve what he does, and he is above the rules that the others must be subjected to. He reinvents the rules when they interfere with his goals and thrives at the expense of the defenseless. He gets jealous and enraged at the success and happiness of others. One son of Adam killed the other because he was not satisfied with what was determined for him under the divine order. Instead, he wanted to have what was given to his brother. He became the pioneer of transgression against his own kind – a vindictive behavior that continues to get only worse with time.
The absolute Truth is only one. There is only one way to reset the correct order and establish a just society. That way is to accept the Sovereignty of the One Who has created us and everything for our existence; and subject our conduct to His rules: “O mankind! Serve your Lord Who has created you… It is He Who has made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky a canopy, and sent down water from above with which He brought forth fruits for your sustenance...” [Q, 2: 21] Any formulation that contradicts this concept and the rule of conduct is just not acceptable to the Creator: “And whoever seeks a way other than the way of Islam will find that it will not be accepted…” [Q, 3: 85] A just society is a state of no conflicts. That state is reached when the rights and obligations of individuals in a socio-economic environment are recognized and delivered. A just state is also a peaceful one; the converse is not necessarily true.
The purpose of the teachings of all Prophets of Allah SWT, in every age and clime, was none other than instituting such a society under the Divine Order, known as Islam: “The True order of life with Allah is Islam…”[Q, 3:19] Various religions that have sprung among mankind are distortions and modifications of the original version. Unjustly coveting privileges over and above those to which they were entitled, people altered the beliefs, doctrines, and injunctions of the True Order to suit their perverted interests; thus, leading the world to chaos and disruption.
The universal message of Islam, over which no entity has a monopoly, is for the wellbeing of mankind. It is based on a simple but profound ideology: ‘One Sovereign Creator.’ This ideology is consistent with human rationality and physical evidence. Sovereignty means that the Creator (Allah in Islam) shares power with none; He is complete within Himself, He does not depend on anyone, yet everyone depends on Him; and most importantly, everyone is answerable to Him and He is to none: “…your Lord is One Lord; so submit yourselves to Him alone…” [Q, 22: 34]
Tragically, despite the tremendous appeal and universality of this ideology that can anchor the entire human race as one body, it is seen as a threat by many because acceptance of Allah’s Sovereignty would simply mean that business could not be as usual. Those who have devised many other systems to wheel power and pursue special interests by exploiting others would have to loosen up their economic and political stranglehold, change the status quo, and subject themselves to the scrutiny and accountability of their Creator. Of course, it is too much for those who have been taken over by their illicit desires and crave power and control. Hence, they must oppose it by all means they can muster. They sink into a state of self-denial. The opposition put forth by the establishment to the invitation of Prophets Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, and Esa, for example, was precisely the same reaction. The Prophet SAW was no exception.
A campaign of defaming Islam is not a new phenomenon. Many have made their careers out of this malicious crusade. In fact, they have done a great disservice to people through intellectual dishonesty of fabrications, accusations, and fearmongering to advance their own vendetta. As the steaks get higher, the hostility becomes more intense, organized, and even institutionalized. The distortion and vilification of Islam reached a new level during the second half of the 20th century. The news media, the entertainment film industry, the politicians, the orientalists, the newspaper and magazine columnists, the radio talk hosts, the opinion makers, the clergies, and the media experts on just about everything have made careers by launching tremendous efforts to discredit Islam and mislead the uninformed people, who are otherwise naive. They are joined together by a common interest and urge. They have access to the airwaves, print, organizational funding, and interest group support, and possess manipulative skills. Tragically, many twisted-minded Muslims have also fueled the fire by acting foolishly against their code of conduct. They played in the hands of Islam’s adversaries, defeating their oath and the cause they must defend.
It seems to be an uphill battle to counter the tactics of those who have joined forces against Islam. Despite their diverse views and backgrounds, what unifies them is their unwavering animosity toward Islam. They have the resources, organization, and misinformation apparatus to manipulate public perceptions. But, nothing is new. That is the way the history has been for Islam. To the one, who has acknowledged the Sovereignty of Allah SWT and believes in accountability by Him, Islam means stand firm and keep doing the right things against all odds. Every challenge presents a new opportunity to do something good for the benefit of society: “Goodness and evil are not equal. Repel evil with what is best. You will see he, with whom you have enmity, will become your best friend.” [Q, 41: 34] If the true peace and well-being of humanity is the cause, and the pleasure of Allah SWT is the only motivation, then there is no limit to the degree of hardship one must be willing to endure with faith, hope, and perseverance.
There is a renewed interest in Islam, particularly in societies where people are now finding out that they have been misled by the interest groups for too long. This should not come as a surprise, though. The truth always rises, no matter how hard it is suppressed. This reality only confirms what the Prophet SAW had already prophesied: “This message will certainly reach every place touched by the night and day. Allah will not leave a house or residence but that Allah will cause this religion to enter it…” [Ahmad] All population estimates by religions indicate that Islam is the world’s fastest-growing religion. Muslims must rise to the occasion and respond compassionately, adding to the momentum as practicing role models: “And whose word is better than his who calls toward Allah and acts righteously and says I am among believers.” [Q, 41: 33] There is no higher rank for a person than being on the right path and inviting others to accept Allah’s rule even under the most hostile environment. In Islam, victory is not to win a battle; it is a sustained pursuit of excellence. Reward is on the effort, regardless of the outcome.
But first, Muslims have to put their own acts together. They must rebuild their trust in Allah SWT. There is no room for despair in Islam; it is against the faith: “…do not despair of Allah’s mercy…” [Q, 39: 53] Allah SWT helps when there is no help in sight. He protected Prophet Ibrahim in the fire; raised Prophet Yusuf from the well of death to the throne of Egypt; and split the sea to give passage to Prophet Musa and his followers while drowning Pharaoh and his army by closing the same water. With Allah’s help, no harm can come, and without that, no one can help: “If Allah is your supporter, none can overcome you; and if He withdraws His support from you, who is there who can help you? In Allah let believers put their trust.” [Qur’an, 3: 160]
Recall when the Prophet SAW was hiding in a cave along with his companion (Abu Bakr), and the enemy had almost spotted them. Allah SWT reminds us how the Prophet SAW, with his unshakeable trust in Allah SWT, reacted to reassure his companion: “…Be not distressed: indeed Allah is with us. Then Allah sent down peace of mind to him from Himself, and helped him with the forces you did not see…” [Q, 9: 40] The trust in Allah SWT is refurbished when believers adhere to His commands and the teachings of His Prophet. They must remain focused on the purpose with devotion and commitment: “And obey Allah and His Messenger and do not enter into disputes with one another, otherwise you will lose courage and will become insignificant. Practice fortitude; indeed Allah is with those who practice fortitude. [Q, 8: 46]
Understanding of purpose reinforces its internalization and inspires action. We must understand the perspective of Islam about this life. First, life is a test: “We have created man …to test him; so … We have shown him the way whether he be grateful or ungrateful.” [Qur’an 76: 2-3] Every scenario we encounter in life is a test question that must be answered with a sense of accountability. Second, it is temporary: “This life of the world is but a pastime and a game. The true life is in the abode of the Hereafter…” [Q, 29: 64] That is, no position in this world is permanent. Whether a king or a janitor will leave empty-handed; only the deeds they did will remain recorded for scrutiny. Third, it is deceptive: “O People of the world… don’t let the life of this world deceive you… Satan (devil) is your enemy; so, treat him as your enemy…” [Q, 35: 5-6] Do not take the bait from Satan; all his promises are false. Fourth, its possessions can be converted into permanent assets: “Wealth and children are an ornament of the life of the world. But the good deeds, which endure are better in the sight of your Lord for reward, and better in respect of hope.” [Qur’an 18: 46] If the wealth of this world is used for good causes and the children are raised righteously, these ornaments can become assets for benefit in the next life.
This perspective of the true order of life gives believers a dependable source of strength. After doing his part, things beyond him he believes are from Allah SWT. He lives a life of reconciliation rather a constant clash with the conditions that continuously evolve around him. He will be raised in this state of mind in the next life: “… Through a firm word, Allah grants firmness to the believers both in this world and in the Hereafter…” [Q, 14: 27] The ‘firm word’ provides him a firm intellectual frame of reference, a stable perspective, and an all-embracing worldview. With this view, he reaches the realization in life: ‘Happiness is in doing your duty.’
What is important for a successful life on earth is to stand up with a sense of duty under all circumstances and a conceptual balance that should be struck between hope and caution. Continue doing good things in this life as if you will live forever, and prepare for the next one fearing you may die tomorrow: “…Call upon Him (Allah) with fear and longing… Allah’s mercy is close to those who do the good.” [Q, 7: 56] Thus, following the true order of life, live in this physical world with moral excellence, and strive to reach the highest level of perfection possible. Those who strive to promote the peaceful way for a cordial and orderly society Allah SWT guides them at every step of the journey and constantly shines the right way for them to proceed toward Him for achieving His pleasure: “And for those who strive in Our cause, We shall surely guide them to Our Ways. Indeed Allah is with those who do the good.” [Q, 29: 69]
Islamic Point of View 