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Islamic solutions to the world’s social problems Seize the day, tomorrow is not yours Islamic solutions to the world’s social problems By Mamarinta Umar P Mubabaya THE world is plagued by all sorts of
problems – social unrest, political instabilities, mass
poverty and destitution, prostitution, homosexuality, homicides,
killings, drug addiction, alcoholism, family break-ups, juvenile
delinquency, suicides and the so-called Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome (Aids). Aids is currently the world’s most
frightening killer disease. Nobel laureate Dr Hoshua Lederberg
had predicted some years ago that “some nations” might
lose as much as 40% of their population over the next few years
because of the Aids virus. Statistics released by the World Health
Organisation from time to time show Aids cases are rising in many
parts of the world. Aids victims are usually homosexuals and
prostitutes. The disease is a mere byproduct of the related
menaces of homosexuality, sodomy and prostitution. The figures and forecasts of this pandemic
are daunting, bearing in mind that prostitution, pornography and
homosexuality are not only condoned in many countries worldwide,
but are becoming lucrative sources of living especially in the
West. This is aggravated by the fact that there is now a rising
trend for international trade in children. Moreover, adultery is
also on the increase. Is the Aids pandemic not a warning to the
transgressors? More than 1,400 years ago, the Prophet Muhammad
(sallallahu alayhe wa sallam), by the infinite wisdom and mercy
of Allah, had already admonished mankind of the consequences and
dangers of promiscuous sexual relationships: “Whenever sexual permissiveness spreads
among the people until it becomes declared, infections and killer
diseases, as well as illnesses not previously found in their
ancestors will also spread among them.” (Ibn Maja, al-Bazzar
and al-Baihaqi) Similarly crime rates are soaring in the
leading democratic and communist countries. Irrefutable facts
show that man-made systems, devoid of Divine guidance, have done
more harm than good to humanity. The non-Islamic values of free mixing and
casual closeness of men and women, without any legitimate
connections (say, by virtue of marriage or blood relationship)
have created a lot of problems including rapes and other forms of
women abuse in these societies. Divorce rates in the West have been rising
persistently. Alcoholism has been a major problem devastating
virtually all parts of the non-Muslim world. Specifically, the
Americans and the Russians are among the notoriously known
alcoholics in the world. Another problem affecting many countries all
over the world is rising suicide rates. Available facts show that
the so-called developed countries where the citizens consider
themselves highly developed, cultured and affluent, suicide has
been occurring day by day at alarming rates. The Islamic Law, which encompasses
Qur’anic injunctions and prophetic teachings, can solve the
current global problems. Shari’ah literally means the
“road to a watering place,” hence the path of God. It
is the body of revealed laws found both in the Qur’an and
the Sunnah which “spells out the precise rules and
regulations governing individual relations with God as well as
with fellow-Muslims and non-Muslims. Thus, it embraces ideally both the religious
and non-religious activities of the Muslims. Bearing in mind the
unique character of Islam as a religion and complete code of
life, Shari’ah has a comprehensive public law that covers
both constitutional and international affairs. Likewise, it has a
private law that covers both criminal and civil matters. It is
fundamentally a doctrine of acts and obligations based entirely
on revealed sources – namely the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
It is a complete way of life towards which the individual and
society must strive. Fiqh is a body of laws derived from
Shari’ah to cover specific situations not directly treated
in the latter. Shari’ah, therefore, is general in nature and
scope, laying down the basic principles of Islamic Law. The
viability of Islamic Law to solve the current global problems The divine nature of Islam makes it the only
religion in the world that offers genuine solutions to such
problems as social unrest, political instabilities, poverty and
destitution, prostitution, homicide, killing, drug addiction,
alcoholism, family break-up, juvenile delinquency, suicides,
Aids, and the like. Islam is not only a religion, but also a
complete code of life. All facets of life, public and private
alike, are covered under the realm of Islamic Law. Islamic Law is “the epitome of Islamic
thought, the most typical manifestation of the Islamic way of
life, the core and kernel of Islam itself... Apart from this, the
whole life of the Muslims, Arabic literature and the Arabic and
Islamic disciplines of learning are all deeply imbued with the
ideals of Islamic Law; it is impossible to understand Islam
without understanding Islamic Law.” Absolute
prohibition of adultery, prostitution and other forms of sexual
promiscuity Islamic Law explicitly prohibits adultery
and fornication as clearly mentioned in the following
Qur’anic injunctions: “Nor come nigh to adultery: for it is a
shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road (to other
evils).” (Qur’an, 17:32) “The man and woman guilty of adultery
or fornication, flog each of them with a hundred stripes: let no
compassion move you in their case, in a matter prescribed by
Allah, if you believed in Allah and the Last Day: and let a party
of believers witness their punishment.” (Qur’an 24:2) Adultery, fornication and other promiscuous
sex practices are punishable in Islam, because they are indeed
serious crimes which affect the entire society. As discussed
earlier, the Aids problem, which is reaching pandemic
proportions, is due largely to sexual permissiveness. Thus, the
divine punishment (hudud) for these social ills is certainly for
the good of the entire humanity. Although, the Aids problem is
currently affecting largely those indulging in sexual
promiscuity, many innocent individuals, including doctors, nurses
and children, have been victimised by this social carnage. Even
in countries, where Aids is virtually non-existent, people are
wary about the underlying danger. That is why the Chinese doctors
likened Aids to that of a holocaust. Allah’s justice is equally open to all.
In Islam, one cannot just be abused by the law. For instance, a
charge against a chaste individual needs to be confirmed, beyond
any reasonable doubt. Allah says: “And those who launch a charge against
chaste women, and produce not four witnesses (to support their
allegations), flog them with 80 stripes; and reject their
evidence ever after: for such men are wicked transgressors.”
(Qur’an, 24:4) Islam, therefore, discourages unwarranted
suspicions as much as possible. Allah says: “O you who believe! Avoid suspicion as
much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: and spy
not on each other, nor speak ill of each other behind their
backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead
brother? Nay, you would abhor it... But fear Allah: for Allah is
Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an 49:12) So, if a wicked person accuses a woman or a
man of adultery or fornication, she or he should be given the
benefit of the doubt. Allah warns the believers against the
mischief of the wicked as follows: “O ye who believe! If a wicked person
comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest ye harm
people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for
what ye have done.” (Qur’an 49:6) True Muslims are indeed God-fearing. They
avoid all kinds of vices to please Allah alone. True believers,
for instance, are definitely mindful of the warning of the
Prophet (sallallahu alayhe wa sallam) that: “There is
nothing which Allah so abhors as his male and female servants
committing adultery”. [Quoted by Azizullah M, Glimpses of
the Hadith] The Principle
of Equality and Justice: The Way to Overcome the Crimes Worldwide Islam also provides absolutely effective
solution to murder and other related crimes common in the West
and elsewhere. The Islamic laws of equality and justice, tempered
with mercy, are seen in the following Qur’anic injunctions: “O ye who believe! the law of equality
is prescribed to you in cases of murder: the free for the free,
the slave for the slave, the woman for the woman. But if any
remission by the brother of the slain, then grant any reasonable
demand, and compensate him with handsome gratitude. This is a
concession and a mercy from your Lord. After this whoever exceeds
the limits shall be in grave penalty.” (Qur’an, 2:178) “In the Law of Equality there is
(saving of) life to you, O ye men of understanding that ye may
restrain yourself.” (Qur’an, 2:179) “In it (ie the Torah) We decreed for
them a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an
ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and a (similar) retribution
for wounds. But for him who forgoes it out of mercy, it will
atone for some of his sins. Those who do not judge in accordance
with what Allah has revealed are indeed wrongdoers.”
(Qur’an, 5:44-47) “Nor take life – which Allah has
made sacred – except for just cause. And if anyone is slain
wrongfully, we have given his heir authority (to demand Qisas or
to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of
taking life; for he’s helped by the (Law).”
(Qur’an, 17:33) “The recompense for an injury is an
injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and
makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah: for (Allah)
loveth not those who do wrong.” (Qur’an, 42:40) “As to the thief, male or female, cut
off his hand or her hands: a punishment by way of example, from
Allah, for their crime: and Allah is exalted in power.”
(Qur’an, 5:38) “But if the thief repent after his
crime, and amend his conduct, Allah turneth to him in
forgiveness; for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.”
(Qur’an, 5:39) We have already seen earlier that murder,
burglary and other related crimes are taking place, day by day,
in both the capitalist and communist worlds, notably in the
United States and the Soviet Union. Had the West and elsewhere
been under Islamic rule, as is the case of Saudi Arabia, such
crimes would have rarely occurred. Saudi Arabia has remained the
most peaceful country in the world, because of its adherence to
Shari’ah. For instance, when a murderer is finally
convicted, after passing through a legal procedure in accordance
with the Shari’ah, he will be punished accordingly in the
eyes of the public. Conventional wisdom will tell anyone not to
do anything against the law, when he sees that the culprits are
duly punished. For the man of faith, however, he looks at
this divine punishment for the culprits as Allah’s blessing
for the entire humanity. Duly punishing the convict for example,
means that the law-abiding people will have peace of mind,
because they know for sure that they are being protected by the
Law. Thus, this is tantamount to removing the social cancer for
the benefit of all. [In Saudi Arabia, it was a common knowledge
that when the Saudi vendors go to prayer, they used to leave open
their own stores, money and other belongings, without any
resultant problem of shoplifting, stealing and the like. The
foreigners have mixed reactions to this exemplary state of peace
and order. Many attribute this to the superiority of
Shari’ah as a constitutional guide to mankind. Some wicked
individuals, however, took advantage of the situation, by
bringing into the kingdom the malpractices they have inherited
from their respective countries, such as indulgence in drugs,
alcohol and the like. The situation, however, has remained under
effective control, since anyone caught and convicted is
penalised, in accordance with the Shari’ah.] In contrast, as long as America, Europe and
the rest of the world – including Muslim countries which
emulate the West – stick to their man-made laws, they will
always be on the brink of chaos and instability. Where Islamic Law prevails, as in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the constituents are God-fearing and
righteous. They obey the saying of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhe
wa sallam) that: “Of all men, the people who have faith
abstain most from killing.” (Abu Dawood) The Divorce
Issue in Islam Regarding
marital frictions, man’s hatred or displeasure against his
wife does not mean that he is free to mistreat or abuse her. In
case of serious dispute between the wife and husband, Islam has
laid down very scientific steps to be followed. The underlying objective is peace and
reconciliation for the integration of the family. In an Islamic state, civil courts also
handle legal matters pertaining to marital problems. However,
members of the community, particularly the parents and relatives,
are duty-bound to help pacify the couple, before the friction
becomes too serious to handle. Allay says: “If ye fear a
breach between them twain, appoint (two) arbiters, one from his
family, and the other from hers; if they wish for peace, Allah
will cause their reconciliation: for Allah hath full knowledge,
and is acquainted with all things.” (Qur’an, Al Nisa
4:35) Allah has enjoined on the believing men to
treat their wives with kindness, as the following verse shows:
“O ye who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women
against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that
ye may take away part of the dower ye have given them –
except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the
contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If
ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and
Allah brings about through it a great deal of good.”
(Qur’an, 4:19) The Qur’an has a whole chapter entitled
“Divorce” (Al Talaq). Verse One of Chapter 65
(Al-Talaq) states: “O Prophet! When ye divorce women,
divorce them at their prescribed periods, and count (accurately)
their prescribed periods: and fear Allah your Lord: And turn them
not out of their houses, nor shall they (themselves) leave,
except in case they are guilty of open lewdness, those are limits
set by Allah: and any who transgresses the limits of Allah, does
verily wrong his (own) soul: thou knowest not if perchance Allah
will bring about thereafter some new situation.” In Islam, the wife is equally granted the
right to divorce her husband if her demand for divorce is
justifiable. That is, if the marriage does not prove to be
functional and effective because the husband neglects his
responsibilities or no element of love binds them to stay
together. By the same token, if the wife is guilty of open
lewdness, the husband may resort to divorce. However, the
Prophet’s advice on the issue of divorce should be borne in
mind. He says that “The lawful thing which Allah hates most
is divorce.” (Abu Dawood). However, when things seem worst
that peace and reconciliation between wife and husband are next
to impossible, divorce maybe inevitable. Allah says: “For those who take an oath
for abstention from their wives, a waiting for four months is
ordained; if they then return, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful. But if their intention is firm for divorce, Allah
heareth and knoweth all things. Divorced women shall wait
concerning themselves for three months period. Nor is it lawful
for them to hide what Allah hath created in their wombs, if they
have faith in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands have the
better right to take them back in that period, if they wish for
reconciliation. And women shall have rights similar to the rights
against them, according to what is equitable; but men have a
degree (of advantage) over them and Allah is exalted in Power,
Wise. “A divorce is only permissible twice:
after that, the parties should either hold together on equitable
terms, or separate with kindness. It is not lawful for you,
(men), to take back any of your gifts (from your wives), except
when both parties fear that they would be unable to keep the
limits ordained by Allah. There is no blame on either of them if
she give something for her freedom. These are the limits ordained
by Allah; so do not transgress them if any do transgress the
limits ordained by Allah, such persons wrong (themselves as well
as others). “So if a husband divorces his wife
(irrevocably), he cannot, after that, remarry her until after she
has married another husband and he has divorced her. In that case
there is no blame on either of them if they reunite, provided
they feel that they can keep the limits ordained by Allah. Such
are the limits ordained by Allah, which he makes plain for those
to those who understand. “When ye divorce women, and they fulfil
the term of their (‘Iddah), either take them back on
equitable terms or set them free on equitable terms; but do not
take them back to injure them, (or) to take undue advantage; if
anyone does that, he wrongs his own soul. Do not treat
Allah’s Signs as a jest, but solemnly rehearse Allah’s
favours on you, and the fact that He sent down to you the Book
and Wisdom for your instruction. And fear Allah, and know that
Allah is well-acquainted with all things. “When ye divorce women, and they fulfil
the term of their (‘Iddah), do not prevent them from
marrying their (former) husbands, if they mutually agree on
equitable terms. This instruction is for all amongst you, who
believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is (the course making
for) most virtue and purity amongst you. And Allah knows, and ye
know not.” (Qur’an, 2:226, 232) The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhe wa
sallam) says: “If any woman asks her husband for divorce
without some strong reasons the odour of paradise will be
forbidden to her. (Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Ibn Maja) Prohibition of
intoxicants and gambling At first, the Muslims in Medina were not
prohibited to drink intoxicating wine or liquor, and to gamble.
When Muslims began to ask about drinking and gambling, the
Prophet (sallallahu alayhe wa sallam) received the following
revelation: “They ask thee concerning wine and
gambling. Say: ‘In them is great sin, and some profit, for
men; but the sin is greater than the profit.’”
(Qur’an, 2:219) While this revelation helped in minimising
alcoholism among Muslims those days, they still continued to
drink. Many were even under the influence of liquor when they
were in prayers. So, another Qur’anic injunction from Allah
was revealed to the Prophet as follows: “O ye who believe! Approach not prayers
with a mind befogged, until he can understand all that ye
say.” (Qur’an, 4:43) The final revelation on the prohibition of
drinking wine and gambling says: “O ye who believe! Intoxicants and
gambling, (dedication) of stones, and (divination by) arrows are
an abomination of Satan’s handiwork: Eschew such
abomination, that you may prosper. “Satan’s plan is (but) to excite
enmity and hatred among you, with intoxicants and gambling, and
to turn you away from the remembrance of Allah and from Prayer:
Will you not then abstain?” (Qur’an, 5:90-91) Again, had the West and elsewhere been under
Islamic rule, the problems of alcoholism in the United States,
Soviet Union and elsewhere in the world would have been
minimised, if not eradicated. The problems of alcoholism and
drug-addiction prevalent among the people in the developed
countries of the world point to the fact that they are unhappy. The
prohibition of suicide In the non-Muslim parts of the world, when
problems go uncontrolled, many simply do not know what to do and
where to go. So, they kill themselves, as already discussed
earlier. In contrast, a non-Muslim historian Philip Hitti in his
book History of the Arabs, objectively emphasises that suicide is
rare in Muslim lands. He says: “In this uncompromising
monotheism, with its simple, enthusiastic faith in the supreme
rule of a transcendent being, lies the chief strength of Islam.
Its adherents enjoy a consciousness of contentment and
resignation unknown among followers of most creeds.” (Quoted
by Abdul A’la Mawdudi, Towards Understanding Islam) Islam considers life as a trust (amanah)
from Allah. All good things that one possesses are, in fact,
amanah – his own mind, body and soul, his life-partner, his
own children, his wealth and the like. All of these belong to
Allah alone. Thus, what right has one got to take his life away.
Allah says: “O ye who believe! Eat not up your
property among yourselves in vanities: But let there be amongst
you traffic and trade by mutual goodwill: Nor kill (or destroy)
yourselves: for verily Allah hath been to you Most Merciful! “If any do that in rancour and
injustice, soon shall We cast them into the Fire: and easy it is
for Allah.” (Qur’an, 29:30) The Muslims know well that suicide is
absolutely prohibited by Allah. No Muslim commits suicide,
because if he does, he will have the Hell-fire as his eternal
abode. The Prophet says: “He who throws himself from a mountain
and kills himself will be thrown in the fire and remain in it
forever; and he who sips poison and kills himself will have his
poison in his hand and sip it forever and ever in the fire of
hell.” (Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood and Nasai) “Do not harm yourself or others.”
(Ahmad and Ibn Maja) Part 2: Conclusion |