Introduction
Islam is a set of beliefs, worship rituals, laws, and moral principles covering all aspects of life. It is the last version of the Divine message, which was revealed by Allah (the unique name of God Almighty in Arabic which does not have a plural form) to all his messengers, starting from Adam through Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad the seal (the last) of the messengers (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all).
All these messengers are invited to what realizes felicity for all human beings. Each in his own time brought suitable teachings for his people, that is, a specific time and a group of people. Then, Islam came as a message for all accountable beings (the Jinn and the Humans). Addressing Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), it is said: “We have sent you but as a mercy for the whole world.” (Holy Quran; 21:107)
What are the basic beliefs and rituals?
The basic belief of Islam is that this life is not the whole story because some people are born to enjoy their intelligence or wealth and others to suffer their dumbness or poverty. Some of them become victims of others who may as well escape punishment in this life. Some of them relax with their good luck, and others toil with their bad luck to the end of their lives. If this is what life is, then where is justice? Therefore, there must be an eternal life where the final account takes place, and infinite justice is realized.
The basic beliefs are constant throughout Divine Messages. According to the Islamic version, these include: believing in a creator for the whole universe, His angels, His books, His messengers, the day of resurrection, and the prerecording of the universe’s events: the good and the bad. The cornerstone of the beliefs is to believe in one God and that He alone is to be worshipped.
“Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him. But He forgives anything else to whom He pleases.” (Holy Quran; Chapter 4, Verse 48)
In addition to bearing witness that there is no God, but Allah and that Muhammad (PBUH) is the final messenger of Allah, the major worship rituals are to perform the obligatory prayer, pay the obligatory charity (zakat), fast the month of Ramadhan and to perform pilgrimage for those Muslims who can afford it. These worship rituals are closely related to the Muslim’s daily life activities. For example, the five daily prayers are required to be performed at specific ranges of time, cleaning the exposed parts of one’s body, and doing some physical exercises.
All these remind a Muslim of the necessity of taking care of one’s time, observing cleanliness, organization, concentration in doing work, and remembering one’s duty towards Allah. Paying charity and fasting remind a Muslim of his duties towards his fellow men. Performing pilgrimage in a specific place and time encourages communication and cooperation between people from different parts of the world. Indeed, some parts of the rituals are apparently like the rituals adoring idols, such as facing the Kaaba in Mecca during prayer and circumambulating it as a requirement of pilgrimage. There is a great difference between the two.
Firstly, the Islamic rituals which look illogical in appearance are direct commands of God, and performing them means complete obedience to God. Secondly, the rituals invented by human beings are considered deviations from the original teachings, whether they are logical or illogical in appearance. It is noteworthy that these beliefs and rituals are not subject to effect by the changes occurring to lifestyle or the means except in a very limited sense. Among these approved changes are, for instance, to perform two bowings while traveling, instead of four, or the permission to postpone fasting in the month of Ramadhan.
As far as the Sharia (law) that regulates the relation between people is concerned, it is more affected by the continuous changes of lifestyle and means. Even after fourteen centuries, Islamic law is still efficient.
How can We Apply 14-Century Old Laws Today?
Some Muslims and non-Muslims alike may wonder how we can implement a law of 14 centuries ago today. It is a logical question if we do not have enough idea about the nature of the Islamic Sharia. However, we also forget that human beings have written constitutions to last hundreds of years. If this I possible for humans, why is it not possible for God Almighty, whose knowledge encompasses everything across time and space?
What is the Ruling for a Muslim who Raises this Question?
A Muslim that raises this kind of question is neglecting the very fact that as a Muslim, he should believe that Allah Almighty can set laws to last till the Day of Judgement as He was able to create natural laws to last forever. Therefore, a Muslim should be cautious not to get trapped in plain heresy or disbelief.
“But no by your Lord, they can have no real faith until they make you judge in all disputes between them and find in their souls no resistance against decision but accept them with the fullest conviction.” (Holy Quran 4:65)
A Muslim also forgets that he has no choice but to pick what he likes of the commandments of Allah and neglect what he does not.
“Then is it only a part of the book you believe in, and do you reject the rest? But what is the reward for those among you who behave like this but disgrace in this life? On the Day of Judgement, they shall be consigned to the most grievous chastisement for Allah is not unmindful of what you do.” (Holy Quran 2:85)
Here it is important to distinguish between the following kinds of submission:
Complete submission, as a principle, to all that has been attributed to Allah either directly or indirectly. This submission is not subject to question at all.
Complete submission to authentic texts of clear-cut meanings. This submission (or full acceptance) is also not subject to question at all.
Submission to a specific school of thought or a legal opinion. This kind of submission (or rather full adherence) is not a must because multiplicity or diversity of opinion is acceptable in many cases. It is only acceptable if the submission is based on one’s conviction, without excluding the possibility of being wrong in some cases and that others may be right.
A true Muslim believes that Islamic teachings guarantee felicity and peace in this life for all people and other accountable beings if it is implemented by them. The Jinn and the Humans are creatures that God Almighty distinguished by providing them with some degree of freedom to choose between right and wrong, the natural disposition along with guidance through His messengers, and the ability to comprehend and implement the provided guidance in their lives.
He made this life a test to cultivate Eternal Life and to enjoy within the set boundaries, that is, made them accountable for their behavior. Islamic teachings guarantee success in this life and the Hereafter if a Muslim implements most of them in his life. In other words, the effect of Islamic law is not confined to temporary life but includes Eternal Life. A Muslim cannot ignore this fact, because he should believe that Divine law is better than any man-made law. For Allah knows better what secures success in both lives for his creation.
Islamic law comprises basic rules or detailed rules that include the relationship with Allah and the relationship among the creatures. In other words, Islam is a whole package deal, comprising the basics of faith, the rituals, a complete set of laws, and moral values. Islam did not leave any aspect of life without basic rules, which go in harmony with the other basic rules to point in the end to the oneness of the source of the Divine law. The basic rule usually acts as a center or axis around which revolves the secondary rules and the exceptions.
Conclusion
From the discussions of the various topics, we will discover that Islam is more capable of balancing between reality and fantasy, the individual’s rights and the group’s rights, and between the requirement of felicity in this world and the Hereafter. It has been guaranteed, fourteen centuries ago, numerous rights for the weak, which human laws did not provide until the last century. These human laws are still struggling to keep up with Islam in this field.
Very well explained .
Well picked concept and topic .
Enjoyed reading.