Q1. (20 points) Explain the economic consequences of rule compliance at decision points. Explain how rule compliance can create opportunity for radical changes in consciousness as well as in economic consequences of a person’s action when individuals have to make decisions under uncertainty. Please give as many examples as possible to illustrate your arguments. Please also provide citations from the Qur’an and from the reference sources in the reading list of the Course Outline.
Decision Points
What are decision points? There are instances in life when you are
required to make some decisions. Those decisions that you make may seem
insignificant or life changing. Each decision is recorded as rule-compliant or a
rule-violation. The decision point in life has a “butterfly effect”, as the
chaos theory suggests that a system that approaches a bifurcation point becomes
so sensitive that it can amplify small changes into large feedbacks. The trials
and tribulations can be life changing and a major shock to a person but it also
allows for quantum upward leap in consciousness. But why are we put in that
position? The tests, trials and tribulations make us aware and knowledgeable
about our weaknesses and strength. The tests vary in their intensity according
to the extent that each soul can bear and the progress it makes towards its
Creator.
Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: we
believe, and they will not be tested? (29:2)
The response to every trial or tribulation in life is important. If
the response is rule-compliant, it becomes an occasion for self-development
through greater strength of belief and feeling security within the Walayah
(Love) of the Supreme Creator. The person is able to respond through the
demonstration of walayah (active love) to other humans through the love towards
the Creator. This is self-progress. The reverse is obtained when the response
is one of rule-transgression, thus treating others unjustly. This leads to
regression, and away from the Creator.[1]The
decision points and the intensity of the trials will increase as the person
makes more rule-compliant decisions thus elevating his consciousness towards
his Creator. A person is able to progress from a unconscious state to being
self-conscious and further elevating himself to universal consciousness. Man
achieves Fitri consciousness when he is finally conscious about his Creator and
once he reaches this point he has found the safety and sanctuary of Allah SWT
where external stimuli no longer harms him but he can still have lapses in
memory and be non-rule compliant.
To further elevate his status, he is subjected to further tests and
if he makes the correct decisions that are rule-compliant, he is able to
achieve Allah consciousness where he becomes sinless and becomes fully
rule-compliant. The final stage of the self-development is the transcendental
consciousness, where the person in this stage is completely overcome by his
love for Allah SWT and no longer longs for paradise or has fear of hell, but is
in love with his Creator alone.
Rules and rule-
compliance
The Quran is a
code of human conduct and it is clearly mentioned in the Quran (al-Baqarah,
2:2-5)
This is the Book about which there is no doubt, guidance for
those conscious of Allah
Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out
of what We have provided for them,
And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad],
and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in
faith].
Those are upon [right] guidance from their Lord, and it is
those who are the successful.
The code of conduct endorsed by the Quran if abided by man will enable
him to live in peace with himself and in peace with his external world of
relations, achieving the true success in the hereafter.[2]
The Quran has laid down rules for every segment of life. As an
individual, man has to perform certain duties for salvation. He has to say the
proclamation of faith, pray five times a day, fast in the month of Ramadan, pay
annual zakat and perform the Hajj at least once in his lifetime. These are the
bare minimum rules he has to perform as an individual.
Then there are rules that he has to abide by as a member of society.
There are rules on how to be a son, daughter, wife, husband, as a friend, as a
citizen. There are rules on how to conduct trade, to value contracts, on
property rights, on market behavior and inheritance and to care for the orphans
and the poor. There are rules on how to treat others and the important
characteristics of man like trust, cooperation, and consultation, justice, to enjoin
good and forbid evil.
When one is faced with the decision point and has to decide to be
rule-compliant or a rule violator, the saving factor is taqwa or
Allah-consciousness. Taqwa stops us from violating rules and the best example
of rule –compliance is the life of Rasullullah SAW which embodied the Quran.
Examples from Quran and Reading list
Satan and the Prophet Adam AS made wrong choices at decision points.
The difference between the two is, Prophet Adam AS recognized his mistake and
apologized for his transgression, and Allah SWT forgave him. On the other hand,
Satan remained defiant and earned the wrath of Allah SWT for eternity.
(Al-Baqarah 2:34-36), (Al-Araf 7:12)
The story of seduction of Zulaikha, the wife of the Aziz of Egypt,
of the Prophet Yusuf AS, is a crucial decision point. Both desired each other
but the only saving factor was Prophet Yusuf AS’s fear of Allah SWT. He chose
to be imprisoned than to be exposed to sin. (Surah Yusuf 12:23, 12:33)
The story of Prophet Yunus AS is also a good example of a decision
point. He had been preaching for years in his village of Neynawa in Iraq but
the people were heedless. In anger he left the village knowing well that the
villagers would be destroyed. He thought he had done enough and embarked on a
ship to leave the village a decision he made without permission from Allah SWT.
The ship encountered a storm during the journey and in was custom at the time
to cast ballots to sacrifice someone to appease God. The Prophet Yunus AS was
chosen each time. Not only was be thrown into the raging sea, he was also
swallowed by a big fish. It was in the triple darkness of the night, the sea
and the belly of the fish that Prophet Yunus AS repented and seeked
forgiveness. If it weren’t for Allah SWT’s mercy, he would have remained in the
belly of the fish till the Day of Judgement. (Al-Anbiya 21:87-88)
Allah sent His torment on the village that disobeyed Him and broke
their pledge and their covenant to observe the sanctity of the Sabbath. They
began using deceitful means to avoid honoring the Sabbath by placing nets,
ropes and artificial pools of water for the purpose of fishing before the
Sabbath. When the fish came in abundance on Saturday as usual, they were caught
in the ropes and nets for the rest of Saturday. During the night, the Jews
collected the fish after the Sabbath ended. When they did that, Allah changed
them from humans to monkeys.[3]
The Jews had a choice to abide by Allah SWT’s rules but they resorted to
trickery, to be rule-compliant and at the same time break the rule. That gained
them the wrath of Allah SWT. (Al Araf, 7:163)
There were many tribes that were destroyed because they were
rule-violators and the Quran is full of examples. The tribes of Ad (89:6-8),
Thamud (27:45-52), Luth (7:84, 15:74-77), Nuh (29:14), Firaun and Prophet Musa
AS (26: 63-68), the people of Saba (34: 15-17) are just some of the examples.
Allah SWT wanted us to take heed from the lessons of consequences of rule-
noncompliance.
Q2. (25 points) With reference to the books of
Dr. Syed NawabHaider Naqvi and Dr. Umer M. Chapra and others given in the
reading list, explain the present economic state of Muslim countries within the
context of the following Verses of The Qur’an:
a.
Verse 53 of Chapter 8; Al-Anfal
“Because Allah
will never change the favor which He hath bestowed on a people until
They change what
is in their own souls and verily Allah is He who heareth and knoweth (all
things)
b.
Verse 11 of Chapter 13; Al-Rad
For each (such
person), There are (angels) in succession, Before and behind him, They guard
him by command of Allah, Verily never will Allah change the condition of a
people until they change it themselves (with their own souls)
c.
Verse 112 of Chapter 16.
Allah sets forth
a Parable; A city enjoying security, and quiet, abundantly supplied with
sustenance from every place; Yet it was ungrateful for the favors of Allah; so
Allah made it taste of hunger and terror (in extremes) (closing in on it) like
a garment (from every side) because of the (evil) which (its people) wrought.
The main lesson that can be derived from these verses is humans are
architects of their fate. Only if mankind improves their own condition, they
can bring development to society. In order for the development in society to
prosper there must be justice and fairness at all levels of society. The fruits
of development must be shared equitably by all.
If mankind had abided by the rules a perfect ideal economy could
have been created but instead we have an economy that favors the rich and
oppresses the poor.
Muslims of the
world are among the poorest of the poor. The combined
annual GDP of 57 Muslim countries are at $5.6 trillion. America is at $17.1
trillion; China $8.3 trillion, Japan $5.9 trillion and Germany $3.4 trillion. Oil
rich Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Kuwait and Qatar collectively produce goods and
services (mostly oil) worth USD 575 billion while Netherlands alone is USD
772.2 billion.[4]
Nearly one in three people in the Arab world is illiterate,
including nearly half of all women in the region, according to the Tunis-based
Arab League Educational Cultural and Scientific Organisation (Alecso) .
Three-quarters of the 100 million people unable to read or write in the 21 Arab
countries are aged between 15 and 45. [5]
Timur Kuran, an economist blames Islam for the downfall of Muslim
countries. He blames the social culture and Shariah rulings on business
partnership and inheritance as some of the reasons for the lack of
industrialization and rise of corporations in the Muslim world.[6]
Allah SWT states clearly in Surah An Nahl 16: 112 that the consequences
of rule violation is destruction. The desctruction in all the Muslim countries
is their own doing due to disregarding the rules set by Allah SWT.
Umer Chapra in his book “Muslim Civilization: The Causes of Decline
and the Need for Reform” outlines some reasons for the decline in the Muslim
world. Among the reasons he stated was widespread injustice, decline in
education, separation of religion from the sciences and deterioration in the
position of women. Among the reasons for the decline of the Ottoman empire is
the political illegitimacy, where the caliphate is handen over from father to
son and not elected by the people. The Sultans lived beyond their means and
taxed their subjects unjustly. Greed and corruption increased and this lead to
external borrowing and debasing of currency. Islamic Caliphate came to an end
in 1924 after over 1200 years of rule[7].
Some of the examples of economic injustice had brought about the
Arab Spring uprising in Egypt, Tunisia and Syria. The ruling class and their
cronies enjoy the riches of the country while the poor are oppressed and taxed.
There is no just equal distribution of wealth. Greed of leaders makes them
servants to the super powers and they sell the wealth of the country to stay in
power. Money is not spent on educating the citizens but instead spent on
projects that benefit the leaders and their cronies.
One of the reasons for the Arab Spring that
happened in 2011 is ageing dictatorship. Hosni Mubarak was the Egyptian leader
for 31 years, Tunisia’s Ben Ali since 1987, while Muammar al Gaddafi ruled over
Libya for 42 years and they ruled with iron fists to remain in power.
Unemployment is a widespread phenomenon that has caused low living standards
and discontentment among citizens. Corruption is a norm, where the cronies
benefited from state-led development. In Egypt, new business elites collaborated with the regime to amass
fortunes unimaginable to the majority of the population surviving on $2 a day. In Tunisia, no investment deal was
closed without a kick-back to the ruling family.[8]Thus
the Arab spring is the society taking action to purge their countries from the
despots.
Poor Muslim women in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh are discriminated
based on their gender. Society invests less on women compared to men who are
viewed as superior. These women suffer from poverty of opportunities all their
lives. They live on the mercy of their parents and then at the mercy of the
husbands and in-laws. Housework, hard labor and child bearing are their lot in
life. It is a vicious cycle where they are trapped in a system that is
male-centric. These women given the right opportunities can increase the
standard of living for the family as well as educate their children. In order
to break the poverty cycle, education is of utmost importance but when faced
with hunger, learning might not seem important.
There is also the separation between science and religion. The
mostly poor children are sent to madrasahs that emphasize only on Islamic
studies. Some of these madrasahs churn out militants who want to do jihad. Not
many children have the opportunity to study the sciences and they are not given
an environment that encourages freedom of thought and expression which could
lead to innovation.
Dr. Umer Chapra, stated some
of the factors that made Muslims rise as a civilization in his book. The people
in the society are the primary force that determines the rise or fall of any
civilization, thus providing dignity, equality and self-respect to all,
irrespective of their race, sex, wealth and position is an important factor.
Providing proper care and upbringing of children is another factor that is
essential to ensure the quality of the future generation. Love of God, care for
the underprivileged, maintaining social justice, bonds of Muslim brotherhood,
good governance , law and order are other factors that was a catalyst for
development and expansion of wealth.
Allah SWT clearly states in
Surah Al Araf verse 96 that had societies been rule-compliant, they would have
achieved the ideal economy but most of them are rule violators, the Muslim
countries are among the poorest because of the rule violation.
If the people of the towns had but believed and feared Allah,
We should indeed have opened out to them (All kinds of) blessings from heaven
and earth; but they rejected (the truth), and We brought them to book for their
misdeeds. (7: 96)
In his book “Islam, Economics and Society”, Dr.Syed Nawab Haider
Naqwi wrote on the integration of ethics and economics by applying the Islamic
axiom system which consists of tawhid, equilibrium (al adl wa al ihsan), free
will (ikhtiar) and responsibility (fard). Tawhid is the understanding of
Allah’s Omniscience, Omnibenevolence and His absolute ownership of all things.
Al Adl Wa Al Ihsan is about social justice where people are entitled to equal
economy and social progress. Man is given free will to make decisions but he
must also be responsible for his decisions. The axiom system as a basis of
economic statements can reduce poverty, ensure equality and distributive justice
and foster economic growth.
The basic objectives of Islamic Economics is individual freedom to
reap what he sows, distributive justice or qist, education for all, economic
growth and job creation. If Muslim countries are able to achieve this, we can
get out of the rut we are in. The Muslim population in each country must
understand the fundamental objectives of an Islamic economy and strive to
achieve it by changing ourselves and just like “tuning forks” vibrate the
positive energy to others so they too can pass the peace and happiness to
others.
Q3. (15 points)Based on the relevant Verses of the
Qur’an and the reading list, explain the differences between the vision of
economic development in the Qur’an and the theories of development in the
conventional theory.
The definition of conventional economic development is achieving
maximum material growth, profit maximum at minimum cost or ethical economics
that conceptualize the well-being of the humans as the end of purpose of
development. The origin of economic development can be traced back to Adam
Smith in the 1700s who was inspired by the Scottish enlightment, who were a
group of writers with the view that human potential can be improved with effort
and cooperation. Smith believed with division of labor would result is
specialization which would create more profit in return, thus economic
development would be self- generating and self-sustaining. Smith’s central
belief was that human economic interaction is governed mainly by self-interest,
he is said to have said “it is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the
brewer or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regards to their
self-interest”.
The financial crisis that hit England and France during the latter
part of the 1700s, resulted in the rejection of Adam Smith’s theory of linear
automatic material progress through the free workings of the market with
minimal interference from the state. Henry Saint Simon and his followers felt
there must be government interference to create order and progress. In their
view, it would be possible to create a social order fully conscious of the
moral qualities that economic and social progress must embody. John Stuart
Mill, distinguished progress with development, saying, progress is chaotic
while development brought social and economic improvement. He shared the view
of the Saint Simonians that an elite social class can oversee the development
process and mitigate any problems caused by disorderly progress. There were
other thinkers like Hegel, Engels Simmel, Weber, Freyer, Schrumpeter and Harrod
who contributed towards the evolution of development thinking. The main ideas
can be divided into four categories; the first is development is for the
well-being for individual and society. The second category is the emphasis on
an ordered progress and development. The third category is the concern with the
best way of creating such a social order. The fourth category is preoccupation
with ethics and morality.
Before World War II the focus was on growth and development of
Western market capitalist societies. After WWII, the emphasis was on developing
countries and the problem of underdevelopment. Many economists believed
investment in industrialization was the way to go. Gunnar Mrydal suggested that
radical institutional reforms would be necessary if developing countries were
to make rapid progress. Harrod-Domar analysis concluded that there is no
guarantee that a competitive market economy could achieve steady state path of
long run growth. Solow argued stable, steady equilibrium path can be achieved using
explicit and implicit neoclassical assumptions. He found the closer an economy
is to its steady state, the slower its growth. Technology, human capital and
institutions was also found to contribute towards development. Mahbub ul Haq
finally discussed about humans as an end of development instead of as means of
development. He envisioned the human development paradigm to have four
components: equality, sustainability, productivity and empowerment. Amartya Sen
introduced the concept of development as freedom. He views that there is lack
of development because of constraints, and that development then becomes a
process of removing constraints from people’s lives. These are some of the economic
theories of development from the eighteenth century till the twenty first
century.
The Islamic Economic Development
Islam is a rule-based system, where rule-compliance leads to
progress and success. The Quran is the metaframework that specifies universal
rules of behavior prescribed by Allah SWT. The fundamental difference between
the two types of economies is the ultimate objective. The conventional economy
emphasizes on profit maximization at minimum cost while conception of
development based on the Islamic Metaframework
consists of three interrelated dimensions: development off self, the
earth and society. Allah SWT has placed all natural resources at the disposal
of humans to serve humanity and the rest of creation. Humans have accepted the
responsibility as consequences of the primordial covenant.
The classical-neoclassical theories have agreed on four dimensions
that is scarcity, rationality, state and markets.
Scarcity
The classical-noeclassical believe in scarcity of resources. Allah
SWT clearly states in the Quran that all things are created in “exact measure” (54
:49 , 13:8, 65:3) indicating that the Lord Cherisher, Sustainer of all creation
provides sufficient sustenance for all in His creation including for mankind. Thus
scarcity is not a binding constraint at the level of entire humanity
(macro-level) but it is a constraint at a micro level, as a test of
patience for the have-nots and a test of
rule-compliance for those well-off. Micro-scarcity is an issue that involves
the socio-economic justice (qist).
Rationality
Allah SWT has endowed man with ‘aql’ (intellect) to allow for
reasoning. In Islam man is given a set of rules, the reasoning is used because
he has freedom of choice. Using rationality without any guidance from the
Creator would lead to nothing. The Quran refers to human reasoning without
guidance from Allah SWT as whim and caprice (28:50, 25:43-44). Action-decisions
process, in Islamic rationality, relies entirely on meditative-reflective
reasoning fully aware of rules that govern action-decision in response to a
stimulus.
Governance, state and market
There are no clear indication of a state or nation in the Quran, but
refers to tribes or grouping of people with their shared values and belief
system. The Quran points to a number of these societies that were destroyed due
to noncompliance of rules. These are the people of Nuh (25:37), Lut (27:54)
Hud(11:51-58), Salih (11:61-68) and others.
As for the concept of market, the Quran acknowledges its existence
(25:7) an places great emphasis on the contracts of exchange and trade. A
contract of exchange is needed for trade of goods and services and is more
general than trade. Trade (tijarah) is an action of buying and selling. The
Quran commands when a debt is contracted it is to be repaid on specified deadline
and a contract must be written (2:282). In another verse (4:29) the Quran
commands that trade must be based mutual consent.
It was the Prophet SAW who created the first market structure in
accordance to the rules set b Allah SWT. He specified the rule on conduct in
the market place and appointed a market supervisor to ensure rule-compliance.
The Medinan market place complete with the rules established Prophet SAW shows
the importance of the market and rules to its operations in an Islamic economy.[9]
Q4. (25 points) Consider Chapter 49 of the Qur’an (al
Hujurat) in its entirety and considering your answer to Q2, note that the
Chapter establishes the position of arRasulSalawatu Allah i ‘alayhiwaaalihi as
the Beloved Messenger of Allah swt and then states rules of behavior. (1)
Present arguments that, provided compliance with its substance, this Chapter in
and of itself alone can establish a healthy, dynamic, prosperous, and just
society, and (2) Assess the present state of Muslim societies and explain with
reference to the Verses of the Chapter why these societies are behind in
economic progress.
Surah Hujurat is surah 49 and is a Madinan Surah and it’s a
compilation of commandments and instructions that were sent down on different
occasions which have been put together because of relevancy of the theme. Most
of these commandments were sent down during the final stage of Rasul SAW’s life
at Madinah.
1) O you who
believe! Make not [a decision] in advance before Allah and His Messenger and
fear Allah. Indeed! Allah is All-Hearing, Omniscient.
Prohibition of making a Decision in advance of
Allah and His Messenger
Allah SWT teaches His faithful servants
the good manners they should observe with the Messenger SAW which are respect,
honor and esteem and to not rush in making decisions before him but rather
follow his lead in all matters.
2) O you who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of
the Prophet, nor speak aloud to him in talk as you speak aloud to one another,
lest [for the sake of such indecency] your deeds should be rendered fruitless
while you perceive not.
Ordering Respect towards the Prophet SAW
This is another rule of behavior where
Allah SWT teaches the believers to not raise their voices above the voice of
the Prophet SAW. It was said that this ayat was revealed about Sayyidina Abu
Bakr RA and Sayyidina Umar RA who raised their voices before the Prophet SAW
over a dispute.
It is a disrespectful act and can be seen
an an affront to the Prophet SAW and thus it is a sin.
3. Indeed, those who lower their voices in the
presence of Allah’s Messenger (for the sake of good manners and their respect
for him], they are the ones whose hearts Allah has tested [and prepared] for
[entertaining] piety. For them are forgiveness and a great reward.Allah SWT then ordains lowering one’s voice before the Messenger and encourages and recommends a better behavior.
4. Indeed those who call you from behind the rooms, most of them refrain from intellection.
5. And if they had patience till you could come out to them, it would have been definitely better for them. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Allah SWT admonishes the uncivilized bedouins who used to call on the Prophet SAW when he was behind the dwellings of his wives. Allah SWT teaches them on social decorum and etiquette.
6. O you who believe! If an evil-doer comes to you with important news, verify it, lest you should harm people in ignorance [out of haste in belief and making decision], and afterwards you become regretful for what you have done.
Investigating the Reliability of news conveyed by the wicked
Allah SWT ordered verifying news that sinners and the wicked bring, and do not acknowledge until authenticity is proven. Otherwise if the sinner’s word is taken for granted and a decision is based on it, regardless its true or not, the authorities will be taking the lead of the sinners and may regret later.
7. And know that
among you there is the Messenger of Allah [whom you should obey]. If he were to
obey you in much of the matter, you would surely be in trouble. But Allah has
endeared your faith to you and has beautified it in your hearts, and has made
disbelief, disobedience [to Allah], and committing sin hateful to you. Such are
they who are the rightly guided.
8. [This interest in belief and hate of disbelief are] a Bounty from Allah and His Favor. And Allah is Omniscient, All-Wise.
8. [This interest in belief and hate of disbelief are] a Bounty from Allah and His Favor. And Allah is Omniscient, All-Wise.
The Prophet
SAW’s Decision is Better
Allah SWT has
ordained that the Prophet SAW must be honored, respected, be polite with him
and obey his orders.
9. And if two parties or groups among the believers engage in
fighting, then make peace between them both. But if one of them outrages
against the other, then fight you against the one that outrages till it
complies with the Command of Allah. Then if it complies [and ceases outrage],
then make reconciliation between them justly, and be equitable. Indeed! Allah
loves those who are equitable.
Making Peace
between Disputing Muslims
Allah SWT orders
us to make peace two believers if they fighting with each other. We are to help
the oppressed and prevent the oppressor from hurting others.
10. The believers are nothing else than brethren. So make
reconciliation amongst your brethren [in case contention and conflict arise]
and fear Allah that you may receive Mercy.
Muslims are
brethren and so should reconcile
Allah SWT
clearly states that the believers are brethren. Just like brothers, who fight
with each other all the time, they also to reconcile just as quickly. Since the
relationship between believers are like brothers so some of characteristics of
brethren are deep bilateral friendship, unanimous among strangers and based on
innate nature
Allah SWT has elevated the relationship between
Muslims to brotherhood, regardless of race, tribe and age. This leads to
profound brotherly love amongst each other despite living in different parts of
the world. This love is quite
11. O you who
believe! Let not a group derides another. It may be that the latter are better
than the former. Nor let women deride other women. It may be that the latter
are better than the former. Neither defame one another, nor insult one another
by nicknames [since] doing wrong after having faith is an evil practice
[unbefitting you]. And whosoever does not repent [of committing such deeds],
then they are indeed wrong-doers.
The Prohibition of mocking and
ridiculing one another
The preceding verses talks about
reconciling between Muslims who are at dispute and this verse talks about some
of the factors that can cause conflict like deriding, belittling and
slandering.
12. O you who
believe! Avoid much suspicion. Indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not [on
others], neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh
of his dead brother? By no means, [since] you would hate it. And fear Allah.
Indeed, Allah is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful.
This verse
teaches us that we should not have bad opinion of people based on suspicion and
Allah SWT likens back-biting to eating a corpse. Although Allah SWT warns the
believers He is also Merciful and accepts sincere repentance.
13. O people! We have created you from a male and a female
and made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the
most honorable of you with Allah is that [one] who fears Allah. Indeed, Allah
is Omniscient, All-Aware.
All Mankind
are the Children of Adam and Hawwa
This verse is
the essence of all human rights which is equality of the entire human race.
Islam rejects all racial, tribal, cultural, social and economic segregation. The
offspring of Adam and Hawwa were made into nations (non-Arabs) and tribes
(Arabs). The only difference is the level of obedience to Allah SWT.
14. The Bedouin Arabs say: “We believe.” Say: “You believe
not but you only say: ‘We have submitted [to the Will of Allah],’ for faith has
not yet penetrated your hearts. But if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He
will not decrease an iota in reward for your deeds. Indeed, Allah is
Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
This verse distinguishes between Muslims and Mukmins. Islam is the
outward and legal aspect of faith and whoever says the Shahadah is a Muslim but
to become a Mukmin, the faith is real and is in the heart. But Allah SWT
promises that there is no decrease in rewards due to them.
15. Believers are only those who have believed in Allah and
His Messenger (S) and then doubt not but strive with their possessions and
their lives for the Cause of Allah. They are the truthful [in their claims to
faith].
Allah SWT
further illustrates the characteristic of the Mukmins, they have faith in their
hearts and think of nothing about sacrificing everything for Allah SWT.
16. Say: “Will you inform Allah of your religion while Allah
knows all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; and Allah is
All-Aware of everything.
Allah SWT
reminds that He is All Knowing and has complete knowledge of all creations and
sees them all.
17. They regard as a favor to you that they have converted to
Islam. Say: “Count not your Islam as a favor to me. Nay, but Allah has
conferred a favor upon you that He has guided you to the faith if you indeed
are truthful.
18. Truly, Allah knows the Unseen of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is the All-Seer of what you do.
18. Truly, Allah knows the Unseen of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is the All-Seer of what you do.
It is not a favour upon Allah SWT to accept Islam rather it is He Who
favours with guidance. Allah SWT is aware of what is concealed in the Heavens
and the Earth.
The rules of behavior in this Surah have some very important concepts
for an Islamic state. Honor and respect need to be bestowed on a leader. The
leader of a legally established government must be given allegiance by the
citizens. When the government decrees a law or regulation, it is the duty of
the citizens to obey. Total loyalty will cease to apply if the leader is no
longer rule-compliant to the Laws of Allah SWT. In the case of openly violating
the rules of Allah SWT, the people have the right to depose the government. If
the government is fair and equitable then it is unlawful to organize armed
rebellion to overthrow the government.[10]
Another concept of importance is to verify any piece of news
received. In this time and age when fitnah or deception is very rampant we
cannot distinguish the truth from falsehood, so verify information before
making any decision. As a leader of an Islamic state, the lives of your
citizens are of utmost importance thus anything that could lead to potential
war must be investigated. The British conquered and colonized many countries in
their heydays through spreading lies between leaders and instigating them to go
to war, deploying their divide and rule strategy.
In an Islamic state peace must prevail. Any discontentment among the
citizens must be addressed as it might harm the society. Political stability
would ensure trade and foreign direct investment which would create more jobs.
The citizens must be proud of their state and have a sense of brotherhood
towards each other and everyone has the dream that is to see their state
prosper. The sense of brotherhood would instill love for your neighbor, your
friends, colleagues at work, teachers and everyone on the street. It would be a
safe and friendly state to live in. Any violaters of peace who spread lies,
slander and back-bite among the people should be prosecuted to deter similar
behavior.
One of the most important goals for an Islamic state is to create a
nation that treats everyone the same regardless of social status, race or
gender, a truly equitable nation. People are promoted due only to merit. The
abolishment of social classes creates a society where all its citizens are
treated equally and are given equal opportunities. The capitalist system in
Europe created classes with the royalty at the very top and the pheasants at
the lowest social strata. The inequality of wealth distribution resulted in
revolutions that destroyed the Russian and French monarchies.
Muslim countries are in the present state because of political instability.
“There have been 54 cases of political instability in Muslim countries between
1955 and 2003. [11] From
1966 to 1989, the average number of new episodes per year in the Muslim world
was 0.88, compared with averages of 1.63 from 1955 to 1965 and 1.78 in 1990-98.
The
rash of new events in the early 1990s pushed the proportion of
Muslim countries with ongoing state failures over 40 percent. A total of 14 new
episodes of political instability occurred in Muslim countries in the 1990s,
nine in sub-Saharan Africa and four in former communist states. 70 percent of
predominantly Muslim countries in Africa south of the Sahara experienced
instability in the years after state formation whereas only one-third of
non-Muslim African countries did.”[12]
Some of reasons for this instability are ethnic wars because of greed,
subjugation and dominance. There is no acceptance of a leader and no allegiance
to him to develop the state.
Another note of importance is asabiyah or complete loyalty towards
ethnicity or tribe. Ethnic wars occur due to asabiyah, it is a rule violation
because according to the Quran all Muslims are brethren, they are to help each
other to develop their nation for mutual benefit. Their rule violation brought
about their destruction but the non-Muslims who study these countries involved
in wars would accuse Islam as the common factor among the warring factions.
Along the same lines, inequality between human beings especially the
genders has brought much suffering to Muslim women. In his last sermon the
Prophet SAW reminded Muslims to “treat your women well and be kind to them for
they are you partners and committed helpers“ but in reality women in some
Muslim countries are deprived of education, health care and empowerment. The world population is at 6.8
billion and GDP is at USD 69.98 trillion and whereas the Muslim GDP is only at
11.2 percent based on the Muslim population of 1.6 billion. The Muslim GDP
should e at 25 percent. The 13.8 percent disparity is due to the missing
contribution from Muslim women into economy.
Muslim unity or rather disunity is another bone of contention with
no solution at sight. The Shia’s and the Sunnis have been at war for ages. The
Iran-Iraq war, also known as the First Persian Gulf War lasted from September
1980 to August 1988. Half a million Iraqi
and Iranian soldiers died, an equivalent number of civilians and more
injured. Both countries are believed to have lost more than USD500 billion
each. Economic development was stalled. Iraq had accrued USD 130 billion of
international debt. The war did not benefit either party but made the British
and American arms traders richer.[13]
There is still violence in Iraq between Iraqi Shias and the Iraqi
Sunnis. A more pressing issue is the civil war in Syria. The unrest began in
2011, and so far the death toll has surpassed 100,000 in June 2013 and reached
120,000 by September 2013. The parties in conflict are Alawite government
forces, militia and other Shia groups against the Sunni dominated rebel group.[14]
It has been deeply disturbing to research and write about these wars
and harm that Muslims inflict on each other. Allah SWT has ordained us the
rules and by violating it we only bring upon destruction and humiliation to
ourselves. Allah SWT has also clearly said that He would not change our fate
until we take action to change it ourselves. It is upon us to spread the true
message of Islam through our actions more than our speech.
Q.5. (15 points) there is a famous Zen Proverb saying:
“Do not confuse the moon with the finger that points at it.” Relate this to the
worldview and ideology presently held by Muslims and the vision presented in
the Qur’an as explained in the sources in the reading list and in class
discussions.
The story goes
that Wu Jincang asked the Sixth Patriarch Huineng, "I have studied the
Mahaparinirvana sutra for many years, yet there are many areas I do not quite
understand. Please enlighten me." The patriarch responded, "I am
illiterate. Please read out the characters to me and perhaps I will be able to
explain the meaning."Said the nun, "You cannot even recognize the
characters. How are you able then to understand the meaning?"
"Truth has
nothing to do with words. Truth can be likened to the bright moon in the sky.
Words, in this case, can be likened to a finger. The finger can point to the
moon’s location. However, the finger is not the moon. To look at the moon, it
is necessary to gaze beyond the finger, right?"
The current worldview that is held by Muslims are far removed from
the vision of the Quran. There is a big lag between the universality of the
Quran and the isolationist religiosity of the present day Muslim.[15]Muslims
are divided in their beliefs, to the point that they kill each other. Riots
between Shia and Sunni Muslims are widespread all over the world. They bicker
over how to perform ablution or how to perform prayers, and that one mazhab is
better than the other. Arab feels supremacy over the non-Arabs, and the
non-Arabs have hatred towards the Arabs. When Muslims are oppressed and killed
in a land far from us, we keep silent and turn the other way.
Our Islam is just to perform the rituals, to dress in a certain way
and have lengthy discussions about fiqh issues. Anyone different from us is not
accepted until they follow our way of life. Islam is viewed as a violent and
barbaric religion when women are killed for the sake of honor. Culture is so
immensely rooted into society that it is confused with Islam. The term jihad is
so corrupted that Muslims are viewed as terrorists.
To relate it to the Zen saying we can say fiqh ruling is the finger.
We are all engrossed in embracing the form that we forget the substance. The
vision that the Quran had has been lost, for over the years from the time of
the Prophet Muhammad SAW‘s demise, there has been a downward spiral in terms of
the maqasid al Shariah or objective of the rulings. Some pilgrims who perform
the Hajj are complying with the rule to perform hajj but they cause harm to
other pilgrims due to their religious zealousness. They are so engrossed in
following the finger but they forget to see the moon, to achieve
Allah-consciousness. Most Muslims are just that, believers, they have not
become Mukmins, who have reached the Allah consciousness. If they have
God-consciousness in their heart they would not conduct atrocities in the name
of religion. To illustrate the state of
Allah consciousness, there was an incident in the life of Caliph Umar that is
quite apt. The Caliph was travelling from Madinah to Makkah and on the way he
saw an African boy tending to his lambs. The Caliph asked the boy if he could
sell one of the lambs to him. The boy replied he can’t do so because the lambs
didn’t belong to him. The Caliph further prodded him by asking him to lie to
his master that a wolf ate the lamb. The boy said he could cheat his master but
could he cheat the Great Master who was listening to both of them? Sayyidina
Umar RA was so impressed that he bought the slave boy and set him free. The
African slave boy was illiterate, he was not taught by scholars nor did he read
books of knowledge but he had Allah consciousness that made him do the right
thing.[16]
The vision of the Quran is to inspire in man this sense of God,
where every member of society is keeper unto another; that the whole mankind is
the “Family of God”. The basic concept that the Quran wants to initiate is the
concept of Unity of God, that there is nothing worthy of worship except God. [17]
Say: “O People of the Book! Come to common terms as between us and
you: that we worship none but God; that we associate no partners with Him; that
we erect not, from among ourselves, lords and patrons other than God. If then they turn back, say ye: "Bear witness that we
(at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's Will).”
Ali Imran, 3:64
Another important vision in the Quran is the unity of man. Man is
not to kill each other but embrace the differences and accept each other as
they are.
“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a
female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other.
Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of
you. And God has full knowledge and is well-acquainted (with all things).
Al-Hujurat,
49:13
If man does his duty as a
vicegerent of Allah protecting his fellow men and women, the animals and the
environment we would not be facing the problems of wars, famine, poverty,
oppression and natural disasters.
“Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the meed) that
the hands of men have earned: that (God) may give them a taste of some of their
deeds: in order that they may turn back (from Evil).”
Al-Rum,
30:41
Our only salvation is to turn back to Allah SWT and perform our duty
as the vicegerent of Allah on this earth and enjoin good and forbid evil.
[8] The Root Causes of the Arab Awakening in 2011By Primoz
Manfreda , Middle East Issues, About.com
[11] Ted Robert Gurr, M.Wood, M. Marshall, Forecasting Instability: Are
Ethnic Wars and Muslim Countries Different? Annual Meeting of the American
Political Science Association, 2005
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