Forced or Optional Islam

Home » Articles » General Topics » Forced or Optional Islam

There is no doubt that we live in an orderly organized universe, where every being is assigned a place in a grand scheme. The Milky Way, the stars and all the heavenly bodies are knit together in a fascinating system abiding by unalterable laws without the slightest deviation from their ordained courses. The earth rotates around its orbit at a certain speed at a given distance away from the sun determined by its laws. Likewise, many other earthly beings, from the minute whirling electron to the mighty nebulae, invariably follow their laws. The emergence of each phenomenon and the phases through which it passes and its termination are utterly dependent on its laws set by the Creator.

Due to the fact that the slightest deviation from the ordained course drives them undoubtedly to a total destruction and for the sake of the continuity of this universe, none of these being has been granted the freedom of choice. In addition, they have not been created but as fragments of constellations forming the entire universe innovated for the servitude of one being i.e. man. The wind carries the clouds to one place or another where they rain causing the soil to grow food and in certain areas becomes water reservoirs providing food and beverage particularly indispensable for life on earth. The very fine operation of integrated breathing of man and plants follow the law of nature set by the Creator.

Man, unlike the other creations, has been given the freedom of choice; accordingly he will be held accountable for his deeds. Nonetheless, even in the human life the laws of nature set by the Creator are of paramount importance. Man’s birth and death, strength and growth and weakness are regulated by biological laws set by the Creator. All the organs of his body, from the smallest tissues to the heart and the brain, are biologically controlled by their prescribed laws. If one endeavors to alternate any of these laws e.g. make the heart do the kidney’s job or vice versa, make the stomach do the liver’s job or vise versa or breathe in carbon dioxide, man’s life will be terminated. In short, these prescribed laws represent the code of life set by the Creator to whom all beings portray the forced submission. There is another type of submission; namely the positive submission, which is applicable in the area of free choice. This involves what man does and what he refrains wherefrom.

If man’s behavior is in conformity with the divine revelation, then he, while accomplishing the state of Islam, will be rewarded. Islam, the religion uniquely not named after its founder or after the community or nation in which it has been born, means to submit your will to the will of your Creator i.e. abiding by His Commands and abstaining from His Prohibitions represented in the divine code. In fact, Islam is an attributive title. Anyone who possesses this attribute, apart from his race and phonotypical traits, is categorically described as a Muslim. The sun and the moon, likewise all other components of the universe from the tiniest specks of dust to the magnificent galaxies of heaven, submit themselves to the powerful all-pervasive laws set by the Creator. Hence, they are Muslims. When man holds fast to the divine revelation he will attain his euphoria. Submission to the Creator does not connote suppression of desires and lusts nor does it involve giving free rein to desires. To the contrary, it aims at a well balanced life where desires and lusts can be expressed in an organized way where spirituality is observed.

That unique equilibrium grants man his euphoria in this life and the life to come. Again when one submits his will to the Will of his Creator occurs the harmony between the forced Islam, i.e. submission to the biological laws, and the positive Islam i.e. behavior in conformity to the divine revelation, resulting in a total relaxation and relief. In other words, when the biological components of tongue are fine and the tongue speaks the truth a combination of material and spiritual rest, contributing to the well-being of the person, will be attained. On the other hand, if the tongue is healthy but indulges in lies and sayings of evil, it will be exhausted since there will be a counter tension between the forced submission and the positive submission. This exhaustiveness will in turn negatively affect the entire body. The situation can be critically complicated as one cannot have corrupted tongue and sound hand. All organs of man’s body are to be of one direction or another, so it is either a total rest or a total disturbance. In spite of this, man has the right to make his choice. Allah says: “Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error: whoever rejects Tagut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy Hand-hold that never breaks and Allah hears and knows all things.”(Trans. 2:256)

Islam stands on two organically integrated solid foundations; practice and belief. Among the fundamental intellectual topics, the existence of God enjoys a paramount importance. Some confirm and others deny. Undoubtedly, one of the major factors of the emergence of a phalanx of deniers of God is the intellectual prevention and domination of some followers of certain religions. The truth stands out clear from error. Since the earliest prehistoric eras, the concept of God has been a part of the texture of human society. In addition, the term God is very ancient and exists in all languages. It is a generally admitted fact that people will not consensually agree on error. Man has, in his disposition, the capacity to believe in God.

The concept of the Unity of God is asserted by the fact that God is not a body. A body is a compound of series of various elements, the union of whose is essential to form the existence of body. For compounding or division pertain to beings of beginning and end, whereas God is Eternal and Ever-lasting. A compound being is susceptible to dismantling and assembling. Glory be to God, hence it is not feasible to conceive the plurality of God. This Muslim belief has a profound impact on Muslims’’ lives. The firm belief of the Oneness of Allah is interpreted in every aspect of the Muslim life. If Allah is one then one’s lifestyle should be molded in a way that attains His pleasure. Things that one does or refrain therefrom should be a result of Theo-centered life. Although the Muslim commonly used term to refer to God is Allah, Muslims are not hesitant to use the term God. Nevertheless, Muslims prefer to use the term Allah since it reflects certain Muslim connotations. According to English linguistics, the plural form of the word god can be formed by adding “s”. So it will become gods. To the contrary, the Muslim word Allah is a unique word in the sense that it is a singular that neither dual nor plural can be made of. It cannot refer to more than one. The term god is a masculine formula that can be changed into feminine form by adding “dess”so it will become goddess which makes another difference between the two terms. The third major difference is that the term God is written in capital “G” when it refers to what is believed to be true God, whereas it is written in small “g” to what is believed to be untrue god. The term Allah can only be used to refer to the true God. Muslims believe in all the messengers of God without and discrimination. Every nation had a Warner or a messenger from God. These messengers were great teachers of good. They were chosen by God to teach mankind and deliver His message.

The Qur’an mentions the names of twenty five of them. With the Exception of Prophet Muhammad, all the prophets were national or local prophets. Nevertheless, all their messages were basically the same. Without any exceptions, Muslims believe all the prophets were mortal human beings endowed with divine revelation and appointed by God to perform certain task. Among them Muhammad stands as the seal of the prophets and the crowning glory of the foundation of Prophethood. Nevertheless, all the prophets are categorically described as the chosen people by God, who have set the highest example in all aspects of their lives. On the basis of the above-mentioned, Muslims believe in all the revealed scriptures. God revealed His divine messages to the messengers to convey them to their respective peoples.

In the Qur’an reference is made to the Books of Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus. Nevertheless, the Qur’an is perceived by Muslims as the final step in the divine initiative to guide people to the right path. Hence, its message is timeless and universal. The Muslim Holy Scripture is called the Qur’an, an Arabic form of the infinitive derived from Qaraâ’a, which means to read. Not only do Muslims read the Qur’an for drawing guidance in all aspects of their life, but they also recite it for other purposes such as obtaining rewards from Allah and gaining blessings that emanates from uttering the divine word. The Muslim Holy Scripture is also called The Book as it has been committed to writing since the time of its revelation. The Qur’an was revealed at intervals over a period of 23 years. Whenever any part of it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad P.U.H. – he would go out and recite it so the ten Quranic scribes would write it and some of the companions would learn it by heart. The fact that these two descriptions have come to be treated as names of the divine Book refers to its rightful treatment, which requires that it be kept and preserved in two places instead of one: people’s memory and pages of a book.

This intensive care makes it impossible for an error to find its way to the Qur’an. Muslims believe in the angels of God, who are pure spiritual and splendid beings whose nature requires no food, drink or sleep. Neither have they physical nor material desires. There are many of them and each of them is charged with certain duty. Muslims believe in the Last Day. It is the Day when every person will be held accountable for their deeds. It is the Day of justice. It is the Day of Reckoning on the basis of individual accountability. On such Day the good-doers will be generously rewarded and the evil-doers will have to encounter their destiny. In the Hereafter it is either hell or paradise. God is so merciful, yet one should get him entitled to God’s mercy. It is important to correctly understand the concept of God’s Mercy, for some who are mistaken in this issue rely completely upon the hope that God will forgive their sins without even intending to refrain from evil deeds. Await the fruits of Paradise, by planting the seeds for Hell-Fire; and to seek the abode of the obedient ones, by doing acts of disobedience; and to expect a reward, without doing any worthy action; and to hope in God’s mercy after overstepping the bounds.” “You hope for salvation but do not tread its path. A ship never sails upon dry land Prayer constitutes one of the five pillars of Islam the negligence of which is grave offense. It is one of the foremost means through which man practically interprets his submission to God and aspires to the loftiest goal. It is essentially important to actualize man’s aspiration in a mature course of development. The Muslim prayer is a link between man and God performed five times on a daily basis either in a mosque or elsewhere and either congregationally or individually.

In their prayers, Muslims believe they talk to God via their supplications and God talks to them via their Quranic recitations. Through prayer, Muslims attain immeasurable benefits and blessings beyond imagination. It strengthens man’s faith and enlivens it. It purifies the heart, cultivates the conscience and comforts the soul. It fosters man’s good inclinations and suppresses his evil desires. It helps to attain spiritual elevation and constantly reminds of God. It constitutes equality and unity and teaches discipline and determination. Muslims offer their prayers at dawn, noon, afternoon, after sunset and at night. The timing of the Muslim prayer is significantly important. It encompasses man’s day so that he would be in full contact with, and fully conscious of, his Creator throughout all his day. Out of the paramount importance of prayer in Islam, it is essentially necessary to make ablution prior to establishing prayer. Ablution involves washing certain parts of the body i.e. hands mouth, nose, face, head, ears and feet. Upon the completion of ablution one can prayer and as long as his ablution is valid one can offer mare than a prayer whether in the same time or different times.

Another pillar of Islam is fasting during the month of Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. It involves refraining from food and drink from dawn until sunset. Muslims practice sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan and it becomes incumbent on Muslims from the age of puberty. Nevertheless, Muslims who cannot afford it e.g. aged people, pregnant ladies and others are exempted therefrom. Families get up early for suhoor, a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as iftar. Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drinks or milk that provide a quick energy boost. Throughout the Muslim world and here in Ireland Muslims have public Iftar. Fasting serves many purposes. Although fasting is very beneficial to health, it is regarded principally as a method of self-purification particularly as it is accompanied by sincere endeavors of spiritual elevation. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. It is an entire change of one’s habits. This change enables to change. In this blessed month of Ramadan, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion. By separating oneself off from worldly comfort a fasting person gains true sympathy with the poor and needy. Fasting in Ramadan is described as a school of morals.

Another remarkable pillar of Islam is Zakah or alms-giving. The literal meaning of Zakah is purity, but technically it designates the annual amount in kind or coin which a Muslim with means distributes among the rightful beneficiaries. Nevertheless, the spiritual meaning of Zakat is much deeper and lively than that. It is a humanitarian and sociological value. When Zakah is due, 2.5% percent, which no longer the rich have any legal or moral possession of, it is taken from the rich and given to the rightful beneficiaries. In fact both the givers and the takers benefit therefrom; it purifies the hearts of the rich from selfishness and greed and in return it purifies the hearts of the poor from envy, jealousy and hatred. In the meantime it bridges the gab between the various strata of society and helps to accomplish economical justice. It is a sound illustration that though Islam does not hinder private enterprise or condemn private possession, it does not tolerate selfish and greedy capitalism.

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him- reiterated this meaning in a hadith by Ibn “Umar in which he peace be upon him- said: “Islam has been built upon five pillars: Testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger, establishing Salah, paying Zakat, Fasting Ramadan, and performing hajj to the House for those who can make their way thereto. “The history of hajj dates back to the time of the coming of the first man, Adam, to the earth. Adam and Eve were told to leave paradise and descend to the earth, whereupon, they were commanded, to establish a shrine similar to the one in the heaven. The Shrine in the heaven is known as Al-Bait-ul-Maâ’mour around which the angels circumambulate and worship Allah. The site of the first holy shrine on earth was chosen to be in Mecca and Adam, in cooperation with angel Gabriel, erected it, the Kaâ’ba. Upon the culmination of the process of building, angel Gabriel taught Adam the ceremonies of hajj. Hajj stresses the Islamic values. First: Islam lays great stress on the paramount importance of the legally earned provision and strictly prohibits all types of illegal earnings. Allah said: “And eat not up your property among yourselves for vanity.”(Tran.) This meaning has been reiterated by a hadith in which the prophet P.U.H.- mentioned the case of a man who, having journeyed far, is disheveled and dusty and who spreads out his hands to the heaven saying: “O Lord! O Lord!" while his food is unlawful and his drink is unlawful and his clothing is unlawful and he is nourished unlawfully, so how can his supplication be answered.”

From an Islamic point of view, acceptance of worship is dependent on legal provision. In a unique way, Prophet Muhammad portrayed this meaning in a hadith in which he stated that when a pilgrim whose provision is illegally earned makes his Talbiah, it will be said to him: “Your call is not answered and you are a wretched person. Your provision has been illegally earned and your hajj is not accepted and will not be rewarded. “To the contrary, for the pilgrim whose provision is legally earned, it will be said: “Your call is answered and you are a happy person. Your hajj is accepted. “Second: Righteousness and performance of the acts of worship do not mean non- observance of the rule of cause and effect. For instance, a righteous Muslim is supposed to work to earn his livelihood. Thus we will diminish unemployment and there will be no people living on the expenses of others. Prophet Muhammad illustrated this meaning when he entered the mosque and saw a man that he P.U.H.- frequently saw in the mosque. So he P.U.H.- asked: “Who covers his financial needs. “The Companions said: “His brother. “The prophet P.U.H.- said: “His brother is a better worshipper. “The prophet P.U.H.- stressed this meaning in another hadith in which he said: “That any of you would go collect wood is better than begging people whether they give or withhold.”

On Friday, which is the best of the Muslim weekdays, Muslims are exhorted to work. Allah said: “And when the prayer is finished, then may ye disperse through the land and seek of the bounty of Allah. “In another place in the context of hajj, Allah said: “It is no crime in you if you seek of the bounty of your Lord (during pilgrimage).”Thirdly equality: The prophet P.U.H.- explained that people are equal like the teeth of a comb. This meaning was reiterated in many hadith. Nonetheless, the various Muslim acts of worship stress this meaning. The Muslim Salah reflects equality. Thus all people stand in Salah in straight lines. In hajj Islam strikes the highest practical example of equality when all the pilgrims wear the same Ihram white garb and set out in congregations chanting the same formula: “O Allah! Here Iâ’m in response to Your call. “They are dressed in the same garments, the Ihram garb. For men, it is made of two white sheets; Izar is to be wrapped upon the lower part of the body and Ridaâ’ is to be wrapped on the upper part of the body. The Izar and Ridaâ’ are for all, the rich and the poor, the rulers and the subjects. This garb serves also as a reminder of death when man will be shrouded when no avail of wealth or offspring but the virtuous deeds. Amidst this equality given rights granted to certain people do not fade away. For instance, the prophet P.U.H.- said: “It is not from my community the person who does not show mercy to the children and portray respect to the elderly people and recognize the rights of the scholars.”

The Qur’an teaches us how to address the prophet. Allah said: “Deem not the summon of the messenger among yourselves like the summon of one of you to another. “Muslim Caliphs set the highest example in equality. During his era, occurred the famine. However, he never favored himself with certain food or drink. He ate the same type of food the lay people ate. Whenever he had suffered hunger or a stomachache resulting from hunger, he would say to his stomach: “How can I feed you when others are hungry. Whether you rumble or not I will not feed you with other than that. “Umar did not live in a palace. A Roman man, when seeing “Umar sleeping unattended and unguarded, said: “You have ruled with justice so you enjoyed safety and so you slept. “Fourth the Continuity of the divine revelation and the continuous positive communication between the Muslim predecessors and followers: All the divine revelations have one and the same aim. Hence the followers recognize the place of the predecessors and make prayers for them. “And those who came after them say: “Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who came before us into the faith.” And in another place Allah said: “Those were (the prophets) who received Allah’s guidance. Follow the guidance they received.” Upon completing the journey of hajj, the pilgrims return home as clean from their sins as the day their mothers gave birth to them. This is very significant as they, upon attaining such forgiveness, become eager to maintain this purity and diminish evil.

Parent page: General Topics