Author: M. Farahi Tojegi
A Concise Overview of the History and Ideologies of Communism (Part 12)
A Rebuttal to the Thoughts and Beliefs of Communism
The beliefs and social system of communism were discussed in previous notes; the social system of Islam will be examined in this study.
The Islamic concept of society is that Islam considers humans to be societies that were originally created to build civilization based on participation and cooperation, not free herds that, according to atheists, were distinguished from animals and created a social system due to need and expediency.
The fundamental difference is whether humans are creatures that are ready for the purpose of creation or are they created in vain and as a result of accident?
Those who deny the existence of a creator have created an alternative theory. According to them, there is no creator, and everything from the world and creatures to humans, was formed by chance and their formation has undergone enormous changes, and this process has required billions of years of time; It began with the formation of vital components and has reached its current form from a single-celled organism. They have not provided any evidence for this claim. On the contrary, the religion of Islam considers the existence of man in the universe to be purposeful, that is, to achieve a specific and valuable mission; therefore, Allah Almighty has distinguished him with reason and the ability to act freely, which the Lord of the universe has called “trust”.
Trust is a set of duties and responsibilities that Allah Almighty, as the regulator of the relations between all beings on earth and around it, has created to maintain the natural system.
The most important system that Allah Almighty has created is the human social system through which He wants to control animal tendencies so that relations between humans are based on familiarity and cooperation for the good, not conflict over interests.
The clear difference between the Islamic social system and the non-religious system in the two forms of capitalism and communism is evident from here.
What Islam proposes regarding social order goes beyond the order that others have stated. From the perspective of Islam, social order should be such that individual rights and freedoms are not harmed under its shadow. On the other hand, social justice is a fundamental principle in Islam. None of the human schools can claim that their solutions for social order led to the implementation of social justice or have been or will be. Society should also provide a platform for individuals to achieve worldly and hereafter happiness. Such a society needs precise laws, and it is certainly beyond the power of humans to formulate such laws. Given their intellectual limitations and limited physical capacities, humans cannot reach and regulate supra-temporal and supra-spatial laws; except through connection to a superhuman source, which is revelation. In fact, Islam also agrees with the view that individuals can only achieve their desires under the shadow of social life. Therefore, humans have accepted social life out of necessity – but with choice. So, in any case, there must be order in society, and establishing this order is not possible without those who defend the implementation of laws and individual and social rights. Therefore, the law needs an administrator, but Islam both presents specific laws and imposes conditions on law enforcers, and in some cases, meeting these conditions is not in the hands of humans.
The following are five characteristics of the Islamic social system:
1. Ease and simplicity
The rulings and behavior of the Islamic religion are arranged in such a way that they are not beyond the ability of man; as the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “I have been sent with an easy and simple religion.” [1]
The social system in Islam is a comprehensive system for the interests of the Muslim individual, and from the time of creation of man in the mother’s womb until death and after death, his rights are protected, and his interests are harmonious and orderly.
This social system encompasses all aspects of life and takes under its shadow all beings that Allah Almighty has created in the universe. In this view, there is a reward for every living being in goodness and it applies to all situations that occur in the life of an individual, family and society. Every situation has its own appropriate ruling, whether it is based on a direct text of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah or according to a general rule of the valid rules of Sharia.
This system has an easy procedure, not a strict one. Examples of this comprehensiveness are many and extensive, such as smiling at your brother, altruism, sacrifice in its full meaning, removing debris from the path, banning backbiting and gossiping, and other abnormalities that have a negative impact on social life.
Undoubtedly, this ease is so that a person can engage in social life without enduring severe pressure and hardship on the one hand, and on the other hand, ascend to the highest level of human development; therefore, the social life system of Islam is far from any kind of strictness; as Allah also says in the Holy Quran: “Allah intends ease for you and does not allow hardship.” [2] “He chose you and did not impose on you in His religion any hardship.” [3]
2. The Divine System in Generalities and Details
In this system (Islam), Allah Almighty has legislated all aspects of goodness for man. Allah is more knowledgeable and His wisdom is higher; So, the One who created humans in the most perfect way has also established a perfect law for them: “الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الإِسْلَامَ دِينًا” [4] Translation: “Today I have perfected your religion for you and completed My favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” In the social system of Islam, divine guidance and provision pertain to all aspects of life, from the individual, family, community, and nation. Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, heard the pain and argument of a believing woman regarding one of her needs, so what will be the needs of the society and nation?! In this social system, the mercy and kindness of Allah Almighty towards His creation is revealed, and in the verses that deal with social rules and customs, etc., the divine blessing on humanity; after the blessing of creation and honor, is completed by guiding man on the path of life.
If humanity is deprived of this blessing, how much will it suffer?! What a great social and psychological misfortune it is if man turns away from the Creator who knows him and is kind to him:
«أَلا يَعْلَمُ مَنْ خَلَقَ وَهُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ» [5] Translation: “Does not He who created know? Although He Himself is the Subtle, the Aware.”
Because people are very dependent on the grace, sustenance, guidance, and divine law; they are neither in need of His sustenance nor His law and guidance. In following His path, salvation in this world and the Hereafter is achieved, and in enjoying His sustenance, worldly pleasures are achieved. This is the divine guidance that explains the purpose of our creation and protects our dignity, which is why the verses of the Quran link the two issues: «وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنْسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ * مَا أُرِيدُ مِنْهُمْ مِنْ رِزْقٍ وَمَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ يُطْعِمُونِ * إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الرَّزَّاقُ ذُو الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِينُ» [6]
Translation: “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me. I do not ask them for any sustenance, nor do I ask them to feed Me. It is Allah Who is the Provider, the Strong, the Sustainer.” «يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ» [7] Translation: “O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous.”
How great is the favor of the Creator in our creation and in the revelation! He did not leave us to ourselves; Rather, He showed us the path of guidance: «فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ مِنِّي هُدًى فَمَنْ تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ» [8] Translation: “So if there comes to you guidance from Me, then whoever follows My guidance, there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.”
Nowadays, people only refer to the inventors and experts of tools, books, and catalogs issued by the original manufacturers in their daily lives. They go to car dealerships and specialists to inquire about car problems, and they go to specialist doctors for illnesses. So when they acknowledge that Allah alone is the Creator, why do they not turn to Him? While He knows what He has created. How they insist on distancing themselves from their Creator and continue to be immersed in chaos and corruption!
Atheists who deny the existence of the Glorious Creator, their existence responds to them, their nature cries out and their intellect, soul and eyes that do not see respond to them, not everything is meant to be seen with the eyes and judged by the sense of sight; rather, there are other senses that we recognize. We recognize everything with its specific sensor, for example, we perceive a pleasant smell through the sense of smell, here is no time to address their false thoughts.
If a sincere and single-hearted lover gives someone a gift, he is proud of it; what a great honor it is when a gift from the generous and merciful Allah reaches our hands! How wicked is the one who prevents it and calls for the laws of the situation and humanity, laws that are sometimes one-sided and do not protect the rights of the inferior against the cunnings!
The divine nature of the social system in Islam brings peace to man in many ways, a peace that comes from trusting in Allah and not being dependent on creation. How beautiful is the peace of hearts before Allah and how terrible is the distance from Him. Confidence lies in seeking of truth and is obtained by following the straight path; a path without doubt and wandering. Truth and justice are in the social system of Islam and under the shadow of divine law, it neither violates the truth nor fails in its details.
Continues…
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[1]. Ibn Hanbal, Musnad Ahmad: 21260.
[2]. Al-Baqarah: 185.
[3]. Al-Hajj: 78.
[4]. Al-Ma’idah: 3.
[5]. Al-Malik: 14.
[6]. Al-Dhariyat: 56-58.
[7]. Al-Baqarah: 21.
[8]. Al-Baqarah: 38.
