Author: Mohajer Azizi
Analysis and Criticism of Modernism in the Light of Islam (Part 10)
B: Progressivism in Islam
Islam is a complete religion that is in harmony with human nature. The All-Wise Allah sent this religion to guide mankind and free them from error. Therefore, Islam leads both the individual and society towards perfection and true growth, and brings a noble, worthy, and sustainable civilization to mankind.
Islam not only does not oppose human progress and excellence; rather, it has laid the foundation for great civilizations and can play the role of guidance alongside the currents of material progress. Islam has the ability in every era to correct the path of civilizations and lead them towards justice, spirituality, and salvation.
The religion of Islam has provided mankind with a comprehensive and eternal set of commands that guarantee their happiness in this world and the hereafter. The laws of Sharia are not limited to a specific time or place; rather, they are and will be effective for the growth, reform, and prosperity of human society until the Day of Judgment.
However, in our time, voices are heard from modernists and some Western thinkers who claim that Islam is incapable of progress and cannot provide an effective solution on the path of human development and advancement. They have set aside religion and consider progress to be solely dependent on science, reason, and human skills.
But this view is incorrect; because Islam is an innate religion and is completely in harmony with human inner motivations for growth and advancement. It is not only in line with human progress; it also considers it necessary, desirable, and valuable and constantly calls for it. From the moment the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was inspired to be a prophet and the light of Islam began to shine in the world, the foundation of a great and rapid civilization was also laid. A civilization that was formed with science, morality, justice, and conscious action.
The Holy Quran, this divine book, is not only a guide to salvation in the hereafter; Rather, it also shows the path of right living, the formation of civilization and the achievement of progress. The Quran invites us to strive, dynamism and movement in healthy and beneficial fields, where it says: “وَ أَن لَیْسَ لِلْإِنسَانِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَى” Translation: “And there is no benefit for man except what he strives for.” [1] This verse calls us to try and strive and clearly states that no progress will be achieved without movement, effort and struggle.
Our Holy Book also teaches us to always say this prayer: “رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ” Translation: “O Allah! Give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire.”
The meaning of the good things of the Hereafter is the ease of reckoning, being under the shade of Allah’s Throne, drinking from the Pool of Kauthar, easily crossing the Bridge of Sirat, and finally, entering Paradise by Allah’s mercy; but the good things of this world are the success in obtaining scientific, faith, educational, military, political, cultural, artistic, industrial, and technological forces and facilities. This verse invites us to move in various material and spiritual fields and motivates us to progress.
In another verse, Allah states an important duty for humans: “هُوَ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ الْأَرْضِ وَاسْتَعْمَرَكُمْ فِيهَا” Translation: “He created you from the earth and made you dwell therein.” [2]
Although this verse was revealed regarding the people of Thamud, the concept of settling the earth is a general duty for all humans, from the time of Prophet Adam to the present day. That is, humans must settle the earth, use its resources wisely, and strive to build civilization.
The word «واستعمر» is derived from the root «عَمَرَ» )meaning to settle) and means that Allah has asked humans to settle the earth. This settlement includes agriculture, engineering, construction, industry, trade, natural resources, the environment, and even the natural and human sciences.
According to verse 30 of Surah Al-Baqarah: “إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً” Translation: “Indeed, I will place on earth a successor” it can be said that fulfilling this responsibility requires knowledge, experience, knowledge of nature, and planning. Therefore, empirical and worldly sciences are important tools for realizing the divine caliphate on earth.
Those who completely abandon the world and do not participate in building society are unaware of the main goals of religion and cannot be considered aware and complete Muslims; rather, such people cause others to be pessimistic about Islam; while the enemies always try to present Islam as an obstacle to progress and to portray Muslims as backward.
If we look at the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his companions, we see that they never left the world. For example, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique, Hazrat Uthman Zul-Nurain, Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Awf and many other companions were traders. Some were active in the leather trade, some in the wood trade, and some in the sale of fabrics and goods; even their trade caravans made it possible for the message of Islam to reach the East and West of the world.
We will continue to examine the progress and achievements of Muslims in various fields:
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Progress and Achievements of Muslims in the Political Field
Politics is one of the most important fields of governance and civilization. Islam has introduced to humanity a political system that has distinguished and unique features by presenting divine and exalting programs and laws; a system that clearly demonstrates the superiority of Islamic civilization compared to other civilizations.
For example, let’s look at this superiority from the perspective of Western scholars. Gustave Le Bon, a French thinker, writes about the political civilization of Islam:
“The political and civilizational impact of Islam is truly amazing. During the era of ignorance, Arabia consisted of only a few small provinces and scattered tribes that were constantly engaged in civil wars and plundering each other; But in less than a century after the advent of the Prophet of Islam, the territory of this religion expanded from the Indus to Andalusia, and in all these regions, astonishing progress was made in all dimensions. The main reason for this growth was that Islamic beliefs were completely in harmony with the laws and human nature. These beliefs reformed public morality and spread the spirit of justice, benevolence and religious tolerance among the people. [3]
Islam established a political system that had no equal in the past and that is not found in human societies today; a policy that originates from the Quran and Sunnah and is based on justice, unity, consultation, transparency and the prevention of oppression and tyranny.
In this system, the ruler is obliged to act in accordance with the Sharia, and the people must obey him as long as he acts within this framework. This system opposes division and advocates solidarity and unity of the Islamic society.
After the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him) the Rightly Guided Caliphs continued this political system and expanded the global politics of Islam. During their caliphate, Islam went beyond the borders of the Arabian Peninsula and reached distant lands. By their political acumen, Muslims were able to spread the Islamic law to vast parts of the three continents of that time and, along with that, expand their international relations based on wisdom, justice and the interests of the Islamic Ummah. [4]
The political realm of Islam expanded unprecedentedly during the caliphate of Hazrat Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) and its scope encompassed the three famous continents of that time. In this regard, Gustave Le Bon, a French historian, writes:
“Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) sailed the Mediterranean Sea with a fleet of one thousand two hundred warships; after conquering all the islands, they advanced to the island of Sicily and even besieged Constantinople. On the other hand, in the east, they crossed the Jihun River and raised the banner of Islam as far as Samarkand.” [5]
During the caliphate of Walid ibn Abdul Malik, the glorious banner of Islam also flew in southern Europe and advanced deep into the land of France. In the year 92 AH, Tariq ibn Ziyad, the valiant commander of the army of Islam, crossed the Strait of Gibraltar with a huge army and entered Andalusia; a land that today includes Spain and Portugal.
When the mujahedeen disembarked, Tariq ibn Ziyad set fire to all the ships so that there was no way to return and the soldiers, with firm faith and unwavering determination, would think only of victory. They fought, won, and turned Andalusia into a bastion of civilization and a center of Islamic prosperity.
Muslims ruled Andalusia for nearly eight centuries (781 years), and during this time they established a great and brilliant civilization that had a profound impact on Europe in various fields of science, culture, art and architecture, and marked the beginning of the scientific and cultural movement known as the “Renaissance” in the West.
Continues…
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References:
- Al-Najm: Verse 39.
- Hud: Verse 61.
- Islamic and Arab Civilization, p. 144.
- Islamic Civilization, p. 93.
- History of Islamic and Arab Civilization, p. 167.
