ISLAMS RESPONSE TO CONTEMPORARY ISSUES

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ISLAMS RESPONSE TO CONTEMPORARY ISSUES

• Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad
• Khalifa-tul-Masih IV
• RehmAllah talla
• Prepared by Dr Shakeel Ahmad
• National Tabligh Team, UK

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ISLAMS RESPONSE TO CONTEMPORARY ISSUES

• Chapter wise educational seminars
• 1. Inter-religious peace
• 2. Social peace
• 3. Economic peace
• 4. Political peace
• 5. Individual peace

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Seminar 2 SOCIAL PEACE
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Background

• Contemporary Social Order
• - strong urge to shun religious obligation
• - increasing concern for growing lack of social
  order
• Religion in name only
• - water water every where, not a drop to drink
  
• - more aware of pollution in physical
  environment than in spiritual/moral environment
• Leads to loss of respect for moral heritage
• Void in the collective subconscious
• Urge for enquiry for a new code
• Search can go either way
• - Some maybe succeeding
• - Mass are experimenting with dangerous trends
• Not just a current problem
• - Many societies in past have been wiped out for
  same reasons

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• Do we need a social code of conduct?

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Need for a Code - 1

• Vanity of materialistic society
• 5721 Be aware that worldly life is just a
  shallow fulfilment of your desires and can make
  one lose the higher goals the worldly glitters,
  pride, race for riches and progeny, is all like
  the rain that initiates vegetation, rejoicing the
  tiller for a while, but which then dries up,
  vegetation turning yellow, then becoming
  worthless, ultimately agony for the tiller. And
  there is forgiveness from Allah (if you repent)
  and life of this world is nothing but temporary
  enjoyment of delusive things.
• Worldly life
• - lived for material gains, begins to feel void
• - a mirage
• - similarly, societies that live only for
  material pursuits
• 2440 For those who disbelieve, their deeds are
  like a mirage in flat plain, a thirsty one thinks
  it to be water until he comes to it, then finds
  it is nothing, and finds Allah to be there, Who
  then pays him his account fully. Allah is very
  able in justice.

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Need for a Code -2

• A code of social behaviour can help
• Many religions, incl Islam, teach about life
  after death
• If life here hereafter are a continuum effect
  of social code on our soul can affect afterlife
• Therefore
• - need to observe a social code with positive
  effects on society and on the soul
• - reject one with negative effects

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Two Climates of Social Order - 1

• According to Holy Quran
• Type 1
• - without due regard to social effects
• - based on short term gains
• - thus allowing development of evil
• Type 2
• - based on concerns for betterment of society
• - with willing sacrifice of individual short
  term gains
• - in which moral/spiritual growth is encouraged,
  thus also inhibiting growth of evil

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Two Climates of Social Order - 2

• Type 1
• Instant gratification
• Individual freedom
• To consider only the span of life on earth
• Answerable only to society
• Answerable only for what is visible detectable

• Type 2
• Considerate of social benefit
• Conducive to growth of society
• To also consider effect on life hereafter
• Answerable ultimately to God, The Master
• Answerable also for intentions, thoughts, evil
  acts carried out subtly

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Two Climates of Social Order - 3

• Type 1
• Only those crimes are punishable that are
  established beyond reasonable doubt -
  superficial judicial system.
• Encourages clever planning to avoid legal
  challenge
• Crime loses its link with moral code

• Type 2
• Also punishable are actions of vested interest
  immoral intention.
• Unavoidable challenge of accountability
• Criminal intention closely linked with moral code

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Two Climates of Social Order - 4

• Type 1
• Law is word of a despot or a govt which isnt
  accepted by all
• Submission to law only out of necessity
• If benefit/pleasure can be gained by breaking
  law and avoiding detection, why not!

• Type 2
• Law is given by The Master
• Submission to law out of moral discipline
• No room for such attitude

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Importance of Accountability

• Accountability and reward is natures way of
  development
• -in early evolution of life
• -in development of children as they learn and
  grow
• - in our physical development eg athletes
• -inconceivable that we are left without this
  mechanism to govern our moral/spiritual
  development
• Failure to accept life after death is core to
  this difference
• 2338 (disbelievers say) there is no life other
  than this life, we live here we shall die here
  and we shall be not raised again
• 1753 they say, when we shall have become bones
  and dust, shall we be raised again into a new
  creation?
• Four characters of worldly society in Quran
• 7443-7 what has brought you into fire of hell?
  They will say, we were not of those who
  worshipped God, we did not feed the poor, we
  indulged in vain talk with those who indulge
  themselves and we denied the Day of Judgement

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So What Is Healthy Social Climate?

• Unhealthy natural desires are disciplined
• New tastes are developed which promote growth of
  individual/society
• Healthy v non-healthy
• - Peace contentment v restlessness
  dissatisfaction
• Matthew 716-18 (Jesus said) by their fruits you
  will recognise themlikewise every good tree
  bears fine fruit but every rotten tree bears
  worthless fruit.
• Our modern societies
• - recognise the signs of being unhealthy
• - do not recognise the cause
• Islam
• - uproot the evil tree that bears the unhealthy
  fruit
• 1427 case of an evil word is like a weak tree
  which has been uprooted from earth and has no
  validity or dignity
• - replace with a healthy tree that will bear a
  healthy fruit
• 1425-26 do you not see how Allah sets forth the
  example of a pure word? It is like a good tree
  whose root is firm and whose branches reach the
  sky. It succeeds bears fruit regularly

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• Some fundamental Islamic social injunctions are
  described - -
• Imagine their effect on society

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Some Fundamental Islamic Social Injunctions - 1

• Absolute Justice, Kindness Kinship
• 1691 verily Allah instructs to carry out
  justice and kindness (above justice ie to give
  more than their dues) and to serve humanity with
  beneficence like they are your kin
• Any wrong, by universal standards, is forbidden
• 1691 Allah prohibits display of evil, and all
  that is considered wrong (by human conscience)
  and all that leads to rebellion and chaos. He
  admonishes so you realise.
• Emphasises loyalty, integrity, faithfulness
  peace
• Discourages unrestrained permissiveness
  prevents social chaos due to pleasure seeking
  behaviour

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Some Fundamental Islamic Social Injunctions - 2

• Peoples behaviour should be in accordance with
• - nature ie act of God
• - revealed scripture ie word of God
• - (recognition and acceptance of social
  responsibility)
• Drivers of behaviour should not be
• - pleasure
• - market forces
• - (selfish motive and escape from social
  responsibility)

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Social moral code is a social responsibility

• The developed parts of the world clean their
  streets better than the underdeveloped world, but
  only of physical litter
• Islam holds society collectively responsible
• 3105 let there be among you a group who always
  invite to goodness enjoin equity dissuade
  from evil. It is such societies that shall
  prosper
• - family elders to educate children
• - war against evil, Jehad, not thru sword or
  restrictive legislation - but thru education,
  wise counsel admonishment
• - Government can play their role but that alone
  is not enough
• Prophet Mohammad pbuh Indeed by Allah, you must
  enjoin good forbid evil. Seize the hand of
  wrong-doer persuade him to act justly,
  establish him firmly on the right, else Allah
  will involve hearts of some of you with the
  hearts of others will curse you like He cursed
  others
• Prophet Mohammad pbuh serious sign of decline
  of society is that people lose courage to show
  displeasure at misconduct

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Trust

• Building of trust is crucial
• Keeping promises
• 239-12 And those who are watchful of their
  trusts and their covenants, and those who are
  strict in observance of their prayers, these are
  the heirs, who will inherit paradise. They will
  abide therein forever.
• 4136 O ye who believe, be strict in observing
  justice, be witnesses for Allah, even though it
  be against yourself or your parents or your
  kindred. Whether you bear witness against rich or
  poor, Allah is regardful of them both. Hence
  follow not low desires so you are able to act
  equitably. If you hide or evade the truth, then
  be assured that Allah is well aware of what you
  do.

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Discouragement of Vain Pursuits

• Entertainment is neither bad nor prohibited
• If an objective in itself then Laghav
• 232-4 successful indeed are the pious, who are
  humble in their prayers, and who shun all that is
  vain
• Eg TV-good, but can make people idle, become
  neglectful of education, ignore family
  responsibility, desensitised to immorality, learn
  crime, create an artificial expectation in
  their minds
• Philosophy of turning away from all comforts -
  nirvana - rejected.
• The author more like death than peace
• Islamic teaching - disciplining of desires
• 20132 And do not be tempted, by what we have
  temporarily bestowed on some to enjoy as
  splendour of this world, so we try them thereby.
  Blessed provisions of thy Lord are better more
  lasting.
• 4913 O ye who believe, avoid much suspicion,
  for suspicion in some cases is a sin. And do not
  envy one another, nor back-bite about others.
  Would any of you like to eat flesh of his dead
  brother? Certainly you would loathe it. And fear
  Allah, surely Allah is very compassionate and
  very merciful.

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Prohibition of Drinking Gambling

• Drinking gambling are institutionalised
• 592 Satan desires only to create enmity and
  hatred amongst you by means of wine and game of
  chance, and to keep you back from remembrance of
  Allah. So will you keep back?
• Problems of all ages all parts of the world
• - Majority of gamblers lose
• - Money changes hands without turning the wheel
  of economy
• - Both effect not only the individual but the
  society
• - Effect on the family
• - Quickly the youth get involved
• - Crime is encouraged
• Islam creates a very opposite atmosphere
• - to ponder over Gods way and social
  responsibility
• - facilitates development of a taste for
  goodness
• - once pleasure of Gods way is experienced,
  worldly pleasures seem too shallow
• - such society isn't devoid of pleasure, only
  change in terms of what is pleasurable

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Racism - 1

• Class prejudice of any kind is condemned.
• - nationalism, imperialism, tribalism, religious
  arrogance, ethnic divide, accent!
• Based on injustice
• Author Greatest danger to peace
• 4912 O ye who believe, let not one people
  deride another people, lest they maybe better
  than them, nor let a group of women deride
  another group, lest they be better than them. Do
  not defame your people, nor call by distorted
  names. It is bad malpractice of the bygone days
  after having believed, those who repent not are
  the wrong-doers.
• 4914 We have created you from a male a
  female, We have made you into tribes subtribes
  for the sake of easy recognition. verily the most
  honourable among you in the sight of Allah is one
  who is most righteous among you. Surely Allah is
  all knowing, all aware.

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Racism - 2

• Islam advocates bringing mankind together thru
  peaceful means
• 2436 Allah is the light of the heavens the
  earth. His light is as if there is a lamp in a
  niche, lamp is inside a crystal globe, globe is
  like a glittering star. Lamp is lit with oil from
  a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the East nor
  of the West. The oil would glow though no fire
  would touch it. Light upon light! Allah guides to
  His light whomsoever He pleases Allah knows all
  things fully well
• 2136 (Proph Mohammad pbuh is introduced as)
  mercy for the whole world whole of mankind
• Proph Mohammad pbuh All of you are equal. All,
  whatever nation or tribe you may belong to
  whatever station in life you may hold. No one has
  any superiority to claim over another. An Arab
  possesses no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a
  non-Arab over an Arab. A white man is no way
  superior to a black man, nor a black to a white
  man, but only to the extent he discharges his
  duty to God and mankind, the most honorable among
  you are those who are the most righteous.

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Sanctity of Social Relations

• Marriage objects of peace comfort (3022),
  procreation(2224), protection from vice and
  opportunity for moral/spiritual development
  (2188), widening of circle of relations (42)
• Segregation of sexes (in recreational activity)
• - not a restriction
• - behaviour dress code which applies to both
  genders
• - preservation of sanctity of family
• - part of social code that helps divert social
  energies to constructive purposes
• - prevention of misery from insincerity
  exploitation
• - prevention of sexuality driven crime
• Chastity in love
• - desire to love and be loved - natural
• - extended beyond physical, love to facilitate
  growth in the loved one
• - strengthens families, neighbourhoods,
  friendships
• Permissiveness / struggle for female rights -
  not really a modern issue

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Equal Rights for Women - 1

• Thru Divinely revealed moral code and not a
  gradual process of social reform
• Naturally occurring constitutional variation in
  genders is not to be undermined for sake of
  literal equality
• Equal opportunity for spiritual growth
• 3336 Surely men who submit to God women who
  submit to God, believing men believing women,
  obedient men obedient women, truthful men
  truthful women, steadfast men steadfast women,
  humble men humble women, men who give alms
  women who give alms, men who fast women who
  fast, men who guard their chastity women who
  guard their chastity and men who remember Allah a
  lot women who remember, Allah has prepared for
  them forgiveness and a great reward
• 1698 whoso acts righteously whether male or
  female and is a believer, We will surely grant
  them a pure life and bestow Our reward according
  to their acts.
• Equal share in affairs of life
• 2229 and women have rights similar to men
• 433 and envy not that whereby Allah has made
  some of you excel others. Men have a share of
  what they earn and women have a share of what
  they earn. Ask for Allahs blessings. Surely
  Allah is all knowing.

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Equal Rights for Women - 2

• Education
• Women as well as men encouraged strongly, even
  against odds
• Independent identity decision making right,
  witness
• Security thru marriage, prevention from
  exploitation thru purdah
• Right to marry with choice right to divorce
• 436 if you fear a breach between them then
  appoint an arbiter from his folk and an arbiter
  from her folk. If they desire reconciliation,
  Allah will effect it between them. Allah is
  All-Knowing
• Inheritance
• 48 for men there is share from what parents and
  near relations leave, and for women there is a
  share
• As mother wife - very special privileges
• - strengthens family ties
• Proph Mohammad pbuh best of you are those who
  behave best towards their wives

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Polygamy

• Not a generality - situation specific helps
  preserve social integrity of society -
  localised disturbance of nos is balanced thru
  polygamy - where practiced, doesnt disturb the
  proportion, MW-11
• Conditions not pleasure seeking, becomes issue
  of taking responsibility v irresponsibility,
  fairness to all wives
• 44 If you apprehend you will not be fair to
  orphans then marry of other women, 2, 3 or 4 but
  if you apprehend that you will not deal justly
  between them, then marry only onethis is the
  best way for you to obviate injustice
• Benefits
• - Help preserve womens rights
• - Security for widows, handicapped women,
  orphans
• - Avoids grave risk to peace of society thru
  breach of marital sanctity
• If not
• women lose sense of security, men live in guilt,
  families gets destroyed
• reduces inhibition of crime in stealth amongst
  society
• concept of love and loyalty get eroded from
  society, leaving infatuations which are only
  transient
• eg post ww2 Germany, lately Iran

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Care of Aged

• Natural expression of human kinship
• - innate ability of elderly mother to continue
  to care and look after
• Responsibility of children to look after parents
  when old
• 1724-5 your Lord has commanded worship none
  but Him, show kindness to your parents. If one
  or both attain old age with thee, never express
  disgust nor reproach them, but address them with
  excellent speech. Lower towards them wings of
  humility, out of tenderness. And say my Lord,
  have mercy on them, as they nourished me when I
  was a little child.
• State cannot provide the affection and
  contentment
• Islamic injunction removes responsibility from
  the state to provide for elderly, except in
  exceptional circumstances

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Future Generation

• Responsibility of parents towards their children
• - their conduct behaviour
• 5919 O ye who believe, fear Allah and let
  every soul look to what it sends for tomorrow
• Proph Mohammad pbuh Treat you children with
  kindness, always.
• Unique teaching to achieve best relation with
  children it is necessary to have best relation
  between parents
• 435 qawwamun ie guardians - heavy
  responsibility on father to create a conducive
  atmosphere at home
• Proph Mohammad pbuh (Abu Hurraira) Best of the
  believer is the one whose behaviour is best, and
  best of you are those who behave best towards
  their wives
• Pray for the best behaviour
• 2575 and those who say Our Lord, grant us of
  our wives children the delight of our eyes and
  make us a model for the righteous

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Some other Islamic Injunctions

• GOOD BEHAVIOUR
• Cleanliness
• Controlling anger
• Cooperation
• Courage
• Doing wilful good
• Excelling in doing good
• Feeding the hungry
• Forgiveness
• Giving true evidence
• Good treatment of employees
• Good treatment of neighbours
• Good treatment of relatives
• Gratefulness
• Humility
• Making peace between people
• Patience
• Perseverance
• Purity

• BAD BEHAVIOUR
• Arrogance
• Backbiting
• Boasting
• Defamation
• Derision
• Despair
• Dishonesty
• Envy
• Extravagance
• Following what one has no knowledge of
• Haughtiness
• Giving bad names
• Stinginess
• Suspicion
• Telling lies
• Theft

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Summary - 1

• Society is losing peace
• - either in the name of individualism
• - or following religion in name only
• Need of a social order
• - based on benefits not only to this life but
  also to hereafter
• - Divinely guided not just social reform
• - based on accountability
• Quran describes 2 types of social order
• 1. allows evil to flourish
• - allows unrestrained living for self and
  pleasure
• - does not involve responsibility for others
• - moral code is about what is observable by
  society
• 2. conducive to moral spiritual growth
• - disciplines temptations desires
• - involves responsibility for the society
• - recognises importance of intention in relation
  to behaviour

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Summary - 2

• Wrong doing, of any kind, is forbidden
• Absolute justice, kindness kinship
• Loyalty, integrity, faithfulness leading to
  social peace
• Behaviour
• - Behaviour acc to - act word of God
• - Prevention of social chaos due to pleasure
  seeking behaviour
• Society is responsible for its own moral
  education cleansing
• Trust is crucial
• Vain pursuits are discouraged - incl gambling
  drinking
• Tastes for pleasure are redeveloped relating to
  refined and constructive social activity
• Oneness of mankind

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Summary - 3

• Sanctification of social relations
• Rights for women
• - equal opportunity for spiritual growth
• - equal share in affairs of life an
  independent identity
• - security
• - rights of inheritance
• - right to marry with choice right to divorce
• - special privileges as mother wife
• Polygamy
• - is conditional. Equal treatment is fundamental
  requirement.
• - has social benefits for widows, handicapped
  women, orphans deals with excess number of
  women in specific circumstances like post-war
  situations
• Care of aged
• - responsibility of children
• - not left to state
• Future generations
• - responsibility of parents
• - by example of their relationship
• Many others