This paper examines the Islamic perspective of ten common challenges we face today, with reference to verses from the Quran. 

1. Terrorist attacks 
2. War
3. Not accepting other people’s beliefs and values 
4. Poor social interaction between communities
5. Racism and Discrimination
6. Widening poverty gap between rich and poor
7. Little respect for parents
8. Isolated and passive communities that neglect working together for the common good
9. Damage to the environment
10. Spiritual decay

 

An Islamic Perspective 

The Islamic tradition aims to promote a balanced way of life that supports a way of living that is away from extremes as the Quran, the holy book that Islam derives it principles from, says: “We have made you a middle community…” (Chapter 2, Verse 143). The teachings of Islam aim to solve the aforementioned problems and not contribute to them. 

Terrorist attacks 

Islam considers all life forms sacred. So much so that Islam considers that taking the life of one person is like taking the lives of all humanity. God says in the Qur’an: “… if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people” (Chapter 5, Verse 32). 

Islam not only teaches that terrorising innocent people is forbidden but teaches not to cause even trivial problems for people as God says: “…do not seek to cause mischief on earth…” (Chapter 28, Verse 77). Mischief refers to oppressing people, impinging upon their rights and making their lives uncomfortable.  

Islam teaches that one cannot take their own life when faced with calamity or hardship as God says “…not kill (or destroy) yourselves…” (Chapter 2, Verse 29).

War

Islam permits fighting in self-defence as God says in the Quran to only fight those who oppress you: “Fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight against you, but do not transgress limits. Indeed God loves not aggressors…. And fight them until persecution is no more…” (Chapter 2, Verses 190-192).

Fighting is only permitted after all non-violent means are exhausted. As Muslims see it, injustice would be triumphant in the world if good people were not prepared to fight for a righteous cause: “Permission has been granted to those who are being fought against; that they have been oppressed. Indeed God has the power to help them. Those who were unjustly expelled from their homes for no other reason than they saying ‘God is our Lord’. If God were not to repel some human beings through others, monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques wherein the name of God is mentioned, would certainly have been destroyed…” (Chapter 22, Verses 39-40). 

Not accepting other people’s beliefs and values 

Islam advises to respect people of other faiths or values. Islam does not force people to their belief as God says in the Quran: “There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way…” (Chapter 2, Verse 256).

In another verse God is advising His prophet that people of other faiths cannot be forced to follow Islam: “Had your Lord willed, all the people on earth would have believed. Do you want to force the people to become believers?” (Chapter 10, Verse 99).

Poor social interaction between communities

God promotes a healthy social interaction with all communities as the Quran says: “…We created you from a single pair of a male and female, and made you tribes and nations that you may know each other (not that you despise each other)…” (Chapter 49, Verse 13).

God teaches: “…be good to parents, the relatives, the orphans, the poor, the related neighbour, the unrelated neighbour, the close associate, the traveller, and your workers. God does not like the arrogant” (Chapter 4, Verse 36).

God advises Muslims to display good manners, character and conduct like the prophet of Islam, Muhammad. God addresses the prophet in the Quran saying: “You are blessed with a great moral conduct and character” (Chapter 68, Verse 4] and says “The messenger of God has set up a good example for those among you who seek God…” (Chapter 33, Verse 21).

As a part of good conduct, the Quran advises not to be arrogant but humble; to act kindly towards others; to forgive other peoples’ faults; to act justly even if this goes against one’s own interest, to keep one’s promise, not to mock or humiliate others and not to advise people to work righteousness without doing it themselves. Moreover God advises not to backbite and compares doing so as eating the dead flesh of one’s brother. The following verses demonstrate these virtues of a Muslim:

“You shall not treat the people with arrogance, nor shall you roam the earth proudly. God does not like the arrogant. Walk humbly and lower your voice…” (Chapter 31, Verses 18-19).

 “…Stand out firmly as God’s witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is closest to piety and fear God. And God is well acquainted with all that you do” (Chapter 5, Verse 8).

“God commands justice, doing the Good, giving to one’s family and relatives, and He forbids shameful actions, injustice and rebellion…” (Chapter 16, Verse 90)

“Kind words and forgiving other people’s faults is better than giving charity, following injury…” (Chapter 2, Verse 262).  

“…and break not your oaths after you have confirmed them…” (Chapter 16, Verse 91)

“Do you command people to righteousness and forget yourselves while you read the scripture?” (Chapter 2, Verse 44).

“…Do not defame or be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other offensive nicknames…” (Chapter 49, Verse 11).

“…and spy not on each other nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother?…” (Chapter 49, Verse 12).

Racism and Discrimination

In Islam the best individual in the sight of God is not dependant on a certain race or nationality of people but rather on one’s piety and righteousness, as God says in the Quran: “…the best among you in the sight of God is the most righteous” (Chapter 49, Verse 13).

Widening poverty gap between rich and poor

The third pillar of Islam is to give yearly charity that amounts to 2.5% of one’s saving for those who can afford it. This sacred charity is known as ‘”zakah”. Moreover Islam encourages giving voluntary charity and not to reject those who are forced to beg. These principles address people suffering from poverty and aims to bridge the gap between the rich and poor. The following verses from the Quran demonstrate this.

“Therefore, you shall give the relatives their rightful share (of charity), as well as the poor, and the traveller. This is better for those who sincerely seek God’s pleasure; they are the winners” (Chapter 30, Verse 38).

“Indeed those who give charity amongst men and women and lend to God as goodly loan, it should be increase manifold and theirs shall be a honourable reward” (Chapter 57, Verse 18)

“Nor shall you reprimand the beggar” (Chapter 93, Verse 10).

Little respect for parents

Islam advises people of all ages to respect their parents. Children and adults may forget the sacrifices their parents endured during their infancy and may hurt them by word or action. The following verses from the Quran describe how to treat our parents:  

“Your Lord has decreed that you shall not worship except Him, and your parents shall be honoured. As long as one or both of them live, you shall never say to them, “Uff” (the slightest gesture of annoyance), nor shall you shout at them; you shall treat them amicably “(Chapter 17, Verse 23).

 “We enjoined the human being to honour his parents. His mother bore him, and the load got heavier and heavier. It takes two years (of intensive care) until weaning. You shall be appreciative of Me (God), and of your parents…” (Chapter 31, Verse 14).

Isolated and passive communities that neglect working together for the common good

The objective of a Muslim in relation to his or her society can be summarised in the following statement of the prophet in the Quran “…I want nothing but performing betterment (for my people) as much as I can…” (Chapter 11, Verse 88).

Islam encourages active participation in the community and cooperating together to improve its condition; tackling the challenges of the time like unemployment, drug use, crime, child abuse etc. as God says in the Quran “Cooperate together in matters of righteousness and piety”  (Chapter 5, Verse 2). 

Islam teaches to give rather than to take; to help and care for others regardless of which faith they are, as God says “As for the one of gives and is God-conscious, and upholds the Good, We will make it easy’ (Chapter 92, Verse 5-7).

Damage to the environment

Life on Earth is set up with a natural balance. Islam teaches that this natural balance in the environment should be protected as the Quran says: “And the firmament has He (God) raised high, and He has set up the Balance, in order that you may not transgress the balance” (Chapter 30, Verse 30).

Spiritual decay

We sometimes feel spiritually depressed even though we may have satisfied all of our material needs. This spiritual pain comes from the heart and may be derived from a realisation that all material things are limited, true happiness lies elsewhere; or derived from seeing people suffering around the world with no one to help them; or feeling frustration of not knowing what is going to happen after we die.

Islam addresses this spiritual anxiety with the answer of performing prayer and remembering God. “…Indeed in the remembrance of God do hearts find satisfaction. (Chapter 13, Verse 28) and “Seek help with patience and prayer…” (Chapter 2, Verse 45).

 Shazad Khalid 

“Stuck between a rock and a hard place” I finally understood this concept a few days ago, after following the discussion in the media about the abolition of the 10p income tax rate. After competing with the Pope for media coverage in the US (when Tony Blair was to visit the US a week later- with no diary clashes!), our Prime Minister returned to the UK only to face the threat of a major rebellion by his own party members because of the proposals in the new budget. The media and the opposition were having a field day, as one would expect. A political football, with the court stretching from one end of the UK to the other (with us poor citizens trampled on…)

 

 

 

Gordon Brown was being put under massive pressure to ensure adequate safeguards were in place for those at risk of losing out the most from the tax re-shuffle- it would affect pensioners as well as us, the childless under 25’s. We would lose out on the lower tax band, be expected to pay more in taxes and expect less in concessions- if we failed to produce offspring and latch on to some child benefit scheme.

 

 

 

Brown eventually caved in to pressure- the media portrayed it as a U-turn in his policy, his first battle lost since becoming prime minister. Drama is an understatement. ‘Weakness, dithering and indecision’ were some of the colourful words the Conservative opposition leader used to describe Gordon Brown’s decision to re-consider the abolition of the 10p income tax rate.

 

 

 

Of course, such a scenario is not limited to the political arena. We see it in our daily work lives, involvement in voluntary work or even Islamic societies at universities. Decisiveness is the key to a strong leadership. We’re quick to judge those who seem a bit ’shaky’ or dare to take time to consult. They’re weak, game over.

 

 

 

I thought back to the time of our Prophet (PBUH) during the battle of Badr, where he had made a decision to set the army in a specific place. One of his companions, Alhabbab ibn Almunthir asked him whether his decision was based on divine inspiration from Allah (SWT) or based on his assessment of the situation. The prophet (PBUH) explained that it was a decision he had took, so his companion advised him to set the army in a more strategically placed spot. The Prophet (PBUH) accepted his advice and re-located the army. Decision-making seemed simple enough… and changes based on consultation even simpler. But I guess media outlets are profit generators, opposition parties are parliamentary seat snatchers…and humans…well… it’s always easier to criticise from the sidelines.

 

 

 

Let us take a leaf from our Prophet’s (PBUH) life and see any responsibility we may be given or see given to others in the right light. Why not humble ourselves and realise that effective leadership is not about point scoring, winning elections or being defined as a decisive leader. We may not be able to re-calibrate the political system or even the media but let us re-calibrate the scales by which we judge our leaders, whether they’re leading our country, our mosque or even our family. It’s simple and proven to be effective.