"Right of Choice": Islam is a modern religion

From: www.islamicity.com

By: Elshad Miri

Islam has never claimed and cannot claim to be religion within one epoch and geographic area, because it contradicts to its universal principles.Islam is a religion common to all mankind. It is due to the fact that Islam has been adopted not only by tribes living in 7th century, but also is being embraced by thousands of people today 1400 years later since it has been sent down. There is no doubt that till the Big Crunch used in science, i.e. till the Judgement Day under religion it will be ongoing and developing in ascending order. If in Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) time the Muslims were numbered thousands, now their number reaches one and half billion. But the question arises: why does not the quality of Muslim countries equal to even the half of all number of Muslims? Why are the Muslims not creators of high technologies but only consumers of that currently? Why are people of religion which starts with the words “Recite: In the Name of your Lord who created, created man from clots of blood. Recite: and your Lord is the Most Generous, He who taught by the pen, taught man what he did not know,” (Al-Alaq, The blood-clot) behind the development of people belonging to other religions and even of idolaters? Hundreds of such questions can be putted. But unfortunately it won’t change the state of affairs. The facts and reality are obvious.Among the all sacred books the Qur’an is the only sacred book which has been subjected absolutely to no changes, addressing to people with the command “Recite!” If we do not do that, neither the Holy Qur’an, nor Islam blame for that. All the blame most likely is our laziness.Islam is an active religion. It possesses a solution of the multitude difficult problems arisen today. Islam grants us even ways of solution of such issues as artificial impregnation, transplantation, cloning, etc.When in 4th century the Roman Empire converted to Christianity, all wondered: whether the Roman Empire will be Christian or Christianity be Roman? Unfortunately, today many people talk of Islam of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey and even Azerbaijan, albeit this is absolutely mistaken view. If we want our States meet modern requirements, first of all, we have to carry out reforms among Muslims. One cannot forget that modernization is not under direct monopoly of West and other countries also can reach desirable progress if they preserve country’s national values. Furthermore, as previously even today there would be those who to be against such concourse of circumstances. In Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) time one of the followers brought a lamp from Damascus and hung it up in a mosque, there were ones who began complaining of that as the lamp had been brought from a Christian country. Seeing that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told this follower: “You brought a light to the abode of Allah, may Allah lights up your present and the beyond life!” It is appropriate mention that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was one of those who look closely after his clothes, outward appearance and more tidy. In addition, we have to know that after the command “Recite” follows the second command of Islam “purify your clothes” (Muddathihir, the Enveloped, 4). While some modern people consider women’s driving as unethical conduct and men in the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) felt shame at daughter birth, Prophet (PBUH) himself competed with his wife in riding a horse, camel which was considered to be the best vehicle at that time. Pitiable as it may seem, some Muslims of the modern world hesitate to hold their wives’ hand in public still.Today all Muslims should use of the advantages of modern world, not diverging from the key principles of Islam. There is clearly a need to carry out reforms that should not contradict to religion and violate believers’ rights. One cannot forget that the modernization, conformity with each time is an integrated and essential part of Islam itself.As 300 years ago both fight between religion and science took place and today “owing to” some people such fight takes place between religion and modernization. The standpoint concerning “the modernization contradicts to religions particularly Islam” is very mistaken. We should not forget that Islam lives at peace and harmony with factors which do not contradict to its main criteria. Islam has never claimed and cannot claim to be religion within one epoch and geographic area, because it contradicts to its universal principles.In addition, we have to keep in mind that all fields of our life are interconnected with each other. Any religion related issue can be reflected for instance, in art, architecture and even economic field. It proves once more that religion never can be alienated from the modernization. Today it is possible to say about globalization and modernization, but it is impossible to talk of world’s alienation from the religion. Even currently 70 per cent of population the most developed country worldwide the United States of America consider themselves believers. The problem of confrontation between the modernization and religion has nothing common with Islam. This issue was more urgent in Europe. As a result of that the doors of Vatican which is embodiment of the Catholicism have been always closed for such kind of manifestations of development regardless whether it is technical or economic. But a time later they made certain of that such isolation damaged only them themselves. Then they began little by little opening the doors for the modernization phenomena. As a result of that in 1962 the second Vatican Council issued the Bull “to bring the church to conformity with the modernization”. Thus, the church once closed its door for all manifestations of the modernization today is obliged not to consider homosexuality as sin but to close eyes to the presence of homosexual monk and clergymen. Differing from the Christianity Islam never stands aside from its principles while adhering to the requirements of the present.All Muslims admit that religion freedom, democracy, gender equality, women’s rights and other values which today are granted the people as unlimited values of globalizing modern world, actually are underlying the Islam.We should not restrict within saying the Islam is a modern religion. Our duties include not only belief in Allah and making good deeds, but also acceptance of the modernization and application of its principles in our everyday life. In this way we can be exemplified for other people. Among the above-said reforms necessary to be carried out is the computerization of mosques. In addition, all computers should give users an access to Internet. Theologians should learn computer and teach others that. Acting in advance I want to say that there is clearly a need to open mosques’ web-sites in which should be given three-dimensional photos of these mosques. Moreover, the sites should expound clearly that the Qur’an is a book which is designed not for deceased but for live people. The survey held by the famous sociologist Joseph Tamney resulted in that in addition to the spreading of modernization the number of worshiping Muslims will grow.Today there is clearly a need to lift the religion hierarchy which is of remnant of the past. All should know that Islam has no “religious figures” class who could interfere into relations between human being and Allah.We should not forget that the followers of religion starting with the words “Recite” never can be and should be indifferent to the requirements of the modern world. We should arm ourselves with the key principles of the present, preserve our national and ethics values and independently determine our own way.