Why do Muslims even consider renewing their allegiances to Western political, economic, and educational systems, when those systems have become outdated and are likely to be abandoned or changed in the West itself? On the contrary, now is the time to make room for varieties of viable Islamic visions, before the West institutionalizes another form of savage barbarism. By emulating the West, the Muslims will become stunted in their theological and cultural understanding of Islamic civilization.
The Western world by their educational system have gradually redefined other people’s ontology and epistemology. Fundamental understandings of how human beings relate to the Divine, each other, the world, and knowledge have been almost completely redefined for Muslims by Western educational systems.
Part of the solution involves studying the Islamic tradition for the numerous relevant teachings. For instance, there are several very telling hadith which discuss the nature of knowledge and what an educated person ought to be like.
The third area in which we need to liberate ourselves is methodology. Muslims to based their methodologies on Islamic criteria.
Muslims need to take the time to work through the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.) to locate and rediscover the profound guidance that is embodied in these fundamental teachings. Ontology, epistemology, methodology – we must seize control of these three areas, because they underlie our studies and struggles in the political, economic, and social realms for reviving the glorious past of Islamic civilization.
Globalization means not merely uniformity but also conformity to the dominant, primarily American culture. This applies as much to food as it does to music and clothes. A major role in this globalization campaign is played by the English language.
Culture is not value-free. It brings with it such other baggage as feminist rhetoric, concern about environmental issues, drugs, the ‘freedom’ to indulge in homosexuality and lesbianism, the ‘right’ to have an abortion and to have children out of wedlock. Selective concern for narrowly-defined human rights and democracy are some of its other pet projects.
Economic globalization has meant that the rich have become richer and the poor poorer by imposing the evil system of usury (Riba) by the international bankers under the total control of the Zionists. Even the trickle-down theory has not held true.
Global culture means that human diversity will be swept by the tide of America’s culture of nudity and vulgarity. It was Oscar Wilde who had said that America is a country that has gone from barbarism to decadence without the stage of civilization.
The cultural imperialism is predicated on the same arrogant belief in the superiority of its value system that propelled colonialism in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. When the West talks about cultural, economic or political globalization, it simply means that other societies must be open to Western penetration. The West must be free to exploit the resources of other lands: be it cheap labor, raw materials or energy.
Conclusion
The Islamic world, despite distances between its parts and differences in sects and policies, represents a unique historical unit. The political differences among its states and governments do not prevent their meeting on the popular and civilization levels.
Islam builds the foundations of Islamic civilization and distinguishes between the good and bad elements of civilization, defending its discipline and origins. The morals of individuals and the unity of the nation and the preservation of the Islamic Nation depend on this faith. The principles of Islam are capable of yielding strong elements that may confront all political regimes and philosophical ideologies that try to harm Islam and stand fast before the march of materialistic, capitalistic and secularist theories.
In the light of what has been said, it is understood that any pious and God-fearing Muslim should look into the Seerah and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.) to seek guidance and to model their conduct according to that of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.) in the course of his own life.
Therefore Muslim politicians, reformists, activists, economists, and military commanders should turn to the Seerah of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.), to seek guidance from the Holy Prophet’s way of conduct in their respective fields of activity.
Muslims conscious effort to derive, deduce and outline the spirit, the direction, the attitude, and the mood of the Holy Prophet’s practice in every individual instance mentioned in his blessed Seerah, and then inject this spirit into our modern life.
The lost identity of the Muslim Ummah and the past glory of the Islamic civilization cannot be regained through power or wealth but through the refined values taught and practiced by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A).Insha’ALLAH.
References:
[1] John W. Draper, History of the Intellectual Development of Europe, Harper & Row; Vol.2, 1876 & 1904; p.40.
[2] Eaton, Gai. “Islam and the Destiny of Man”. The Islamic Texts Society: Cambridge, 1994.pp 32-33.
[3] Armstrong, Karen. “Holy War: The Crusades and their Impact on Today’s World”. Doubleday: New York, 1991.pp 64-65, 225-226.
[4] Said, Edward. “Orientalism”. Routledge & Kegan Paul: London, 1978.
[5] Maria Menocal, The Arabic Role in Medieval Literary History; 1987; p.13.
[6] Pierce Butler, “Fifteenth Century of Arabic Authors in Latin Translation, in the McDonald Presentation Volume; Freeport, N.Y., 1933; p.63.
[7] John W. Draper, History of the Intellectual Development of Europe, Harper & Row; Vol.2, 1876 & 1904; p.42.
[8] W. Montgomery Watt, Islamic Surveys: The Influence of Islam on Medieval Europe; Edinburgh, England; 1972; p.84.
[9] John Hayes, The Genius of Arab Civilization: Source of Renaissance; MIT Press, 1983; p. 2.
[10] Colin Ronan, Science: Its History and Development among World’s Cultures; New York; 1982; p.203.
[11] George Sarton, A Guide to the History of Science; Mass.; 1952; pp.27-28).
[12] Tina Stiefel, The Intellectual Revolution in Twelfth Century Europe; St. Martin’s Press, N.Y., 1989; pp.71, 80.
[13] Robert Briffault, “The Making of Humanity,” London, 1938.
[14] T. Arnold and A. Guillaume, “The Legacy of Islam,” Oxford University Press, 1931.
[15] Davies, Paul. “Super force: The Search for a Grand Unified Theory of Nature”. Penguin: London, 1995. p 29.
[16] Shustery, A. M. A. “Outlines of Islamic Culture”. Sh. Muhammad Ashraf: Lahore, 1976.pp 152-153.
[17] L. Schaya, “Contemplation and Action in Judaism and Islam,” in Y. Ibish and I. Marculescu (eds.), Contemplation and Action in World Religions, Seattle and London, 1978, p. 173.
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