By Kazi Wadud Nawaz, New Age Islam
04 September 2020
Before going into the details of this Article let us refer to following four verses of the Holy Quran:
1. Does Man think that he will be left uncontrolled (without purpose)? [ Verse:75: 36]
2. O ye assembly of Jinns and men! if it be ye can pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth pass ye! not without authority shall ye be able to pass! [Verse: 55:33]
3. He Who created Death and Life that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might Oft-Forgiving [ Verse: 67:2]
4. Those who avoid great sins and indecent deeds, save lesser offences, verily your Lord is ample in forgiveness. He knows you well when He brings you out of the earth, and when you are hidden in your mother’s wombs. Therefore, hold not yourselves purified: He knows best who is that guards against evils. [Verse: 53:32].
The above Verses clarify Quranic stand on the question of human morality.
The verse: 75:36 is an open divine declaration of a purposeful Moral Bindings for Mankind. The Divine Challenge thrown to Jinns and Humans in the verse: 55:33 encompasses both physical and spiritual regime of divine creation. Any attempt on the part of mankind to overcome the physical and moral boundary set by Allah is sure to bounce back leading towards grievous divine chastisement. Human limitation is an undeniable reality. Mankind within the limited span of his worldly life has been endowed with divine blessings of free will. But this freedom is not absolute. Perverted human perception of absolute freedom is nothing but delusion, Man is allowed to enjoy this freedom within the periphery of an insurmountable divine bondage. Overstepping the physical and spiritual boundary set by Allah is beyond human capacity. The Holy Quran in the verse: 67:2 has termed limited span of human life as an opportunity for practicing “Taqwa” or righteousness. And Life and Death are physio- spiritual reagents for Acid Test of Human Morality. The Verse: 53:32 has pronounced Allah’s absolute authority on ‘Hedayet’ or moral guidance of mankind.
At-Tawhid as upheld by ‘Kalima-e-Tayyeba ‘constitutes the foundation of Islamic World View. It has two parts. The first part demands ‘Taqwa’ or absolute obedience to Allah’s Sovereignty and the second part sets a living ideological model as presented through the life style of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). It demands a follow-up and conscious adoption of life-style of the Prophet (pbuh) in changing contexts of the history. Quranic Morality builds up on these two pillars.
From Quranic point of view greatest human morality lies in unconditional recognition of the Unity and Majestic Sovereignty of ALLAH as creator and sustained of the universe
Prophet’s (pbuh) life that is actually a Quranic Life translated into reality, sets a living Ideological Model towards a purposeful practical orientation of human life as the frame-work of Quranic Morality. The purpose is to balance human nature and divine purpose of creation. Please Refer to the Verse s given below:
“You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exemplar for him who hopes in Allah and the Final Day and who remembers Allah much” [Verse: 33:21].
“And surely you have sublime morals” [Verse: 52:4]
The Holy Quran Never permits of any passive morality that allows evils in the guise of so-called economic and social development. Repelling evils with righteousness is the central task of Quranic Morality. Refer Verse: 41:34 below:
“Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (evils) with what is better: then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate.”
As evident from in the above Verse the Holy Quran has drawn a clear line of demarcation between truth and falsehood, light and darkness. good and evils, vice and virtues. So, on the question of morality, Islam rejects outright any sort of hypocritical compromise between them. The above verse has made it crystal clear that Quranic Principles of Morality are not things to be bartered for any material benefits.
Prostration or complete surrender to the Majestic Sovereignty of Allah resurrects human morality opening up the gateway towards “Real Knowledge” as pointed out by the Holy Quran in the Sura Takathur [Verses:1-8].
“The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of the world) diverts you, Until you visit the graves. But nay, you soon shall know (the reality). Again, you soon shall know! Nay, you were to know with certainty of mind, (you would beware!) You shall certainly see Hell-Fire! Again, you shall see it with certainty of sight! Then shall you be questioned that Day about the Joy (you indulged in!)”
The Modern-Day quest for scientific knowledge manifests in “rivalry for piling up good things of the world” focusing principally on acquisition of resources in violation of justice and moral principles. From Quranic point of view, the progress of Modern Civilization is in essence a dangerous retrogression towards Jungle Laws making “Truth” subservient to human desire.
. It is Unfortunate that we live in an immoral era when all out efforts are being made throughout the world to make truth subservient to serve Man’s desire.
“If the Truth had been in accord with their desire truly the heavens and the earth and all beings therein would have been in ruin---” [ Ref: Verse 23: 71- Tafseer by Abdullah Yusuf Ali]
“Seest thou such a one as taketh for his God his own passion (or impulse)? Coudst thou be a disposer of affairs for him” [Verse: 25:43 Abdullah Yusuf Ali]
And thus the Holy Quran has nakedly unmasked the Real Face of the Corporate Civilization and Culture of the modern era!
Risalat and Revealed Scriptures are two most powerful divine instruments of moral governance leading mankind towards achievement of Divine Purpose of Creation as Allah’s representative on earth
The Holy Quran in most of its verses has elaborately discussed the historical back-ground and purpose of revelation of different Scriptures. And at the same time warned sternly of severe divine chastisement for any violation, denial or distortion of divine signs revealed in Scriptures as well as in the Physical Universe. The Holy Quran has proclaimed Truth and Authenticity of all previous Books of Revelation. It has also upheld the truth and justification of everything we see and see not, we comprehend and comprehend not but stand witness to the reality of Tawhid as the foundation of Quranic Morality and Universal Governance System.
Absolute Authority of sending down Books of revelation and assigning Risalat to any of His chosen Slaves from any community at different historical ages also lie within the jurisdiction of Tawhidic Governing Systems. In this connection we can refer to the following verses:
· “We sent aforetime Our Messengers with clear signs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance (of Right and Wrong), that men may stand forth in justice; -------“57:25-26
· “And We sent Nuuh and Ibrahim, and established in their line Prophethood and Revelation: ---------‘Verse 42:52
· “And thus by Our command ,sent inspiration to you :you knewest not (before)what was Revelation, and what was Faith; but We have made the (Quran ) a Light where with We guide Our servants as We will; and verily you dost guide (men)to the straight way.”
· “Allah has revealed (from time to time) the most beautiful Message in the form of a Book, consistent with itself,(yet ) repeating (its teaching in various aspects :the skins of those who fear Allah tremble in threat; then their skins and their hearts do soften to the remembrance of Allah. Such is the guidance of Allah; He guides therewith whom He pleases, but such as Allah leaves to stray, can have none to guide.” Verse 39:23
· He granteth wisdom to whom He pleaseth; and he to whom wisdom is granted receiveth indeed a benefit overflowing but none will receive admonition but men of understanding. [Verse: 2:269]
Nothing has been created in the Universe for nothing. Each creation however insignificant it might seem, has a specific divine purpose and objectivity. And Individual and Collective Morality of mankind stems right from this universal purpose and objectivity of divine creation. Whether we believe it or not Eternal Life Cycle of Mankind encompassing physical and spiritual realities all come under the purview of Quranic Morality. The innate Conscience of mankind termed by the Holy Quran as “Self –reproaching Soul” provides constant moral guidance to mankind in his worldly life [Ref: verse: 75:2].
Recognition and humble acknowledgement of this purpose as divine blessings, and humility before the Overwhelming Majesty and Sovereignty of Allah is the Foundation of Quranic Morality that finds its expression in Salah- the Islamic System of Worship. Faith in Tawhid is the most essential criterion of Muslim Morality. Expression of gratitude for divine Mercies and Blessings during prayer is also a phenomenon of morality and an integral part of the Faith of Muslim community.
“Why should I not Serve Him Who created me, and to Whom you shall (all) brought back.?” [Verse: 36:22]
Entire individual and collective life process of a Muslim from beginning to end is bound up by specific Moral Dictum. Every step of a Muslim in this Worldly life is guided by certain Quranic Laws of Morality. Every Creature individually or collectively has a fixed ‘Appointed Term’ that regulates its Origin, Development, Decay or Destruction as fundamental principles of Creative Evolutionary Process. The Worldly and After-life of a Muslim, both are guided by Immutable Quranic Laws of Morality.
The Holy Quran declares every soul is (held) in pledge for his deeds and accountable to Allah in the final Day of Judgment. (ref: Verse: 74:38). This constitutes the rational of Quranic Morality. And Self-reproaching Soul (verse: 75:2) is the driver of the vehicle of Quranic morality.
The Atheists, so-called Secularists and Materialist Philosophers do not have any basic or Universal Conceptual Foundation of Morality. Their entire Spiritual and Moral regime whirl around their ever-changing Politico-economic and Socio-cultural Principles safe-guarding the material interest of particular groups or Classes to the utter disregard of the common interest of Humanity.
Islam Never approves of any right to perversion in Human Nature, Culture and Society. But the Western Culture treats such perversion as part of human right. Perversion and moral Degeneration has now become an integral part of Western Civilization.
As regards Sexual Revolution in America Pitirim Sorokin a renowned Sociologist said in his “A Critique of Sensate culture”
“During the last two centuries, and particularly the last few decades, -----every phase of our culture has been invaded by sex. Our civilization has become so preoccupied with sex that it now oozes from all pores of American life… Whatever aspect of our culture is considered; each is packed with sex obsession. Its vast totality bombards us continuously, from cradle to grave, from all points of our living space, at almost every step of our activity, feeling, and thinking… We are completely surrounded by the rising tide of sex which is flooding every compartment of our culture [and] every section of our social life.
Degeneration of morality resulting from decadent sensate Culture is now a principal trend of the Western society.
From scientific point of view there is nothing called universal morality.Since at any historical age science deals with relative truth it cannot give any final opinion on mode and purpose of creation. It deals with any phenomenon as it is and not what it should be. And hence it cannot give any universal definition of morality. This aimlessness of science in the domain of morality leads to anarchy in ideological domain.
Albert Einstein acclaims Spinoza’s God who reveals himself in incomprehensible beauty and diversity of nature and universe; but he does not believe in personal God who determines human destiny and guides human action.
Qur’anic God on the other hand is an Impersonal God having no resemblance in the physical world with unique attributes beyond human comprehension and highly concerned with human destiny and moral guidance. From Quranic point of view Faith and Human Morality are indivisible and closely interconnected. If there is no Faith there is no Morality.
So, Quranic Morality is in essence an Integrated Regulatory Mechanism that Regulates Spiritual and Socio-cultural Realities. It is creative and dynamic in the sense that basic principles of Quranic Morality remain the same but the strategy of application varies consistently in new historical and socio-cultural contexts.
From Islamic point of view sex is not a crime or sin rather it’s a divine blessing and most essential and fundamental driving force of nature to sustain the continuity of divine creation through procreation and creative evolution
Female modesty, male sense of honour concerning female members of a household, female chastity, a wife's faithfulness to her husband; female inclination to cover her private parts, or her aversion to exposing any bodily nakedness in public; prohibition of adultery, interdiction of any visual or physical intimacy with women other than one's legal wife or wives; prohibition of incest, or marriage between persons too closely related; avoidance of sexual intercourse with menstruating women; debarring pornography or obscenity are all integral parts and essential components of Quranic Sexual Morality.
Islam treats celibacy as unnatural and undesirable for a physically fit and sexually potent man and hence immoral on his part. Islam Treats Marriage as sacred institution for safe guarding Sexual Morality and Women’s security.
So far as Adultery and Seduction is concerned Islam is very much uncompromising and treats these as heinous crimes. Let alone Islam, these are highly deplorable even from the viewpoint of Marxist Ethics. Karl Marx in his Communist Manifesto has nakedly unmasked the Capitalist Corporate Culture of Adultery and Seduction in harshest possible language as under: “The Bourgeoisie is not content with having wives and daughters of the Proletariat, they take greatest pleasure in seducing each other’s wives.”
Adultery and Seduction gives rise to indiscipline and anarchy in Human Nature and rips apart the moral fabrics of the society and destabilizes the very foundation of Family as an Institution of Peace and personal Security.
So, the Holy Quran treats Adultery and Seduction as a heinous crime and gross violation of fundamental Biological Rights secured by the Institution of Marriage. The holy Quran treats ‘Adultery and Seduction’ as an Immoral Breach of Trust amongst members of the family. The Holy Quran is deadly against the Corporate concept of treating sex and human body (Women or Men) as a marketable Commodity. The Holy Quran never admits of any sort of public exposure of the private parts either of the female or male for the purpose of entertainment and accruing economic benefits. Islam considers Corporate Show-business for commodity promotion through public exposure of private parts is a modified form of Adultery and Prostitution and hence Immoral.
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