Six Faith Affirmations and Importance of Shariah - Essay Example

Six Faith Affirmations Iman and Importance of Shariah Introduction The modern global world is blurring out the limits of centennial values and morals. Religion is one of the most unique phenomenons and the guidance of any period of time. The basic affirmations or Iman and the important role of Shariah cannot be denied. Muslims managed to preserve their centennial moral principles and values and implement these norms in the modern context. It should be noted that understanding and personal interpretations of these principles plays a very important role in the lives of the modern Muslims. This paper is focused on interpretations of six faith affirmations and positions Shariah as a modern alternative for legal principles’ development. Six faith affirmations Iman has six basic pillars. In accordance with them every Muslim should believe in Allah, angels, revealed books, commissioned Missioners, resurrection and events of Qiyamah, predestination of all things in the world. It is possible to interpret these principles in the following way: belief in Allah should be considered as the first basic pillar of Iman. It is impossible to develop the Islamic personality avoiding this belief. Further on, it is evident that this principle is the basic need for every individual. God’s worshipping is possible only when this first belief is taken by Muslims for granted. Allah is the sole Creator and orders the actions of his creations only in the ways that may please him. God leads to paradise and people are guided only by the Creator. The Islamic personalities need God’s forgiveness. Belief in Allah should not be followed by Muslims only because it is a way to paradise. They can enter paradise only if they are allowed by God to enter there. The second pillar, belief in the Angels, can be explained as follows: angels exist among other creations of God. They are real beings and they were created from light. Qur’an describes angels: Jibreel is responsible for delivering revelation; Mika'il brings the rain, Israfil blows the horn on Qiyamah; Malik-ul-Maut takes away human souls after death. There are also the Noble Recorders responsible for recording of people's actions. The Protectors (Al-Mu'aqqibat) prevent people from death. Two angels, opposed to each other are Ridhwan and Malik. The former is responsible for Paradise and the latter for Hell. Munkar and Nakir are the questioners in the grave. There are also other angels, responsible for recording the future of fetus, those who entered the Haraam and some others. There are exact quotes in the divine books of Muslim that belief in the angels is one of the most important things for the Islamic personalities: “Belief in the angels is an integral part of Iman” (2/285 Al-Baqara), “Kufr with respect to the angels is Kufr” (4/136 An-Nisaa). Therefore, belief in the angels is the integrative part of belief in Allah. It is very important to believe in angels, because they are “spiritual mediators” of the words of Allah. It is possible to claim that every component of Iman is very important in the Islamic religion, but the role of angels as promoters of Allah intentions strengthens developments of Qur’an and the Sunnah. Belief in the Books of Allah is outlined in Qur’an, because they should be followed by truly devoted Muslims. These are: As-Suhuf of Ibrahim and Musa, Az-Zaboor given to Daud, At-Taurat revealed to Musa, Al-Injeel revealed to Isa, Al-Qur'an - the final revelation. Moreover, Qur’an has the following characteristics: it is flawless (41/42 Fusilat); this book is the final authority (5/48 Al-Maidah), guidance and a mercy (10/37 Yunus). The importance and guidance of Qur’an is explained by the Prophet: “The Book of Allah; in it is news of those who came before you; news of what is to come after you; the ruling on that which is between you; it is the decisive criterion, and is not jest” (Six Affirmations of Iman). There are a lot of comparisons of this Holy Book and it is often mentioned that Qur’an is the powerful tool used by Allah. It is evident that these words reflect the universal principles of the Islamist religion. There is a huge scope of Allah’s actions and in case a follower accepts God’s dominant power, he believes in God and his religion rigorously. Allah chose prophets and every Muslim should believe in the phenomenon of prophethood. Moreover, these messengers should be followed and their beliefs and ideas should be taken and followed by Muslims. They are guides for lives. Prophets promote belief in Allah in every nation: “So the disobedient will have no excuse before Allah (4/165, An-Nisaa; 16/36, An-Nahl). Allah chose prophets to carry his beliefs to the nations. The best of them are the messengers. It should be also mentioned that Muhammad is the most devoted prophet and his teachings about the dominance of the Islamic nation are guides for their lives. Allah nation is the best creation in the world. In order to ascend to belief in Allah, it is necessary for Muslims to accept teachings of prophets. Belief in the resurrection is the fifth pillar. This phenomenon is not a metaphysical one. It is proven in different parts of Qur’an and described in a different way. For example, Hadith said: “The sun will come down toward the people on the day of Qiyamah until it is only about a mile up. The people will be in their own perspiration according to their acts: some of them will be in it up to their ankles, some up to their groin and others up to their chins, and he pointed to his mouth” (The Six Pillars of Iman). Belief in Predestination and Decree is that wisdom of Allah is in his actions and that he is able to guide and predetermine the actions of his followers. There are a lot of textual evidences of predestination of things in the world. Everything was created in a predetermined way (Qur'an 54/49). No calamity occurs in case it is not predetermined by Allah; he knows everything and sees everywhere. This is a kind of a global measure of Allah’s knowledge. There is also something huge and global about Allah intention to be an ever existent guide. The Importance of Shariah There is no doubt that Shariah plays a very important role in the Islamic religion. There are two main sources for it: the Qur’an and Sunnah. There are mainly moral values set in terms of Shariah as the code of laws. On the other hand, there are 80 legal prescriptions in this code of laws (Sonbol 2007, p. 60). Shariah should be considered from two perspectives: both as a set of religious and legal laws. Thus, Qur’an and Sunnah are believed to be two primary sources of the Islamic law dominance, especially of the moral values set by Allah and his prophets. These two primary sources cannot be separated. The message of Allah is revealed in these two primary sources of Shariah. In accordance with Al-Baghawi "The message — in the verse — refers to the divine inspiration. And the Prophet is the clarifier of the divine inspiration. The explanation of the Quran is to be sought in the Sunnah" (Relationship between the Qur’an and the Prophets Sunnah). Both of these sources clarify the main intentions of Allah and it can be said that Qur’an constitutes the main message of Allah and the Sunnah interprets this message. Currently, the main beliefs of Qur’an are interpreted in the modern context, but these main points are clarified and connected with the interests of today’s followers of the Islam. The role of both Qur’an and the Sunnah cannot be undermined in the modern society. These two sources of the Islamic religion should be applied in the modern context by the modern Muslims in the way they were interpreted in the previous centuries, but the contemporaries can use these beliefs from their own perspective. The main point is to study these books in an integrative manner. Shariah exerts a great influence on the modern Muslims. In some countries (Mali, Turkey, Kazakhstan) Shariah exerts influence only on personal and family lives. On the other hand, there is a great influence of Shariah in such countries as Pakistan, Sudan, Morocco, Egypt, Afghanistan and Indonesia. Still, these countries have interpreted Shariah to the greatest extent. Moreover, there is an evident influence of the Internet and computer technologies in the society of Muslims (Schulze 2002, p. 12). In the previous century Shariah was on the way of abandonment. Nowadays, “66 percent of Egyptians, 60 percent of Pakistanis and 54 percent of Jordanians say that Shariah should be the only source of legislation in their countries” (Feldman). So, what is the reason for Shariah revival in the modern world? First of all, the supporters of Shariah claim that they propagate the dominance of law for all people and governments in the world (Nasr 2010, p. 65). For example, even the most liberal interpretations of Shariah do not allow Muslims to lend money at interest and drink alcohol. There are a lot of prohibitions in Shariah. For example, there is an unequal treatment to men and women; there is a clear prohibition of same-sex relationships. On the other hand, Shariah promotes equal treatment in the court for rich and poor. A head scarf is a social norm and it is not an enforceable legal rule in terms of Shariah. Therefore, it is relevant to differ between different ways of Shariah implementation in the modern context. Currently, the Constitutions of Afghanistan (2004) and the Iraqi Constitution (2005) are in line with the Islamic laws. Therefore, there is no Shariah in its pure form. Nowadays it is interpreted in the following way: “The modern incarnation of Shariah is nostalgic in its invocation of the rule of law but forward-looking in how it seeks to bring this result about” (Feldman, 2008). The Muslims put their efforts to promote the values and principles of Shariah in different spheres, at least in their families and in the process of a personal development. For example, the modern Islamist country Turkey provides liberal interpretations of Shariah. There is no clear and evident intention to restore old values and principles. There is a strong desire to interpret and implement them in the context of the modern world. Shariah is a path to justice and dominance of law, which is based on the centennial principles of the Islamist laws. Conclusion Therefore, in the modern world the followers of Islam are rigorous promoters of six affirmations. The role of Shariah can be found in its initial function to set moral values and strong religious beliefs promoted in Qur’an and Sunnah. It is also possible to interpret the laws of Shariah in accordance with the period of their implementation. Thus, nowadays a type of punishment, practiced in accordance with the laws of Shariah can be criticized, but during the period when it was developed it was justified for sure. Moreover, it cannot be denied that there are some deviations in the modern interpretations of Shariah. Still, the core issue of this ode of values and morals is to bring the order and belief in God among Muslims. Works cited Nasr, Seyyed Hossein. "Islam and the Problem of Modern Science." Islam & Science 8.1 (2010): 63+. Questia. Web. 20 May 2012. Schulze, Kirsten E. "Militants and Moderates." The World Today Jan. 2002: 10+. Questia. Web. 20 May 2012. Sonbol, Amira El-Azhary. "Shari'ah and State Formation: Historical Perspective." Chicago Journal of International Law 8.1 (2007): 59+. Questia. Web. 20 May 2012. The Six Pillars of Iman. Web. http://www.missionislam.com/knowledge/sixpillarsiman.htm. 20 May 2012. Relationship between the Qur’an and the Prophets Sunnah. (28 January 2010).Web. http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/eyes-of-islam/581-relationship-between-the-quran-and-the-prophets-sunnah.html Feldman, Noaf. Why Shariah? The New York Times (March 2008). Web. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/16/magazine/16Shariah-t.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all. 20 May, 2012. Qur’an. Web. http://en.quran.nu/. 20 May 2012. Read More