Religion Is Incompatible with Modernity - Essay Example

Religion is incompatible with Modernity of Religion is incompatible with modernity We have all heard this repeatedly that times have changed over the years and the world today would be unrecognizable to someone from say, the eighteenth century. Since the industrial revolution, there have been inventions and innovations that have completely altered the lifestyles of mankind. And this has happened in every field and aspect of life. Transportation, for instance was merely a horse and carriage and now there are automobiles, airplanes, cruise ships, even space shuttles. Similarly, the advent of radio, television, computers, and mobile phones, etc, has completely changed the nature of our very lives as compared to those who lived a few decades ago. Business can be conducted between people placed across the world in a matter of minutes over the telephone, an video conferencing, etc. While most people have made the transition into modernity gradually and accepted these innovations into their lives, some people still prefer to hold on to some things that provide solidarity and meaning to their lives; things that do not change with time. Religion is one of those things that people hold dear to them and this can perhaps best be illustrated by using the example of Islam, a religion that has been under fire since the 9/11 incident. Since this debate is almost certainly never ending about the compatibility of religion and modernity, the discussion on Islam shall be used to arrive at a conclusion to the broader topic of religion as a whole. Before delving further into this debate about the compatibility (or lack of) of religion and modernity, it is important to define modernity in order to provide meaning to this debate. According to Business Dictionary.com (2012), modernity can be defined as: “Characteristics of modern (post second World War) societies that have capitalistic economies and democratic political structures, and are highly industrialized and divided into social classes based on economic status. These characteristics include regular pattern of everyday life, urbanization, influx of women at all levels of employment and business, secular outlook, sexual freedom, sharp reduction in birth rate, standardized education system, and pervasive use of technology specially in communications.” I shall be using this definition and the points highlighted within it to arrive at a conclusion. The first point in the above definition is about capitalistic economies. Esposito (2001) succinctly states that there are no issues in Islam regarding capitalism which can be clearly seen by the example of the Prophet Muhammad, who was a businessman. Also, Esposito (2001) also mentions that the only reservation Islam has for capitalism is the widening gap between the rich and the poor. The amendment, if I may, suggested by Islam is the notion of Zakat, which is one of the 5 pillars of Islam and calls upon wealthy Muslims to give 2.5% of their wealth to the poor and needy. This would help narrow, or at least lessen, the gap between the various income classes. Secondly, does Islam have any issues with democracy? We need not look any further than what happened in Egypt and Libya in the recent past where rebels fought against military dictatorship to establish a just democracy (Gelvin, 2012). The underlying concept of democracy is equality and justice, two concepts that have repeatedly been mentioned in Islamic scripture. It is clearly stated in the Quran: “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah as witnesses to fair dealings and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just, that is next to piety. Fear Allah, indeed Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.” (5:8) If democracy serves the intended purposes of equality, justice and freedom in practicality, thoroughly advocated in Islam, then Islam has no issues, rather it would encourage a democratic government. The next major point in the definition of modernity discusses the increasing role of women in the workplace. While most of the Western nations believe Islam to be of an oppressive nature to women, on the contrary, Islam does not discourage working women, it actually encourages their participation – with certain restrictions. For example, Khadijah, the first wife of the Prophet Muhammad was an entrepreneur and was considered and portrayed as a role model for all women (Al-Qaradawy, 1997). Secularism is another point within modernity. One of the key aspects of modern society is the alienation of religion from politics. According to Maulana Wahiuddin Khan, a noted Muslim scholar, Muhammad did not mix religion and politics in most instances, where he kept both issues separate. Only when a situation trespasses into moral thresholds does the issue of religion make its presence felt in worldly matters (Khan, 2002). The issue of sexual freedom as mentioned as one of the main points in the definition of modernity presented above is one in which Islam or any other of the main religions for that matter finds objections. Whereas modernity encourages or allows people of diverging sexual orientation to do as they please, religion places a foot down on this point and condemns the divergent. Sexual intercourse out of marriage is forbidden and physical punishment ranging from public flogging to death by stoning is recommended in Islamic law as is homosexuality (Habib, 2010). Decreasing birth rates apparently refers to population control. Islam in general is against birth control, as quoted in the Quran: “Don’t kill your children for fear of poverty; it is We who provide sustenance for them and you; verily killing them is a most heinous crime!” (17:31). However, Islam does not forbid married couples to refrain from having children due to other problems such as waiting for the right time till they are ready to shoulder the responsibility or to give adequate time to the young infants that the couples already have. Therefore, where it comes to birth control or fear of not being able to provide for the children, Islam condemns this action. As Islam preaches equality, a standardized education system also falls within the category of equality. Islam talks about a balance between spiritual and worldly education. After the Battle of Badr, the first Islamic war, the prisoners of war were allowed to go free if they would teach the illiterate Muslims how to read and write (Armstrong, 2006). The final aspect of the definition of modernity is the pervasive use of technology. Islam has always advocated knowledge and understanding and scientific progress that is beneficial to mankind, contrary to popular belief. As narrated in (Muslim), the Holy Prophet Muhammad said, "It is from the conditions of the last hour (the Day of Judgment) that knowledge would be taken away and ignorance would prevail” (Sahih Muslim) As noted in the discussion above and after assessing all the points comprising modernity and contrasting them with religion using Islam as a benchmark, it seems that in general, religion is largely compatible with modernity except for the point on sexual freedom. Like most other religions, Islam strongly condemns sexual intercourse outside of marriage and also homosexuality (Habib, 2010). It is clear that in all other areas of the realm of modernity, religion is compatible. Religion can accommodate capitalism and democratic structures of government provided the outcome is fairness and equality among people. Religion also does not discourage the modern concept of increased participation of women in the work place and actually encourages it. Similarly, secularism is not an issue in religion unless an issue pertaining to morality arises. Education is encouraged in religion as is the use of technology for the benefit of mankind (Khan, 1996). The important point to consider for most people who make judgments on religion or on any other issue in general is to go back to the source. If one is making a judgment on religion, for example, one should not be judging the religion on the actions of the followers, rather one should learn what the religion actually says in the scriptures. List of References Al-Qaradawy, Y., 1997. The Status of Women in Islam. Toronto: Islamic Incorporated. Armstrong, K., 2006. Muhammad: Prophet of our time. London: HarperCollins. Business Dictionary.com, 2012. Modernity. [Online] Available at: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/modernity.html [Accessed 22 October 2012]. Esposito, J. L., 2001. What Everyone Needs to Know about Islam. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Gelvin, J. L., 2012. The Arab Uprisings - What everyone needs to know. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Habib, S., 2010. Islam and Homosexuality Volume 2. Sanata Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. Khan, M. W., 1996. Islam: Creator of the Modern Age. Karachi: Darul-Ishaat. Muslim, S., n.d. Book 34 [Interview] n.d. Read More