Modernization from Islamic Perspective

• Islam is Enlightenment

First and foremost, secular capitalistic democratic modernization is not successful, because it was created by humans, who are limited in their ability to judge, reason, and comprehend creation. Allah, the Creator of all that exists, says:

“Such is Alah, your Lord! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Creator of all things. So worship Him (Alone), and He is the Wakil (Trustee, Disposer of affairs, Guardian) over all things” (Surah Al-An’am 6:102).

Because He is the Creator, He is in a better position to tell us, how we should live for our benefit and progress.

Islam encourages holistic knowledge within the boundaries of Islam. Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: “Seek knowledge even in China,” and ”Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.” Muslims have made great advances in mathematics, chemistry, medicine, and astronomy to name just a few.

Islam’s birth was the light for humanity and the world at large. Allah says:

“Then if they reject you (O Muhammad (saw)), so were Messengers rejected before you, who came with Al-Bayyinat (clear signs, proofs, evidences) and the Scripture and the Book of Enlightenment” (Surah Al-Imran 3:184).

“Allah is the Wali (Protector or Guardian) of those who believe. He brings them out from darkness into light. But as for those who disbelieve, their Auliya (supporters and helpers) are Taghut [false deities and false leaders’, they bring them out from light into darkness. Those are the dwellers of the Fire, and they will abide therein forever” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:257).

These beautiful words remind us that Allah led us out of the darkness of Kufr to the light of Islam. Many converts to Islam can testify to this. Before, we did not have dignity or respect for ourselves. Our thoughts were shallow and limited to our desires. We saw only races and colours in our fellow human beings— blinded to the potentials of brotherhood. Truly, Islam enlightens us today, as it did the pagan Arabs of yesterday.

• Progress and Advancement in Islam

Progress is not limited to material advancement, but is holistic in nature. A civilization cannot be called developed, if its creed does not address the greatest questions of the humankind: where do we come from? what is the purpose of life? what happens after the life of this world? Islam profoundly answers these questions—thus, it can be truly called enlightened. Islam deals with a changing world through Ijtihad (exerting effort in understanding a reality, so that it can be judged by Islam to be permitted or not).

• Islam’s Motives Differ from Capitalism

Islam does not allow the hoarding of wealth and privatization of natural resources. The Islamic State (which does not exist today) administers the natural resources for the benefit of the people. Allah says about spending:

“O you who believe! Spend of that with which We have provided for you, before a Day comes when there will be no bargaining, nor friendships, nor intercession. And it is the disbelievers who are the Zalimun (wrong-doers)” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:254).

“And spend in the Cause of Allah (i.e. Jihad of all kinds) and do not throw yourselves into destruction (by not spending your wealth in the Cause of Allah), and do good. Truly, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers)” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:195).

To Allah we all will return, so it is better to keep our eyes on the objective of life, when it comes to our wealth. If we can alleviate some of the pain of the poor, we should do it. The objective of modern capitalism, however, is to gain more and more wealth, while the masses live in poverty.

• Family Ties and Community in Islam

An extreme emphasis on individuality has stripped society of the feeling of community, especially in the West. One is not to ‘cut the ties of the womb’ in Islam. Muslims must take care of their parents and visit their relatives. Muslims must be aware of being a part of one Ummah, which, according to Prophet Muhammad (saw), feels pain as if one body—not nation states.

Finally, many of us are professionals, who learned what we know from theorists and scientists of the West. We must understand that the roots of western ideologies are based only on worldly wisdom. It does not mean that technology, industry, medicine, and research cannot be benefited from. However, we should not depart from Allah (God) in the process, as the West did.

Allah says:

“And so judge (you o Muhammad (saw)) among them by what Allah has revealed and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they turn you (O Muhmammad (saw)) far away from some of that which Allah has sent down to you. And if they turn away, then know that Allah’s Will is to punish them for some sins of theirs. And truly, most of men are Fasiqun (rebellious and disobedient to Allah)” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:49).

The problem of today’s world is not in one symptom or many symptoms. The problem is the root cause -- going away from Allah. I pray to Allah to forgive my sins and make this short essay benefit our Ummah. Ameen.