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ISLAM WELCOMES POSITIVE MODERNITY All the modern demands for progress of human society are found in Islam and its teachings By: (Mufti) Md. Quamruddin (Qasmi) - The author is a Ph.D. Scholar & University Teacher Assistant at the Department of Arabic with University of Delhi

Regardless of complexity and multiple definitions of ‘modernity’, if ‘modernity’ is the name of progress and advancement of knowledge, growth of the social and material life, development of science and technology, enrichment of human civilization and culture, then ‘modernity’ is not only lawful, rather it is warmly welcomed in Islam.

Islam is the modern and moderate religion, (The Holy Qur’an, 2:143), which gives justice and rights to every man and woman. All the modern demands

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for progress of human society are found in Islam and its teachings.

Islam is the natural religion, and taking the human being’s natural desire for granted, Islam fully advocates ‘modernity’ in its real meaning. Islam always keeps its pace with advancements in every sphere of life, provided that ‘modernity’ of each individual of human kind doesn’t clash.

‘Modernity’ can be divided into two kinds: useful modernity and harmful modernity. Islam favours the modernity which is completely useful for the whole mankind and is based on humanitarian treatment.

But the question arises that what the criterion should be to differentiate between the useful modernity and the harmful modernity, so it is obvious that the criterion to distinguish between the useful and harmful modernity is not based on the human’s intellect, reasoning and logic rather it is based on divine guidance only.

It should be kept in mind that Islam does not reject the human kind’s intellect altogether, rather Islam differentiates between two kinds of intellect: Islam favours the complete and grownup intellect which is compatible with divine guidance, and Islam rejects the incomplete and amateur intellect

which is not compatible with divine guidance.

If the incomplete logic and reasoning of human kind is taken for granted then there would be much chaos in the world, and thus many so-called intellectuals and rationalists would favour the LGBTs (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders), and many would opt to marry real sisters or daughters, as Obaidullah Qairawani of Batiniyah sect had said.

It has also been observed that those who uprooted and violated humanity and moral values were rationalists and men of logic and incomplete intellect.

Human kind’s complete intellect is always receptive to divine guidance, but the incomplete intellect and reasoning is always against divine guidance. We can see the example of incomplete, deviated and destructive reasoning and logic in the opinion expressed by a British politician and rationalist. Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombarded and thousands of people were killed.

But this bombardment and huge destruction has been mentioned in the scholarly and world famous book: “Encyclopaedia Britannica” as follows: “ Former Prime Minister Winston Churchill estimated that

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by shortening the War the Atomic Bomb saved the lives of 10,000,00 (ten lakh) US soldiers and 250,000 British soldiers” (v.2. p.647, 1950) Since there is much clash in human reasoning and logic, that is why divine intellect and logic is the only criterion on the basis of which useful modernity and harmful modernity should be judged. If the human intellect were enough then the divine books would not have been sent.

Western Modernity and Islam If modernity is beyond only progress and scientific development and is a situation and a completely new set of life, attitudes and social behaviour which appeared in the West after renaissance, then Islam welcomes its good and useful aspects, and in this regard Islam favours the theory of ‘What is clear should be accepted and what is polluted and cloudy must be abandoned’.

A great British thinker, who is known for his holistic view of modern societies, and who is also considered to be one of the most prominent modern sociologists Mr. Anthony Giddens, writes: “Modernity, as everyone living in the closing years of the twentieth century can see, is a double-edged phenomenon. The development of modern social institutions and their worldwide spread, have created vastly greater opportunities for human beings to enjoy a secure and rewarding existence than any type of pre-modern system. But modernity also has a sombre side, which has become very apparent in the present century”. (The Consequences of Modernity: P, 7.)

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The foundations of Western Modernity and Islam The foundations of Western modernity are opposed to the natural and Islamic law. The main foundation of the western modernity is ‘power’ which ultimately leads to fighting and conflict among people, while Islam teaches brotherhood and peace. Western modernity’s another base is ‘human rationale’. This is also baseless according to the natural law, because it is impossible to unite every individual’s reasoning, logic and intellect at one point. ‘Humanism’ is also among the foundations of the Western modernity, but historically we see that the supporters of humanism, they themselves have

Positive modernity’ is not only lawful, rather it is warmly welcomed in Islam

destroyed the humanity and they are liars in their support for humanism.

‘Economic Base’ is among the strongest foundations of the Western modernity, but we observe that because of this base, moral and ethical values are neglected, while the Prophet of Islam (saws) was sent to perfect the inner and outer morals of man.

Some ethical problems caused

by Western modernity and the Western civilization are selfishness, aggression, conflict, racism which naturally causes a negative encounter with the other races and nationalities.

The foundations of Western modernity are opposed to the natural and Islamic law. The main foundation of the Western modernity is ‘power’ which ultimately leads to fighting and conflict among people, while Islam teaches brotherhood and peace.

The other problems caused by the Western civilization are long desires, seeking comfort and luxury, while desires are the main cause of the fall of this man from his position. All the desires of human beings cannot be in accordance with the divine guidance.

(The Holy Qur’an, 23:71) The result is obvious that all the principles and foundations of Western modernity are not compatible with the Islamic law, and ultimately the human kind would need to return to the natural and Islamic law. Thus we can conclude that only the divine guidance (The Holy Qur’an) is in favour of general human interest.

The solution to the Modernity New inventions and cultures are engulfing human societies, so we need to return to the basics of human creation by Allah (swt) and lead our lives according to the glorious Qur’an and teachings of Islamic law. And we should judge and refine these flowing western cultures on the criterion of Islamic teachings.

The solution to negative modernity is to return to the teachings of Qur’an and Sunnah.

(The Qura’n: 33:36).