While morality in the Western world is ever-changing, that is not the same when it comes to Islam Photo Islamic invitation
World – Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “The fear of Allah and good morals (Akhlaq) are the two major characteristics which lead to Paradise.” (At-Tirmidhi)
Culture can be defined as the way someone lives their life. Their ideas, their manners, their morals and how they go about their day to day life. In today’s society we find there are two major cultures or ways of living. The culture of Islam which is the complete way of life set forth in the Qur’an and Sunnah (the life of Nabi (SAW))and the Western culture. Both cultures present a complete way of life but both are the complete opposite of each other, explained Mualana Mohammed Shaik.
“The two cultures stem from two very different sources. The way and life of a Muslim comes from the Quran and Sunnah while the way of the west is derived from capitalists, atheists and others of a similar nature. Essentially, it is derived from the wants and needs of man and is ever changing. Islam is set in stone.”
The cornerstone of Islamic culture is morality and simplicity. These are both qualities of Imaan (faith). True Islamic society upholds the highest levels of morality and maintains simplicity in every aspect. Something which we hardly see in the Western world, said Mualana Shaik.
The morality system set up today
Over the course of history we will find the morality system of the West changes with the times, whereas Islam has never changed. The fashion of today will not be the fashion of tomorrow. The ever-changing morality system has created massive problems in the world today.
“If we delve into the past then we will find that during the 1900’s it was considered right for a person to dress modestly. Women and men would not wear clothes that we see people wear today. Their bodies were covered and this wasn’t because of religion. It was because of the morals society has been instilled with. Shorter, tighter and more revealing is the rule by which the dress code keeps changing.”
Clothes have become smaller and tighter, respect started to fade and vulgarity became the order of today. However, Islam has never changed and will never change.
“Islam has never changed. What was right during the time of the Prophet (SAW) is still right now and what was wrong then is wrong now. While the modesty of the West changes depending on their whims, desires and needs, the definition of modesty in Islam does not. While they follow their hearts’ desires, we follow what Allah (SWT) has instructed us. This is also a form of Ibadat (worship) as we turn away from the desires of the heart and follow what Allah (SWT) has ordained for us.”
Losing our morality to the vices of today
Morality is not just about the way we dress or speak or interact with people but also how we have fun. Unfortunately, the ways of the West have penetrated the hearts and souls of the Ummah (Muslim community), said Mualana Shaik.
“Unfortunately, we have found that many Muslim youth frequent night clubs, music festivals and other such events that the Western lifestyle promotes. Drinking, drugging, clubbing have become the order of the day and we have found that many Muslim youth have lost their way due to these vices. The Western life they see on the big screens, the life of Haraam (impermissible), has now become their life.”
These vices remove morality from the heart of a believer. Once this becomes a part of their life, once they feel no shame in doing it then surely they won’t feel any shame in doing other things that go against the “morality code of Islam”, said Mualana Shaik.
SMread: Khader Adnan’s death must not be in vain
Saving oneself from the evils of today
It is thus very important for a believer to understand the harms of the West in order to save themselves and not lose their morality. For a Muslim, it is simply about following the way of Nabi (SAW) and the laws set in the Quran.
“Before we do anything we must ask ourselves a very important question. Is this part of Deen? Is this something that Islam allows and is liked? If not, even if there is a slight doubt then it is best to stay away from it. Islam is a complete and pure religion. It is a way of life. We must also keep this Deen in front of us whenever something new comes from the West. Remember that if it goes against Islam and the Sunnah, then there can be no good in it for us.”
