The following article concentrates on the Social System (Nizam al ijtimaa) which organizes all the relationships and interactions between men and women in public life i.e. society, and private life i.e. the home. Though it must be realized all the systems are interrelated and all attempts to implement one without the other not only lead to disastrous outcomes in this life, and also the next life as they are un-Islamic and anger Allah. For example, the punishments prescribed by Allah (SWT) in the punishment system build the importance of certain values in society. So, the implementation of the following verse in relation to the Hadd punishment has a profound effect on the functioning of the social system; Allah (SWT) prescribed: "And those who accuse honourable women but do not bring four witnesses, flog them with eighty stripes and never again accept their testimony. They are indeed evil-doers, except those who afterwards repent and make amends." (TMQ 24: 4-5).
This verse concerns the Hadd of al-qadhf or the false accusation of unchastely. This builds the value of the 'Ird or honour of a woman in society. However in so called 'liberated' societies there is no concept of protecting the honour of women. It is given no value, save its 'commercial' value. The dignity of women is bought and sold in the screens of the Western media, leading to the erosion of her role as a mother, daughter, wife or sister. By means of another example, it is wholly apparent the world over that without the Islamic economic system basic needs are not secured, thereby making the husbands role as provider more difficult. This is the current situation in the world where the husband and wife both need to work to cover the costs of their basic necessities. This occurs to the extent that it may lead to compromise of their respective roles ordained in married life.
So although aspects of the Social System are still retained in Muslim countries despite the demise of the Khilfah, its measures are deemed to have failed by the populace as it is not harmoniously instituted as part of a whole, but left to flounder in the presence of a Non-Islamic framework. So Islam's call for the 'Ird (honor of women) is drowned out by the shrill cry for the exploitation of women beamed into the houses of Muslims through the Imperialist satellite media monster. Such a viscous onslaught can be witnessed in Gulf countries. This may lead to either sexual frustration or excess so called 'liberation'. In some countries both coexist, as in Turkey or Pakistan.
Society today has a corrupt social system, stemming from the disorganization of the Man/Woman relationship. The current ills and the corruption existing in society are a result of the corrupt basis upon which the social system, and indeed all systems are based. "Social Ills" in most sociology text books. The problems however are always dealt with in isolation, and never traced back to the basis. The understanding that if the basis is corrupt then everything, which stems from it will naturally be corrupt, doesn't exist in this society. Rape, child abuse, pornography, adultery, incest, rising divorce rates, husband /wife battering , are all symptoms of this fundamental problem.
For Muslims this is a fundamental point which leads to the questioning of the basis the society is built upon. The Muslim, using his/her intellect recognizes the corruption of a Way of Life built on the basis of Secularism, and recognizes the truth of Islam, and that only a society built on the Islamic Aqeeda, implementing comprehensively the Islamic Shariah, will achieve any success and progress in this life and the next. The objective of a Muslim is worship of Allah (SWT) by following all Allah's (SWT) laws, whereas the objective of a non-Muslim is to achieve as much self-gratification as possible, by following their own whims and desires. The difference in objective understandably leads to a difference in action, and in relation to the social system, a difference in the organisation of the relationship between man and women. In regards to the Social System, Allah has organized the relationship between Man and Women, for the benefit of al-Insan, the human race as a whole, to ensure its procreation and progress. Without such a system would lead to monasticism, and the misery of man and woman alike.
Humans have three instincts Worship, Survival and Pro-creational. If the instincts are not controlled and directed by use of the intellect through a system, they will lead to the problems we see existing in the present society. The pro-creational instinct manifests itself in different relationships, depending on the role of the Man/Women i.e. Mother/Father, Wife/Husband, Daughter/Son. Each role is defined by Shariah. It is interesting to contrast the position given to Muslims under Islam in each of their roles, to the position currently held by all humans living under the present Kufr systems.
The relationship of Child and Parent, Sibling and Sibling, Spouse and Spouse, are all based on a) The corrupt basis of Secularism b) Corrupt concepts such as Freedom and Individualism
All relationships are organized due to the need and desire and limited intellect of the Individuals in the relationship. Society passes messages to Individuals on how to behave through mediums such as TV soaps, Films, Music, Magazines etc. Creating a certain atmosphere in society and sending certain messages to either sex on the 'correct' way to behave to each other, i.e. Mr. Macho or Mr. Sensitive. A women's place is in the home or on the career ladder. These messages lead to a state of constant confusion and turmoil existing in society, as the messages are always changing and often conflict.
The government will also intervene when a certain situation arises. This is marked by concerted government campaigns on a certain issue. With the Aids scare, which was subsequently shown to be a hoax, the government line began to be a push towards long monogamous relationships, and this was reflected in the film industry which scaled down the sexual exploits of its heroes. The government also interfered in the Child/Parent relationship in the issue of who could 'smack' a child. A law was passed allowing parents this privilege! In the issue of divorced couples the notorious Child Support Agency was set up to chase non-paying absent fathers, after a government directed media blitz on the topic. All such countermeasures indicate a basic imbalance and deficiencies in man-made systems. Which is a reflection of man's limited nature.
The Status and Role of Women & Men Women are considered as an honour and must be respected with dignity. The man is obliged to protect the woman's honour from all slander, exploitation and attack. The main role of the woman is that of a wife and mother. She has the responsibility of looking after the children and providing comfort for her husband. However, this does not negate the role of the husband to care for the children or for the wife to have a societal role and a career. Indeed, Islam has encouraged the woman to pursue a societal role i.e. as a doctor, teacher or judge, and permits her to hold a career in all fields, e.g. in business, as long as it does not conflict with her primary role and duties. Though the woman looks after the family and can finance herself, the actual obligation (fard) of providing food, shelter and clothing to the woman and the family falls on the father and husband.
Women & Men in Political Life Women, like men are charged with the responsibility to participate in the political life to account those responsible for running the affairs of the state. Likewise, in the present absence of the Islamic State, the Muslim woman is obliged (fard) to work to establish the Deen and to give da'wa (invite non-Muslims to Islam and bring the Muslims to understand and struggle to establish the Deen). Hence one finds two women were present at the Pledge of War (Bayat al-Aqaba At-Thaany).
However, a woman is not allowed to become the ruler i.e. Khaleefah, or to occupy positions of ruling e.g. Wali of a province. The evidence for this is the hadith of narrated by Bukhari on the authority of Abi Bakra. He said: "When the news reached the Prophet (saw) about the Persians electing the daughter of the King (Kisra) as their ruler, He (saw) said: "Any people who are ruled by a woman will never prosper."
Women & Men Are Not the Same Obviously, some would say that this confirms the sexist nature of Islam. But this is not only erroneous and completely false but an indication of the ignorance and the western attack that has prevailed over the Muslim Ummah. The whole concept of equality is false since by nature both men and women are different. In Islam one is not considered inferior to the other, unlike that which exists in religions such as Christianity. Nor are women seen as economic commodities like in the West. In Islam, both the man and the woman have obligations and roles that are similar and also other obligations and roles that are different e.g. the man is obliged to fight Jihad and to finance the family, but this is not obliged on the woman. So if one were to consider the concept of equality in Islam, 'equality' is in terms of reward and punishment i.e. if both neglect a duty (fard) or undertake a haram action they will be punished by Allah (swt) and/or by the Islamic State.
"Everyone who has committed an atoms weight of good and evil shall see it." (Al-Zilzila:7/8)
The Laws of Gathering (Private and Public Space) Unlike the licentious liaisons that occur daily in the West, Islam ensures modesty between men & women before they are brought together in the legal union of marriage. So, within the Islamic State, or in the present absence of the State, men and women (unless they are Mahrem i.e. unable to marry each other, reference: An-Nur:31) are forbidden to gather in both the public and the private life, unless Shari'ah (the Islamic Law) has stipulated and permitted otherwise e.g. studies, work, buying and selling and Hajj in the public arena. Therefore, though gathering is permitted in educational establishments, this is specific to being taught and asking help in a subject thus, socializing and/or gathering for entertainment in schools, colleges, universities etc.. is completely forbidden, likewise at work or in the marketplace. Islam both defines the public and private space and governs, like in all affairs of the Muslim, the laws of mixing. Both men and women are obliged to lower their gaze (ref: An-Nur 30-31) and in both the public and private space, a man and a woman are not allowed (it is haram) to be alone in a room with someone who is not Mehrim to them. Muhammad (saw) said: "A woman should not meet and mix with a man alone unless she has a mehram with her." This also applies to the man.
Such values would alter the face of society. For example, within the Islamic State, the public transport system would be segregated between the men and the women, as would be the workplace and education establishments.
The Dress Code of the Woman Both men and women under the Shari'ah are obliged to cover certain parts of their body, Al-Awrah. Again this contrasts with the Western concept of open display and attraction, leading to frustration. In the private life in the company of women, a woman can show her awrah i.e. all her body except that between the chest and knee. This is similar for the woman's Mehram.
In the public life, the woman is obliged (fard) to cover her awrah completely (her body, neck and hair) except for the face and the hands, in response to the command of Allah (SWT),
"O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks around them. That will be better so that they may recognized and not annoyed." (TMQ 33:59)
The dress, therefore, in the public life consists of a combined head and neck-scarf (Khimar) and an outer garment (jilbab) to go on top of the clothes she would normally wear in the house. The Jilbab has to be loose, down to the feet, not see through and not a dazzling display (tabarruj).
Regarding the beauty of a woman, things that are dazzling and draws the attention of the men, including any perfume that is able to be smelt in the public life are forbidden. The Messenger of Allah (swt) said: "Any woman who puts on perfume and passes by men and they smell her, then she is considered as someone who is committing adultery.”
Marriage Human beings have been endowed with the instincts of love and procreation. Unlike the perverted corruption of the West that puts no restrictions on the manifestations of these instincts, Islam has given mankind a system to control and express them i.e. marriage. Allah says in the Qur'an:
"And among His signs is this; that He created mates for you from yourselves, that you may find rest and peace of mind in them, and he ordained between you love and mercy: verily in that are Signs for those who reflect" (TMQ 30:21)
There is no celibacy in Islam, and contrary to the slanderous image portrayed by the West and traditional cultures, the woman cannot be forced into a marriage. Though the Qur'an says that the man has a degree over the woman, this refers to protection and not for the man to rule her or to have a master-servant relationship, since obeying the husband is only a part of obeying the laws of Allah (swt). Indeed the principle is to 'have good relationship between them'. Muhammad (saw) said: "The best amongst you is the one who is best to his wife..."
Therefore the role of the husband is also to please, understand, care and respect the wife. So if the husband commands the wife to go against Allah (swt) and one of her obligations (fard), the wife herself is obliged to disobey the husband.
Unlike the corrupted practices in some cultures, the dowry (mahr) is from the man to the woman and if a wife needs help in the house it is the duty of the husband to help her and if necessary, employ someone to help her.
Islamic and Western Perspectives on Love The present corrupt society basis this relationship purely on physical and/or emotional need. Love has become the most popular word in all languages, all relationships are built on it, but no one has a clear understanding of what it means. The results of basing such an important relationship on this indefinable emotion are clear in the rising statistics on broken relationships, and failed marriages. The definition of the relationship between husband and wife, and the roles each should occupy, is again left open to interpretation to human minds, leading to clear misery. Islam recognises the importance of this relationship, and unlike the West gives clear guidelines to the husband and wife in regards to their relationship with each other, removing the confusion and allowing both to work in harmony with each other, providing a framework for love to flourish between them.
Allah also says in the Qur'an
"Wives have the same rights on husbands as husbands have on them, in accordance with well-known principles." (TMQ 2:228).
The Qur'an, especially Surah al-Nisa and Surah Nur, and the hadiths of the Prophet (saw) contain details on this relationship, which forms the bedrock of society, and is the starting point for the next generation.
Parenthood The role of the parent is constantly undermined in today's society. With the children being told that they are Individuals and have the right to express their own personalities, their is very little room left for the parents to discipline their own children, without being seen as being over-bearing and 'ancient'. In the name of freedom, children have become free to govern their own behaviour. Recent newspaper reports show how there has been a rise in children murdering their parents, often for economic gain.
In Islam the attitude of a child to his/her parents is governed by Shariah, e.g.s of Islam's attitude towards Parents can be seen in the following Hadiths:
Abu Bakrah reported that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said; "Allah forgives every sin which He desires (to forgive out of the sins of man) except the disobedience to parents, for Allah makes haste for retribution to one who commits this sin in his life before death." (Shu'ab Al-Imran)
Al -Mughirah reported that Allah's Messenger (saw)said; "Verily Allah forbade you to disobey the mothers." (Agreed Upon).
Abd Allah bin 'Amr reported that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said; "Pleasure of the Lord lies in the pleasure of the father and wrath of the lord lies in the anger of the father." (Jami Tirmizi)
Conclusion There are many more laws that encompass the Islamic Social System which have not been covered and an immense amount of detail to that which has been referred to. The Ummah needs to begin to digest such Islamic culture to protect itself from the erroneous and corrupted practices that exist in the West and in our cultures and traditions. Just as importantly we need to build ourselves out of the diseased mould that has been offered by the West and challenge such corruption by offering Islam as the only alternative, so that we build a generation that has the aptitude to revive and sustain the Khilafah. The realms of the struggle are many since the attack by the Kuffar is diverse i.e. through the Media, the Education System, the Social System and the Ruling System. Not only is the present generation affected by it, but also the next, our future. What kind of future do they have in such a perverted, immoral and crime ridden society?
Though the realms of struggle are many, the method to undertake them is but one, referring to the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Our Ummah needs to struggle to achieve the victory of Allah (swt) and see the Islamic System, Al-Khilafah be re-established so it can implement not merely the social system, but all the other systems that Allah (swt) obliged the Muslim Ummah to enact, protect and propagate.
"Verily, Allah will not change the circumstances of a people until they change what is within themselves.”
Allah (swt) bless the Ummah of Islam, make her foothold strong and give her success in this life with the establishment of the Deen and in the Afterlife, with the gardens of Paradise.
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form