ISLAM IN THE CHANGING WORLD

ISLAM IN THE CHANGING WORLD Reformation Through Re-application M ODERN anthropologists generally look upon religion as a social phenomenon. This is not however, a correct view of Islam for Islam is not a product of social circumstances. As a revealed religion, it enjoys the status of an eternal and sacred religious system. Yet, there is always the question of how Islam is to remain applicable to the altered scenario of the changing times. The answer is that Islam is not a set of innumerable details. On the contrary, Islam embodies a set of fundamental values. Whatever be the conflicts brought about by changing times, they are inevitably to do with ritualistic details concerning forms—never with fundamental values. For instance, Islam preaches Monotheism, which is as a principle and by its very nature eternal. Similarly, Islam prescribes deterrent punishments for certain serious social crimes. This again is a reality which is immutable in the face of changing circumstances. To date, no such facts have come to light that disprove this principle of Islamic law. In modern times, however, it has been opined that a need has arisen to effect reforms in Islam. This is the result of a number of current misconceptions. Presented below are a few examples which professedly relate to Islam, but which are rather human additions to Islam made by Muslims themselves. These cases ostensibly give a clear indication that there is a need for reform, but it is not the reform of Islam itself which is required, but its purification of the additions. For instance, a section of the Muslim ulema of modern times held that the acquisition of Western sciences was un-Islamic. This was a case of the ulema having made a serious error of judgement, for Islam actually encourages progress in learning. Another common misapprehension is that in Islam monarchical rule is the preferred form of government. It is true, of course, that in later times certain Muslim nations favoured the institution of monarchy and that even today this system is extant in a number of Muslim countries. But in no way is this the result of Islamic teachings. It is, in fact, a Whatever be the conflicts brought about by changing times, they are inevitably to do with ritualistic details concerning forms—never with fundamental values.