I S S U E S A N D C H A L L E N G E S C O N F R O N T I N G U M M A H

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IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFULIN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL
ISSUES &ISSUES &
CHALLENGESCHALLENGES
CONFRONTINGCONFRONTING
THE UMMAHTHE UMMAH
By Shamim A SiddiqiBy Shamim A Siddiqi

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 Islam is the Divine Guidance from our CreatorIslam is the Divine Guidance from our Creator
and Sustainer for all times to come. The way itand Sustainer for all times to come. The way it
served the socio-economic-political needs andserved the socio-economic-political needs and
conditions of the time of Rasulullah (S), the sameconditions of the time of Rasulullah (S), the same
way it is available in all respects to serve theway it is available in all respects to serve the
growing modern needs and situations of our timegrowing modern needs and situations of our time
and for all times to come. Simply it needsand for all times to come. Simply it needs
comprehensive understanding of Islam as thecomprehensive understanding of Islam as the
system of life and a clear mastery over the issuessystem of life and a clear mastery over the issues
and challenges that are facing the humanityand challenges that are facing the humanity
today. It is our utmost responsibility to presenttoday. It is our utmost responsibility to present
Islam as the most perfect system of life, suitableIslam as the most perfect system of life, suitable
to moderate the complicated life pattern of today.to moderate the complicated life pattern of today.
Islam is a limitless blessing of Allah that He hasIslam is a limitless blessing of Allah that He has
ordained for humanity till Qayamah.ordained for humanity till Qayamah.

 Keeping the above in view, I have drafted the followingKeeping the above in view, I have drafted the following
topics, themes and questions for the Muslim Ummah,topics, themes and questions for the Muslim Ummah,
especially for the American Muslims, to think and comeespecially for the American Muslims, to think and come
forward with practical suggestions/input to make Islamforward with practical suggestions/input to make Islam
acceptable to the so-called modern man and the developedacceptable to the so-called modern man and the developed
societies of the west without resorting to any change in thesocieties of the west without resorting to any change in the
Islamic system itself. We can create some constructiveIslamic system itself. We can create some constructive
dialogue and get together as and when possible. If thedialogue and get together as and when possible. If the
Ummah fails to attend these and many moreUmmah fails to attend these and many more
questions/challenges that are lying ahead, its future doesquestions/challenges that are lying ahead, its future does
not augur well. If we are able to present the concept ofnot augur well. If we are able to present the concept of
Tawheed, Akhirah, Amanah and Prophethood in a veryTawheed, Akhirah, Amanah and Prophethood in a very
fascinating manner that catches the imagination of thefascinating manner that catches the imagination of the
people of the West and spell out the values that Islampeople of the West and spell out the values that Islam
promotes, for developing a balanced human society, itpromotes, for developing a balanced human society, it
would then not be difficult to introduce and spread thewould then not be difficult to introduce and spread the
Deen of Allah in the developed societies of the WesternDeen of Allah in the developed societies of the Western
hemisphere within a decade or so, Insha Allah.hemisphere within a decade or so, Insha Allah.

 It would be in the fitness of the matter to emphasize thatIt would be in the fitness of the matter to emphasize that
the present tirades against Islam and Muslims are mostlythe present tirades against Islam and Muslims are mostly
due to the fact that we haven't done our job of presentingdue to the fact that we haven't done our job of presenting
Islam understandable to modern man who is confronted allIslam understandable to modern man who is confronted all
around with problems that the liberal and materialisticaround with problems that the liberal and materialistic
values are unable to resolve, rather are multiplying themvalues are unable to resolve, rather are multiplying them
by leaps and bounds. Equally, Muslims living in the westby leaps and bounds. Equally, Muslims living in the west
could not present the fascinating trustworthy character thatcould not present the fascinating trustworthy character that
Islam promotes. We are, thus, paying the price of ourIslam promotes. We are, thus, paying the price of our
inaction, indolence and neglecting the mission of Rasulullahinaction, indolence and neglecting the mission of Rasulullah
(S) as Da'ee Ilallah. Let us compensate the mistakes of(S) as Da'ee Ilallah. Let us compensate the mistakes of
the past and work enthusiastically with vision and concernthe past and work enthusiastically with vision and concern
as the benefactors of the suffering humanity. Let usas the benefactors of the suffering humanity. Let us
response to the situation with courage and a will to makeresponse to the situation with courage and a will to make
Islam acceptable to the needs and reasons of the "so-calledIslam acceptable to the needs and reasons of the "so-called
enlightened era".enlightened era".

 * Why we need God or is God our need? Can we* Why we need God or is God our need? Can we
exist without the concept of God? If so, what willexist without the concept of God? If so, what will
be the consequences?be the consequences?
 ** Re-presentationRe-presentation of the total concept ofof the total concept of
Tawheed – in educational, moral, spiritual,Tawheed – in educational, moral, spiritual,
Social, political, economic, international andSocial, political, economic, international and
spiritual dimensions, in the light of thespiritual dimensions, in the light of the
Qur'an and Sunnah, both to theQur'an and Sunnah, both to the
intelligentsia and masses, is essential in theintelligentsia and masses, is essential in the
present context of the world, removing allpresent context of the world, removing all
doubts that modern civilization and liberaldoubts that modern civilization and liberal
values have created in the minds andvalues have created in the minds and
approach of the secular cum liberal West.approach of the secular cum liberal West.

 *  *  What is Iman in Allah?What is Iman in Allah? What the Kalimah Tayyeba [La Ilaha  What the Kalimah Tayyeba [La Ilaha
Ilallah] demands? Can the sovereignty of the people and the Ilallah] demands? Can the sovereignty of the people and the
supremacy of Allah co-exist? Whose authority is supreme, supremacy of Allah co-exist? Whose authority is supreme,
inalienable and indivisible and why?   inalienable and indivisible and why?
 *  *  The Concept of mother nature:The Concept of mother nature: The secular societies have  The secular societies have
camouflaged the Concept of God with "mother nature" and the camouflaged the Concept of God with "mother nature" and the
concept of God exists only for academic discussion: what are its concept of God exists only for academic discussion: what are its
loses and gains?   How to convince the secular mind that success loses and gains?   How to convince the secular mind that success
of both the worlds depends only in believing in Almighty Allah, the of both the worlds depends only in believing in Almighty Allah, the
Supreme, the Omnipotent & the Omnipresent?Supreme, the Omnipotent & the Omnipresent?
 *   *   Sufferings of humanity Sufferings of humanity are perpetuating only due to ignoring are perpetuating only due to ignoring
the authority of the Creator and Sustainer and neglecting or the authority of the Creator and Sustainer and neglecting or
sidetracking the Divine Guidance as how to live, act and behave in sidetracking the Divine Guidance as how to live, act and behave in
this world? this world?
 *  *  Justice to humanity is the end of Divine Guidance:Justice to humanity is the end of Divine Guidance: Can humans  Can humans
get justice anywhere without Divine Guidance?get justice anywhere without Divine Guidance?


 2.   2.   THE CONCEPT OF AKHIRAH – The THE CONCEPT OF AKHIRAH – The
life after death: life after death:
 *  What is the concept of Akhirah? *  What is the concept of Akhirah?
What it demands? What life pattern it What it demands? What life pattern it
produces? How much responsibility it produces? How much responsibility it
creates in individuals who believe in creates in individuals who believe in
it? What pattern of life it generates in it? What pattern of life it generates in
the life of believers? How much he the life of believers? How much he
feels responsible in life and its feels responsible in life and its
undertakings with what results?   undertakings with what results?

 *   *   Compare the life pattern of a believer with that of a Compare the life pattern of a believer with that of a
disbeliever disbeliever – one is a boon while the other is a liability for – one is a boon while the other is a liability for
the human society. We have to prove it by giving vivid the human society. We have to prove it by giving vivid
examples from every walk of American life and setting examples from every walk of American life and setting
examples from the life of the people who live by this examples from the life of the people who live by this
concept both from the past and the present. concept both from the past and the present.
 *  *  The Concept of Amanah The Concept of Amanah –Trust: What trust do we –Trust: What trust do we
possess in our hands?   Are we the master of these possess in our hands?   Are we the master of these
resources or only their trustee? How they are to be used – resources or only their trustee? How they are to be used –
the way an individual likes as per his or her whims, desires the way an individual likes as per his or her whims, desires
and caprices or the way the Creator ordains? *Are we not and caprices or the way the Creator ordains? *Are we not
accountable for the use of these trusts? accountable for the use of these trusts?
 * The Concept of accountability in Akhirah stems out of the * The Concept of accountability in Akhirah stems out of the
concept of Amanah. concept of Amanah.

 3.   3.   THE CONCEPT OF PROPHETHOOD: THE CONCEPT OF PROPHETHOOD:
 *  Does man need Divine Guidance & why? *  Does man need Divine Guidance & why?
What is its source? What arrangement What is its source? What arrangement
Creator made for the guidance of Creator made for the guidance of
mankind?   How people treated the mankind?   How people treated the
Guidance and with what consequences?  Guidance and with what consequences?
 *   How the Continuity of Prophethood and *   How the Continuity of Prophethood and
that of the Guidance were maintained? that of the Guidance were maintained?

 *  Why no Prophet came after Muhammad (S)? *  Why no Prophet came after Muhammad (S)? Who Who
will now demonstrate the Truth – [the Shahadah Al-will now demonstrate the Truth – [the Shahadah Al-
Annas]?Annas]?
 * * Position of Ahadith: Position of Ahadith: Is it not the direct source of Is it not the direct source of
our Shariah after the Qur'an? Its interpretation and our Shariah after the Qur'an? Its interpretation and
application on our day-to-day life is of paramount application on our day-to-day life is of paramount
importance: does the format of existing compilations importance: does the format of existing compilations
need anyneed any  rearrangement from the point of authencity rearrangement from the point of authencity
and contents [Rawayet and Dirayet]? and contents [Rawayet and Dirayet]?
 *  *  Denial of the authority of Ahadith:Denial of the authority of Ahadith: It is becoming a  It is becoming a
menace even in America. How to counteract this growing menace even in America. How to counteract this growing
menace and establish the sanctity of Ahadith, especially in menace and establish the sanctity of Ahadith, especially in
the minds of our youth?the minds of our youth?

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 4.4. FAMILY VALUES IN ISLAM:FAMILY VALUES IN ISLAM:
 * The importance that Islam gives to these values* The importance that Islam gives to these values
and Rasulullah (S) emphasized;and Rasulullah (S) emphasized;
 * Obedience to parents after God is of paramount* Obedience to parents after God is of paramount
importance in Islam;importance in Islam;
 * Family is the first building block of human society: if it is* Family is the first building block of human society: if it is
intact, the entire edifice will hold good; * "Heaven liesintact, the entire edifice will hold good; * "Heaven lies
under the foot of the mother" – the most cohesive factor ofunder the foot of the mother" – the most cohesive factor of
Muslim family system;Muslim family system;
 * Family breeds: love, sacrifice, care, concern for* Family breeds: love, sacrifice, care, concern for
others, and respect for elders & love for youngsters;others, and respect for elders & love for youngsters;
 * Developing model Muslim homes is one of the best* Developing model Muslim homes is one of the best
means of Dawah to others.means of Dawah to others.

 5.5. POSITION OF WOMEN IN ISLAM:POSITION OF WOMEN IN ISLAM:
 * Is it not a choice between - dignity, honor and* Is it not a choice between - dignity, honor and
respectability given by Islam with certain naturalrespectability given by Islam with certain natural
restrictions and the "free-for-all" position being promotedrestrictions and the "free-for-all" position being promoted
by the liberal societies?by the liberal societies?
 * The scopes and limitations of their activities inside and* The scopes and limitations of their activities inside and
outside the family;outside the family;
 ** Hejab:Hejab: its shape, format and importance, advocating whyits shape, format and importance, advocating why
it is to be observed?it is to be observed?
 ** Socio-economic-political rights of women in Islam:Socio-economic-political rights of women in Islam: Are theyAre they
unfettered & at par with men or are qualified? Can theyunfettered & at par with men or are qualified? Can they
participate in the process of production of goods and services? Ifparticipate in the process of production of goods and services? If
not, why not?not, why not?
 * Rights and responsibilities of women as mothers, wives and* Rights and responsibilities of women as mothers, wives and
daughters in a Muslim society, comparing and contrasting with thedaughters in a Muslim society, comparing and contrasting with the
liberal values of Western societies:liberal values of Western societies: Where can they enjoy a better,Where can they enjoy a better,
most secured and honorable position?most secured and honorable position?

 66 .. POSITION OF NON-MUSLIMS:POSITION OF NON-MUSLIMS:
 ** The fundamental rights of non-Muslims -The fundamental rights of non-Muslims -
social, religious, economic and political, insocial, religious, economic and political, in
an Islamic society: What are their scopesan Islamic society: What are their scopes
and limitations?and limitations?
 * What services can they render and what* What services can they render and what
position can they hold in an Islamic State?position can they hold in an Islamic State?
 * Position of Jazyah: Can its concept,* Position of Jazyah: Can its concept,
format and the mood of payment beformat and the mood of payment be
changed or re-defined?changed or re-defined?


 7.7. DEMOCRACY [D] AND DEMOCRATIC PROCESSDEMOCRACY [D] AND DEMOCRATIC PROCESS
[DP]:[DP]:
 * Can democracy and democratic process be* Can democracy and democratic process be
separated - one from the other?separated - one from the other?
 * The concept of democracy is colliding with the concept* The concept of democracy is colliding with the concept
of Tawheed but not that of the process: Can we accept theof Tawheed but not that of the process: Can we accept the
one and reject the other, as without democratic process,one and reject the other, as without democratic process,
people's opinion cannot be ascertained? How far it ispeople's opinion cannot be ascertained? How far it is
permissible and through what mechanism?permissible and through what mechanism?
 * Can Muslims live in the West without becoming a* Can Muslims live in the West without becoming a
part of its political process? Can he or she be apart of its political process? Can he or she be a
candidate, especially in a permissive pluralisticcandidate, especially in a permissive pluralistic
society and with what consequences?society and with what consequences?
 ** Right to vote is an AmanahRight to vote is an Amanah: how can it be used in: how can it be used in
pluralistic democratic cum secular societies andpluralistic democratic cum secular societies and
under what conditions?under what conditions?

 8.8. FIQH FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM:FIQH FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM:
 * What is Fiqh? Fiqh is the application of* What is Fiqh? Fiqh is the application of
Usul [principles/directives] laid down inUsul [principles/directives] laid down in
the Qur'an and Sunnah over thethe Qur'an and Sunnah over the
problems/issues that Ummah faces in day-problems/issues that Ummah faces in day-
to-day life. Rasulullah (S), and Sahabahto-day life. Rasulullah (S), and Sahabah
applied those Usul and augmented theapplied those Usul and augmented the
Fiqh of that time. Later on, the fourFiqh of that time. Later on, the four
Imams developed it further into a science.Imams developed it further into a science.
Twelve hundred years have passed sinceTwelve hundred years have passed since
then. Both the time and conditions havethen. Both the time and conditions have
changed.changed. Now:Now:

 *  Can those applications and the fiqh developed for the *  Can those applications and the fiqh developed for the
middle ages serve the purpose of our time and meet the middle ages serve the purpose of our time and meet the
needs of a modern developed society? This is a big question needs of a modern developed society? This is a big question
before us. Does it not demand reorientation of the Fiqh in before us. Does it not demand reorientation of the Fiqh in
the context of the modern age? the context of the modern age?
 ** The principles, the directives, and the "Nasus of the  The principles, the directives, and the "Nasus of the
Qur'an and Sunnah" are available with us intact in all Qur'an and Sunnah" are available with us intact in all
respect: Can we not apply them to day-to-day affairs of our respect: Can we not apply them to day-to-day affairs of our
time and prepare the Fiqh of the twenty first century? Does time and prepare the Fiqh of the twenty first century? Does
the Qur'an or any Hadith of Rasulullah (S) prohibit us to do the Qur'an or any Hadith of Rasulullah (S) prohibit us to do
so? If not, can the Muslim scholars of today, so? If not, can the Muslim scholars of today, keeping keeping
everything intact from the Qur'an & Sunnaheverything intact from the Qur'an & Sunnah, create a , create a
consciousness on this issue and resolve to meet the great consciousness on this issue and resolve to meet the great
challenges of the time, thereby getting the Deen of Allah challenges of the time, thereby getting the Deen of Allah
acceptable to the present world and making the Shariah, acceptable to the present world and making the Shariah,
the code of conduct, workable in the changed the code of conduct, workable in the changed
circumstances? circumstances?

 *   Had the Prophet of Allah been at this time, would he (S) have not *   Had the Prophet of Allah been at this time, would he (S) have not
applied those Usul and developed the Fiqh for this time? The Fiqh is applied those Usul and developed the Fiqh for this time? The Fiqh is
neither the Qur'an nor the Hadith of Rasulullah (S): if the case is so, why neither the Qur'an nor the Hadith of Rasulullah (S): if the case is so, why
can we not prepare the Fiqh of our time and meet odd challenges that we can we not prepare the Fiqh of our time and meet odd challenges that we
are facing today in various fields - production, factories, finances, are facing today in various fields - production, factories, finances,
management, marketing, labor, education and different professions, management, marketing, labor, education and different professions,
occupations and services that were not known in the first, second and third occupations and services that were not known in the first, second and third
century of Hijrah, the time when most of the present day Fiqh was century of Hijrah, the time when most of the present day Fiqh was
developed?   developed?
 **   Can the conditions of Ijtihad not fulfill today, rather more efficiently    Can the conditions of Ijtihad not fulfill today, rather more efficiently
and comprehensively? Why then we keep the doors of Ijtihad closed and and comprehensively? Why then we keep the doors of Ijtihad closed and
get ourselves tied down with "Salf" and the life pattern that does not exist get ourselves tied down with "Salf" and the life pattern that does not exist
today? today?
 *   Compilation of civil and criminal codes, dress codes and etiquettes of *   Compilation of civil and criminal codes, dress codes and etiquettes of
life are the integral part of this process of modernization within the bounds life are the integral part of this process of modernization within the bounds
and limits of Shariah as laid down in the Qur'an and Sunnah - this process and limits of Shariah as laid down in the Qur'an and Sunnah - this process
has rather become overdue: Who will now undertake this onerous task in has rather become overdue: Who will now undertake this onerous task in
order to live by the time? order to live by the time?


 * * Words of cautionWords of caution:: However, the Strategy of However, the Strategy of
proposed Fiqh for our time proposed Fiqh for our time should in no way should in no way be be
based on the "inferiority complex" due to western based on the "inferiority complex" due to western
domination and the liberal values that are domination and the liberal values that are
prevailing in the secular capitalistic system of life. prevailing in the secular capitalistic system of life.
The Fiqh of our time will meet the genuine The Fiqh of our time will meet the genuine
problems of time and make Islamic System of life problems of time and make Islamic System of life
understandable and workable both to understandable and workable both to
intelligentsia and the masses in their day to day intelligentsia and the masses in their day to day
life, keeping the present day needs and urgencies life, keeping the present day needs and urgencies
in mind and maintaining the equilibrium in in mind and maintaining the equilibrium in
between the needs and what Islam advocates, between the needs and what Islam advocates,
promotes and professes. promotes and professes.

 Shamim A SiddiqiShamim A Siddiqi
 140-11 Ash Avenue, #5A, Flushing, NY140-11 Ash Avenue, #5A, Flushing, NY
-11355-11355
 Phone: 718-961-7708Phone: 718-961-7708
 E-mail:E-mail: tsidd96472@aol.comtsidd96472@aol.com;; Website:Website:


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