Islamic Beliefs and Modern Culture

Beliefs are the central point of any religion. The whole religion revolves around them. In order to understand a religion, we have to see the belief system of it. Why? Because it is the belief system which determines whether a particular religion is true or not. Furthermore the beliefs also determine a pathway for the followers. Experience does not feel any hesitation to proclaim that the actions of any man are the reflection of his beliefs. If we study Islam and try to understand it without any prior prejudice we will surely reach to a conclusion that Islam is not a man-made religion. It is a religion which has been granted to humanity as a gift by its creator who knows the needs of human beings. He made Islam in complete harmony with the nature of man.  And we see that whosoever practices Islam perfectly finds himself in most perfect state of inner happiness and tranquility.Muslims believe in Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ and they believe that he is All-knowing and All-seeing. Nothing can be out of his knowledge and sight. It is because of this belief that a true Muslim refrains from committing a sin. If his nafs stimulates him to infringe the right of any other human being his belief reminds him of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ The All-knowing who is watching him. And in this way his beliefs saves him from the attack of Satan. On the other hand, the blind followers of modern culture who always chase the world and joys of it are always observed to be un-mindful of their creator. They don’t know that Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ is always watching them. They don’t know that a day will come when they will be asked about each and every action of them. If they are violating the rights of others then on the Day of Judgment they will have to be answerable for it.

Dear Islamic brothers! Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ is our creator and out of His mercy he has bestowed us with many mercies. Our life, our youth, our wealth and every breath of us is a bounty and a form of mercy. But never forget that on the Day of Judgment we will be asked about all these bounties. A Hadith says:

“The son of Adam will not pass away from Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ until he is asked about five things: how he lived his life, and how he utilized his youth, with what means did he earn his wealth, how did he spend his wealth, and what did he do with his knowledge.”

 (Tirmidhi)

If one asks, “What is the remedy to the disease of negligence? How can a modern man come out of the influence of modern culture?”  The answer is Islam. If we follow the footsteps of the Beloved Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ and act upon the teachings he came with, surely we will be secured from the poisonous effects of the modern culture. The following hadith will be beneficial in this regard. “Take advantage of five matters before five other matters: your youth before you become old; and your health, before you fall sick; and your wealth, before you become poor; and your free time before you become busy; and your life, before your death.” Another thing which has driven the modern man mad is wealth. Wealth is the central point in modern culture and whole culture revolves around it. In this culture wealth is an end on its own. They always run behind it. A time comes when they have wealth but they have lost every other thing. Wealth makes them oblivious of their relatives, friends, children, society and even their own health. At the end we find them in deplorable condition where this greed leaves them broken and exhausted.

Islam does not like this kind of attitude. In Islam wealth is just a means out of many for attaining the pleasure of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ. It is not an end on its own. Islam does not like a person who madly pursues wealth and ends up into the whirls of greed. A Hadith says:  

“The Messenger of Allah, عَزَّ وَجَلَّ said, “If the son of Adam had a valley full of gold, he would want to have two valleys. Nothing fills his mouth but the dust of the grave, yet Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ will accept whoever repents to him.”

May Almighty Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ grants us His love and love of His Beloved Prophet and May we be freed from the love of Dunya! Ameen