Islam in the Third Millennium: The Way Forward for Modern Muslims

By Mohammad Soukat Ali

Islam, after many centuries, in the worlds most open, intellectually developed, and creative civilization has lost its way for a long time. Muslims are now engaged in sectarian rivalries and mutually destructive activities, simultaneously developing a narrow view of the broader worldfailing to make much progress for a long time and acting aimlessly they seem to be a misfit with other people. Along with the usual ideas of reformation of Islam, this book incorporates many lateral and radical thoughts. These may inspire Muslims to regain vitality, make progress, and live in harmony with other people for a peaceful world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Sep 22, 2015
• ISBN: 9781514462874

Mohammad Soukat Ali

Mohammad Soukat Ali was born and graduated from India and came to the UK in 1966. Having earned enough money, he went to the Oxford University and obtained the postgraduate diploma in agricultural economics. He worked as an executive officer under the British Government until 2003. After retirement, he wrote several articles on Islam in minor magazines and became a fellow of the London-based Muslim Institute. Several of his blogs appeared in the institute’s website. Feeling strongly that Muslims must change, he has written this book containing many novel and radical suggestions and controversial views.

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Copyright © 2015 by Mohammad Soukat Ali.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 07/09/2015

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CONTENTS

This simplified Guide of Islam has been narrated in two parts. Part I sets out the main theme and elaborates them as much possible within the limitation of this book. Part II has seven appendices and provides some useful additional information.

PART I

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1 Reformation of Islam

Chapter 2 Emergence of Islam as a Religion

Chapter 3 Early Expansion of Islam

Chapter 4 Emergence of Diverse Sects

Chapter 5 Rationalistic Movements in Islam

Chapter 6 The OIC

Chapter 7 Interpreting the Quran in the Modern Light

Chapter 8 Universality of Islam

PART II

Appendix I Outstanding Islamic Scholars

Appendix II Chart of Islam

Appendix III Lineage of the Various Branches of Shiah Imams

Appendix IV Some Notes:

Appendix V References (Sources)

Appendix VI Some Basics & Social Etiquettes of Islam

Appendix VII Glossary

(At the outset it is to be noted that most of the criticism and suggestion for reformation have been made on aspects which concerns the Sunni Muslims who are about 85% of all Muslims and most of the current criticisms by the non Muslims seem to point to the activities of the Sunnis. The Shiahs seem to react to the activities of the Sunnis and others. It will be extremely difficult to search all the other Muslim sects, mentioned in Chapter 4 and pick out which of their activities are subject to regular criticism and require reformation. It is hoped that if the OIC is reformed in the manner suggested in Chapter 6 all sects will gradually come closer to each other and only one set of ritualistic guidance will eventually emerge for all Muslims. There are some unavoidable repetitions of some themes in different parts of the book.)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

During writing this book several people helped me directly or indirectly to whom I express my gratitude as without their help I could not have accomplished this task. I am especially indebted to Hassan Mahamdallie, Deputy Editor of the quarterly Critical Magazine of the Muslim Institute, London. He part-edited the book and offered many specific advice and general guidance helping improve its quality. I should also mention the name Dr. S. M. Deen, Professor Emeritus of the Keele University, UK and author the book ‘Science Under Islam – Rise Decline and Revival’, for his general guidance on many matters. I cannot avoid mentioning the name of Mohammad Shahadat Ali of Gants Hill, Ilford, UK for his patience in listening to me during our regular morning walk and helping me develop my ideas and occasionally offering contrary views.

Finally my daughter Dr. Roshanara Ali, my son-in-law Asim Manzoor ACA also deserve mention for partially editing the manuscript and correcting some errors and inconsistencies when they had little time to spare for taking care of their newborn son Adam.

The responsibility for any errors omissions and inconsistencies lies with me.

Mohammad Soukat Ali

September 2015

FOREWORD

This book attempts to envisage a new direction for the Muslims in the Third Millennium with the hope of bringing about greater unity between them by removing the differences which make them intolerant and hostile to each other. It is also hoped that they will become one community, but still maintaining some degree of the diversity that has developed over time.

With that objective in mind I have attempted to simplify many aspects of Islam which are seemingly contradictory and difficult to understand. I have also suggested changes to certain religious practices and replacing the others with humane and modern alternatives.

This book is intended for all people - Muslims and Non-Muslims. Some of the themes will be familiar to those Muslims in Europe, America and elsewhere who are already engaged in Muslim reforms and progressive thinking. Muslims also need to form fraternal relationship with people of other faiths, attracting them to Islam by advancing the common cause of humanity. Though it is mentioned in the Quran that there are rewards for one’s good deeds after death, we are not entirely sure what Allah will actually do to us, as Allah will punish or reward whoever He will. ……He is the best of judges (Quran 6:57).

We must examine our faith fully and honestly to be certain that we are following it correctly. There is no certainty that observance of mundane ritualism will ensure a Muslim a place in paradise after death; it is not certain either that non-Muslims will go to Hell. What we observe every day is that whether one is Muslim or not, God does not treat people differently in this world. When it rains in a place He does not water the fields of the Muslims only and leave the fields of other religious faith dry. Why do some of us behave differently with people of a different faith? I stress that human needs are of paramount importance. After all Islam is not of any benefit unless it can help all people by meeting their spiritual and earthly human needs. All people are mutually dependent with each other all the time. That is why I stress in Chapter 8 that Islam in the Third Millennium must be inclusive if it is to succeed in taking its message to people hitherto untouched by its teachings.

The histories of the Chapters 2 and 3 have been narrated rather briefly, as there are many excellent books about them in public libraries or bookshops. Those who wish to discover the history of Islam in depth should seek them from those publicly available sources.

Finally, it is important for the readers to appreciate that this book is intended as a general guide and not as the panacea for solutions of the problems Muslims are facing now or may face in the immediate future

September 2015

INTRODUCTION

More than a quarter of the world population is Muslims. They come from the most nationalities and cultural backgrounds. Regrettably disagreements which surfaced soon after the death of Prophet Mohammed and divergence began to develop gradually giving the different groups separate identity such Kharaji, Shiah, Sunni etc, making them enemy of each other. Some driven out of their place of birth are taking shelter among the non Muslims such the Ahmmadiyas or the Ismalies while others are thriving learning how to survive as minorities. The mutually destructive relationship among the different sects of Islam is making them so weak that in the international arena they have become easy victims of the dominating and opportunist countries of the world.

Another worrying matter is that Muslims are also looked at with suspicions by people of other religions. For some of their own behaviours they are almost regularly facing hostilities from non Muslims. For some of their practices they are regarded as medieval and sometimes barbarous. Islam, after Christianity, is now the second largest religion of the world and according to many sources it is the fastest growing religion. In spite of the unfavourable views exaggerated by the powerful Christian dominated Western media, how is it that it is making inroads to the same Christian countries? It is therefore conceivable that Islam can spread at a much faster rate and be more influential if their negative image can be replaced by more favourable one.

Why the religion of Islam can spread faster than as is happening now? The answers are inherent in the following:

1. Islam is the last major world religion.

2. Normally the last one is more comprehensive and contains ideas more relevant to current human needs. If those ideas are adapted to make suitable for the progressive needs of all human beings it will expand even faster than it is doing now.

3. Generally one cannot be a Hebrew or a Hindu as one has to be born into these faiths. So these people can increase in number only by progressive birth rate which modern lifestyle requires controlling. Islam is open to all and therefore it is always attracting new converts.

4. Though the highly revered religious leaders such as the Pope and the Arch Bishops are helping Christianity to hold its position in the world, it is turning into a loose ideology and making it lose its appearance as a cohesive religion by becoming too accommodating to everybody’s demands. For example in the UK people regarded as Christians mostly seem to be agnostic or atheist making the believing Christians a minority. Otherwise, why many churches are closing down due to poor attendance and mosques are proliferating. Christianity is spreading only among some the poorer and less educated class of people in the developing countries where missionaries are still active meeting their practical reeds such as education, healthcare and economic benefits.

5. Buddhism is a religion which is indifferent about God, but God is believed one way or another by the majority of the people the world. People need a deity for spiritual support expecting reassurance and succour in their hour of need. It has practically been eradicated from its place of origin India. Almost all the Buddhists are now in the South-Eastern Asia where the majority are fast becoming materialistic and consumerism taking a strong hold. For modern people its appeal as a practical and useful creed for the alleviation of human suffering and achieving ‘Nirvana’ has become too simplistic and less convincing; hence one can notice that Buddhists among the Europeans are only exceptions rather than the norm. It is not now a peaceful a religion as often is portrayed. Beginning with the Second World War South Eastern Parts of Asia is littered with instances of violence, mass killing, genocidal activities and intolerance to other creeds. Bhutan is an exception but the peaceful people of Tibet are finding it hard to survive by the actions of the people who themselves were Buddhists before.

6. Though one of the meanings of Islam is Peace at present its image as a peaceful religion is difficult to justify. This is where the Muslims should pay their attention to. Stagnation of Islam for about five hundred years, interference and tampering by the colonial, empire building and capitalistic countries have caused and are causing enormous damage to Islam; it is now dependent on and fearful of those countries which are acting as power blocks. Muslims do not seem to know how to respond to these challenges. That is why cliques such as Al-Qaida, Taliban, ISIS, Caliphate Movement (i.e. Restoration of the Caliphate System) etc. are raising their heads. The so called freedom fighters, not knowing what their real objective is, have started fighting each other and are carrying out subversive activities enraging many Muslim and the Western countries. They are like mindless thugs, without any noble and humanitarian vision, whose ideas are born out of frustrations and inability to act in a legitimate and organized way to achieve their objective.

This image problem of Islam should be viewed from the perspective of the world events having damaging effects on the Muslims. There are constant and concerted attacks on the Muslim communities in the western press. It is often propagated by many non Muslims that Islam was preached and spread by swords. Now-a-days these weapons have been replaced by more powerful and potent weapons which are now in the hands of other people and they are using it whenever and wherever they need. For example the Americans used cluster bombs containing radioactive materials indiscriminately during the