How Can Islam Still be Applicable in the 21st Century?
Somebody once mocked Islam when referring to the crane accident in Makkah in 2015 in which many people died that maybe addendums were needed in the Qur'an to deal with new issues. However, they are not necessary in the Qur’an nor in the sayings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), which are also a source of revelation for us, as Allah says,
“Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only a Revelation revealed.” [Qur’an 53:3-4]
As they are Almighty God’s revelations for mankind, they have the ability to be as applicable today as they were over 1400 years ago when they were first revealed. Let me illustrate this point to you by linking it to the crane accident.
One day Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, noticed a Bedouin leaving his camel without tying it. He asked the Bedouin, "Why don't you tie down your camel?" The Bedouin answered, "I put my trust in Allah." The Prophet then said, "Tie your camel first, then put your trust in Allah."
Any Muslim involved in the construction work who knew this saying of Prophet Muhammad would know that it means we should put our effort in/try our best with regards to safety, quality of work etc. and then put our trust in Allah hoping for a good outcome.
However, Allah says in the Qur’an,
“Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you should be within towers of lofty construction.” (Qur’an 4:78)
This shows us that when death is destined for us it will overtake us no matter where we are regardless of the effort we have put in. In such situations where the outcome is not what we had hoped for we follow the advice of Allah in His final testament, the Qur'an,
“… but give glad tidings to As Saabiroon (the patient). Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: ‘Truly, to God we belong and truly, to Him we shall return’” [Qur'an 2:155-156]
Along with the advice of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) who said: “How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for all his affairs are good, and that is for no one except the believer. If something good happens to him, he gives thanks, and that is good for him, and if something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience and that is good for him.”
See, no addendums necessary.
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As for the misconception that technology is not allowed in Islam, Google the Islamic Golden Age to read up on scientific and technological advancements made by Muslims when Europe was in the Dark Ages. It's possible that some people confuse Muslims with the Amish.
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During the Islamic Golden Age, when the West was in the dark Ages, Muslims made great leaps in science and technology without losing their principles and morality or destroying the natural world. The West has failed to achieve this. The Islamic Golden Age lasted around 500 years whereas Islam was a global influence for a millennia. Other great civilisations also contributed greatly to human advancement. In contrast, the Industrial Revolution in the West only began around 300 years ago and the living conditions of most people didn't improve until only the last century. The West still has a long way to go to but like they say, ignorance is bliss and arrogance is born of ignorance.
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Allah tells us in his final testament, the Qur’an (translation of the meaning):
"Have they not traveled through the earth and observed how was the end of those before them? They were greater than them in power, and they plowed the earth and built it up more than they have built it up, and their messengers came to them with clear evidences. And Allah would not ever have wronged them, but they were wronging themselves.
Then the end of those who did evil was the worst [consequence] because they denied the signs of Allah and used to ridicule them." (Quran 30:9-10)
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There are some who state that Islam is backward for encouraging women to cover, especially in a similar manner to The Virgin Mary and women in the past such as Anglo Saxon women all the way to Victorian women. They claim that the West has moved on but isn't wearing very little clothes typical of primitive societies/cultures, so who are the ones who have moved forward and who are the backward ones?
Now that Saudi is following the West’s lead in encouraging its women to wear less clothes and its people to engage in Satanic arts (Hollywood style) Saudi women can also look forward to what Western women have been ‘enjoying’ over the last few decades, that is, being groped and sexually assaulted by pervy men. Don’t deny it now: remember the "#MeToo" (Me Too hashtag)? On Facebook alone, the hashtag had been used by more than 4.7 million people in 12 million posts during the first 24 hours.
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Umm Hafab
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