-1- The first point is that "The Islamic Society is based on the Holy Book Quran, Traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H. and the consensus of all pious, religious and wise people". This point is very clear and Islamic teachings are known by these 3 sources (though Ijtehad also has a high place in this matter but it is totally based on these 3 sources of knowledge and it is necessary for the person making a decision in the Islamic matters by this way to be on the most high level of understanding of Islam, of the circumstances of the present world, of the subject in which he is going for that Ijtehad, of the influence it will put upon the working of the Society when put in practice and the demands to be fulfilled for that Ijtehad once it is accepted practically by the Islamic Society. Also, Ijtehad must be limited only to the matters not clearly defined in the Three Main Sources). All steps taken in an Islamic Society must have behind them a consideration of these 3 things and this point is so important that all other points are in fact detail of this one point.
-2- The second point is that "In the Islamic Society, Administration would provide special privileges to women and small children in all 5 aspects of life" . These 5 are Martial Aspect, Education, Economic Aspect, Cultural Aspect and Justice. All benefits possible must be extended to women and children, keeping Islamic teachings in view. As far as the martial and economic aspect Is concerned, Islam does not put any duty of saving the country or earning for living on women and children. The Islamic reason to put this point in front for creation of an Islamic Society is that Islam cares for the weak people. Those men would also get attention who are old or crippled, but I have mentioned women and children only because they are naturally weak and so would be cared for specially. The Holy Book Quran asks to pay attention for fighting in the favor of weak people (Sura Nisa - 75). Then, in this very Sura, Allah grants mercy to all those who have no option except to live with sins and sinful people. However, one must see one's ability and it is wrong to keep silent on sins for this silence in itself is a sin (See Sura Nisa - 97, 98 & 99). Then, in this very Sura, in Ayat 127, the rights of weak people have been emphasized. I will also point out that when Kuffar (the non-believers) said that leave out the poor people so that we may hear you, Ayat 52 of Sura An'aam descended, not to act in such a way (in fact, the Holy Prophet P.B.U.H. was ordered to keep the special company of these poor people as can be seen in Sura Kahaf - 28). Its a point to note that there are 2 levels of Economic position which must never be present in the Islamic Society i.e. to have so much of the worldly possessions and riches that much of those remains in spare (this makes a person think he is able to do whatever he likes and he challenges the Lord) and the second level is to have nothing even for the basic necessities of life (this makes a person neglect all morals and do great wrongs without thinking of their adverse impact on himself and other people). Much of this can be understood by studying Sura Baqara-219, Sura Zaari'aat-19 and SuraBalad - whole of it.
-3- The third point is "In the Islamic Society, Administration would impose the limit to Photography so as to avoid pictures of living beings except for necessity". We are using three kinds of modern equipment i.e. (a) those things which convey physical appearance with or without voice including TV and Compuers so these two may only be used within some moral limits as they have their benefits and necessity does ask their incorportion in the Islamic Society for sure but these moral limits must be well defined by the Administration in the Book of Law for the land. Also still camera may only be used for official use while other things of this nature must better be avoided or modified in such a way that they do not convey physical appearance except for martial use. (b) The second type of things are means of conveyance i.e. cars, trains, air-planes, ships etc. and these may be used though again with some limits in their use. The private vehicles may only be used at cities and not at suburbs or villages though public vehicles may be used without restrictions of place. Necessary vehicles like tractors may be used at villages without any charge though remaining the property of the Administration of the country to fulfil the formulated law. (c) the third type of modern equipment are other than these mentioned i.e. bulbs, fans, cookers, stoves, irons, refrigerators, watches, calculators etc. These type of things can be used without restrictions of place totally. By this necessary adjustment, we can fulfill the demands of HIJAB of women, teachings about music and pictures as can be understood by the serious students of Islam. In Sura Maida, a verse says "Today, I have completed your Deen (ISLAM, i.e. completed in a practical sense) and put My Blessings in full upon you and have chosen Islam for you as your DEEN" (Sura Maida - 3). This clarifies that Islamic principles have been fully given in the shining period of Muhammad and also note that this verse is one of the last verses of the Holy Quran which descended upon the Holy Prophet. Please note that to keep quiet seeing sins is in itself a sin. We are facing filthy films and movies in Muslim lands because of this sinful silence while Islam does not allow photographs of living beings without restrictions even for necessity and we can not reserve them for fun except for martial reasons and that also in a limited way (Study Islam for detail). Time has come when we must leave hypocrisy once & for all. All those things which are fully capable of conveying all the features of a person like TV must be managed with moral limits (in fact previously I thought and conveyed that even such special areas of land must also be created that TV could be limited to them yet now I consider that the right moral limits if imposed with good faith is capable to do the job well). This seems totally necessary if we are to create an Islamic Society soon. As for Computers, briefly it must be understood that if they are not used for filthy movies then they are one of the best things we have for Islamic study and learning. Hard Disks of great capacity with floppy Diskettes must be appreciated for the sake of knowledge but we must create an environment where naturally people ask for knowledge rather than falling prey to low desires. The basic argument for this point is contained in one word "SIMPLICITY" as this Islam demands fully from its believers. A true Muslim must never forget that the world is a place of examination and the coming world is the true destination. In AHADEES, life is said to be a travel only and as such the success in the life after this one is our true goal. The Islamic concept of closing the means of shamelessness, which is well manifested in the command of Hijab, totally establishes the fact that to lose self in the beauty of the world is a great foolishness and with this stance, the point is very understandable indeed.-4- The fourth point is "In the Islamic Society, the 3 points administrative system will be practiced with all its necessary detail". I have thought quite a lot about this and have written this administrative system as understood by IJTEHAD. The first point of this 3 points' administrative system is that "it would be practiced on three levels i.e. AMEER, HAKIM, & MUNTAZIMEEN". The second point is that "it would be practiced in accordance with 4 Islamic laws namely Principal & Scattered, Subject & Object, Hope & Fear and Advice & Command. The third point is that "it would be practised through five channels of life, those being Martial aspect, Education, Economic aspect, Cultural aspect and Justice". Wherever this system of administration takes place, the country will be divided into many administrative zones. In every zone, there will be an Ameer who will be the guiding force for the Islamic way of life. Besides him, there will be 5 Hakims, each one would be the head of a channel just mentioned and these 6 persons will be chosen for 20 years. Also there will be 51 Muntazimeen heading one channel under the management of the respective Hakim, making these Muntazimeen 255 in total at one place. So, a Zonal Council of 261 persons will come into being for administration which will be a comprising unit for the National Assembly of the Islamic country. I will discuss the 5 channels at the end of this writing for detail for the sake of convenience; at present let's take the detail for the 4 rules of this administration. As far as the Principal & Scattered form is concerned, it is known that in the days of the great Caliphs of Islam, the administration was carried out by making a place DAR-UL-KHILAFAT (Capital) where the Caliph lived and from there, commands were carried out in the whole of the country. The persons in the local administration also had enough power to give orders and enforce their judgment in many matters without asking for any guidance from the Principal country. Though the world has changed quite a lot since then, yet there is no harm or trouble in making the same set up for administration as this set up has the power to correct its own errors when the administrators are loyal to the cause of Islam. This point can be understood much better by studying the golden period of the Holy Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H. and the shining times of the Great Caliphs afterwards. Here, I would take the opportunity to give some explanation about the concept of NATION in Islam. This is because this matter has got much talk today. Please note that "Muslims can never be broken in segments in a real sense". Islam points out that there are only 2 nations in truth, the Believers and the Non-Believers. Quran clearly states that "Ibrahim was surely a nation, obedient to Allah, only attentive to Him, and indeed he was not among those who performed SHERK" (Sura Nahal-120). Observe that only one man because of his pure Islamic nature is said to be a nation and this indicates that Muslims even if they are few in number somewhere, are as Muslims, a whole Nation. They are with other Muslims too and without them too a whole nation and this concept if understood, can stop much talk about this matter. Yasrab is still called MADINA (which means city) as the Holy Prophet made it his dwelling place. We Muslims give identity to land and do not take identity from it but our efforts must always be such that every where, the name of ALLAH gets glory. "Pakistani Nation" must always be said and written keeping this fact in view that this means the Muslims only and though we would care for the prosperity of non-Muslim Pakistani, they are not included in this term. The second rule of administration is "Subject & Object". In the administration, its effect is felt in this way that there are some conditions to be fulfilled by the rulers as law demands and there are some conditions to be fulfilled by the ordinary people on the level of good natural tendency. The third rule of administration is "Hope & Fear". This is clear that when there is true hope only from Allah and true fear only from Allah and both of these come into being only with true love of Allah, then a true pious nature takes place. This must be clear in heart that all created ones are sources and channels of making good or making evil and the true power is actually of Allah only. Whoever may be the channel but Allah only in truth can create something good or something evil so the true hope and the true fear must only be from Him. This is an Islamic teaching and Hope & Fear is mentioned together more than once in the Holy Book Quran (see Sura Aaraf - 56, Sura Rum - 24, Sura Sajda - 32). The last of these rules i.e. the fourth rule is "Advice & Command". This rule is totally correct for all occasions where the dealing is between a commanding person and his subordinates. To give advice is the right of the people and the command keeping that advice in view is the right of the ruler (the administrator), to give advice is the right of the children and to decide for a situation is the right of the Parents, to give advice is the right of a wife and to make decisions for both of them is the right of the husband. This must be noted that there should be no advice and no command against the principles of Islam. This rule will be applied in many general ways but its special application will be in 3 ways. First is that elections will be held according to an Islamic style, second is that referendums will be held according to an Islamic style and third is that there will be a direct contact between the ruler and the people. The election will be based on weight of votes rather than the number of votes. The referendum will also be based on weight. Take this in this manner that when there would be elections for the Muntazimeen that would be held every 4 years, the candidates would be required to get a fixed number of votes. Anybody who fulfils the demands of "Subject & Object" can be a candidate in these elections. These candidates will themselves set a target to achieve to be elected. If less than 255 candidates are elected than the local body of the administration would complete the number by nomination but in this situation, the elected candidates must be more than 215 in number. If the successful candidates are less than 215 or more than 255, then elections must be held again in which a new target may be given of votes to achieve. The elected candidates would associate themselves with the five channels by mutual understanding. Like Muntazimeen, Ameer and Hakims would also be elected every 20 years. The Muntazimeen may also participate here though the current Muntazimeen at the time of election would not be allowed to participate in the 4 years election except for this. In other words, no Muntazim can be elected for 8 years continuously except for this. By this election, 255 Muntazimeen, 5 Hakim and 1 Ameer would be elected. If more than 261 candidates win or less than 215 are elected than the elections will be held at such constituency again. Ameer and Hakim must not be elected from the nominated candidates. As for referendum whenever the National assembly has a decision to make of a totally important nature, the nation must be asked for "Yes" or "No" giving space for the reasons in the form. The weight would be seen and number of votes would be disregarded. Another demand of the rule is a direct contact for which the rulers must have a direct link with the people and the protocol, paper work, personal danger must not come between this direct contact. Here, I would also put forward some more general ways to understand all these 7 points which we are currently discussing. These are based on grasping the effect of the 4 rules I have just given for the 3 points Islamic administration in this fourth point. As far as the Principal & Scattered form is concerned, the last 3 points should be practised in a principal (individual) way for everyone can fully work to establish them in the society while the second, third and the fourth i.e. the point of Adal are those which should be practised in a scattered form as the whole society collectively will work to establish them. The first point is the basic point which defines all rules. The second rule is "Subject & Object" and it has its effect in this way that the last 3 points are subjective as a person has to deal with them individually while the points of Adal are objective as they are to be dealt with by the society as a unit. The first point in basic. The third rule is "Hope & Fear", which has its effect in this way that the last 3 points are to be established by hope of getting a true and satisfying Islamic nature which leads to great love of Allah while the 2nd, 3rd and 4th points are to be established by the fear of law of the Islamic Society. The first point is the basic point. The fourth rule is "Advice & Command" and this has its effect here in the manner that the last 3 points have a character of advice while the 3 points preceding them have a character of command as they must be established in accordance with the demands of the law. The first point is basic which clearly defines all Islamic commands. Thus, the four rules also are four general ways to understand the seven points of the Islamic Society.
-5- The fifth point of the seven points of the Islamic Society is that "In the Islamic Society, there has to be recitation of the name of Allah". This point would manifest itself on the level of Ehsan and here the recitation means TASBEEH & WAZEEFAY of the name of Allah and besides this recitation, the 5 pillars of Islam are also included in this point. The point must be cared for by the people themselves without any force of law. About Tasbeeh & Wazeefay, Ulema should be consulted.-6- The sixth point is that "In the Islamic Society, there has to be an observation of the Islamic limits in Music and the HIJAB of the women also has to be practiced". This point too will come into action on the level of Ehsan though Adal may be taken into account when & where aberration regarding these matters seems to be collective. About Music, there are three conditions to be fulfilled i.e. the words of the song must not be un-Islamic, men do not hear women singing and women do not hear men singing and the person/s enjoying music by singing should not be professional singers. Also, though not conditions yet it would be better if the song is not fast but slow in nature with only two music instruments, one soft and the other hard. There would be no charges put by the law if this point is not observed here and there in the Society as it is based on EHSAN yet advice would be forwarded as much as possible and collective disregard would not be tolerated, though even then the punishment would be lenient. As for HIJAB, the command is that women must not leave their homes with make-up & fashions when it is necessary to leave (decision being their own about necessity) and secondly, they must take a Chadar hiding their hair and themselves totally. With these two points applied, we would be able to say that women are observing Hijab. Hijab must be felt by traditions and for this we must ask the Muslim women humbly. No force at all but with good faith, sacrifice and tolerance.
-7- The seventh point is that "In the Islamic Society, the three high qualities of human nature have to be present (1) Good Faith among each other (2) Sacrifice (3) Tolerance". By good faith, I mean that Muslims keep an attitude of believing each other and must give the impression that they really are brothers. By sacrifice, I mean that worldly things should not be cared for much and everybody must see to his duties first before asking for his rights. Sacrifice does not mean that one must leave the principles of Islam in the name of sacrifice but it is only made for the Islamic principles. Indeed, one must always feel a satisfaction whenever one remembers one's sacrifice. By tolerance, I mean that we must always keep away from narrow-mindedness and must hear all sides of an argument with patience.Let's now see the 5 channels for the Islamic way of life. These are Martial Aspect, Education, Economic Aspect, Cultural Aspect and Justice. Regarding Martial Aspect, I would comment that the set up of Army in today's world may be accepted with a little touch in the Islamic sense here and there but Faith upon Islam must be considered the basic weapon of JAWANS. However, instead of amassing personnel, modern weapons must be sought as much as possible in the situation we face today. As for Education, the official course must remain one in the whole country and that is in the first term (that may be of 3 years), the National Language, Arabic and English would be taught. Also Mathematics & General History (Basics)would be taught here and in the second term (that may be of 2 years), AHADEES would be added to these subjects of first term, that would be advanced a bit. In the third term (that may be of 1 year), in addition of the previous work's revision, TAFSEER of the Holy Book Quran would be fully studied. To get educated is a matter of one's liking and there must be no beating. Mosques & Libraries must remain great sources of learning indeed. Cultural Aspect is responsible to keep the Islamic effect on the society and though there would be no restriction on writing or lecturing but an open opposition of the Islamic Teachings would not be tolerated. About Justice, I would write in points. The first thing is that "In Hudood and Qisas & Diyat, the benefit of doubt will be given to the accused" (Hudood are Burglary, Dacoity, Adultery, to accuse someone wrongly of adultery and drinking of wine. In Qisas & Diyat comes murder and/or wounding someone). Second is "the testimony of women & children will not be accepted in these cases (though in a case of rape, the victim's words may be given weight indeed)". Third is "Emphasis will be given on proving someone a criminal rather than on defense". Fourth is "when crimes of Hudood and Qisas & Diyat are proven then the fixed punishments which Islam has ordered to give about them will be given". Fifth is "In every administrative zone, a police quarter will be made. Sixth is "no one will be given any special privilege once found guilty, though in crimes other than Hudood and Qisas & Diyat, a person's pious nature must be taken into account". Seventh is that "Women and children will not be given any punishment of Jails". Eighth is "Justice will be done immediately and the enforcement of the verdict will be fast". As for Economics, there is no clash of Capital and Labour from the Islamic viewpoint. Let's study it by points too. (1) For all Business, paper work would be as little as possible. (2) The timing of Government offices would be from 8 in the morning till Zohar. (3) The Business-men would go on with their works even after the official hours mentioned. (4) Special markets would be assigned for economic stability of women where shops and stores could be made while well-off women could also bring refreshments to distribute free of cost. (5) In Business profit, big or small, the sixth part would be for Bait-ul-Mal (i.e. 1000 on 6000 Rupee profit and likewise). (6) Qarz-e-Hasana would be made common as privileged persons would forward some money as loan to poor people saying if you achieve enough money in life and feel at ease, you may return this loan else this loan is forgiven. It would be wonderful if this attitude could be generally developed. (7) There would be no need for Licenses for any correct business and all business performed with non-Muslims must remain in cash dealings. (8) There would be no tax for water. (9) Bait-ul-Mal would have a significant place in the economic setting of the country. (10) Zakat & Ushr would be given periodically.
These are the things which if understood clearly can make the study of Islam totally easy and also can make the application of Islam in practice very convenient Insha-Allah for all those who are really interested in the making of an Islamic Society. From the times of Adam, Islam has come as the Truth uptil this day winning all struggles with evil and it will again no doubt, for the final settlement. With many negative points present against the coming of an Islamic Society into being, I am sure this is the very time when Islam would manifest its light to the whole world for the sake of making of an Islamic Society. Like many Muslims, I also feel that the time has come; we all just have to wait & see.MUHAMMAD SALEEM DADA
E-mail: saleemdada@yahoo.com
Laws of the Universe The Islamic EducationTowards Islam through Observation