Dear questioner,

Thank you for your question.

The framework of Islamic thought represents a comprehensive view of life and the universe. A Muslim is, therefore, required to acquire both religious and worldly knowledge.

In fact, Islam advocated knowledge at a time when the whole world was engulfed in ignorance.

In a matter of years, the early generation of Muslims became a learned and refined people, for Islam had awakened in them the faculty of intellect. Those early Muslims understood from the teachings of their religion that useful knowledge is necessary for the benefit of the self and of humanity.

Hence, they pursued it to such a degree that they surpassed other nations in development and productivity and carried the torch of civilization for many centuries.

Muslim history abounds with examples of scientific and cultural ingenuity. Muslims inherited the knowledge of the nations that came before them, developed it and placed it in the context of a precise moral framework.

Muslim scholarship made a vital contribution to the enrichment and advancement of human civilization.

While Europe was still in the dark ages, Muslims were making great advances in the fields of medicine, mathematics, physics, astronomy, geography, architecture, literature, and history documentation to mention but a few.

Many important new procedures were transmitted to medieval Europe from Muslim regions, such as Arabic numerals with the principle of the zero vital to the advancement of mathematics and the use of algebra.

Sophisticated instruments, including the astrolabe and the quadrant, as well as good navigational maps, were first developed by Muslims.

Only after people lost sight of their religious beliefs and obligations did the scientific achievements of the Muslim world cease and fall into obscurity.

Similarly, Islam does not now oppose any modern inventions that are beneficial to mankind. It is sufficient that I hey be used in the name of God and for His cause.

In reality, machines, instruments and devices have no religion or homeland. They can be used for either good or bad objectives, and the way they are used can affect much of the earth's population.

Even something so simple as a glass can be filled either with a nourishing drink or with a poison.

Television can provide education or immorality. It is up to the user to decide, and a Muslim is commanded to make good use of all the means at his disposal while being prohibited from causing harm to himself or others.

Failure to use the proper means toward benefit is, in effect, a deprecation of Islamic teachings. A truly Islamic government is required to the best of its ability to provide all means that promote adequate education for its citizens.

Education is a right for all individuals and the required moral duty of every capable Muslim. All able, intelligent and skilled individuals in an Islamic society are required to educate themselves not only in the basics of their religion but in necessary worldly affairs.

Further, it is obligatory upon qualified people to study every beneficial field of knowledge.

For example, since every society needs doctors, it becomes obligatory for some people to go into the field of medicine to fulfil the needs of society.

Advancements in science and technology are among the ways and means to achieve development of the Muslim world. Islam calls upon Muslims to pursue knowledge in the broadest sense of the word.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim." (Ibn Majah)

He also said, "For one who treads a path to knowledge, Allah will make easy the path to Paradise." (Muslim)

And the Quran contains numerous references to knowledge and its importance, such as: "Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day are signs for those of understanding." (Quran 3:190)

"Say, 'Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” (Quran 39:9)

"Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge by degrees." (Quran 58:11)

Quranic verses encourage study and contemplation of the universe that surrounds us and is particularly concerned with those sciences that give human beings the ability to benefit from the world around them.

While encouraging investigation, the Quran contains references to a variety of subjects which have been shown to be scientifically accurate.

This is the fulfilment of God's statement over 14 centuries ago:

"We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth." (Quran 41:53)

Thus, when a Muslim has a sincere and wholesome intention to obtain knowledge, it will also have a positive effect on his faith. For knowledge reinforces textual evidence for the existence of I he almighty Creator and assists in appreciation of the many scientific allusions found in the Quran.

There has never been an established scientific fact that contradicted the teachings of Islam. Whatever modern science discovers only increases the Muslim's knowledge of God's magnificent creation.

Thus, Islam actively encourages scientific endeavors and the study of God's signs in nature. It also welcomes beneficial technological advances and allows people to enjoy the fruits of human ingenuity.

To a Muslim, conflict between science and religion is an impossibility, for religion comes from God and so does His system of creation and development.

The modern, purely materialistic approach to scientific and technological advancement has indeed granted man a measure of physical comfort, but not mental or spiritual comfort.

Islam advocates the incorporation of knowledge within a just and balanced value system where anything beneficial for one's spiritual and worldly improvement is encouraged and advocated.

We hope this answers your question.

Keep in touch.

Source: This answer is based on the book of Clear Your Doubts about Islam by Sahih International.

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Dear questioner,

Thank you for your question.

No one can deny that the Muslim world has been in decline for several centuries, the causes of which go back into history.

In the Muslim nation's early stages, wealth, centers of learning and public works were abundant. But affluence, excessive concern with worldly life, and the spread of corruption eventually weakened religious consciousness.

The inevitable result of these human failures was an ebb in conversions to Islam and territorial expansion, losses sustained in East Asia and Europe, the ascension of Western power and influence, and a change from an ascendant to a defensive posture.

The present backwardness of most Muslim societies, their political degradation and their peoples' suffering, in spite of their human and material resources and of Islam's noble values and principles, is the unfortunate reality of the present day.

The calamities that befell the Muslim world after the period of its early expansion, eventually leading to the fall of the caliphate, cannot be attributed to Islamic thought or even entirely to errors in political leadership.

The prophetic period and that of the early caliphs which followed presented the best examples for all succeeding generations. However, the rapid influx of new peoples and nations into the community of Islam before they were properly educated as to Islamic objectives and values resulted in a later political leadership that never developed and matured as it should have.

The Islamic vision became obscured and its spirit reduced to mere form, empty words and a heritage venerated, but seriously misunderstood, by later generations.

The natural trend of the Islamic legal system to expand was arrested, and the vital physical sciences, economics, sociology and political thought - all essential aspects of previous development - were neglected.

At the same time, the Muslim world was becoming increasingly weak and vulnerable, Europe was beginning to benefit from the achievements of Islamic scholarship and assert itself.

The fact that most Muslim regions of the world were then conquered, dominated and exploited by Western colonial powers for some time is not an excuse that is condoned by Islam. Rather, it was the natural outcome of the widespread neglect and failure by Muslims to conscientiously and comprehensively adhere to the teachings of their religion.

The importance of obtaining knowledge and working conscientiously with determination was made clear by the Prophet of Islam.

Muslims are taught that because man has been given a certain amount of free will, it must be exercised properly in accordance with Islamic teachings to earn approval of the Creator.

This in itself is motivation for Muslims to be the most knowledgeable and productive people possible. If Muslim societies today are not meeting their potential, it is surely not due to Islam; rather, it is from their ignorance of the religion and failure to apply and practice it.

We hope this answers your question.

Keep in touch.

Source: This answer is based on the book of Clear Your Doubts about Islam by Sahih International.

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Dear questioner,

Thank you for your question.

Islam came as a message of guidance from God to all creation at a time when ignorance and corruption were universal. It opened peoples' minds and souls to learning, development, refinement and morality.

The achievements of Islamic thought in that early period were sufficient to bring light, guidance and knowledge to humanity. However, as among every other people, there are indeed some Muslims who are heedless, undependable, corrupt and selfish, and the media projects this stereotype about Muslims in particular.

It can be readily noted that whenever an adherent to any other faith commits a crime, the media seldom brings up the issue of religion, but when a Muslim is involved, it is Islam that is blamed and portrayed in a negative light before public opinion.

The fact cannot be denied that many Muslims today are unmindful of the teachings of their religion, due either to a lack of religious knowledge or to various worldly inducements and attractions.

But even if one recognizes that some Muslims may be dishonest, immoral or impulsive, he should not judge Islam by its nonconforming or disobedient members but rather by those who conscientiously adhere to its teachings.

Since Islam categorically forbids such evils as lying, cheating and negligence, the wrongdoer must be blamed for his crimes rather than the religion.

One should instead examine the system itself, understand its principles, and disregard the acts of those who have serious deficiencies in their knowledge, beliefs and practice.

While today's Muslim societies are not model ones by any means, they still enjoy a comparatively stable family life, absence of delinquency, low crime rates, greater freedom from drugs and alcoholism, as well as the warmth of brotherhood, generosity and mutual aid.

It may be observed that taken as a whole, the Muslim community produces the best citizens in any society.

As a matter of religious observance, the majority avoids the consumption of alcohol and drugs, eliminating many intoxicant-related crimes.

Collectively, Muslims are the community which gives the maximum amount of charity in the world. And no community can equal Muslims where modesty, sobriety and human ethics are concerned. Islam may be fairly and justly assessed not by negative stereotypes portrayed by the media but by what its authentic sources contain and by the practice of the most excellent follower of the religion, Prophet Muhammad.

There have been a number of unbiased non-Muslim historians who have declared that Muhammad was an exemplary human being. It is his pattern of life that demonstrates the true Islamic ideal and example to be followed by Muslims.

We hope this answers your question.

Keep in touch.

Source: This answer is based on the book of Clear Your Doubts about Islam by Sahih International.

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Dear questioner,

Thank you for your question.

Humanity lives crowded together in an increasingly small world of various cultures. Undoubtedly, Western culture is the dominant influence in the modern world today. Hence, it is inevitable that others interact with it and assimilate its positive values and achievements, but without adopting its negative ones.

There is a cultural dimension of most human phenomena, religion included, and modern societies are tending to become less exclusive and more multi-religious.

But while people are developing an outlook that is more accommodating toward others, acknowledging these differences does not mean that there should be no distinction between good and evil.

As well as being a religion and way of life, Islam is also a complete worldview. Its attitude toward the present Western civilization is the same as that manifested toward every past civilization: it accepts the goodness that such civilizations can yield but at the same time rejects their evils.

It allows for the acquisition of particular benefits such as scientific and technical knowledge, yet many social aspects are seen to be destructive and contrary to Islamic teachings.

Islam has never advocated a policy of isolationism. It does not oppose other civilizations merely because they are non- Muslim but believes in the unity of humanity and good relationships with people of different races and inclinations.

And Muslims do not object to benefiting from modernity in discovering the mechanisms for solving common problems or to the solutions themselves, as long as they do not contradict Islamic legislation.

Islam neither rejects the West totally nor does it accept it uncritically. Led by political and economic interests, the upholders of Western civilization often follow policies which are detrimental to the collective good of Muslims.

What Muslims and many other peoples of the world today reject is the presumed centrality and universalism of the West and its self-centered attitude.

They opposed the oppression and exploitation perpetrated by Western colonialism in the past, and they object presently to the newer, albeit more subtle forms, which are no less malevolent. Injustices caused by arrogant attitudes and demeaning policies are unacceptable to everyone.

Opening up to the modern worldview and critically interacting with it has alerted Muslims to certain problems raised by Western modernity.

International relations, globalization, the menace posed by the media and central government to the human individual, the increase of leisure time available to ordinary people, and the processes of standardization were issues seldom raised in the past.

The study of Western modernity in a critical and interactive manner may serve to sharpen the awareness of Muslims concerning the magnitude of the global culture crisis and consequently, increase their knowledge and confidence in their own divinely ordained way of life. It can be fairly said that Islam does not oppose any civilization as long as it serves the interests of humanity.

But customs of other cultures involving principles or conduct prohibited in Islam can never be considered as lawful for a Muslim, even one who resides permanently in non-Muslim lands.

The limits set by God are protective ones which must always be observed, and Islam stands firm to uphold this right for mankind.

We hope this answers your question.

Keep in touch.

Source: This answer is based on the book of Clear Your Doubts about Islam by Sahih International.

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Dear questioner,

Thank you for your question.

Tolerance is the attitude that should govern the dealings of all people with one another. Religious tolerance is an essential principle of Islam, and Muslims are ordered to have good relations with people of all religions and be kind and courteous lo everyone.

Muslims are ordered by the Quran to uphold their promises and agreements with non-Muslims and not betray or transgress against them.

The lives, families, properties and honor of non-Muslims must be protected under any government that claims to apply Islamic law.

Non-Muslims are also guaranteed the right and freedom to practice their own religions in an Islamic state. Islam is a religion of mercy and justice.

It teaches its adherents to interact with all people and to cooperate with them for the betterment of mankind.

More than ever today, Muslims need to work together with other groups that oppose oppression, bloodshed, corruption, promiscuity and perversion. They should also cooperate with non-Muslims in upholding truth and combating falsehood, in supporting the oppressed, and eliminating such dangers as pollution and disease. Only enemies who harbor hatred and contempt against Islam are addressed by those Qur'anic verses that warn Muslims against taking them as intimates and allies.

Muslims are ordered to deal with all other human beings with justice and compassion as members of the human brotherhood. They are always to behave kindly toward any non-Muslims who are not hostile, whether by offering financial help, feeding the hungry, giving loans when needed, or interceding in connection with permissible matters, even if only by speaking kindly and advising them.

The Quran addresses the believers, saying: "Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who are just." (Quran 60:8)

Thus, it is not permissible under any circumstance for Muslims to mistreat a non-Muslim who has not committed any aggression against them; they are not allowed to harm, threaten or terrorize him, steal his wealth, cheat him or deprive him of his rights.

It is obligatory upon Muslims as well to honor whatever lawful treaties and agreements are made with non-Muslim parties. Coexistence does not mean that we cease to promote our positive values. As an aspect of their kindness and concern for humanity, Muslims are expected to invite non-Muslims to the truth of Islam with words of wisdom, sound arguments and a pleasant manner.

 This is a debt owed by Muslims to the peoples of the world in gratitude to God for His guidance and countless blessings.

We hope this answers your questions.

Keep in touch.

Source: This answer is based on the book of Clear Your Doubts about Islam by Sahih International.

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