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Some individual have an incorrect assumption that Islam imposes
restrictions on liberties and suppresses human capabilities. This
assumption leads them into shunning Islam and regarding it as a
retrogressive religion that draws its adherents backward and prevents them
from progress and advancement.
In order to solve this problem, the reality of Islam should be unveiled
for these people who are ignorant of it because of their inadequate
knowledge of Islam, misconceptions or both.
Islam does not impose restrictions on liberties. Rather, it regulates and
perfectly controls them in a way that a person's liberties will not
collide with others'. This is because one who wants absolute liberty will
discover that he can only get it at the expense of others and if that
should happen, there will be a clash between the two. The result of this
would be Anarchy and immorality would become rampant.
It is for this reason that Allah has placed religious laws as hudood
(limits). When the ordinance of a particular issue is haram (forbidden),
He says: "...These are the limits set by Allah,
so approach them not..." (Qur'an 2:187) and when an ordinance on an
issue is indispensable He says: "...These are
the limits ordained by Allah, so do not transgress them." (Qur'an
2: 229)
There is also a difference between restrictions that people presume and
the regulations that Allah the All-Wise, All-Aware ordained for His
slaves. In view of this, this problem should not have surfaced in the
first place, because regulation is a realistic matter in all spheres of
this life and man, by nature, is submissive to regulation. He is
submissive to the reign of hunger, thirst and the order of eating and
drinking. Hence, it becomes necessary for him to regulate his eating and
drinking in terms of quantity, quality and variety, in order to preserve
his health and the safety of his body.
He is also submissive to the regulation of his social environment,
adhering to the norms of his country in his dress and movement. For
instance, he submits to the local style of dress and its appearance, to
the accepted form of accommodation, and to the condition of traffic and
its movement regulations. If, for whatever reason, he fails to abide by
these regulations, he will be considered in his society as abnormal and
strange, and will be dealt with accordingly.
Therefore, life as a whole is submission to certain regulations so that
things can move along according to set goals. If submission to social
regulations is for the betterment of society and the prevention of
anarchy, which no citizen will be dissatisfied with, then Islamic
regulations also should be a standard for the well-being of the Ummah
(Muslim Society). How then, can some people feel dissatisfied with it and
view it as a system that imposes restrictions on liberties? This is a
clear lie and a false and sinful claim!
Furthermore, Islam does not suppress human capabilities. It is rather a
vast and spacious ground for mental, intellectual and physical vivacity.
Islam enjoins thinking and contemplation so that man may reflect and
develop his mental and intellectual abilities. Allah, the Exalted, says:
"Say to them [O Muhammad]: I exhort you to one
thing only: that you stand up for Allah's sake in pairs and singly and
reflect..." (Qur'an 34: 46). The Almighty Allah also says:
"Say: Behold all that is in the heavens and the
earth…" (Qur'an 10:101)
Islam not only enjoins thinking and reflection but also censures and
reproves those who do not ponder nor reflect or think. Allah, the Exalted,
says: "Do they not look in the dominion of the
heavens and the earth and all things that Allah has created..."
(Qur'an 7:185)
The enjoyment of reflection and thinking is but an eye opener to mental
and intellectual energy. How then can some people claim that Islam
suppresses capabilities? "...Mighty is the word
that comes out of their mouths. They utter nothing but lie."
(Qur'an 18: 5)
Islam makes all pleasures that are physically, religiously and mentally
harmless, lawful for its followers. It makes delightful foods and drinks
lawful for them. Allah, the Exalted, says: "O
you who believe! Eat of lawful things that We have provided you with, and
be grateful to Allah..." (Qur'an 2:172)
In another aayah (verse), He says: "...And eat
and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly. He [Allah] likes not
those who waste." (Qur'an 7:31)
Islam also permits wearing all types of garments that are accordingly
reasonable and modest. The Almighty Allah says:
"O children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves
and as an adornment; and the raiment of righteousness, that is better..."
(Qur'an 7: 26)
Islam also permits the enjoyment with women for its adherents through
legal marriage. This is vividly shown in the following verse:
" . . .Marry women of your choice, two or three
or four, but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with
them, then, marry only one..." (Qur'an 4: 3)
Equally, in the area of property acquisition, Islam does not suppress the
commercial capabilities of its followers but rather permits them to earn
just and mutually approved profits. This manifests in the aayah:
"...Allah has permitted trading and forbidden
Riba [usury] . . ." (Qur'an 2: 275)
Allah, the Exalted, also says: "He it is Who has
made the earth subservient to you, so walk in the path thereof and eat of
His provision. And to Him will be the Resurrection." (Qur'an 67:
15). He says in another aayah: "Then when the
prayer is ended, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of
Allah..." (Qur'an 62:10)
Can anyone then - after all these evidences - rightly assume or claim that
Islam suppresses capabilities?
Summarized from: Youths Problems in the Light of the Qur'an and Sunnah
By: Shaikh Muhammad S. Al-Uthaimeen |