Explain how Islam remains relevant for contemporary adherents PDF

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Comprehensive essay about how Islam remains relevant for contemporary adherents....

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Explain how Islam remains relevant for contemporary adherents Islam is an all-encompassing religion with a comprehensive Sharia’ law, namely the Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammed (or the Hadith) that provides guidance in all key aspects of life and aid Muslim’s in how to live a full life in submission to Allah. Through the significant practice of the Hajj and Islamic bioethical teachings, Islam still remains relevant for contemporary adherents. The Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca demonstrates their utter submission and devotion to Allah, and Islamic bioethics guide them in their lives when making decisions, providing them with knowledge about what is halal and what is haram. The Hajj is a pilgrimage every devout Muslim must undertake to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, at least once in their lifetime, and is a “a duty owed to God by all people who are able to undertake it” (Qur’an 3:97). The key beliefs of Islam are expressed through the Hajj. The purpose of the Hajj is to prepare the pilgrim for judgement and be cleansed and have their sins forgiven, to please Allah so as to gain Paradise. Through many symbols and re-enactments, the Hajj expresses one of the key Islamic belief’s in fully surrendering themselves to Allah to represent the belief in one god. Wuquf is the core moment of Hajj and expresses the Muslim’s absolute devotion to Allah. Pilgrims congregate at the Mount of Mercy in Arafat on 9 Dhul-Hijjah, and seek repentance so they can feel cleansed from past transgression. This means a new start and greater sense of peace in perfect surrender to Allah. The Talbiyah are prayers recited by pilgrims that further demonstrate submission. The pilgrim recites this chant, a commitment to GOD: ‘Here I am O God, here I am”. The chant embodies what the pilgrimage is about –the declaration of the oneness and glory of God. The Hajj is profound to individuals and the Muslim community. It witnesses to the essence of Islam which is submission to Allah. It is a cleansing practice that is necessary in preparing for judgement. The Hadith says “Whoever performs Hajj to this house and does not commit any obscenity and wrongdoing, he will come out as the day he was born — pure and free from sins.” It affirms an individual’s relationship with Allah, through the tawaf and the wuquf. It teaches the stories of Allah in history through the Sai (based on the Qur’anic tradition of Hajar’s search for water in the desert) and Id-ul-Adha, and reminds an individual of the necessity of surrendering. The Hajj also provides forgiveness through the wuquf and the jumraat- the rejection of the temptation of the devil and expressed when pilgrims throw stones at pillars that represent the places Ibrahim resisted the devil’s temptations. Muslims today carry out this ritual to symbolise this rejection of Satan and surrender to Allah. The Hajj strengthens the Muslim community as it is a huge public statement about the submission to Allah, testified by the one million people who circle the Ka’ba annually. It also demonstrates the unifying power of Islam in being able to bring many people of so many ethnic backgrounds annually together in a common act of submission to Allah.

Bioethics pertains to the beginning of life, quality of life and end of life. Islam is an allencompassing religion with a comprehensive Sharia’ law that provides guidance in all key aspects of life, including abortion and euthanasia, which are prevalent in the modern day . The Bukhari says “For every disease Allah has created a cure except death”. Although it does not explicitly refer to abortion, it offers guidance on related matters. Abortion is haram, as one should “Take not life which Allah has made sacred” (Qu’ran, 6:151). However, it is sometimes permitted. Some schools of Muslim permit abortion in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy, whereas others only permit it in the first 7 weeks. Muslim’s highly prioritize the sanctity of life, as it is predestined by Allah, hence those who permit early abortion in certain cases still regard it wrong, but not a punishable wrong. Islam forbids termination of a pregnancy after the ‘Ruh’ is given to the fetus. Abortion is permitted if it is for the protection of the mothers life. It is seen as the ‘lesser of two evils’, because the mother is the originator of the foetus and already has a well-established life, and allowing the mother to die would also kill the foetus. However, if parents are unable to provide for the child, abortion is haram-“Kill not your offspring for fear of poverty; it is We who provide for them and for you. Surely, killing them is a great sin” (17:32). Parents do not have the right to decide whether to abort the life of the foetus because “It is Allah that gives Life and Death” (Qu’ran, 3:156).

For this same reason, euthanasia is also haram, as sanctity of life is prioritised. It is considered suicide, a major sin in Islam. The Qur’an states “Do not kill yourselves as God has been to you very merciful” (4:29). The sick person must endure the pain and pray to God to bring them comfort. The Bukhari on suffering says “When Allah desires good for one of His servants, he visits him with a calamity in this world” . Muslims believe that if Allah selects you to suffer, it is because he believes you can bear it and it facilitates the process of going to Paradise. The Australian National Imams Council in 2017 also stated that it is up to the doctors to exhaust all methods in reducing the pain of patients, but it is haram to euthanise them. To conclude, Islam still remains relevant to contemporary adherents as Muslim people still require information regarding bioethical issues, and still undertake the Hajj. These teachings and practice guide Muslim’s in making decisions and strengthening their relationship with Allah....