Globalization
[ point evaluation5/5 ]1 people who voted
Question
Globalization, if it is applied in an Islamic context, will it be allowed or prohibited?
Answer
Sheikh Salman al-Oadah
Today, the Western world is proposing the idea of globalization. It has the resources and the ability to be very effective in advancing its wishes, and it is trying very hard to give its civilization a single, unified vision.
We as Muslims must, in turn, put forth our vision of Islamic Globalization. Do we not believe that the Message of Islam is for all humanity for all time? When we call for Muslim unity and Islamic Globalization, we are not reacting to the West and its call to globalization. Islam is global in principle. Its eternal Message addresses the whole world.
Allah says to His Messenger (peace be upon him): “We did not send you except as a mercy to all the worlds.” [Sûrah al-Anbiyâ’: 107]
Allah says about the Qur’ân: “It is but a reminder for all the worlds.” [Sûrah Yûsuf: 104]
Our call to unity is not a reaction to the West. It is a renewal of our own values and basic principles.
Allah says: “And cling all together to the rope of Allah and do not become divided.” [Sûrah Al `Imrân: 103]
We must keep in mind that it is the next generation who will face the full force of Western globalization. We must try to act responsibly and recognize the extent of Western influence on our Muslim people who are not equipped to cope with it. They cannot even fathom the challenges and conflicts that they face. We have to be able to address many challenges without abandoning our Islamic principles or succumbing to the idea of a "clash of civilizations and religions" that the enemies of Islam wish to impose upon us. We must, however, get beyond our own fruitless and counterproductive internal quarrels.
The Western world, with its call to globalization, is clearly addressing all people, no matter what their circumstances might be. We have more right to be global than they have. We must be able to address all our Muslim brothers and sisters, no matter what their circumstances are and no matter how much they might differ in upbringing, customs, and culture.
We must rid ourselves of our attitudes towards our respective societies, attitudes that are reminiscent of those that existed in the times of ignorance before the advent of Islam. We should realize that our societies contain within them a lot of good and that they can be reformed for the better. They are, no doubt, the places wherein we do our Islamic work and wherein we enjoin each other to patience and righteous conduct.
At the same time, we need to tone down the tendencies that create divisions and barriers within the Muslim world. We need to start addressing all the Muslims and restore our confidence in the idea that we are one nation. This is how Allah describes us: “Truly this nation of yours is one nation and I am your Lord, so worship me.” [Sûrah al-Anbiyâ’: 92]
It is very difficult for those operating under the vision of one group or faction to truly aspire to the much higher vision that Islam demands of us.
We as Muslims must, in turn, put forth our vision of Islamic Globalization. Do we not believe that the Message of Islam is for all humanity for all time? When we call for Muslim unity and Islamic Globalization, we are not reacting to the West and its call to globalization. Islam is global in principle. Its eternal Message addresses the whole world.
Allah says to His Messenger (peace be upon him): “We did not send you except as a mercy to all the worlds.” [Sûrah al-Anbiyâ’: 107]
Allah says about the Qur’ân: “It is but a reminder for all the worlds.” [Sûrah Yûsuf: 104]
Our call to unity is not a reaction to the West. It is a renewal of our own values and basic principles.
Allah says: “And cling all together to the rope of Allah and do not become divided.” [Sûrah Al `Imrân: 103]
We must keep in mind that it is the next generation who will face the full force of Western globalization. We must try to act responsibly and recognize the extent of Western influence on our Muslim people who are not equipped to cope with it. They cannot even fathom the challenges and conflicts that they face. We have to be able to address many challenges without abandoning our Islamic principles or succumbing to the idea of a "clash of civilizations and religions" that the enemies of Islam wish to impose upon us. We must, however, get beyond our own fruitless and counterproductive internal quarrels.
The Western world, with its call to globalization, is clearly addressing all people, no matter what their circumstances might be. We have more right to be global than they have. We must be able to address all our Muslim brothers and sisters, no matter what their circumstances are and no matter how much they might differ in upbringing, customs, and culture.
We must rid ourselves of our attitudes towards our respective societies, attitudes that are reminiscent of those that existed in the times of ignorance before the advent of Islam. We should realize that our societies contain within them a lot of good and that they can be reformed for the better. They are, no doubt, the places wherein we do our Islamic work and wherein we enjoin each other to patience and righteous conduct.
At the same time, we need to tone down the tendencies that create divisions and barriers within the Muslim world. We need to start addressing all the Muslims and restore our confidence in the idea that we are one nation. This is how Allah describes us: “Truly this nation of yours is one nation and I am your Lord, so worship me.” [Sûrah al-Anbiyâ’: 92]
It is very difficult for those operating under the vision of one group or faction to truly aspire to the much higher vision that Islam demands of us.
Source: en.islamtoday.net
