The Simplicity, Beauty, and Universality of Islam

 Transcript of the Khatira delivered by Dr. Munawar Haque on Jan 20, 2018

Brothers and sisters! Very often we find that there are different interpretations of Islamic rulings followed by different sects, groups, movements, and schools of thought within Islam. Even though these differences are usually on minor issues, yet they give rise to confusion in the minds of many Muslims, both young and old and make them think that Islam itself is difficult and complicated. The topic of my khatira today is: “The Simplicity, Beauty, and Universality of Islam.”

If we look back to the times of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), we see the simplicity and beauty of Islam as preached and practiced by the noble Messenger and his followers. There is a story in the sirah of the Prophet (SAW) that once a bedouin Arab came to him while he was in the company of his companions. The bedouin asked the Prophet (SAW) three questions: “Who raised the heaven?” “Who spread the earth?”  “Who erected the mountains?”  To each of these questions, the Prophet (SAW) replied, “Allah.” Then the bedouin said, “I ask you by the Creator of the heaven, the earth and the mountains. “Did Allah send you as a Messenger to us?” The Prophet replied, “Yes.” Then the bedouin asked four more questions in succession: Did your Lord order us to pray five times a day? Did your Lord order us to fast in the month of Ramadan?  Did your Lord order us to pay Zakat from our wealth?  Did your Lord order us to perform Hajj once in a life time for whoever has the means to do so? To each of these questions, the Prophet (SAW) replied, “Yes.” Then the bedouin said, “I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” Then he turned away to leave and said to the Prophet (SAW): “By He Who has sent you with the truth, I will not add anything to these things and I will not decrease anything from them. The Prophet (SAW) turning to his companions said, “If he has spoken truthfully, he will certainly enter Paradise.”

The above story reflects the simplicity of Islam. No issues in the entire conversation between the bedouin and the Messenger took place about the intricacies and subtleties of religion. Often times, without focusing on the essence and spirit of the basic and simple teachings of Islam, Muslims immerse themselves in discussions about issues of fiqh, and local cultural practices, and more often than not, these topics become fertile grounds for differences in opinion and unnecessary  disputes among Muslims.  

There is a misunderstanding amongst many people that Islam is difficult and a burden to follow. Such people either have an incorrect understanding of Islam or do not realize how easy the rules of Islam are to follow. The general principle regarding things of this world is that everything is permissible unless proven otherwise. So the burden of proof actually falls on those who say that anything is prohibited.

Imam Bukhari has a chapter in his Saheeh Al-Bukhari called “The Chapter of the Religion Being Easy” and ample proof for this point can be found in that chapter. One of the traditions of the Prophet (SAW) says, “Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but aim to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by worshiping in the mornings and the nights.”

When the Prophet (SAW) appointed Muaz bin Jabal as a governor to Yemen, he advised him to invite the People of the Book living there towards Islam step by step, starting from Tawhid, to salah, zakah, and so on. The Prophet (SAW) never gave any extensive instructions to his companions when sending them as his envoys to convey the message of Islam to others. We also learn from this story that Islam teaches gradualism instead of radicalism.

The Qur’an is the basis and fountain head of the Islamic faith. All universal Islamic principles are found in it. The universal message of belief, morals, and ethics and the pure, simple and core teachings of Islam found in the Qur’an are same as in the earlier scriptures.

شَرَعَ لَكُمْ مِنَ الدِّينِ مَا وَصَّى بِهِ نُوحًا وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى وَعِيسَى أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلَا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ

“He (Allah) has ordained for you the same religion which He enjoined on Noah, and which We have revealed to you, and which We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus, so that you should remain steadfast in religion and not become divided in it.” (Al-Shura, 42:13) 

Islam stands as the most rational and precise religion. It is a natural religion as it appeals to the inborn human nature (fitrah).

فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا فِطْرَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا

“Devote yourself single mindedly to the true faith; and adhere to the true nature on which Allah has created human beings.” (Ar-Rum, 30:30)

Islam is easy to understand and follow for anyone who wants to do so. It fulfills man’s basic needs without asking him to do anything unnatural. We cannot find even one ruling in the Quran and Sunnah that goes against human nature. Islam does not ask us to do anything that we are incapable of doing. We are not required to give up our personalities, social lives or money. We are not required to pray all night or fast every day, in fact such things are prohibited. Islam emphasizes that we live a balanced life fulfilling our obligations to Allah (SWT) as well as our obligations towards people and even our own selves.

The simplicity of Islamic teachings must also be manifested in a Muslim’s entire life. The Prophet (SAW) said, “The believer is kind and gracious, for there is no goodness in one who is neither kind nor gracious. The best of people are those who are most beneficial to people.” He also said, “Among the Muslims the most perfect, as regards his faith, is the one whose character is excellent, and the best among you are those who treat their wives well.” This is the way of living and presenting Islam to others. The believer is also soft-hearted. He is pleasant and easily approachable. The Prophet (SAW) demonstrated this in his behavior towards his companions and others. The Qur’an alludes to this when addressing the Prophet (SAW).  

فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ لِنْتَ لَهُمْ وَلَوْ كُنْتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ

“It is out of Allah’s mercy that you have been lenient with them. Had you been cruel or hard-hearted, they would have certainly abandoned you.” (Aal ‘Imran, 3:159).  In a hadith, the Prophet (SAW) said, “Shall I not tell you for whom the Hellfire is forbidden? It is every person accessible, polite, and mild.” This means that the person is accessible to people, against harshness, easy-going in his character and generous in his personality. While instilling the qualities of kindness and graciousness, Islam teaches to control one’s anger. Because almost everyone struggles with anger at some time or another in their lives, this comprehensive and far-reaching advice should be applied to everyone. Describing the righteous believers, the Qur’an says:

الَّذِينَ يُنْفِقُونَ فِي السَّرَّاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَالْكَاظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ وَالْعَافِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

“The ones who spend in prosperity and adversity, and who repress anger, and who pardon the people; Allah loves the good doers” (Aal ‘Imran, 3:134). Islam also teaches us to forgive others. As human beings we are responsible, but we do also make mistakes and we are constantly in need of forgiveness. Islam speaks about two elements of forgiveness: Allah’s forgiveness and human forgiveness. We need both, because we do wrong in our relations to Allah (SWT) as well as in our relations to each other. Allah (SWT) is ever forgiving (al-Ghafur) and most merciful (ar-Raheem). Allah (SWT) keeps forgiving us. We too have to learn to forgive each other. One of the reasons why people with generous hearts are always happy is because they forgive and forget the mistakes of others, especially their kith and kin, and their neighbors and friends. This is a great act of virtue. Allah (SWT) praises people who forgive.

وَلَمَنْ صَبَرَ وَغَفَرَ إِنَّ ذَلِكَ لَمِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ

“And for he who is patient and forgives, then surely that is an indication of strength.” (ash-Shura, 42:43). Islam teaches us to be truthful. In Islam, truthfulness is the conformity of the outer with the inner, the action with the intention, the speech with the belief, and the practice with the preaching. Islam also teaches us not to be extravagant.

وَلَا تُسْرِفُوا إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ

“And do not act extravagantly; surely He does not love the extravagant.” (al-An’am, 6:141).  Many a times we are extravagant, especially when it comes to celebrating marriages, and other social functions and parties. Also, life is simple and enjoyable when we smile. According to the meaning of a hadith, every good deed is charity; even smiling at your brother is charity. 

One of the principles of success that Islam teaches us is to begin from the possible. This principle is well explained in another saying of A’ishah. She said: "Whenever the Prophet had to choose between two options, he always opted for the easier choice." To choose the easiest option means to begin from the possible and one who begins from the possible will surely reach his goal. In the early days of Mecca, there were many problems and difficulties. At that time, a guiding verse in the Qur’an was revealed. It said:

إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا

"With every hardship there is ease" (al-Inshirah, 94:6). This means that if there are some problems, there are also opportunities at the same time. And the way to success is to ignore the problems and avail the opportunities. This is like seeing advantage in disadvantage.

The basic teachings of Islam are simple to understand and practical to implement, making Islam a simple and universal religion that can be practiced by anyone regardless of his or her intellectual or physical capabilities. It is this pure simplicity of Islam that makes it so universally appealing and applicable for all times and places. However, it should be clear that presenting Islam as a simple, easy and universal religion does not mean that Muslims do not take it seriously and make it a reason for gradually losing their faith. The divinely mandated laws, principles, and guidance in Islam have to be followed in letter and spirit by the believers. 

Heedlessness towards the divinely guided code of conduct invites serious consequences both in this life and in the hereafter. May Allah bless each one of us the understanding of the Islamic way of life that He has ordained for us. Allahumma Ameen.

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