|
subject |
Relationships |
|
topic |
Society |
|
grade |
Six |
|
time |
30 minutes |
|
objective |
To enable students to understand the characteristics of an Islamic. |
|
instructional material |
Info Sheet 6A – Society in Islam Question Sheet 6A – Society in Islam |
INTRODUCTION
The Islamic Society is unique in its structure, composition and its characteristics. These characteristics are depicted from the Quran and Hadith (sayings of Prohet Muhammed). The following is a partial list of the characteristics of an Islamic society:
1. Enjoining what is good
2. Forbidding what is bad
3. Faith in God
4. Moderation, and an Islamic society is an Ummah (Arabic word for “community”) of moderation.
5. To be one unified Muslim community.
6. Based on the concept of Consultation.
7. Brotherhood; the Islamic society is built on the concept of brotherhood
8. Built on the concept of Taqwa. This word "Taqwa" may be defined to mean “respecting or fearing God”.
9. Being an International one; Islam merged all nationalities altogether into one Ummah.
10. The existence of a reciprocal responsibility of the individual and the Ummah. The individual is to strive to help and protect the community, and on the other hand the community is to take care of the welfare of the individuals.
11. The concept of leadership is another characteristic of the Muslim Ummah.
12. The concept of Jihad.
DEVELOPMENT
Read the Info Sheet with students.
REINFORCING ACTIVITIES
Let students do the Question Sheet.
The Islamic Society is unique in its structure, composition and its characteristics. These characteristics are depicted from the Quran and Hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammed). The following is a partial list of the characteristics of an Islamic society:
1. Enjoining what is good
2. Forbidding what is bad
3. Faith in God
These three characteristics are summarised in the Quran: "You are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong and believing in God," (3:11 0).
4. The fourth characteristic of the Islamic Society is based on moderation, and it is an Ummah (Arabic word for “community”) of moderation. This concept of community of moderation is explained in the Quran: "Thus have we made of you an Ummah justly balanced, that you might be witnesses over the nations, and the Apostle a witness over yourselves,"(2:143).
5. The fifth characteristic of the Islamic Society is to be one Muslim community :
"Verily, this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: Therefore serve me (and no other)," (21:92).
6. Another characteristic of the Islamic Society is based on the concept of Consultation. There is a whole Surah (chapter) in the Quran entitled “Consultation”. In Surah Ash-Shura (Consultation) it says: "And who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation; who spend out of what we bestow on them for sustenance," (42-38).
7. Another characteristic is that of Brotherhood. The Islamic society is built on the concept of brotherhood. Note what the Quran states about it:
"The believers are but on single brotherhood." (49:10).
This concept of brotherhood is explained in one of the sayings of Prophet Muhammad: "The similitude of the believers in their kindness, mercy, affection and compassion toward one another, is like a body, when one organ ails, the whole body is drafted to take care of the problem."
8. Another important characteristic of the Islamic society is that it is built on the concept of Taqwa. This word "Taqwa" may be defined to mean “respecting or fearing God”. Note what the Quran says: "O you who believe! Fear God as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam,' (2:102)
This concept of Taqwa was explained by one of the companions of the Prophet to mean: "Taqwa is the respect (fear) of the Almighty, the doing by what was revealed, the acceptance of whatever little you receive, and the preparation to depart from this world.”
9. Another characteristic of this Ummah of Islam is being an International one. Islam merged all nationalities altogether into one Ummah. Islam transcended all types of nationalities, languages, and ethnic backgrounds and hence established an international community committed to the concept of “LA ILLAHA ILLAH ALLAH, WA MUHAMMED RASUOL ALLAH” (bearing witness that there is only one God, and Muhammed is His messenger). This type of international community is demonstrated during the daily prayers, the Friday congregational prayers, during the two feasts (Eid-ul Fitr and Eid-ul Adha) and especially during the time of Hajj (Pilgrimage). It should be mentioned here that the Quran states the following: "O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the site of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)." (49:13)
10. Another characteristic is the reciprocal responsibility of the individual and the Ummah. The individual is to strive to help and protect the community. On the other hand the community is to take care of the welfare of the individuals. The concepts of Zakat, charity (Sadaqah) and interest free loans (Qard hasana) are among the financial reciprocal responsibilities of the community and the individuals toward one another.
11. The concept of leadership is another characteristic of the Muslim Ummah. Muslims are commanded to appoint a leader. They are ordained to obey him as long as he is applying the rules of God; and as long as he is serving them by him self. The Quran states: "O you who believe! Obey God and obey the Apostle, and those charged with authority among you. If you differ in anything among yourselves refer it to God and His Apostle, if you do believe in God and the last day, that is best," (4:59)
It should be pointed out here that in Islam, no leader is infallible; all leaders must answer to the people he/she is leading. The only infallible “leaders” are the Prophets themselves.
12. One important characteristic of the Islamic Society is the concept of
Jihad. The concept of Jihad (struggling in the cause of God) is stated in the
Qur'an: "Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not
transgress limits. God does not love transgressors." [
Choose three characteristics of an Islamic society, and explain them.