The Man
The Islamic Aqeedah, (creed) addresses the very fundamental question about which every human being inquires. The Islamic system, however, organizes the affairs of the human beings, as individuals as well as communities and societies. Since Islamic Aqeedah, addresses the human being, it is essential to first understand his nature before looking to Islam�s approach in dealing with his affairs. By observing the lives of human beings, and studying their needs, the relationships they for, and the attitudes they possess, it becomes possible for us to understand the fundamental aspects of their nature. We see that they perform certain function essential to their survival, such as eating, drinking, ridding themselves of waste, breathing and sleeping. These are basic biological needs that every human being must satisfy. If they go unsatisfied or are indefinitely suppressed, it will lead to death.
In addition, the Man have instinctual behaviour that leads them to build relationships, to maintain their survival and to express their feelings of fear, love, devotion, anger, etc. amongst the many relationships that we form, one of them is that of sanctification of a specific being or object. This is characteristic of all human being, i.e. the instinct to worship, spanning the full spectrum of culture and time, an it serves as an evidence that worshiping is an instinctive behaviour of the human being. Thus, whether it is money or a cow, an idol, or a sports hero, or the creator Allah, every human being comes to be devoted to something making it the center of his or her life.
The complexity of human life extends for beyond just the relationship with the creator. Much of or efforts goes towards earning wealth, exerting our authority and protecting our lives and property. These are similar actions are the results of an instinct to survive, for it is through these things that we secure our lives physically. The survival instincts is also the source of our feelings of anger, fear, pride, etc. regarding our sexual desires, maternal and paternal feelings and emotions such as love and compassion arise from an instinct to preserve the human race.
The human being, having been created with these biological needs and instincts, makes an effort to satisfy them completely through his actions. Since human beings organize themselves into societies, it becomes crucial that they established an order that ensures satisfaction of every individual�s need and instincts while preserving the integrity of the society as a whole. Throughout history, many people have undertaken this task, and their efforts have led to systems such as Capitalism, Democracy and Communism. All of these man made ideologies or systems have been failure in that they have never been able to provide for every individual nor have they produced societies that promote justice, compassion, and the welfare of the people.
Islam, being from Allah (swt), addressed the human being with a sure knowledge of this nature and therefore, produced a system able to organize man�s life in the correct, productive and progressive manner. It addresses the individual as a human being with biological needs and instincts which requires satisfaction, the Islamic system is the mechanism through which these needs and instincts are satisfied optimally, while maintaining a social order that preserves the dignity and honour of all human beings.
The Islamic system can be understood through its method of organizing the different relationships that human being form. The relationship that Islam establishes between the human being and the creator provides the means of satisfying the instinct of worship. Also, Islam organizes the human being�s personal affairs, such as the clothes he likes to wear, the food he eats, and how he maintains his health. Islam has economic, political, social and other systems that organizes the relationships that human beings establish with each other in order to live as a society.
By organizing these relationships in accordance with human nature, Islam neither suppresses any of man�s needs or instincts nor does it leave them unrestricted. Instead, Islam channels them in the proper direction, ensuring the satisfaction of every individual while protecting the dignity of the society as a whole.
The approach of Islam on man�s problem is preventive one, structuring the society so as to eliminate the possibility of social and moral depravity, economic exploitation, political corruption and oppression, and other vices. The Islamic society, however, is not utopian society where every individual is perfect, due to very nature of the human being, it is inevitable that some problems will occur, thought they are minimized in their frequency under Islam. In order to deal with these incidents, Islam employs a legal system that serves both as a hindrance to the development of the problem as well as means of repentance for the one transgressing the limits set by Allah.
The Capitalism and the Man
Capitalism view the society as composed of only individuals. Thus, changing the society requires changing only the individuals. Capitalism is an individualistic system. With the society looked upon as individuals. The individuals is the focal point of the society and individual�s freedom is protected to the extent that government can intervene only if that individual is infringing upon the freedom of another member of the society. Capitalism today created atmosphere, where people worship people. They are their role models. From sports start to musician to singer to dancer to Hollywood actress, and you can name it.
The relationship that exist between a man with other man is that of specific interest. When that interest is fulfilled then these two men are alien to each other.
In Capitalism, Man�s worships money, fame, people, wealth, luxury life, and many other things.
The Communism and the Man
The communist view holds that the society is composed of individuals, nature and the modes of production. The relationship of the individuals to the society is like the relationship of the spokes to the wheel. Society evolves inevitably because of the evolution of the production tools, which will result in changing the relationships in the society. This evolution will create a class struggle, resulting in a change. Thus, communist beliefs the change will occur in oneself naturally. Islam says: �Allah will not change the condition of the people (society) until they change themselves.� (ar-raad) [13:11]
According to communism, the human thought is just n reflection and is not a factor in the evolution of society. Rather the factors in this societal evolution consist of the modes and tools of production. This evolutionary process has several stages. The class struggle, which is defined as the conflict between difference classes in the society, is the mechanism which results in the advancement from one stage to the next.
The role of the human being in this evolution is minimal. He can only hasten the change be intensifying that are inherent in the various ideas, events, and movements in the society. In other words, changes in the former trigger changes the latter and vice versa.
Man�s personality is de-indevidualized as he is considered like a spoke in the wheel. The instinct of worship is satisfied in sanctifying the communist ruler or government and glorifying Communist party. And the implementation of the system is achieved by the state through the military and the severity of the law. The role of thought is very minimal, as society will evolve automatically from one stage to another. The role of communist party is to facilitate the class struggle by making it visible and enhance it by demonstrations, strikes and other methods.
As a result, there is no need for intellectual interaction and the party member do not need thoughts. All that is needed is that single person, in the Communist party to lead the way. From this one person all the ideas and thoughts are conveyed to the party members, and the members are to act and obey. There is no need for interaction and discussion because evolution is natural or automatic and will take care of the society, thus requiring non interaction of people with each other.
Thus, communist�s solution to any problem of the man faces is evolution. Every problem will be automatically be solved �some how� without people making any effort.
By: Executive Committee Revival of Muslim Mind
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