|
The
opportunities
that
modernity
provides
draw the
individuals
closer
to the
world
(worldly
things);
on the
one hand
they
promise
hopes
for the
future,
but on
the
other
hand
they
become
frightening.
Based on
this
perspective,
we shall
analyze
how a
modern
Muslim
should
be and
try to
underline
the
points
that
should
be
explained,
clarified.
I should
mention
in
advance
that if,
we say ‘’the
individual
who has
this
attribute
is
open to
renewal,
innovations,
tries
to be
productive,
has
considerable
experience
in life
and
these
become
significant
in his
undertakings’’,
then,
perhaps
we would
have
described
him a
little.
As a
matter
of fact,
I don’t
think
there is
any harm
in
saying
what
should
be said
last now
here
at the
beginning.
According
to a
classical
Muslim
person,
the idea
of “being
modern”
is an
illusion
and
furthermore
it is a
sign of
deviance.
A Modern
Muslim
on the
other
hand,
doesn’t
give any
credit
to this
idea. He
doesn’t
have
these
types of
doubts
in him.
He takes
his
place in
the
world of
subtle,elegant,
refined
world of
progress
that
makes
the
human a
true
human
being;
he
makes
people
happy
and ,
makes,
stimulates
the
power of
dreaming
to
become
exuberant.
The
modern
muslim
does not
keep
himself
busy
with his
memories,
but
instead
he aims
for and
fixes
his eyes
to the
level of
Allah
from the
level of
the
human
(where
he is
now).
S/he can
achieve
this by
means of
Makarim
al-akhlaq***(thinking
and
behaving
like
Allah
which is
universal
thinking
and
behaving)
through
which
all the
dimensions
of Allah
are
perceived
and
which
is
defined,named
as a
paradigm
of
akhlaq.
However,
it is
not
possible
for an
ignorant
one to
become
a
distinguished
Muslim
as
mentioned
above!
Is a
Modern
Muslim
someone
who is
“educated,
sophisticated
and
knowledgeable?”
The
answer
to this
question
would be
given as
“he is
the one
who has
assimilated
all his
knowledge,
who is
able to
apply
this to
his life
and who
is able
to
protect
himself
from his
environment
(especially
the
people).”
One
who has
acquired
these
attributes
also
has to
grasp,
perceive
things
and be
flexible
enough
to
accept
radical
changes.
It
should
be
admitted
that he,
instead
of
living
the
religion
with
fear
tries
much to
bring
the
religion
closer
to the
scientific
level.
He is
immediately
noticed
with his
perspective
peculiar
to
himself,
because
he is a
person
who
keeps
his
promises,
his
evaluations
are firm
(he
never
rejects
them),
and he
has a
strong
will
power.
Moreover
he
doesn’t
make
fuss
about
anything;
on the
contrary,
he draws
attention
with his
charming,
loving
attitude.
It is
necessary
to
mention
one
thing
here as
a detail
that can
come to
our
minds.
A
contemporary
religious
person
has a
strong
personality
which
becomes
a
symbol,
an icon.
Nevertheless,
despite
the fact
that he
accepts
all
sorts of
will
power,
he is
not
restricted,
limited
by any
of
them,
thus he
has the
attribute
of the
absolute
will-power.
Briefly,
he
doesn’t
prefer
to be on
the
forefront
in his
daily
life or
he
doesn’t
boast
about
his
past.
His
primary
characteristic
is that
he
doesn’t
have any
needs.
He keeps
his
character
and his
nature
under
control.
He is
not like
those
who show
off
their
belongings
with a
big
pride.
He lives
in
accordance
with the
requirements,
principles
stated
in the
qudsi
hadith “They
are
under my
cover”
states.These
are his
principles
in life.
If, he
is
consulted
on the
Islamic
matters
that
need to
be
clarified
or to be
resolved,
then he
can
reveal
himself
to a
certain
extent
by means
of his
explanations
that are
given
with the
hope of
some
tolerance
in
return.
Modern
Muslims
are
human
beings
who
cover
the
matter
while
they are
explaining
it and
who
unfold
it when
others
think
they are
hiding
it.
As we
come to
the
conclusion,
the
points
we have
covered
above
have to
be taken
into
consideration
thoroughly
in order
to
understand
the
modern
religious
person
of
today
and most
important
of all,
we can
say it
is
mandatory
to do
this in
order to
wipe out
the
concept
of “Classical
Islam”
in our
minds.
On the
other
hand, it
won’t be
appropriate
to
expect
some
people
to make
a choice
between
Modern
versus
Classical
Muslim;
because
these
people
from
morning
till
night
and
during
all the
hours of
the day
have
indulged
themselves
in the
worldly
life and
did not
think
about
anything
else
apart
from the
worldly
pleasures.
They
have
made
friends
who had
the same
mentality;
their
wishes
and
desires
have
always
been at
the
forefront
and they
haven’t
been
remotely
interested
in the
philosophical
side of
Islam.
However,
in spite
of all
these
they
were
speaking
continuously
about
religion-faith
and
belief.
We have
to
perceive
this
simple
fact and
put it
forth
for
consideration
*****Akhlaq:
The
plural
of ‘’Khulq’’
in
Arabic;
natures,
dispositions,
manners,
the
practice
of
virtue,
morals
Makārim al-akhlāq
: noble
qualities
of
character.
The
beloved
Prophet
Muhammad
Sallallāhu
‘alayhi
wa
Sallam
demonstrated
noble
character
to
perfection
The
above
are the
dictionary
meanings
for this
statement.
However,
we can
say
Mekarim-I
Akhlaq
is the
Universal
thinking,
behaviour,
that is
thinking
and
behaving
like
Allah |
