Introduction
“The relevance of Islam in the modern world” is the most talked-about topic in the discussions on religion. One often finds oneself in a quest to find the answer of the question: “Are Islamic traditions (shariah) relevant to the problems faced by the modern world?” The most argued point in this regard is the situation of the Muslim world in contrast with the progressive ‘Modern’ West.
Today many people, belonging to all religions, are not sure about what their own religions teach. So many compromises have been made with the ‘Modern World’, especially in the last few decades, that the boundary between truth and error, goodness and evil, beauty and ugliness has been totally obscured. Fundamental concepts such as ‘Truth” and “Goodness” have been held up to a doubting scrutiny that many ‘believers’ of these religions no longer think they have any meaning. Modernism has been used as cover to introduce the principles of secularism into the minds of people. A better definition would be the changing of religion from religion to a complete sham. Perhaps, this also answers the question, the clarity and lack of ambiguity in the basic tenets of Islam may help some people in reconsidering the bases of their faith.
Politics and state
History is a testament to the fact that it was Islam that provided the very base for the modern nation-state. Muslims formed first such independent state in Medina under the leadership of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.a.w) where they were living side by side with Jews and Christians and all of them were enjoying religious freedom.The concept of a pluralistic state came down to the Islamic Caliphate and early Muslim empires and was then adopted by the Western intelligentsia as a remedy for their problems.
Education and science
Islam from its very start stressed highly on the learning of new knowledge. For this purpose, a secret learning center was established in the house of Hazrat Araqam (r.a) where the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) would teach his followers how to recite Quran and how to lead a pious life in accordance with the teachings of Islam. When Quran provides the evidence of God’s existence it does not focuses its debate on superstitions but on the real-life examples for the people to understand. Quran says,” No doubt, in the creations of heavens and earth and in the translation of day and night are clear signs for men to understand” (Surah Ali Imran). From this and other verses of Quran, we can clearly say that Quran asks people to think and not to blindly follow anyone. The very first word that was revealed by the Allah (SWT) to the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was “ Read”, which needs no explanation.
Economy
Islam is not only a religion or a set of beliefs rather it is a complete code of life for all the human beings. Islam, on one hand, discusses in detail the individual life of a person but on the other hand it also thoroughly discusses the statecraft. It gives us a complete code of laws that will run the matters of the state from top to bottom. One of the important pillars of a state is the economy is Zakat which is like breathing for a country and its residents.
Art and Architecture
Islam has also played a key role in promoting art and architecture in the modern world. Though Islam teaches not to be involved in making arts that can in some way promote idolatry but on the other hand, the great artists in the Islamic world have turned their attention towards other forms of art that don’t symbolize idolatry like portraying nature and doing Calligraphy. The Islamic calligraphy, writing Quranic words in unique ways, has assumed the status of a new form of art. As far as the architecture is concerned, Muslim architects have introduced their own unique form and the Mosque has remained one of the entities that have experienced so many different variations in architecture along with the dome structure.
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