Islamic Sharia: Everything or Nothing

In the Name of Allah,

All praise is due to Allah, the owner of the day of judgement.

AssalamuAlaykum Brothers and Sisters,

It has become a very common practice in Media and among Non-Practicing Muslims, or even in some Practicing Muslims, to rule out Islamic Sharia as the complete law.

We would like to follow Islamic Sharia, when paying zakat, or fasting, or divorce. However, we will not follow Sharia, when we are socializing with opposite sex, or paying interest payments, or killing innocents, or taking bribes, listening to music...etc.

Islamic Sharia is not something that we can pick and chose when to follow. It has to be in effect in our life all the time or never. If we are applying for Immigration benefits, we can't decieve our facts, as Sharia prohibits that. Muslim men are required to have beard in Sharia, and women are required to cover themselves. Islamic Sharia prohibits taking still pictures. It is also forbidden to go to extreme in religion. It is also forbidden to let the hair in private area to grow longer then a certain length. These are just some examples.

Now, there are some reason why Non-Muslim and most Muslims are not interested in Sharia laws. Biggest reason is the perception of the treatment of women according to Islamic Sharia. In fact, it is a myth. Islamic Sharia's top objective is to liberate women, and give balanced rights to everyone. What happens in some Muslim countries is an outsome of ancient cultures not yielding to Islamic Sharia. For example, women are required to educate themselves in Islam, but some Afghanis do not have the knowledge of Islam to understand that point, so they apply their cultural values which disallow women from chosing to study or work or own property or not wear hijab. Islam welcomes all cultures, but if our culture contradicts Islamic Sharia, we have to abandon it.

Narrated Mu'awiyah al-Qushayri: I went to the Apostle of Allah (pbuh) and asked him: "What do you say (command) about our wives?" He replied: "Give them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile them." (Sunan Abu Dawud: Book 11, Number 2139)

"The best of you is one who is best towards his family and I am best towards the family". (At-Tirmithy).

"None but a noble man treats women in an honourable manner. And none but an ignoble treats women disgracefully". (At-Tirmithy).

I claim that women are being opressed by unIslamic cultures, because they are being objectified to sell advertisements, movies, sports, etc. Women have been thrown in to the society to survive as a single mother, where she is disadvantaged by men at every corner of the street. I attest to some women close to me are living the lives of poverty because of "equal" rights of women in USA. Women don't need equal rights, but need "equitable" (meaning more) rights. I see women brainwashed to wear clothes that reveal part of the hairs and skin that entertain the men at work, and muslim women has fallen to this trap thinking "Oh, we are free to show our bodies".

No sisters in Islam, you are being punked. Men are satisfying their visual and sexual urges without paying the dues to the women, and when you get pregnant, these men will run away. Marraige is not just created for men, but it was created to protect women from the opression of men, and now women have been convinced to have extra marital relationships. Sure, which men wouldn't like to have that without commitment to provide for her for the rest of her life.

Muslim sisters who do not cover themselves does not offend me and I support their right to chose sin. However, it hurts me to see men taking advantage of them and moving on. I beg the Muslim sisters to reconsider invoking your rights under Islam and shun the opression of men in USA and other unIslamic cultures. It is your choice.

Allah did give men a degree higher in administrative duties, but that is only to remove conflict, becuase there can't be two President of the country, or two Kings of the Kingdom or two head of the household. To compensate for this, Allah increased the rights and status of women in other areas. Men have to provide for the women, but women don't have to do house work, if they don't want to. Of course, if women chose to take care ofthe home and their husbands, then the reward is Jannah without struggle that men go through. So, Allah is not bounded by a flesh brain to think and his wisdom is infinite, and he has balanced the rights and duties in the most perfect manner for human beings. If we choose not to follow his command, it only harm us.

Allah created human beings with a power to chose right and wrong, but it is not easy, and the thats why the reward is huge. Allah is very merciful, and so provided a written manual to decide what is right and what is wrong. If he would have left it up for us, we would make many mistakes. If humans wants to live a peaceful and succesful life, they have to follow the manual. Any other variation will end in disaster. Last and the most comprehensive of these manuals is Islamic Sharia.

If someone says that Islamic Sharia is not suitable for this age, they are questioning the wisdom of Allah, as he has told us that Islam is a guidance until Qiyamah. It is the only method to live our life to succeed here and here after. If someone thinks that they can do good deeds, and not follow Islam completely, and will enter Jannah. They are certainly mistaken. Before we were born, our souls took an oath with Allah that he is the only God, and we will follow his command. We should remember that oath, and start following Islamic Sharia in everything.

"If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (Submission to Allah), Never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost."(Qur'an 3:85)

So, can we believe in Allah, pray 5 times, fast, go to Hajj, pay Zakat, and consider ourselves following Islam? No, we can not. We have to enter the religion compeltely. We can't flirt with women at work, and then become sober in Taraweeh. We cannot display an item for sale in false pretence in our stores, and pray 20 long Rakat to make up for it. No such thing.

"O ye who believe! Enter into Islam whole-heartedly" (Qur'an 2:208)

Either we are muslims or not. We can not be Muslim when we visit Masjid or Kaba, and act different at work. Our lives should be exactly the same when we are inside haram, and when we are in our living room with friends.

Islamic Sharia is the perfect set of rules that will create the best living environment on earth. As a Muslim, we should live it, and preach Non-Muslim by example. Companions of Prophet (PBUH) did not spread Islam by debating and showing proves from Quran, although it is sometimes necessary. They lived Islam, and never went against Islamic Sharia intentionally.

In conclusion, being a Muslim is like cooking, and if we use all the ingredients, and follow the instructions, the lives will be delicous, but if we use all but one ingredient, the lives may not taste so good. So, don't follow Islamic Sharia because it is a trend, or it is required. Follow Sharia because it has all the answers. From marraige to business to School to Govt Offices, it will provide the protection against opression. Allah guarantees it.

Just try it! Take a pledge that you will live according to Sharia, and try to direct your path towards it. We don't have to change overnight, but we need to have intention to change.

JazakAllah Khairin
A struggling Muslim
AbuArman (Adnan Jumani)