Mankind’s Greatest Question? by no author available

For mankind to progress in life means a comprehensive way of life must be adopted. All of the great civilisations adopted an ideology against which all of life’s affairs were referred and problems solved. Mankind today is in no different a position. We must think deeply of our situation and not accept any way of life blindly. The facts are that the two dominant ideologies existent in the world today, Capitalism and Communism, have been accepted without any searching examination of the basis upon which they are built. Does twentieth century man think of what the concepts of freedom and democracy really mean. Is mankind 'free' in all actions?

There must be a controlling influence, but where does the control exercised by a democracy lead us? The control by an elected minority backed by a faceless elite? A rapidly declining environment, massive increases in crime, the breakdown of the family unit and a selfish drive for profit and individualism are all manifestations of man-made systems. Secular systems are open for abuse, and even a sincere leadership cannot hope to guide mankind with mankind’s limited knowledge and understanding of life.

Part of our problem today is that man does not think of his situation, and what little thought brought forward to solve any problem is based upon a consensus view. It is a fundamental error to believe that a majority view or view of the lowest common denominator is correct all the time. We see that the average view or majority view may bear no resemblance to the truth at all. In a society where domination of an unthinking public is very easy, through such forces as the media, then control of the consensus view can be almost complete. The results are devastating, as we see with our environment.

Man must return to using his intellect, and not settle for anything less than the truth.

Any examination of the options open to mankind should not leave out the last of the monotheistic faiths, a faith in which a code of conduct for all of mankind is clearly set out without bias and uncertainty. Islam is based totally upon the existence of one Creator, that has created us, the rest of life and the universe.

The proof of that Creator is before our eyes if only we spend time to contemplate upon all that we can perceive.

It was narrated by Abu Anas and Abu Dardah that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "An hour in contemplation is worth more than spending a whole night in prayer." Many things exist, but we perceive of nothing that exists of its own accord, all are limited and dependant. Limited, finite things must be created. All dependant things depend upon an external force for their sustenance and existence. Our instincts tell us that we need to look up to something greater than ourselves for guidance, an instinct man has been satisfying for as long as history records. Belief in God is instinctive and rational.

Mankind comes to faith in God because he needs an answer to the most important question of where did he come from and why is he here. The true faith in God is intellectually based, emotions play a part, but it is only through intellectually and rationally proven facts that man will become convinced of a thought, and then act accordingly. The intellectual acceptance that there is only one God and that Muhammad is his Messenger is a condition for entering Islam.

There are numerous references to mankind’s responsibility in life given in the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh).

"Allah has not created man and jinn except as a worship unto him"[51:56] Man's role of trustee of the earth is also referred to clearly in the Qur'an.

"I am about to place a trustee in the earth" [2:30] All of ones life should be in accordance with the direction given to us by our Creator. This is what worship in its widest sense means. We are not free to undertake anything we wish in life, we are subject to the laws and controls given to us to regulate our affairs. All societies need systems to ensure harmony and progress; Islam has given us the basis or creed from which all systems emanate. Man's systems for social law, government and ruling, economy, and justice are all given from this basis from our Creator. To ignore these facts is to ignore our responsibility in life. To lead a life apart from that given by our Creator is to invite misery and oppression as individuals and as a nation of believers.

Mankind is only truly freed up for progress by living in accordance with his God given instincts, and within a system given by our Creator. To accept otherwise is to invoke the wrath of our Creator and to live in a constant round of inefficiency, as man chases yet another man made system, the systems of insecurity and doubt.