Modern Islam - Part 1

The Kitab al-Malâhim in the Sunan of Abu Da'ûd opens with the following Hadith:

"At the beginning of every century God will send to this community someone who will renew/revive/restore religion." (Inna Allah yab'ath li-hadhihi al-umma 'ala ra's kull mi'a thana man yujaddid laha amr diniha.)

The fifteenth century of Islam began in 1979 (and some scholars argue that this will be the final one). Who this "someone" is, is a natter of debate. It could be the Ayatollah Khomeini or someone else but there has certainly been quite a shift in Islam in general since about that time.

There are five aspects associated with this renewal process.

1. A Return back to the Koran.

Before 1979 the Koran was being learned in Arabic by Muslims all across the globe. For those who did not speak or understand Arabic they were learning to memorize texts without understanding the underlying meanings. In the past 30 years or so this has changed to include the underlying meanings of the Koran and so get back to the Koran.

2. A Return to the Hadith

Before 1979 it was unusual to know much abut the Hadith as memorizing the Koran was all a believer needed to be able to do as they received blessings from the acts itself. This has also changed in the past 30 years where the Hadith are part of the learning of the Koran and what is being taught in the mosques.

The Hadith are necessary because they provide the context, the where and the when of a verse in the Koran.

3. A Return and Renewal of the Status of Muhammad

This has been evident by the reactions of the Muslim world to something as simple as a cartoon. Any criticism of Mohammad is met with a widespread reaction, one the often includes violence. Like with the Hadiths pre-1979 Muslims did not consider Mohammad as much in their daily lives.

4. A Return to the Sharia

This is to provide the complete framework of all aspects of the life of a Muslim. IT also includes the understanding of Izet (honor) as part of the Muslim creed.

5. A Return to an Understanding of the first 100 years of history.

This period, after Mohammad's move to Medina, represents "Allah's holy history" and was considered a good time for Islam where it spread east and west without.

The results of these five factors will be covered in the second part of this series.