Three Questions
Question:-
I would like to ask three questions about Islam. They are connected, though they seem not to be. Perhaps you will see this.
(1) Sexual promiscuity is widespread. What is the Islamic attitude to towards it and why?
(2) Scientific research shows that human nature and behaviour is governed by inherited genetic factors and also by environmental ones. What is the Islamic view on this?
(3) The Quran, on which Islam is based, appears to some people to be a naive simplistic, fragmented and often obscure document compared to say Hindu and Buddhist scriptures and even Jewish and Christian ones. Why do Muslims cling to it?
Answer:-
(1) From the Islamic point of view marriage is half of religion. Marriage creates a unity between the two sexes, transcending each and this unity is perfected in the child. It is, therefore, a possible way to spiritual development and return to one's source, namely God. It is within marriage that people learn to love and it is the best environment for the physical, moral, emotional and intellectual development of children. Here we have genetic interest and compatibility, and love and authority are combined.
Sexuality has the function of being the source of life, of personal identity, and of continuation of the race. It is the binding force that creates societies, which are networks of families in space and time where the marital spouses are the knots. It is also a creative force that can be sublimated to produce cultural products and is recognised in all religions as involved in spiritual development, which is a kind inner reproduction. The third feature, apart from binding and creativity, is its intensity. It motivates and this energy needs to be constructively directed rather than wasted or perverted as in the case of fanaticism.
Sexuality is, therefore, seen as a sacred force and process by all intelligent and perceptive people. The frivolous attitude and loosening discipline with respect to it are signs of depravity and barbarity. It is a disease. We thank God that he has sent us a religion that creates a barrier against this degeneration.
Sexual intercourse outside marriage is regarded as a Crime and severely punished as a deterrent and for educational purposes. There are recommendations as to dress and behaviour to prevent temptations. But reputations are also jealously protected in that gossip and unsupported accusations are also punished.
(2) Yes, people do excuse their behaviour by blaming their genes or their environment, and undoubtedly these are powerful factors. But they also claim free will. These factors have both been used as excuses for mass persecution all over the world, showing that human motives also have an effect. There have been swings like that of the pendulum from one extreme, each leading to the another.
From the Islamic point of view three factors should be recognised, the third being human conscious intentions and efforts. They work together. The genes provide the possibilities but the environment (physical, social and cultural) affects how these possibilities are actualised. This can be mediated by Volition. Though this faculty may certainly arise from genetic and environmental factors it should be regarded as an independent factor that can modify the other two. We can experiment on ourselves to see that deliberate actions that go against our normal habits or impulses are certainly possible, but they are difficult to sustain. However, continuous exercise strengthens these mental and spiritual faculties as physical exercise strengthens muscles. Indeed, even this physical effect shows that something other than genetics or environment has had an affect.
However, conscious actions are difficult and we need help. Islam, as other genuine Religions (also recognised as Islam) require human development in those characteristics that make us truly human, namely the spiritual factors consciousness, conscience and will (self-control). Or to put it another way, it is the divine attributes of Truth, Compassion (Benevolence) and Justice that have to be cultivated. This is best done by Surrender to God and the reception of His spirit. It is this that provides the motive, sustains attention and efforts in the appropriate directions.
(3) It is true that some of the other scriptures of the world have been regarded as much more "sophisticated" than the Quran. Yet the Quran has millions of adherents, a much greater number than any other Scripture. The reason for this is that the more "sophisticated" Scriptures tend to appeal to the intellect and are understood by fewer people or are followed emotionally or by habit by the less sophisticated people. The Quran is for everyone, from the simplest person to the highly intelligent. Its appeal lies at a deeper more organic and spiritual level than the ordinary conscious mind. Though it also has arguments, emotional appeal, threats, and examples, it touches or tries to touch and arouse consciousness, conscience and will directly. People, in whom the deeper sensitivity has been dulled owing to conditioning by educational, social and cultural systems that place emphasis mainly or exclusively on intellectual, emotional or physical matters of only certain kinds, remain unaffected (at least consciously) and cannot understand the Quran.
The Quran may be regarded as uncreated in so far as it is the Word of God through which He also created the World. It is in the Preserved Tablet, an integral part of the blue print, as it were, of the Universe. However, the book of paper and ink is certainly created. In this respect it is like man, made of earth but having the Spirit of God in it. Mother Book as One could say that the Physical Quran is a reflection. Or rather it is a kind of mirror (symbolically) in which it is reflected. Or it is a medium through which it is transmitted to receptive minds.
So yes, I do see the connection between your three questions. It is now for you to see the inter-connection between the answers.
Question:-
You say that the Scriptures have been sent by God to guide us. Is it mentioned in Quran (directly, indirectly, explicitly or implicitly) that Quran is the last book from Allah?
A Muslim:-
Yes, indirectly. Muhammad is the seal of the Prophets. Allah sends books via Prophets. So the Quran sent through Muhammad is the last scripture. The Sunnah of Allah never changes. Of course, He has not got around to informing me of His complete Sunnah, so is there a loophole? It can be argued that the physical universe is also a Message, and this "book" is one we continue to "read" and struggle to understand.
Comment:-
Yes, it seems correct to say that as Allah sends His Scripture through the Prophets, and Religion has been perfected in Islam as brought by Muhammad who is the Seal of the Prophets. Therefore the Quran is the last scripture and in future man has to apply what he has been given. Just as all people are given guidance when they are children, but when they become adults they must learn to apply this guidance.
It is also true that the Sunna of Allah refers to the laws and processes of the Universe. It is the same as what Taoists call the Tao.
But the idea that the Sunna (the Ways) of Allah never changes is not correct, unless we are speaking of the fundamental nature of Allah.
(1) As the Quran tells us there is a time for everything and everything has its time and term. This applies to the Universe as a whole, this planet, the biosphere and human civilisations.
(2) The Sunna of Allah also includes the Scriptures and there has been a series of them suited to the times and people. These scriptures refer not so much to the written word as their meaning and influence and this also includes their application. The Sunna of Allah, therefore, includes the Sunna of each of the Messengers he has sent. As the Quran says we must not make a distinction between Allah and Messengers and that obeying the Messenger is to obey Allah. These Messengers dominate an area and an Age.
It is, for instance, apparent that the world can be divided into areas of different cultures that have been formed by the various religions - Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam.
It is also apparent that every succeeding religion has spread its influence throughout the world gradually over time and caused transformations in the previous religions. The influence of Islam, for instance, is responsible for the arising of Sikhism out of Hinduism, some reformations in Buddhism, the Reformation in Christianity and movements such as the Renaissance and Enlightenment. It could be argued that the rise of Science (as distinct from speculative Philosophy) is due to the subtle influence of Islam. These influences have not yet been exhausted. The present Age can therefore, be regarded as being under the spiritual government of Muhammad (saw) and will remain so until the Last Day that ends with the Day of Resurrection and Judgement.
But as this is to follow with a "New Earth and a New Heaven" (probably meaning new physical and ideological conditions), it is not known what this precisely means. I doubt that it means another Messenger with another Scripture. It probably means the resurrection of all the scriptures and the recognition of their real spiritual content and application rather than the superficial interpretation based on fixation on words which alone causes the controversies.
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