Muslim scholars underline need to familiarize youth with core principles of Riasat-e-Madina
Islamabad: A number of eminent Muslim scholars Saturday stressed upon inculcation of core moral and ethical values in society as enunciated by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) which transformed the fate of lowly Arab people into world leaders.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, highlighting the topic, “Islam, society and ethical revival,” the prominent scholars including Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, Dr Timothy Winter/Abdal Hakim Murad, Dr Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Dr Recep Senturk, Dr Osman Bakar and Dr Chandra Muzaffar, responded to questions about different aspects of the Sunnah of Holy Prophet (PBUH) and their need with respect to contemporary challenges posed to the Muslim youth and society.
The dialogue was held by Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Authority.
During course of conversation, the scholars endorsed Prime Minister Imran Khan’s observation that a society could not thrive and achieve prosperity without rule of law and justice, the basic principles which were strictly practiced by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his companions in Riasat-e-Madina.
Dr Seyyed Hossein Nasr, University Professor of Islamic Studies at George Washington University, responding to the prime minister’s query, said that in the last century, Muslims Ummah faced certain changes.
He stressed that the Sunnah of Holy Prophet (PBUH) should be followed as the Uswa of Prophet (PBUH) had large meanings and the model of Riasat-e-Madina was critical for revival of the Muslim society.
Dr Nasr maintained that Islam through the Sunnah of Holy Prophet (PBUH) spread the message which transformed the sturdy-hearted Arabs.
They were able to receive what the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was saying. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) presented the message of Allah, to an audience that gave their whole thoughts to it and spend their lives to achieve them, he added.
“Madina was the first Islamic society and it was a golden period of Islam, the foundation of which was laid down by the Holy Prophet (PBUH). That period remained ideal for us and we have to learn from it,” he opined.
Muslim scholars underline need to familiarize youth with core principles of Riasat-e-Madina
American scholar Shaykh Hamza Yusuf said that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) raised the values of ethics first, then justice and rule of law served as basis for a culmination of civilized society.
He said ethics and morals did not come from a vacuum, these qualities included honesty, modesty and integrity etc.
“The Prophet (PBUH) was the physician of the hearts. The people around him were called (Ashabs) companions,” he added.
He said the treatment to all ills in society had been identified in the Quranic teachings which provided solutions to these ills.
He also stressed that people in power and authority must embody the key ethics which should be a part of their character.
Dr Yusuf said for the first time, the Quranic teachings gave the idea of brotherhood. He said there might be certain issues in an Islamic society, but the existence of strong values like family system and brotherhood should be focused and emphasized as guiding beacon for the youth.
Scholar Dr Timothy Winter/Abdal Hakim Murad of the Cambridge UK, shared his experience of visiting the Al-Quds and said that it was the spiritual alchemy which the Holy Prophet (PBUH) infused among his followers enabling them to build an ideal society and beautiful buildings around the world.
He said it was too difficult to put into words the vast aspects of the life of Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Muslim scholars underline need to familiarize youth with core principles of Riasat-e-Madina
Dr Murad highlighted that Muslims should not comply with the Sunnah robotically.
Dr Chandra Muzaffar, a Malaysian intellectual, taking part in the dialogue, endorsed the prime minister’s viewpoint that there could be no two different sets of law for the powerful and the weak.
He linked the viability of a society with its ability to implement the rule of law in which the justice and human dignity was upheld.
He said the transformation of soul was must and an Islamic society must understand the depth of the message given by Holy Prophet (PBUH) about social relations.
