The Resilience of Islam

In every age Islamic civilisation has exerted itself and will never have to re-invent itself. 

Unlike Christianity, it’s kin, which seeks to be all things to all men, and give the good news to each of them even, that is, when they transgress God’s law, Islamic Civilisation finds its relevance each time. 

Or perhaps it is better to say that we find that it is relevant and holds the answers to the questions we ask of it.  And then it exerts itself. 

And this in every age. 

Without compromise to its original precepts that set out, in detail, its vision of how society should be. 

These are nothing like the vacant ramblings of the ancient seers of the mystery religions, which can be interpreted every which way. 

But are a very clear rational argument for a better way to live.  

This one incredible characteristic of our religion, it’s resilience to stand the test of time, came to be part of it either through opportune accident, or by deliberate design. 

In all likelihood it is the story contained within the first chapter of the Quran, that gives its name to it, that really brings home the deliberate design that Islam was meant to be relevant in each age, exert itself in each age, and be resilient to the passage of time. 

Indeed S Baqara is the largest chapter of the Quran and is replete with both imagery and relevant stories, and it was named as such by the Messenger (saw) to draw particular attention to that story. 

For the heifer, or cow, that the Children of Israel were asked to sacrifice moulded the attitude of the companions to such a degree that Islam remains a clear, concise and most importantly an open book. Open because it is there for us all to rediscover it. 

Man is by nature curious, and that from the very first bite of the apple in the Garden. But that natural curiosity was subdued with the companions who lost nothing of their original wit, poetic inventiveness, nor even organisational skills. 

These last three characteristics can easily be felt when we read the Seerah; how they invented songs as they dug the trench, were ready to give their advice even when not bidden,  and made a committee with stringent rules so that they could compile the Quran into the Mushaf we have today. 

Their intelligence was not diminished, but they knew not to ask over many questions in regards to the Quran.

Even though they would have had many too ask. 

For to have done so would have closed the book, every answer being enumerated for all time. 

Like a codex, written down. 

Instead the Quran was sent as a guide book and not a fully comprehensive manual. 

Both generative of understanding and a blessing for all men who try to understand it. A living reality that can speak to us, guide us and mould us and our society in the best of forms. 

And it is the fact that every verse poses a question, that is the core to its being a book that forces us to understand it. And that most basic question is the occasion of each’s revelation- for the Quran came down over 23 years. 

And after Uthman (ra) had compiled the Quran in the order that the Messenger informed us of, Ali (ra) had his own chronological Quran burned, and forever lost.  Never once alluding to what he knew. 

That we might have questions. 

Might puzzle over answers. 

And that Islam might remain alive, a source of study and inspiration, even to this day. 

Written Oct 2019. 

Shafees.