Western Society

The Western world refers to various nations depending on the context, most often including at least part of Europe (especially European Union with EFTA), Australasia (especially Australia and New Zealand) and the Americas (especially North America).

53600

Politics . Muslims . Homosexuality . Western Society

How does a good Muslim survive in non Islamic nations surrounded by secular humanists or established homosexual communities? Is it proper to disengage with such political and social narratives that are not in the best interests of Islam?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answered 2 years ago

This is really a personal question. Some people thrive on engaging with these social issues, whereas others do not. Insofar as it does not harm anyone, it is good to be self-aware and acknowledge what is beneficial and harmful for ourselves and our faith, and then attempt to live in a such a way that is beneficial for our peace of mind and faith. This would include decisions on where to live, where to work, and who to socialize with. Certainly, there are enough Muslims engaging with these issues today, and so it isn't necessary for every single Muslim to do it.

Secular humanism can a complicated matter, since it is heavily involved in the educational system in some countries, and most people adopt the dominant beliefs of their country and integrate them into their religious views. Of course, secular humanism has good and bad points like everything else. When one considers these ideas analytically rather than just absorbing them, it can deepen one's faith, but, again, that is personal! Do keep in mind that the Prophet lived in a society that did not support the views he was teaching and yet Islam took root there.

As Muslims, we are encouraged to be aware of the world around us. However, in this day and age, many people suffer from information overload. It simply isn't possible or healthy to follow every issue all the time. It is good to be selective in what one wants to focus on - not to have a biased or slanted view of the world (as happens often) but simply in order to use one's time and mental energy well. Social media is usually the cause of this overload, and it is easy to regulate one's use of social media.

56823

Woman . Western Society . Hijab

Living in the West, what is the simplest way for a Muslim woman to dress when in public considering the culture?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 2 years ago

Muslim women must fulfill the conditions of Hijab in her dress where ever she lives. Hijab dress must cover her whole body except her face and hands. Hijab dress should not be tied nor transparent.

Muslim woman in any part of the world can wear whatever she like but within full Hijab.

Muslims should not compromise on religion to please society or people or government.

Wassalam.

54348

Western Society . Employment . Lawyer

Is it permissible to study to become a lawyer in the West to help a population in need of legal services? If it is permissible, is it also a desirable and encouraged line of work?

Studying to become a lawyer is allowed as far as you support the victims and the justice. Those lawyers who aim only to gain money and support the wrongdoers through legal tricks are doing wrong and their income from the wrong is unlawful.

It depends on you how you want to be. Obviously, the person who believes in Allah and Day of Judgment will never support the wrong, because he will face the miserable consequences.

This applies to other professions like medicine, education, business, etc which can be used in right way by good people, and wrong way by wrong people.

We encourage good persons to study law to support the innocent people.

Wassalam.

53994

Movies . Music . Western Society

Is it allowed to watch movies as shown on western channels that are not primarily indecent and where precautions are taken to skip past any occasional inappropriate scenes or music?

Watching any movie or film or picture which have indecent/inappropriate scenes or have indecent/ inappropriate parts or music used usually by the sinners, is not allowed. If you can avoid the sinful parts and only watch the parts which do not have indecent/ inappropriate scenes or sinful music, avoiding the wrong parts, then it allowed to watch the parts which are clean.

Wassalam

50736

Muslims . Interest . Riba . Western Society

How can we function as true Muslims living in the West and prohibiting interest (Riba) while there are many financial contracts that include such interest?

We can not prohibit others in Western society from dealing with Riba, but we as Muslims are not allowed to deal with Riba.

The meaning of Riba is to be taken from the Marja' of Taqleed and not from the people.

Despite the fact that we live in a society which deals with Riba but we should not indulge ourselves in Riba as far as we can.

Wassalam.

51999

Shariah . Islam . Democracy . Western Society

Is Sharia law the only "true" truth of Islam or is there room for a more "progressive" form of Islam that would be more compatible with a free Westernized democracy?

First of all we need to understand the real meaning of Sharia law, away from the claimed Sharia of the terrorist groups, and away from the Western media propaganda which gave people an impression that Sharia Law is mainly cutting hands of the thieves and killing the fornicators.

Real Sharia Law is the full comprehensive law which makes human life based on justice and equality to achieve peace and tranquility for individuals and societies.

Real teachings of Islam taken from the Prophet (SAWA) and his Progeny (Ahlul Bayt )(AS) are the most progressive, but unfortunately, most people look at Islam today through Western media propaganda which is misleading as well through the crimes of so-called Jihadi groups who want to hijack Islam.

Those who really want a progressive society need to read and understand the real teachings of Islam which came through Ahlul Bayt (AS). Let them read Nahjul Balagha and the statements of Imam Al- Sajjad on the Human Rights as examples. The United Nations has issued a statement on 2002 advising the leaders of Muslim world to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (AS) to Maalik Al-Ashtar.

Wassalam.

47895

Western Society . Adolescence

How can you curb your sexual desire as a teenager living in the West where you are constantly exposed to women in provocative clothing?

Abbas Di Palma, Shaykh Abbas Di Palma holds a BA and an MA degree in Islamic Studies, and certifications from the Language Institute of Damascus University. He has also studied traditional Islamic sciences in... Answered 3 years ago

Unfortunately in our society youth are constantly bombarded by immorality and corruption and it has become very difficult for those who want to maintain an ethical-religious standard of life to keep up with their values. However Allah is great and He guides whom He wills, therefore put your trust in Him and never despair of His mercy. You may also look at the following factors that may protect you insh'Allah from misguidance and unwishful thoughts:

1) Keep yourself busy with a specific devotional program, pray on time, do not forget supererogatory acts and focus on your attitude, especially for Salat al-Fajr. Try to pay attention to Tahajjud and Salat al-Layl asking for help and forgiveness every night with great hope. During the day recite adhkar regularly that reminds you of Him, and seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan, the cursed one. In the morning commit yourself not to sin, along the day be watchful of yourself, and in the night valuate your own deeds before sleeping.

2) Attend good company and pious relatives and friends who remind you of Allah, His beauty and the purpose of His creation. Spend good time with them and try to imitate them in goodness and piety. They should have a good influence on you and perhaps you may have a good influence on them. Attend Islamic lectures and implement what you learn there, and ask advice from the upright and God-fearing scholars.

3) Start to seriously consider to get married so that an healthy conjugal life may keep yourself far from evil and indecency. The holy Qur'an says that Allah created husband and wife so that they may live with each other in love and compassion (31:21) and our noble Prophet have said: "When a man marries, he has protected half of his religion". If marriage is not possible for the time being, start to work for it, by trying to improve your financial status and by starting to look for the right person for your future marriage insh'Allah.

With prayers for your success.

47085

God (Allah) . Western Society . Irfan

Can a common person living in the West reach a level of ma'rifah of Allah Almighty such as that achieved by the likes of Ayatullah Bahjat?

Saleem Bhimji, Shaykh Saleem Bhimji was born and raised in Canada. After completing his post-secondary education at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), he moved to Medina, New York, to study at... Answered 3 years ago

Salam Alaykum

Reaching to levels of 'spirituality' and closeness to Allah can be attained by anyone living anywhere. Yes our environment plays a direct role in our awareness and closeness to Allah and so for some it may be easier to tread that path while for others, it may be more of a challenge, however one should never give up or feel that it is impossible to reach levels of ma'rifah of Allah.

46372

Western Society . Alcohol

Can a Muslim in the West work in a convenience store that, for example, sells alcohol?

Hamid Mavani, Hamid Mavani is Associate Professor of Islamic Studies at Bayan Claremont Islamic Graduate School / Claremont School of Theology, in California. His expertise in Islamic Studies stems from both... Answer imported 3 years ago

According to the ruling of Ayatullah Seestani, it is permissible to work in a store that sells alcohol provided that the same is sold to non-Muslims.

Source: Al-Mustahdathatu min-al-Masa'il-ish-Shari'iyyah, p. 25.