Merits of Islam in its Flexibility and Adaptation to Changes
Merits of Islam in its Flexibility and Adaptation to Changes
Islam has the flexibility to maintain originality and relevance to all times and places: -
1- A Muslim can shorten and join two prayers in some cases, such as when he is sick or traveling, which makes praying easy for him.
4: 101. And when you (Muslims) travel in the land, there is no sin on you if you shorten your Salât (prayer) if you fear that the disbelievers may attack you, verily, the disbelievers are ever unto you open enemies.
2- During wars or times of fear, Muslims can pray in a very easy way.
4: 102. When you (O Messenger Muhammad) are among them, and lead them in As-Salât (the prayer), let one party of them stand up [in Salât (prayer)] with you taking their arms with them; when they finish their prostrations, let them take their positions in the rear and let the other party come up which has not yet prayed, and let them pray with you taking all the precautions and bearing arms. Those who disbelieve wish, if you were negligent of your arms and your baggage, to attack you in a single rush, but there is no sin on you if you put away your arms because of the inconvenience of rain or because you are ill, but take every precaution for yourselves. Verily, Allâh has prepared a humiliating torment for the disbelievers.
3- The poor and disabled are exempt from performing the duty of pilgrimage.
3: 97. And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allâh, those who can afford the expenses (for one's conveyance, provision and residence);
4- The sick, travelers, nursing and pregnant women are exempt from fasting until their situation changes and they become able to fast.
2: 184. [Observing Saum (fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskîn (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know.
5- The disabled are exempt from participating in holy fighting.
9: 91. There is no blame on those who are weak or ill or who find no resources to spend [in holy fighting (Jihâd)], if they are sincere and true (in duty) to Allâh and His Messenger. No ground (of complaint) can there be against the Muhsinûn (good-doers - see the footnote of V.9:120). And Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
6- Wiping some parts of the body with clean soil or sand is a replacement for ablution at times when water is not available.
4: 43. O you who believe! Approach not AsSalât (the prayer) when you are in a drunken state until you know (the meaning) of what you utter, nor when you are in a state of Janâba, (i.e. in a state of sexual impurity and have not yet taken a bath) except when travelling on the road (without enough water, or just passing through a mosque), till you wash your whole body. And if you are ill, or on a journey, or one of you comes after answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (by sexual relations) and you find no water, perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands (Tayammum) . Truly, Allâh is Ever OftPardoning, OftForgiving.
7- Poor people who do not have the designated amount of savings for a whole year are exempt from paying alms, even a person who owns the minimum threshold, but he is poor may give and be given alms.
8- All unlawful foods with the exception of human flesh, food or drink which might lead to death become lawful at times when a Muslim is starving and in danger of dying, the amount must not be filling his stomach, but just enough to prevent that danger.
16: 115. He has forbidden you only Al-Maytatah (meat of a dead animal), blood, the flesh of swine, and any animal which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allâh (or has been slaughtered for idols etc. or on which Allâh's Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering). But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, and not transgressing, then, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
6: 119. And why should you not eat of that (meat) on which Allâh's Name has been pronounced (at the time of slaughtering the animal), while He has explained to you in detail what is forbidden to you, except under compulsion of necessity? And surely many do lead (mankind) astray by their own desires through lack of knowledge. Certainly your Lord knows best the transgressors.
9- Shares in inheritance are adapted to the amount which is inherited, so that the quotas for each heir is the same as the original.
10- Islam forbids changing the shapes of the body organs because the purpose is to change the creation of Allah, but allows cosmetic operations in case there is a deformation, which causes harm for the person.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave permission to a man whose nose had been cut off in battle to wear a nose made of gold.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) cursed those women who pluck their eyebrows and file their teeth for the purpose of beautification and change the creation of Allah.
11- Islam balances between acts of worship and life's daily demands.
'Abd Allah ibn 'Amr reported, The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be on him, said to me, "O 'Abd Allah! Am I not told that thou fastest in the day time and standest up in devotion during the night?" I said, Yes, O Messenger of Allah. He said: "Do not do so; keep fast and break it and stand up in devotion (in the night)