What are Islam's rulings regarding the human mind and intellect?

Islam is the only religion which has elevated the status of the human mind and declared its importance. The human mind is the faculty through which man can be charged with duty and responsibility. It is man's intellect that makes him acknowledge his Creator, the mysteries of creation, and the Supremacy of his Creator. The Qur'an addresses man's intellect and urges him to look at the Universe and meditate upon its existence in addition to studying it for the benefit of mankind and to strive to make the earth prosper and thrive. Moreover, there is nothing to indicate that Islam prohibits Muslims to use their sense of judgement or that it is against scientific or academic thought.

It behooves us to state that Islam commands man to use his faculties of thinking and reasoning: "Travel through the earth and see how God did originate creation". [29/20] Islam also blames those people who do not employ their intellectual faculties of thinking, reasoning, and meditating, and the Qur'an describes such people thus: "They have hearts wherewith they understand not, eyes herewith they see not and ears wherewith they hear not; they are like cattle - nay more misguided: for they are heedless of warning." [7/179] Furthermore, the Qur'an considers not using one's sense and reason a sin, and describe what will happen on the Day of Judgement to those who refused to believe in God: "They will further say: Had we but listened or used our intelligence, we would not (now) be among the
companions of the Blazing Fire". [67/10]

The faith of Islam draws man's attention to the fact that God has made the entire universe subservient to him. It is consequently his duty to use his powers of intellect for the welfare of mankind and the fruitfulness of the earth. The following Qur'anic verses confirm this matter: "It is He Who has produced you from the earth and settled you therein". [11/61]; "And He has subjected to you, as from Him, all that is in the heavens and on earth: behold, in that are Signs indeed for those who reflect". [45/l3]

Therefore, the whole universe is a domain where man can exercise his powers of intellect without any prohibition or opposition to his thought provided that it, for the welfare of mankind. Everything that benefits mankind or entails prosperity and well being is encouraged by Islam.

The Qur'an and the Traditions of the Prophet are the two sources of the Faith of Islam, and to follow the religious rulings and observances stated in them is compulsory upon every Muslim. However, he is perfectly free to think, meditate, ponder, and study everything in the world in which he lives. This is what the Prophet referred to when he said: "You are better acquainted with the affairs of the world in which you live".

Freedom of thought and academic or scientific research is guaranteed by Islam, provided that it does not violate the sanctity of the Faith and its beliefs and divine texts such as the Qur'an and the Traditions of the Prophet. Any attempt to change, distort, add, omit, or ridicule any of these holy texts is not only forbidden but is also an unforgivable sin. For the rest, everything in the world may be researched, studied, or investigated.

Does the Faith or Islam advocate fatalism?

Anyone who reads and meditates upon the verses of the Qur'an shall realize that Islam is a religion that urges man to action, for work is life and without work life shall cease to exist. Consequently, we find in many Qur'anic verses that God Almighty linked righteous deeds and true Faith. Righteous deeds are every good deed or act performed whether it be of a religious or a worldly nature which benefits mankind or repels evil: "And say: Work (righteousness); soon will God observe your work, and His Apostle and the believers (in the Faith)". [9/105]

The Qur'an urges people to work even on Fridays, the day of rest and worship of the Muslims: "And when the(Friday Noon) Prayer is finished, then you may dispense through the land and seek the Bounty of God". [62/10]

Prophet urged people to work until the last moment of their lives and till the end of the world. He is related to have said: "Should the last hour come upon you while you have a palm shoot in your hand that you are about to plant, plant it if you can". The Prophet also refused to approve of people who spent all day and night long praying in mosques and depending on others to provide for them and maintain them. He also praised and blessed the person who earned his livelihood from his own toil and he said that the hand that toils in labour is blessed by God and by His Apostle.

The Prophet, who is the ideal of all Muslims, as stated in Qur'an, used to work, plan, deliberate, and prepare everything that was needed and then put his trust in God. Putting trust in God does not mean neglecting work and praying to God to fulfil our hope. The reason for is this that faith and trust in God is not only necessary but also obligatory, to remind us of God Almighty, which inspires us with a spiritual energy that enables us to overcome obstacles or problems with determination and resolution. This trust and dependence on God should be a strong and positive force and not a passive and an apathetic attitude.

Relying completely upon God, without making any effort to realize one's aims on the pretext that God's Will will be done as He Wills, is not accepted by Islam, for God does not assist a person who makes no effort to help himself. God, however, aids the person who strives to attain his aim: "Verily God will never change the condition of a people until they change it themselves".[13/11]

'Omar Ibn Al-Khattab expressed his great displeasure on concerning a group of men who spent all their time praying in a mosque and depending upon others to work to maintain them and he exclaimed: "The sky does not rain gold or silver". He supported his statement by relating one of the Sayings of the Prophet and said: "Do what birds do. They go out every morning with empty craws and return at the end of the day with full craws". People should learn a lesson from the birds that go out every morning in search of food and return at the end of the day with full craws.

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What are Islam's rulings regarding art?

Islam is a religion that admires beauty, which exists everywhere. The Prophet himself once declared that God is perfection and that He loves beauty. Nevertheless, Islam gives priority to morals over beauty, and that in itself does not signify that Islam is against art. Islam thus considers that beauty should be based on morals. This is the attitude taken by Islam concerning all branches of art. Islam's criterion when judging any branch or work of art is based upon the rule that what is right is good and what is evil is wrong.

The Qur'an draws our attention in many verses to the beauty of the Universe and the perfection of its creation, which is admired by everyone who sees it. [15/10; 16/6; 41/12] Accordingly, Islam does not condemn any branch or work of art if it is beautiful. However, should it display any form of moral or material repulsiveness, Islam condemns it.

If the aim of any work of art is to appeal to one's intellect and finer feelings, Islam naturally does not object to it. However, if it appeals to the carnal instincts of man and is not a manifestation of decent art, by spreading vice and by being an active factor in the deterioration of morals, Islam condemns it.

When musical melodies, singing, and the words of songs are refined and harmonious, they are approved by Islam provided that they do not induce the people who listen to them to succumb to any form of temptation forbidden by God. In other words, if art aspires to elevate the human emotions and the spirit of man, it is not only approved, but also admired. The Prophet admired the voice of Abu Mousa Al-Ash'ary when he recited the Qur'an. The Prophet also chose, from among his companions, those who were gifted with melodious voices to proclaim the time of prayer. He also listened to musical instruments such as the tambourine, the pipe, and the flute without making any remarks that could be interpreted as his dislike for music.

On the day of the Feast, Abu Bakr entered the Prophet's house and found his daugher 'Aisha, the Prophet's wife, listening to the singing of two bondmaids who were also beating drums. When Abu Bakr objected the Prophet replied: "Leave them, Abu Bakr; today is the day of the Feast". The Prophet himself also asked his wife 'Aisha to send for someone to sing at the wedding procession of her relatives who was married to one of the inhabitants of Al-Madina. There were numerous occasions when the Prophet indicated that neither music nor singing are prohibited in Islam, unless they are accompanied by form of immorality or vice.

Regarding dancing, Islam differentiates between men's dancing and women's dancing. For example, men dancing in a group is approved of by Islam, and the Prophet allowed his wife 'Aisha, daughter of Abu Bakr, to watch a group of Abyssinians dancing on the day of the Feast. Women dancing before other women is permitted by Islam, but their dancing in front of men is prohibited in order to eliminate any possibility of temptation, that may lead to immorality.

Acting is not prohibited provided that it adheres to morality. No one can deny the important role played by the art of acting in its dealing with and treatment of many problems of the community. It also criticizes the vices rampant in society and presents solutions to many matters that concern the community. Also any form of reasonable entertainment that does not exceed the limits of decency is permitted by Islam. Photography is also permitted by Islam and has come to be a necessity in the world of today.

There are definite religious rulings that prohibit sculpture and statues. The reason for this prohibition goes back to the advent of Islam when most people worshipped idols. Islam feared that statues might be worshipped by those whose belief was superficial and that they might revert to the worship of idols.

Currently, such a possibility does not exist and consequently no sin is committed. However, in order that Islam may prevent a recurrence of what took place in the pre-Islamic era in the future or even in the distant future, has laid down its ruling, since it legislates for all generations and eras and what may seem impossible in one era may become a reality in another era be it sooner or later.

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Good info