STABILITY IN ISLAM

Presently, in this prompt paced era of globalization and technology, Islam is the best religion where the All Knowing God (Allah S.W.T) chose Islam as the only religion to stand after Him. The literal meaning of Islam is peace, security, calm, and purity. Where as the technical meaning of Islam is a religion revealed by Allah S.W.T through his prophets from Adam a.s to our final prophet Muhammad S.A.W. Of all the religions around the globe, Islam is the only comprehensive religion which covers all the aspects of life. One of the characteristics of Islam as the perfect and as the comprehensive religion is Stability in Islam.

FIRST POINT

First of all, as we know the meaning of stability is something that is very perpetual or unchangeable due to some circumstance. As an example of stability in Islam is the constancy in the matter of creed or in the matter of belief. Long ago our beloved prophet Muhammad S.A.W refused to accept the suggestion of the Meccan polytheists to have compromised in the worshipping in god. To be exact in the Polytheists suggestion is they want our prophet to acknowledge their God as his also and they (polytheists) would do the converse. The importance in stability in the matter of creed could also be read in one of the surah in our Holy al-Quran.

(Q 109:1-6)

SECOND POINT

In addition, stability in Islam also branches out to justice. There are certain specialized punishments for those who break the law. As an evidence to prove this statement is that presently Iran punishes those who commit adultery by 80-100 lashes. Besides that, for those who steal their hand must be chopped off as retribution. This punishment has been practiced since the time of our prophet Muhammad S.A.W. The main reason behind this sort of punishments is to teach a lesson to the society as well as to the convicted so that they would not repeat the same sins. These punishments are orders by Allah S.W.T and it is stated in al-Quran.

“As for the thief, both male and female, cut off their hands. It is the reward of their own deeds, an exemplary punishment from Allah. Allah is Mighty, Wise.” (Q 5:38)

FINAL POINT

Finally, Zakat is also one of the fruits from the tree of stability in Islam. Zakat is the third pillar of Islam and it is also known as the Alms-tax. Zakat must be payed by all muslims who are economically stable. The amount of zakat that must be payed is constant and according to someones wealth.The zakat collected later then would be distributed amongst those who are poor and needy. The main factor of paying zakat is that we muslims believe that everything belongs to Allah S.W.T and wealth is held by man as a trust. Thus this trust must be discharged as instructed by Allah.

CONCLUSION

There are still many stability/constant matters in Islam such as divorce, jihad, four acts of worship in Islam, indisputable prohibitions; syirik, black magic, and murder, and many more. In a nutshell, these are the literal meaning and characteristics of stability in Islam.