THE history of Saudi Arabia is inextricably intertwined with Islam. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was born in Makkah and lived all his life in the area which today constitutes the Kingdom. He established in Madinah the first Islamic state, which expanded during his lifetime to include the entire Arabian Peninsula. Ever since Islam started, this geographical area continued to be its base, where it always remained the predominant factor in the life and thought of its people.
Not only so, but in the minds of Muslims throughout the world, Saudi Arabia is inseparably associated with Islam, to the extent that some people mistakenly feel that anything practised in Saudi Arabia must be in conformity with Islamic teachings. While it is true that the association between the country and its faith has always been strong, a faith is judged by its teachings and principles, not by the practices of its adherents, since these could be mistaken or inappropriate.
In today’s world Islam has been much maligned. Criticism is heaped on it from all quarters. We often find some Muslim groups and individuals unwittingly doing Islam a great disservice. This is often the result of a narrow view people take of Islam and its role in human life, which is contrary to Islam and the way it functions. Islam is broad, open, caring and welcoming, but never compromising on principles of faith, basic values or essential teachings. In fact it is its broad-minded approach that enabled Islam to establish its roots deep into widely different cultures. Wherever Islam went, it looked at the prevailing culture, endorsed what is good in it and dismissed what is erroneous, harmful, or bringing no benefit to human life. Hence, what we call Islamic culture is rich in color and varied in form and substance. It has incorporated much of the cultures of the people who accepted Islam as a faith and lived in accordance with its beliefs, principles and values.
When we travel in the Muslim world, we find a great variety of traditions and practices that affect a broad area of human life. What we see in Indonesia and Malaysia is greatly different from what we encounter in African countries, and what takes place in India or Bangladesh is unlike what is done in Arab countries or in Bosnia and Chechnya. Nevertheless, it is all acceptable to Islam, and Islam can easily function and give its limitless benefits to all these people, and many others as well. There are certain things Muslims anywhere may do that Islam does not approve of, because they are at variance with its teachings and values. But they are never rejected because they are never rejected on grounds of where they come from or which people practise them.
Even in Arabia of the seventh century, when Islam started, it accepted everything that was not contrary to its principles, including several aspects of trade transactions that are today operated by Islamic banks throughout the world, such as those known as murabahah and mudarabah. The fact that the Arabian society was ignorant, immersed in idolatry and embraced many superstitions did not deter Islam from accepting what is good in that society. As there is goodness in all societies and people, traditions that were based on noble values were endorsed by Islam. Hence, when other areas fell to Islam after campaigns of liberation, or through trade contacts with Muslims, or through advocacy by Muslims who were keen to fulfill their task of making the message of Islam known to other people, only what was contrary to Islamic principles was changed. This moderate and easy approach based on understanding and recognizing that there is much good in all societies ensured the enrichment of Islamic civilization. Thus we see this civilization benefiting by the contribution of people as far apart as Indonesia and Morocco, or Central Asia and Southern Africa.
What is more is that when all those people contributed to the Islamic civilization, their contribution was not that of conquered people serving their masters. This is due to the fact that Islam establishes a real and strong bond of brotherhood among all its adherents. As they feel this brotherhood, they put in the best of their efforts in promoting it. They realize that whatever good contribution they make will earn them reward from God, in addition to whatever profit they make in this life.
It is such openness and broad-mindedness that is absent today from the address made by several sections among those who try to present Islam in our world. We often find people insisting that their own understanding is the whole truth from which no one can deviate. Islam is kind and gentle in its approach. It rejects hardness and rigidity, preferring to work with all that is best in human nature and society. It enhances all that is good and changes only what is foul, bad and evil. When the Prophet was asked to define the best among people, he said: “Those who were best in their pre-Islamic days are the best when they become Muslims, provided that they grasp a good understanding of Islam.”
We see in this hadith that the Prophet recognizes goodness in all people. He also highlights the fact that those who are good benefit by the truth of Islam and become much better people. This is the essence of what Islam does, bringing up and strengthening the best elements and qualities among its believers.
— Published in Arab News Saudi National Supplement (Sept. 23, 2005).
