Change is the process of causing a function, practice or thing to become different somehow compared to what it is at present or what it was in the past. It is an act or process through which something becomes different. It is a colloquial term describing the effects or outcomes after the transition or transformation of a function, method or thing.
The Islamic theory of change can be understood at four different levels, i.e., individual, family, social and state levels. Islam believes in bringing in change step by step. It believes in bringing in change from a micro level to the macro level. Change can only be proved to be effective if it starts from within. Any sudden change might look glamorous but only the change which comes gradually will prove to be sustainable in the long run. Let us try to understand the theory, stage by stage:
1. INDIVIDUAL
Allah the Exalted talks about change by placing a criterion before the people. He says in the Qur’ān, “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they (first) change what is in themselves.” (Qur’ān 13:11). In the verse, Allah makes it clear, that He will not change the condition of the people unless and until the people first strive to change themselves. So, the first thing what we learn with respect to change is, if we need to witness change, it has to start from our own self.
The Qur’ān commands people to forbid lying, backbiting, spying, suspicion, fraud, extravagance, arrogance, hoarding, mischief, corruption, mockery, ridiculing, hypocrisy, interest, wine, gambling, adultery and theft and on the other hand the Qur’ān commands the individual to be dutiful to parents, give the due to the needy, to show kindness to neighbours, justice to relatives, help orphans, exhibit cooperation, keep promises, be honest, be truthful, be tolerant, be punctual, be kind, do justice, be generous and have a forgiving nature. Basically, Islam talks about changing oneself, to shun bad habits and imbibe good habits and character. It is a process of changing by removing bad habits and inculcating good ones.
Allah says in the Qur’ān, “O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones….” (Qur’ān 66:6) The important thing to notice in this verse is that Allah first asks the believers to first protect themselves from the hellfire and then worry about our family members. Thus, one should first focus on changing and developing himself.
Allah said in the Qur’ān, “And (by) the soul and He who proportioned it. And inspired it (with discernment of) its wickedness and its righteousness, he has succeeded who purifies it. And he has failed who instils it (with corruption).” (Qur’ān 91:7-10) The verses clearly explain that if one has to be successful, he has to purify his soul and if he corrupts it, he will fail.
2. FAMILY
After working on the self, one should focus on their immediate family members, generally their spouse and children. Allah puts a heavy emphasis on family as a unit because it is the core of a thriving society. If the family unit consists of weak links then society is always vulnerable to the exploitation of evil elements that exist within. However, if the family unit is strong, comprising bolstering bonds within then the society transforms and becomes united, which would be indivisible by anything.
Allah says in the Qur’ān, “O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones….” (Qur’ān 66:6) In the light of this verse, we can understand that after protecting oneself from the hellfire, one should protect his family members from the hellfire. Thus, caring and protection of the family members is of prime importance in Islam.
Allah says in the Qur’ān, “O you who have believed, indeed, among your wives and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them….” (Qur’ān 64:14) The verse states that the wife and children will become enemies as man will tend to do many wrong things just to keep his wife and children happy. Thus, man should try to improve his family members in every aspect so that he does not commit any wrong act because of them.
Allah says in the Qur’ān, “And those who say, “Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us a leader (i.e., example) for the righteous.” (Qur’ān 25:74) This is a supplication which Allah teaches us. From the supplication we learn that we will be able to do justice to our lives when our wives and children become the coolness of our eyes. This can only be happy when we work on our family members and make them better people.
3. SOCIETY
The next objective of the Qur’ān was to change the society and the reason behind sending Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) was again to change and bring in a positive social reform, so that it could become a better place to live in. Not only Prophet Muhammad but all other Prophets were sent with an ultimate goal to change the society in which they live in. Allah also says in the Qur’ān, “(This is) a Book which We have revealed to you, (O Muhammad), that you might bring mankind out of darknesses into the light by permission of their Lord – to the path of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy.” (Qur’ān 14:1) This is a significant purpose for which the Qur’ān was revealed, that is to bring people from the darkness of wrong beliefs and actions into the light of faith and righteous deeds. The responsibility of the Prophets was to put efforts to bring people to light through Dawah and communication, explaining and reminding, by educating and counselling, and it is the task of Allah to guide people to accept this light.
In the world before Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him), reading was generally the prerogative of the royal family, of the families of the nobles and aristocrats, and of the clerical and priestly classes. Others were often discouraged or even prevented from learning to read and write. In some instances, they were punished. This is how the world was before Prophet Muhammad. The situation changed completely after Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him).
When we analyse the life of Prophet Muhammad, the first commandment given by Allah was not to pray, was not to do Dawah, was not to give charity, was not to fast, but the very first command given by Allah was to read. Iqra (Read), said the Qur’ān to the world in the middle of the 7th century, and the world never looked back therefrom. Today, in the 21st century, learning to read and write is one of the most pressing and popular priorities throughout the world, no matter what one’s race, religion, class, age or gender. The gift of universal male and female literacy, across races and classes, is one of the most profound ways in which Prophet Muhammad changed the world.
4. STATE
Islam addressed the aspect of political change. A change that will bring justice, a change that will bring Allah’s law, a change which will make Allah’s law superior, a change that will establish Allah’s law and make it dominant over all the others ways of life. Allah says in the Qur’ān, “To establish the religion and not be divided therein.” (Qur’ān 42:13) Allah also says, “The religion of truth to manifest it over all religions.” (Qur’ān 48:28)
The objective of sending the messengers was also to bring a change in the system. Allah says in the Qur’ān, “It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religions.” (Qur’ān 9:33 and 48:28) This is the final and ultimate change which the Prophets looked forward and this change was anticipated with an objective to attain peace and justice.
Brining in change on all these four aspects is very important. First, at the individual level, one needs to change himself by becoming God-conscious and person with good character. Secondly, at the family level, one needs to change his wife and children, by teaching them good manners and preparing them to strive in the way of Allah. Thirdly, at the society level, one needs to work on changing the people around him by striving to establish justice and eliminate all kinds of injustices which are prevailing in the society. Fourthly, at the national level, one needs to strive to replace the man-made laws with the laws given by Allah.
When we deeply analyse the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him), we can learn that he brought in change at all the four levels. He did not work on it one by one but worked on all the four aspects simultaneously. If one wants to bring in a positive change in the world then he needs to adopt this theory. When one works on all the four aspects then he will be able to do justice to the concept of change which Islam has to offer.