2011 HSC Studies of Religion
Exam solutions
Question 4 — Islam (20 marks)
Some religions emphasise justice, while other emphasise compassion.
Discuss the statement in relation to Islam as a living religious tradition.
The word Islam literally means to ‘struggle’ and as such Islam is a religion that
emphasis both justice and compassion, nonetheless it is compassion that is the
central recurring theme in the Qur’an as every chapter except for one, begins with
the words - ”In the name of Allah , the Compassionate, the Merciful.” This central
theme is reflected in the lives of many significant Muslims including Rabbia al
Adawiyya an Islamic Sufi saint born in the 8th century who lived a life that exemplified
compassion. Islamic views on the care and protection of the environment also call for
a considered and compassionate view for Allah’s creation and finally the fifth Pillar of
Islam known as Hajj reiterates the theme of compassion for individuals and the
greater Islamic community alike.
Rabia al’ Adawiyya is recognised as one of the first Sufis mystics and as a
Sufi saint. Born into a time of confusion and upheaval, Rabia sought to emphasise
the central tenets of Islam and to bring people back to an understanding of the
relationship between themselves and Allah. Her message was centred on love,
mercy and compassion. Rabia taught that without pure love for God and compassion
for one another humanity could not proceed to Paradise. Rabia recited poetry based
on the idea that one should worship God, not from fear of going to hell or for the
rewards of reaching paradise; rather, Rabia taught that one would reach their final
reward by living a life in which all that a person said or did was for Allah and Allah
alone. She prayed: "O God! If I worship You for fear of Hell, burn me in Hell and if I
worship You in hope of Paradise, exclude me from Paradise. But if I worship You for
Your Own sake, grudge me not Your everlasting Beauty.” Rabia believed in living a
life without the burdens of faith, she encouraged others to shun the traditional
trappings of religion and to live a life totally devoted to Allah, pointing out that religion
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teaches humans to worship Allah, through good actions and good intentions. There
is evidence to suggest that Rabia held great compassion for those born into slavery
as she had once been a slave herself and she was very concerned about all forms
of slavery, by helping to assimilate slaves into Muslim society of the time. Indeed
Rabia refused to have a slave when she was offered one later in life. This attitude
exemplified the teaching "And what will explain to you what the steep path is? It is
the freeing of a (slave) from bondage; or the giving of food in a day of famine to an
orphan relative, or to a needy in distress. Then will he be of those who believe,
enjoin fortitude and encourage kindness and compassion." Qur’an Chapter 90,
Verses 12-17
Islam is a faith that centres on the centrality and oneness of Allah –known as Tawhid.
Tawhid underpins the notion of compassion and the belief that, if everything is created by
God then everything should be returned to God in its fullness. The Qur’an preaches
compassion, confirming that to be empathetic, humans should avoid imposing pain on
others; believing that compassion makes humans become closer to Allah and that this in
turn brings good upon themselves. ‘Those who act kindly in this world will have kindness.”
Qur’an 39. The core of environmental ethical teachings states that humans have been given
responsibility by Allah for the care of this earth and that they will be accountable to God for
their actions. Muslims expect that humans should act as Kalifah or trustees for the
environment because they are given special responsibilities by Allah to care for it. “Who has
made the earth your couch, and the heavens your canopy; and sent down rain from the
heavens; and brought forth therewith fruits for your sustenance; then set not up rivals unto
God when ye know (the truth)” Qur’an 41. An international Islamic environmentally proactive
group that strives to bring the message of compassion is – ‘Wisdom In Nature’. WIN is an
ecological & community group guided by Islamic principles of justice and
compassion. This group welcomes all faiths and strives to make local and
international communities aware of environmental issues such as climate change.
On a local level students from the al-Ghazzali Centre for Islamic Sciences and Human
Development in Sydney, are replanting and maintaining area of native vegetation along the
Cooks River foreshore in Sydney’s inner west. This is a good example of a “Bushcare”
volunteer project that evolved from the activities and interests of an already established
community group.
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Followers of Islam put their faith into practice by following five pillars and
these pillars are an embodiment of their faith. Each of the pillars relates directly back
to Islamic teachings that are concerned with compassion, justice and mercy, calling
all Muslims to do good deeds and to perform good actions. The Hajj is a
demonstration of the unity of the Muslim people, and their submission to Allah Hajj is
a compulsory (fard) complex ritual performed by Muslims at least once in their lifetime if they
are financially and physically able it is performed as a demonstration of the Ummah (unity) of
the Muslim people, and their submission to Allah. Hajj is performed over a number of
days with specific rituals enacted each day linking Muslims to the historic past and
their present spiritual reality. The pinnacle of Hajj falls on the 9 th day of Dhul Hijja it is
on this day that Muslims are required to spend the day on the plain of Arafat and if
possible climb the Mount of Mercy. The ‘Day of Arafat’ also known as the Day of
Repentance is the day when Muslims gather together at Mount Arafat in an act of solidarity
to pray for mercy and compassion and to offer sacrifices as they remember that Abraham
offered Ishmael to Allah.
Islam is a religion that places compassion for others at its core. Compassion,
justice, mercy and concern for others are essential element of Islamic teaching and
practice. Muslims turn to significant people in their history such as Rabia al Adawiyya
to act as role models for these teachings, they put these ideas into practice through
their responses to issues associated with environmental degradation and they make
the link between the mundane and the sacred through prayer and repentance in the
significant practice known as Hajj.
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