Challenges of Muslims in the Modernization Era

MODERNIZATION

 Time continues to spin and times continue to develop with various technologies and information that continue to pamper humans in this modern era. Besides having a positive impact on humans from all aspects, it also has a negative impact that can damage humans themselves. The challenge for Muslims is to come through the future. It is undeniable that such rapid developments have had a significant impact on human life.

Digital technology, for example, spoils all aspects of modern human life, so that apart from bringing convenience it can become a disaster if it is not used wisely, such as fraud, buying and selling of illegal drugs through online media, prostitution, the spread of hoax, terrorism and so on. Johan Wikileaks said whoever masters technology and excels in controlling public perception will be the winner. (Kompas: September 28, 2017: 7). In addition, modernization not only spoils humans but also replaces humans as workers in various sectors which results in a lack of jobs so many people are unemployed and commit crimes to make ends meet.

 As disclosed by Abudin Nata Artificial intelligence (Artificial  Intelligence) whose abilities exceed the limits of human capabilities and can also show better performance can replace human existence (Abudin Nata, 2022: 34). Thus, humans are required to constantly upgrade their self-quality so that they become human beings who can compete in the modern world, otherwise this will eliminate the role and function of humans.

 Plus cultural acculturationBArabs and Islam through the flow of communication digital technology that so quickly has implications for people's lifestyles in general materialistic. In fact, according to Azyumardi Azra, modern humans

in his book Abudin Nata (2022: 34) have experienced disoriented (lost direction), dislocation (lost footing and disruption (chaos). Besides that, Fazlurrahman said that modernist society tends to be materialistic. As we observe today, western culture seems to be a role model for humans in general, fashion developments, mindsets, language styles, and so on. This has an impact on human attitudes from various aspects, such as social, for example, the lack of sympathy and empathy because there is no material advantage. Social inequality as a result of modernization limits human activity because it is measured by material things as Islamic values ​​are to always help each other in piety," And help each other in virtue and piety, and do not help each other in committing sins and transgressions"(Q.s Al Maidah: 2).

Modernization also results in a human being lost in the essence of his creation as a caliph on earth, "I did not create man but to worship Me"(Q.s Az Zariat: 56). In terms of this verse, humans are creatures that should devote themselves only to worshiping Godpower, but the reality is that they are busy with the world that has no value like mosquito wings as the Prophet SAW said from Sahl bin Sa'id as-Sa'idiradhiyallahu'anhu, Messenger of Allah Shall Allahu 'alaihi wa Sallam said, 

 

لَوْ كَانَت الدُّنْيَا تَعْدِلُ عِنْدَ الله جَنَاحَ بَعُوضَةٍ ، مَا سَقَى كَافِراً مِنْهَا شَرْبَةَ مَاءٍ

 It means: "If this world were with Allah worth the price of the wings of a mosquito, surely Allah would not give even a sip of water to the disbelievers” (HR. Tirmidhi, and he said: ‘hadith hasan sahih’)

ISLAM AND THE QURAN

 Islam is a religion that brings us to safety as the meaning of the word Islam itself comes from salama, yusalimu, islaman which the meaning of safety. It is called a religion that guides people to safety because, in Islam, people are governed by the laws of God and Prophet Muhammad SAW who is the messenger of God to guide and direct people to happiness, and safety in this world and the Hereafter. An Islamic neo-modernist Fazlur Rahman insists that all human problems faced in this world have no other solution but to return to the Al Quran (Zaprulkhan, 2014:151). The Quran is a guide for Muslims to navigate the ocean of life absolutely (unlimited) and is timelessly buried by time and time. In essence, according to the author, all problems faced by humans, both from classical to modern times, can now be resolved with the Al-Quran.

If the Muslim Society practices Islamic values ​​as a whole(kaffah)then the problems faced in modern times can be resolved. If we look at Islamic values ​​that are so comprehensive that govern human life from all aspects such as social, economic, political, cultural, and educational, they have been regulated and explained in the Al-Quran. As Abudin Nata explained, the main source of religious knowledge is verse Al

Quran, Matan Al Hadith and al Ra'yu (QS. An-Nisa [4]; 59). As for natural science(natural sciences) sourced from the verses of the universe(ayat al-kauniyah)(QS. Al-Baqarah, [2]: 164; Al-Imran, [3]: 190, Al-Jaatsiyah [45]:3, Adz-Zariyat, [51]:20), social sciences come from verses that are found in humans, namely their life behavior, social, economic, cultural and so on (QS. Fusshilat, [41]:53), the knowledge of laduni comes from Allah SWT. Which is directly revealed to people's hearts

a person whose soul is close to pure (QS. An-Nur, [24]:35), and the knowledge of philosophy comes from Allah SWT. through the mind (QS. An-Nahl, [16]:78), the happiness of human life, and for humans to obtain His guidance. (QS. Al-Baqarah, [2]:3) Plus the products of Sufism experts of the classical era such as Imam Al Ghazali, Rabiatul Adawiah, and so on with doctrine Sufismin Islam that forges the human heart so that it does not dissolve in worldly nature such as Shabar, qona'ah, gratitude, asceticism, tawakkal, and Hubbu (love).

It doesn't stop there, various western thoughts which emphasize more on rational thinking in contemporary times also color the thinking character of modern Muslim society. Therefore Fazlur Rahman thinks that for Muslims not to fail in facing the modern world, the Ummah must study the western world and its ideas in depth, critically, and objectively. In essence, the more knowledge a person has, the more his belief and commitment to truth will increase and it will draw us closer to Allah, not the other way around, the more knowledge one has learned and mastered, the more we will distance ourselves from Allah. As the hadith narrated by Ad-Dailimi:

    وَقَالَ رَسُوْلُ الله صَلَّى اللهٌ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : مَنِ ازْدَادَ عِلْمًا وَلَمْ يَزْدَدُهُدًى لَمْ يَزْدَدْ مِنَ اللهِ إِلَّا بُعْدًا (رواه الديلمي)

It means: "Whoever increases his knowledge and does not increase his guidance, then he will be further away from God".(HR. Ad-Dailimi)

Hopefully, this short article is useful for readers and can strengthen our faith in navigating a life full of tests and trials...

مَّآ أَصَابَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَمَآ أَصَابَكَ مِن سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِن نَّفْسِكَ ۚ وَأَرْسَلْنَٰكَ لِلنَّاسِ رَسُولًا ۚ 

It means: "Whatever favors you get are from Allah, and whatever calamities befall you, it is from (your) own mistakes. We sent you to be a Messenger to all mankind. And Allah is sufficient to be a witness"