Secularism definitions are very diverse, depend on what approach we see it. From the terminology secularism is the indifference or rejection of religion and religious considerations.
The philosophy interpret life in the principles taken only from the material world without including religion or religious matter.
And from the political approach secularist is the principle of the separation between government institutions and the person in charge from religious institutions and religious dignitaries. Read more about the impacts of Islamophobia.
Generally secularism is the principle where someone can be free from any religion or religious matter, the principle will be neutral about religion for their people. Is secularism have effects in Islam?
The Effects of Secularism in Islam
To answer the questions, here we will discussed about the effects of secularism in Islam muslims should know.
1. Degradation of belief
By separating religion from daily activities it will degradate the belief of someone. Religion and thier thought can only be increased if we apply it in all of our activities. Both job, study, social communications, social interactions, and so forth. Read more of Misconceptions about Islam.
2. Affect one’s morality
Secularism as mentioned in the above explanations is not only about political principe which distinct government or state matter with religion.
Secularism also a form of concept, view, and way of life. If someone exposed to secularism without them knowing they will be permissive to immoral acts. Therefore secularism can affect morality of human beings.
3. Mankind will be fixated on worldly life
Secularism aims to separate religion from state and focusing their goal on worldly matters. There are no religious act can affected human life in the view of secularism.
This is contrary to the wishes and teachings of Islam. For Islam the only goal for this life is the Hereafter, what we did, our action, our purpose of life is for Allah SWT. As mentioned in the following verse :
“Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Us you would not be returned?” (QS. Al-Mu’minun : 115)
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (QS. Adh-Dhariyat : 56)
It is clear that the purpose of life for human beings is for Allah and the Hereafter. Then according to that the effects of secularism in Islam will be substantial.
4. Mankind will slowly forget of the Hereafter
After focusing only in word desires and pleasure, muslim who affected by secularism without full knowledge of it will slowly debating on the Hereafter concept. They will begin to debate on the existence of the Hereafter or the Day of Resurrection.
5. Mankind will be greedy
Rasulullah once said in the following hadith which can be used to explain about the effects of secularism in Islam :
“Wretched is the slave of the dinar and the slave of the dirham and the slave of the khameesah (a kind of luxurious garment made of wool with patterns). If he is given he is pleased and if he is not given he becomes discontent. May he be wretched and doomed, and if he is pricked with a thorn may it not be pulled out.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)
The hadith tell muslims and other human beings that worldy matter such as wealth, luxurious thing, appearance will only lead them to greediness. They will never satisfied of what they owned and want more and more. And Rasulullah said in the above hadith that those action will only give them wretched. Read more about Ethical Values of Islam.
[AdSense-B]
6. Bring up disobedience
The concept of secularism can be seen in western or european culture. We can find forbidden things are permitted such as adultery, usurious transaction, gambling, drugs, alcohol in their culture. For some country in western those actions are legalized as long as the people obey the rules and laws applied.
“They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, ‘In them is great sin and (yet, some) benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.’ And they ask you what they should spend. Say, ‘The excess (beyond needs).’ Thus Allah makes clear to you the verses (of revelation) that you might give thought.” (QS. Al-Baqarah : 219)
Islam loves modesty and prohibited their people for wasting their wealth in useless thing. Intoxicants is prohibited in Islam including drugs and alcohol where the negative effects are greater than the benefits.
7. Allah will give us punishment in the Hereafter
The quran verse below explained what muslims will get if they only desires on worldly matter,
“Whoever desires the life of this world and its adornments – We fully repay them for their deeds therein, and they therein will not be deprived. Those are the ones for whom ther is not in the Hereafter but the Fire. And lost is what they did therein, and worthless is what they used to do.” (QS. Hud : 15-16)
The punishment of that deed is clear in the above hadith. As Allah SWT will give us the Fire (of Hell) in the Hereafter. Read more about Brief Concept of Citizenship in Islam.
8. Cause an inconsistent behavior
The effects of secularism in Islam is that it may create an inconsistent behavior for people. Take an example of muslims who affected or forced to deal with secularism in their daily lives (job). When he perform his duty as a worker, he could be negligent of his belief. Commiting crime or corruption and he does not feel guilty, since for him working is separated from religion.
The real example is we saw people performing prayer but in other hand they also commited crime and immorality.
9. Secularims inhibits the development of Islam
Another effects of secularism in Islam is it can inhibits their development. Religion including Islam must be given public space to be able to develop and spreading their thought. How people can understand Islam more if the space and opportunity are not given. And the basic or rationale used in secularism is totally different with Islamic view. [AdSense-C]
10. It will influence on the view of Law
The best law concepts are consisted of two matters which are truth and justice. Islam used the Quran and hadith as their basic source of law. And it covers those two principles as mentioned in the following verse :
“Indeed, Allah commands you to render trust to whom they are due when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.” (QS. An-Nisa : 58)
In contrarty secularism see law as man made law. The decission is based on the perspective of human or human consideration. Consequently, it will lead secular law for lacking of the basic principles truth and justice. Read more about Rigths of Transgenders in Islam.
11. Secularism bring harm and violation
Religion and Islam especially relegated to the world in order to guide, rule, and be a safeguard of human desire. The human desire can be destructive, that is why human needs Islam as their safeguard of desire to commit harm and violation to other and environment.
12. It can damage Islamic rules
Islam has set rules for muslim, while the existence of secularism can destroy it. The basic rules of secularism and Islam is totally different. If muslim follow secularism then it mere of damaging Islam slowly.
Those are the effects of secularism in Islam. We as muslim should prevent ourselves from the negative effects of secularism. Nothing in this world better than the Creator including His law, rules, view, and so forth.