Human ProgressJumma' KhutbahHuman ProgressNowadays there is much discussion regarding the issue of human cloning. Even the pope and Clinton has a say on it, as well as numerous reports by the media such as the Newsweek and the Times. The Academia also have a statement to make on this issue.This Khutba is not going to give you the answer to whether cloning is Halal or Haram.However, this Khutba will open a forum of greater discussion. And hopefully convince of some established facts in Islam.Sadly, there are some realities that we have to mention first.  »  Most of the scientific development in the last 2 centuries has been accomplished in the West.  »  Even when an individual Muslim might perform a feat, the credit goes to the system under which they work.  »  There is no move by any Muslim country to change this situation, and there doesn't even seem to be a hope.  »  Frankly, as "Muslim" countries, we are all underdeveloped.Let us mention the following regarding the West:  »  Due to the Church's influence in Europe in the 15th and the 16th century, along with the Church's iron fist policies, accompanied with a DISTORTED religion, the Church had a negative impact in the human beings development.  »  Thus, the scientific stagnation.  »  Therefore, Religion was perceived as impractical, inflexible, and full of contradiction.   »  This resulted in the concept that religion can not deal with human affairs.  This lead to SEPARATION OF STATE AND CHURCH.While the Western People made "PROGRESS" after the separation of state and church, we should note that this is not the case when we look to the Islamic Civilization. The notion that religion is at odds with scientific development is alien to Islam. History shows that most of the scientific developments by the Muslims were achieved under the rule of Islam, and not when it was forcefully removed from their lives. The words in the West like alcohol, cipher, sugar, algebra, admiral, alchemy, atlas, coffee, ...and so on coem from Islam. Disciplines like Mathematics, Physics, Medicine, Astronomy, Chemistry, Botany & Agriculture, & Geography are nothing but  testimony when Muslims adopted the IDEOLOGY of Islam,  then the Zenith was theirs.In reference to our culture, please note the following: "Wa abtaghi fema atakallahu ad dara Al-Akhira wala tansa naseebaka min ad dunya"Ayat translation:  "Make the Akhira/preface for all what you do, do not forget your share in this world." "In al Laha yu hibbu in amala ahadakum amaala an yutkinu."Allah (swt) likes for you when you do an action, do it perfectly or master it. We should remember that the actions in this life will show the results in the hereafter.In the past, the notable sahabi were also rich, they didn't become HERMITS or MUFLIS.  Khadija (RA), Abu Bakr, Uthman bin Affan (Ghani), Abdur Rahman ibn Auf are some examples. When the Prophet (saw) mentioned that (Abdur Rahman) would crawl into Jannah,  we should know how to look at this hadeeth carefully!  It is a caution to the rich people, letting them know that the wealth they have is a trust from Allah, as a matter of fact, this wealth, when spent in the right way would help us earn Jannah!  Ameen. A scholar in Islam mentioned that word Deenar can looked in 2 ways.  The first part DEEN and the last part NAAR.  So depending on how you spend your deenar, you'll end up earning the deen or the Nar! Another very good saying related to Imam Ali (RA) goes like this: "Aamal li akhiratak ka anna ka tumutu ghadan.  Wa amal li dunyaka ka anna ka taieshu abadan."Do for your akhara as you are dying tomorrow.  And do for your dunya as you are living forever." The Prophet (saaw) saw some people sitting in the Masjid and asked who feeds them, the people said “we”.  Then the Prophet (saw) said all of you are better than them.Conclusion:Although technology has changed the living condition of the people, the needs, and instincts of humanity have not changed.  Therefore, Islam, which came to organize our needs and instincts is still applicable and valid and should not and cannot change.While we can admire the West for its worldly / scientific accomplishments, however, as Muslims we first and foremost must obey Allah (swt) in ALL aspects of our lives and then we shall receive the reward from Allah (swt) as he has promised us in this life and in the hereafter.

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