Islah

{{short description|Arabic term for reform}} {{Other uses}} {{Usul al-Fiqh}} '''Islah''' or '''Al-Islah''' (الإصلاح ,إصلاح, ''{{Transliteration|ar|al-ʾIṣlāḥ}}'') is an Arabic word, usually translated literally as "reform" (but contextually referring to "restore"), in the sense of "to improve, to better, to put something into a better position, correction, correcting something and removing vice, reworking, emendation, reparation, restoration, rectitude, probability, reconciliation."<ref name=meri/><ref>{{Cite book|last=Tan|first=Charlene|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-bMAAwAAQBAJ&q=islah+meaning&pg=PA4|title=Reforms in Islamic Education: International Perspectives|date=2014-04-24|publisher=A&C Black|isbn=978-1-4411-4617-5|pages=4|language=en}}</ref><ref name=reli>{{cite book |last1=Lane |first1=Jan-Erik |last2=Redissi |first2=Hamadi |title=Religion and Politics: Islam and Muslim Civilisation |date=2016 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-06793-1 |page=135 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U7UFDAAAQBAJ&q=islah+meaning&pg=PA134 |access-date=12 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Seker |first1=Mehmet Yavuz |title=A Map of the Divine Subtle Faculty: The Concept of the Heart in the Works of Ghazali, Said Nursi, and Fethullah Gulen |date=2015 |publisher=Tughra Books |isbn=978-1-59784-877-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qBtRCwAAQBAJ&q=islah+correcting&pg=PT244 |access-date=13 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Catafago |first1=Joseph |title=An English and Arabic Dictionary: In which the Arabic Words are Represented in the Oriental Character, as Well as Their Correct Pronunciation and Accentuation Shewn in English Letters |date=1858 |publisher=B. Quaritch |page=18 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LJACAAAAQAAJ&q=islah+correction&pg=PA18 |access-date=12 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Kunitzsch |first1=Paul |title=Sic Itur Ad Astra: Studien Zur Geschichte Der Mathematik und Naturwissenschaften : Festschrift Für Den Arabisten Paul Kunitzsch Zum 70. Geburtstag |date=2000 |publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag |isbn=978-3-447-04290-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GNpdcKMZyg0C&q=islah+correcting&pg=PA55 |access-date=13 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref> It is an important term in Islam.<ref name="Foig">{{cite book |last1=Malik |first1=Maszlee |title=Foundations of Islamic Governance: A Southeast Asian Perspective |date=2016 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-315-41464-5 |page=171 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8CElDwAAQBAJ&q=islah+islamic+term&pg=PA171 |access-date=16 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The Islamic concept of "Islah" advocates for moral advancement through a restoration based on the rudimental standards of the ''Qur'an'' and the ''Sunnah''. ''Islah'' is characterised by an attitude of bypassing classical legal works in preference to literature from the early Muslim generations (''Salaf al-Salih''). Islahi ''ulema'' oppose ''taqlid,'' strongly argue for the necessity of ''ijtihad'' and are often referred to as ''salafis''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=E. Miller |first=Roland |title=Mappila Muslim Culture |publisher=State University of New York Press |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-4384-5601-0 |location=Albany, New York, USA |pages=95 |chapter=5:The Great Transition in Mappila Culture}}</ref>

The word is opposite to the word ''Ifsad'', another important Islamic term meaning "corruption".<ref name="Foig" /> It is also used in politics (including as a name for political parties), and is also used as a personal and place name.<ref name="reli" />

==Etymology== According to author Josef W. Meri and other scholars, the word is derived from the root ''salaha'' ''Ṣ-L-Ḥ'' (ص ل ح), occurs in forty verses of the Qur'an, including 49:10, 4:114, 4:128, 11:88<ref name=meri/><ref name="Encyclopedia of Islam"/> where it means "to do good, proper, right, restore oneself or to reconcile people with one another, to make peace."<ref name="meri">{{cite book |last1=Meri |first1=Josef W. |title=Medieval Islamic Civilization: An Encyclopedia |date=2006 |publisher=Psychology Press |isbn=978-0-415-96690-0 |pages=675, 676 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H-k9oc9xsuAC&q=islah&pg=PA675 |access-date=13 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=juu>{{cite book |last1=Philpott |first1=Daniel |title=Just and Unjust Peace: An Ethic of Political Reconciliation |date=2012 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-996922-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OKiniYcX-aUC&q=islah+meaning&pg=PT150 |access-date=12 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Mey |first1=See Ching |last2=Abdullah |first2=Melissa Ng Lee Yen |title=Counselling in the New Frontier of Helping (Penerbit USM) |date=2014 |publisher=Penerbit USM |isbn=978-983-861-704-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b8wCBAAAQBAJ&q=islah+correct&pg=PT221 |language=en}}</ref> {{blockquote|The believers are but brothers, so make settlement/reconciliation (''islah'') between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.|Al-Hujurat 49:10<ref name=juu/>}}

{{blockquote|No good is there in much of their private conversation, except for those who enjoin charity or that which is right or conciliation between people. And whoever does that seeking means to the approval of Allah - then We are going to give him a great reward.|Quran, An-Nisa 4:114<ref name=meri/>}}

{{blockquote|And if a woman fears from her husband contempt or evasion, there is no sin upon them if they make terms of settlement or reconciliation between them - and settlement is best. And present in [human] souls is stinginess. But if you do good and fear Allah - then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.|Quran, An-Nisa 4:128<ref name=meri/>}}

In sura Al-Hud, it is mentioned as Islamic prophet Shuaib told to his community,<ref name="Encyclopedia of Islam"/> {{blockquote|He said, "O my people, have you considered: if I am upon clear evidence from my Lord and He has provided me with a good provision from Him... ? And I do not intend to differ from you in that which I have forbidden you; I only intend reform as much as I am able. And my success is not but through Allah . Upon him I have relied, and to Him I return.|Quran, 11:8.<ref name="Encyclopedia of Islam"/>}}

==Relation with tajdid== ''Tajdid'', meaning renewal, is another Islamic term used with the term islah in the field of different Islamic political interpretation.<ref name="Encyclopedia of Islam"/> The person who practices tajdid is called ''mujaddid'' (renewer),<ref name="Encyclopedia of Islam"/> but scholars such as Al-Dhahabi and Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani have interpreted that the term ''mujaddid'' can also be understood as plural, thus referring to a group of people.<ref>Fath al-Baari (13/295)</ref><ref>Taareekh al-Islam (23/180)</ref> The concept is based on a ''hadith'' (a saying of Islamic prophet Muhammad),<ref name="Neal Robinson 2013 pp. 85-89">Neal Robinson (2013), Islam: A Concise Introduction, Routledge, {{ISBN|978-0878402243}}, Chapter 7, pp. 85-89</ref><ref name="Encyclopedia of Islam"/> recorded by Abu Dawood, narrated by Abu Hurairah who mentioned that Islamic prophet Muhammad said:

{{blockquote|''Allah will raise for this community at the end of every 100 years the one who will renovate its religion for it.''|sign=|source=Sunan Abu Dawood, Book 37: Kitab al-Malahim [Battles], Hadith Number 4278<ref>{{Hadith-usc|abudawud|usc=yes|37|4278}}</ref>}}<br/> According to majority of Muslim scholars, Caliph Umar II (682-720 C.E) is considered as the first ''mujaddid'' in early Islam.<ref name="Encyclopedia of Islam"/> After them, Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi'i (767–820), Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (1058–1111), Taqi al-Din ibn Taymiyya (1263–1328), Abu Ishaq al-Shatibi (d. 1388), Shah Waliullah Dehlawi (1703–1762), Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab (1703–1792), 'Uthman Dan Fodio (1754–1817), Muhammad al-Shawkani (1760–1834), and Muhammad ibn Ali al-Sanusi (1787–1859), etc. have been denominated as prominent reformers in Islam.<ref>{{Cite book |last=C. Martin |first=Richard |title=Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World: Second Edition |publisher=Gale |year=2016 |isbn=978-0-02-866269-5 |location=27500 Drake Rd., Farmington Hills, MI, 48331-3535 |pages=895}}</ref><ref name="air">{{cite book |last1=Browers |first1=Michaelle |last2=Kurzman |first2=Charles |title=An Islamic Reformation? |date=2004 |publisher=Lexington Books |isbn=978-0-7391-0554-2 |page=28 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0aOWoDexPZYC&q=ibn+taymiyyah+islam+reform&pg=PA28 |access-date=14 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref> In particular, Ibn Taymiyya is regarded as a towering figure in the history of Islamic reformism and his campaigns against mystical interpretation, critique of ''Taqlid'' (blind following), creedal polemics against ''Falsafa'', etc. have influenced a wide range of Salafi-oriented reform movements. Starting from the 18th century, numerous Islamic reformers such as Shawkani, Ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab, Mahmud al-Alusi, al-Sanussi, etc. have popularised Ibn Taymiyya's teachings in their quest for ''tajdid'' and religious purity.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Carr, Mahalingam |first=Brian, Indira |title=Companion Encyclopedia of Asian Philosophy |publisher=Routledge |year=2005 |isbn=0-415-03535-X |location=New York, USA |pages=931}}</ref>

According to author Juan Eduardo Campo and other scholars, "''islah''" is used most commonly today in Arabic with respect to the idea of reform, although this usage was not widespread until the modern reform movements of the 19th and 20th centuries; scholars like Muhammad Abduh (1849-1905), Rashid Rida (1865-1935), a prominent follower of Ibn Taimiyah); and Mahmud Shaltut (1893-1963) became popular for their contemporary ''islah'' movements.<ref name="Encyclopedia of Islam">{{cite book |last1=Campo |first1=Juan Eduardo |title=Encyclopedia of Islam |date=2009 |publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=978-1-4381-2696-8 |pages=372, 715 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OZbyz_Hr-eIC&q=islah |language=en}}</ref><ref name="air"/>

==Scholars' views== Islamic scholar Sayyid Rashid Rida (1865–1935 C.E/ 1282–1354 A.H) considered renewal (''Tajdid'') and reform (''Islah'') as a continuous process throughout the history of Islam. As time passes, masses fall into superstitions and innovations due to various reasons. During every era, religious reformers appear to eradicate these heresies and campaign for a return to the pure Islam, by inviting to ''Qur'an'' and ''Sunnah''. Rida classified reformers/renewers into two types: i) Major reformers recognised universally by all Muslims ii) Regional reformers.<ref>{{Cite book |last=M. Seikaly |first=Samir |title=Configuring Identity in the Modern Arab East |publisher=American University of Beirut Press |year=2009 |isbn=978-9953-9019-6-1 |location=Beirut, Lebanon |pages=9–11 |chapter=1- Appropriating the Past: Twentieth-century Reconstruction of Pre-Modern Islamic Thought}}</ref> Some of the major reformers of Islamic history in Rida's list included:

* Umar ibn 'Abd al-Aziz (d. 720 C.E/ 101 A.H) * Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d. 855 C.E/ 241 A.H) * Abul Hasan al-Ash'ari (d. 936 C.E/ 324 A.H) * Ibn Hazm al-Andalusi (d. 1064 C.E/ 456 A.H) * Taqi al-Din Ahmad ibn Taymiyyah (d. 1328 C.E/ 728 A.H) * Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya (d. 1350 C.E/ 751 A.H)<ref name="M. Seikaly 2009 11">{{Cite book |last=M. Seikaly |first=Samir |title=Configuring Identity in the Modern Arab East |publisher=American University of Beirut Press |year=2009 |isbn=978-9953-9019-6-1 |location=Beirut, Lebanon |pages=11 |chapter=1- Appropriating the Past: Twentieth-century Reconstruction of Pre-Modern Islamic Thought}}</ref>

The second type of reformers, whose scholarly impact were limited to particular lands consisted of figures such as:<ref name="M. Seikaly 2009 11"/>

* Abu Ishaq Al-Shatibi (8th century Andalus) * Shah Waliullah Dehlwi (12th century South Asia) * Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab (12th century Arabia) * Muhammad ibn Ali al-Shawkani (13th century Yemen) * Muhammad Siddiq Hasan Khan (13th century South Asia)

Salafi scholar Salih Al-Munajjid argued in his book "Prophets Methods of correcting People's Mistakes" that, Islah or correct mistakes is a basic aspect in Quran and Hadith and there are 38 prophetic ways to do Islah or correct people.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Prophet's Methods for Correcting People's Mistakes |publisher=IslamKotob |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IWVKHG_leEgC&q=prophet%27s+methods+of+correcting+people%27s+mistakes&pg=PT50 |access-date=19 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=al-Munajjid |first1=Syekh Muhammad saleh |title=Cara Cerdas Nabi Mengoreksi Kesalahan Orang Lain |date=2010 |publisher=Serambi Ilmu Semesta |isbn=978-979-024-211-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cGDSCgAAQBAJ&q=prophet%27s+methods+of+correcting+people%27s+mistakes&pg=PA4 |access-date=19 June 2020 |language=id}}</ref> and they are: #Prompt action in correcting mistakes and not relaxing # Remedy of errors by description of provisions # Bringing the wrongdoers back to the Shariah and reminding them of the principles they have violated # Correction of concepts where errors are detected due to errors in concepts # Correction of mistakes by advice and re-intimidation # Showing mercy to the wrong-doer # Don't be too quick to catch mistakes # Calm behavior with wrongdoers # Describe the severity of the mistake # Describing the costs or damages of mistakes # Teaching the wrongdoer manually or practically # Bring up the correct option # Telling ways to avoid making mistakes # Saying without directly naming the wrongdoer # To stir up the public against the wrongdoer # Refraining from cooperating with Satan against the wrongdoer # Asking to stop wrongdoing # Instructing the wrongdoer to correct his mistake (a) Returning the wrongdoer's attention to his mistake, so that he can correct his mistake (b) Asking him to redo the work in the correct manner if possible (c) Making the irregular flow of work as regular as possible Saying (d) Correcting the effects of mistakes (e) Atonement for mistakes # Just discard the error field and accept the rest # To repay the creditor and preserve the dignity of the wrongdoer # In case of bilateral mistakes, listening to both sides and giving instructions about the mistakes of both # Asking the wrongdoer to seek forgiveness from the one against whom he has wronged # To remind the wrongdoer of the dignity of the one against whom he has wronged, so that he may feel ashamed and repent. # Intervening in de-escalation of tensions and rooting out sedition from wrongdoers # Expressing anger for mistakes # To turn away from the wrongdoer and avoid controversy in the hope that he will return to the right path # Rebuke the wrongdoer # To speak harshly to the wrongdoer # Turning away from the wrongdoer # Boycott the wrongdoer # Baddu'a (curse) against the wrongdoer # Catching some mistakes and ignoring some mistakes out of compassion for the wrongdoer, so that the entire mistake is realized in a gesture. # Helping the Muslim to correct his mistakes # Meeting with the wrongdoer and discussing with him # Telling about the wrongdoer's condition and mistake on his face # Interrogate the wrongdoer # Convince the wrongdoer that his lame excuse is not acceptable # Paying attention to human mood and instinct<ref>[https://ahlehadeethbd.org/books_pdf/66.vul_shongshodhone_nobobi_poddhoti_by_muhammad_saleh_al-munajjid.pdf Prophetic Method of Correcting Mistakes, Salih Al Munajjid, Translation: Abdul Malek (bengali), Hadith Foundation Bangladesh, pg 47 -132]</ref>

Saudi cleric Khalid Bin Abdullah al-Musleh listed seven obstacles in the way of Tazkiah in his book "Islahul Qulub" (reforming the hearts):<ref name=Iq>{{cite book |last1=Al-Musleh |first1=Khalid Bin Abdullah |title=Reform the Hearts - Bengali - Khalid Bin Abdullah Al-Musleh |date=2004 |publisher=Ministry of Dawah, Irshad, Awkaf and Religious Affairs |isbn=9960-29-546-X |url=https://islamhouse.com/en/books/2644/ |access-date=5 September 2019 |language=en}}</ref> # Shirk # Rejecting Sunnah and following Bid'ah # Obeying the instinct and ego (nafs) # Doubt # Negligence (ghaflah) He also listed 8 ways to maintain Tazkiah:<ref name=Iq/> # Reading Quran # Loving Allah # Doing dhikr # Tawbah and Istighfar # Supplicate (dua) for hidayah and purify # Remembering afterlife (Akhirah) # Reading the biographies of the salafs # Company of good, honest and pious people.

==Politics== Several political groups and parties have been named "Islah" in the 20th and 21st centuries, including: *Al-Islah (Yemen), or the Yemeni Congregation for Reform, a political party in Yemen *Al Islah (United Arab Emirates), an Islamist group based in the United Arab Emirates that is affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood *Islah Party, or Hizb Al-Islah, also known as Egyptian Reform Party, a Salafi political party in Egypt *El-Islah, also known as Movement for National Reform, a moderate Islamist political party in Algeria *El Islah, political party in Mauritania *''Hizb el Islah al Suri'', a Syrian lobby group based in the United States that was active in the mid to late 2000s *''Hizb Al-Islah wa Al-Tanmiyah'', an Egyptian liberal political party *Tayar Al-Islah Al-Watani, an Iraqi political party

==In popular culture== Rapper Kevin Gates named his debut studio album Islah inspired by his daughter's same name.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Farrell |first1=Paul |title=Dreka Haynes, Kevin Gates' Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Ned to Know |url=https://www.heavy.com/entertainment/2020/05/dreka-haynes-kevin-gates-wife/amp/ |access-date=14 June 2020 |work=Heavy.com |date=17 May 2020}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * [https://d1.islamhouse.com/data/en/ih_books/single/en_Correcting_People_Mistakes.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjKxJfltu3pAhWH4jgGHVdiAWkQFjALegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw3peexAL4EuptTKOkhTWUML Prophet's Methods Of Correcting People's Mistakes - Muhammad Salih Al- Munajjid (English)]

Category:Arabic words and phrases Category:Islamic terminology