Why Islam Doesn't Believe in Monasticism - Portal Gems #37

Est. Read time: 2 min
Edition Number: 37
Adapted from: Prophetic Parenting: Raising Children of Righteousness
Instructor: Dr. Hatem Al-Haj

Assalamu Alaykum,

Today’s gem is from Dr. Hatem Al-Haj’s course, Prophetic Parenting: Raising Children of Righteousness. In this gem, Dr. Hatem shares some of the reasons why we don’t believe in monasticism in Islam.

Hope you enjoy!

We begin in the Name of Allah ﷻ, the Most Merciful and Compassionate,
We ask that He ﷻ sends Peace and Blessings upon our noble and beloved
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Islam does not really believe in monasticism (renouncing all worldly pursuits and devoting 100% of your time to worship like monks). 

Why? If we say that we are spiritual beings in a physical form, why should you not cater to your primordial existence - your original spiritual existence? Wouldn’t it make sense to renounce everything worldly and spend 24/7 dedicated to worship?

Because it actually has many, many drawbacks.

One of them is that you're isolating the most righteous elements in society and keeping them away, whereas righteousness is to be righteous in the midst of life - in the midst of reality. Not to be righteous outside of reality. Not to isolate yourself for peace and comfort, and basically let the people get doomed and destroyed. 

Another drawback is when you do this, you're telling people that there is purity that is unattainable as long as you're mixing with the rest of the people. As long as you're just doing the regular things that regular people do—going into work, having a family, taking care of your family, and so on and so forth—you're telling people that purity is beyond attainment for you. And the only way that you could actually aspire for that level of purity is by completely divorcing reality. 

Righteousness is to act righteous inside reality - not in your own little bubble.

May Allah ﷻ grant us tawfiq to lead a life of righteousness.

أقول قولي هذا وأستغفر الله لي ولكم، فاستغفروه إنه هو الغفور الرحيم

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