People are creatures of habit, and routines offer a way to promote health and wellness through structure and organisation. For humans, Habits are safe and considered to be “normal” while changes are “weird”. It feels safer to stay in the comfort zone and to maintain the status Quo. Nonetheless, trying new things leads to changes, and changes lead to development. For example: We could never travel if we had not tried flying. Thinking out of the box makes changes that we need for development.
It is normal to feel safe to adhere to what we are used to because it feels right. Meanwhile, people are more likely to question new holdings than old ones. This article will focus on clinging into traditions and religious taboos even if they can be ditched and replaced with finer alternatives for the society. In addition, it focuses on the traditions of the Arabic society, and how people there are attached to them.
The traditions of the Arabic society are greatly influenced by Islam (Shari’a in Arabic) as most of them are Muslims. “Social and ethical obligations of a Muslim are based on the belief that the Islamic community is a brotherhood” (Kabasakal & Bodur, 2002). This makes the society more linked, but at the same time makes people more interfered with each other which may lack one’s freedom. In most of the Arabic countries the law is based on Islamic principles. This system forces people to stick to Islamic (shari’a) although it does not match their beliefs which puts stress on people and makes it weaker as a society. It is believed that one of the reasons for the decline of the development level in the Arabic world is its connection to religion.
Utilising religion as a tool to base laws on can be risky. It prevents diversity, and prevents applying different perspectives and thoughts. For example, keeping opinions from being expressed because they may infringe religion limits creativity and diversity. Furthermore, it makes it difficult for people to be who they are. For instance, illegalizing homosexuality can lead homosexuals to supress themselves which may affect their mental health. In other words, forcing religious rulings either from country laws or family prevents human development
The death of Mahsa Amini in Iran because she was not wearing a hijab properly is not humanitarian in any case. Religion should be respected; however, it should not be forced on people, and must not lead to violence in any way. Religion offers values, and values can differ from person to another, people to people, and country to country. Islam is known to be a strict religion as law in Arabic countries is based on it, and people get punished if they do not stick to the law. However, the meaning of the world “Islam” means peace, and it has many beautiful values, and it is said in the Koran “la ikrah fi al deen” which means no compulsion in religion. It should not be forced on anyone.
It does not make sense to force a certain value on another person. Taking a closer look at it, people who force it believe in it because they were born with it. Probably if a strict religious Muslim was born in a strict Christian family, they will be similar to their family. It is understandable that the way a person grows up affects them, but if it does not make sense to them, an action should be taken, and it should be accepted.
“Zena” in Arabic means adultery. It is strictly forbidden in the Arabic society to sleep with someone before marriage for both genders, but especially for girls. Women can be killed by their own families if they “committed Zena” as it is haram. In certain Muslim communities, minors are forced to be married as they believe it is halal by Islam, so according to their mindset, basically..why not? Thinking about it of course it does not make any sense, but as they believe it is halal they do it without thinking.
“Sheikh” is an Arabic term which is used to refer to a Muslim scholar who is aware of the Islamic sharia. However, in the daily spoken Arabic, the word “Sheikh” refers to old men in caducity. Although Islam’s main aim is to connect people directly with god, there are still men of religion (sheikh) that tell people what is haram and halal as the third Islamic source beside Quran and Hadith (Everything Profit Muhammad said). Therefore, unfortunately the Islamic sharia has been distorted because of the interference of sheikhs. For example, some of them say it is not possible for a woman to travel by herself as an Islamic rule. This Islam ruling affects people’s mindset and beliefs. Some of them took advantage to control people as people believed what they said unconditionally. Some sheikhs took this chance and said it is not possible in Islam to question or doubt shari’a (the shari’a that they confirm). Therefore, many people followed sheikhs without thinking, and were controlled by them.
In conclusion, religion should be respected. However, it must not be forced on. It does not make sense to follow without thinking. In order to reach the level of humanity, thinking is needed. Traditions, laws, and values should be doubted and criticised for society development. Lastly, it does not make sense to follow without questioning, to force opinions, and to cling to old values without making changes if needed. A progressive motility is required. Change is always good.