Civil Society - Ethics, Power and Concepts (original) (raw)
Islamic ethical reasoning is about managing information, values and principles in the context of real human needs. As Muslims encounter situations in their lived realities, they need to manage a barrage of information and conflicting norms. In this regard, experience influences their convictions of what is possible or probable in the world and experience frames any new issue that arises. In order to construct an ethical response to an experience, the theological or spiritual teachings of Islam should ideally constitute the foundations for that response. Essentially we need to know our din and the key ethical underpinnings that embody it in order to respond ethically to an issue. The ethical code of Islam is the Shariah which constitutes five recognised objectives. Simply stated, these refer to specific rights of which the right to safeguard the intellect and the right to thinking by each and every human being (epistemic, academic/pedagogical freedom) are included. This can also be extended to the right to media freedom. In the context of the decolonial debate in South Africa which has demanded a free, decolonised, quality education and which will be the main focus of my paper, this objective is of particular relevance. An ethical Muslim, guided by the objectives of a just foundation (Shariah) should understand that political society and state organisation is tolerated to ensure justice for all and for the nurturing of a harmonious development of citizens where the dignity of all is recognised. Thus any system that is exploitative or which dehumanises and promotes power relations constituted on notions of superiority/ inferiority is a system that is to be contested and overturned. Justice should be restored. As citizens in the state, the obligation on the Muslim is to find the correct balance to contribute and give support to protestations that work towards establishing justice. It is a form of protest democracy or radical activism. The tactic will depend on the objective and the extent of oppression. And although tolerance is advocated, justice is a premier foundational value.
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