Islam vs Monasticism, the salient features of Islam (1)

[shaikhrafique]

Islam vs Monasticism, the salient features of Islam (1)

By Mohammad Rafique Etesame

Monasticism is defined as: -

“Monasticism, or monkhood, is a religious way of life in which one renounces worldly pursuits to devote oneself fully to spiritual work.

This is the religious practice of living apart from the world, usually secluded in a community of like-minded people, to avoid sin and grow closer to God.”

This is the specific way adopted by some people in order to grow closer to God, as regards the religion of Islam, so it is against it as a hadith of the holy Prophet PBUH reveals as: -

 Anas declared that God’s messenger used to say, “Do not impose austerities on yourselves and so have God imposing austerities on you; for people have imposed austerities on themselves and God has imposed austerities on them. Their survivors are to be found in cells and monasteries.” [Then he quoted from the holy Qur’an], “Monasticism, they invented it; we did not prescribe it for them” ( Al-Hadid 57:27).

The question is: what does a man do to become a monastic? So, there are many ways to become a Monastic or Monk but a common thing is that he does not marry so that he may separate himself or herself from society either by living as a hermit or anchorite (religious recluse) or by joining a community