To conclude we have discussed Islamic moral and social injunctions as in the Quran and Prophet’s (PBUH) traditions. Clearly in the modern lifestyle in Britain as we know it, many of these injunctions would be regarded as outdated. In Britain traditional values seem to have been disregarded and thus we see the issue of respect becoming an issue in contemporary British society with many communities being terrorised by youths engaging in anti-social behaviours. However when examined in more depth ‘respect’ is not really a new issue but has been ongoing after the second-world war. This is when a so-called generation gap emerged pitting the young against the old as to what pertains to appropriate social behaviour. Traditional structures of family, marriage and religion have slowly disintegrated in British society and we have seen the emergence of a new modern lifestyle, facilitated by the media that is based on individualism. Individualism or using the common everyday term ‘dog-eat-dog’ behaviour means that people are not respecting the rights of other people and their social responsibility but rather care for their own interests with no consideration to others in society. Moreover the loss of spirituality means that there is much moral decay in society where anything is acceptable. People want to make the most of their lives and do not feel bound by any rigid moral and social rules. Common everyday phrases such as ‘live a little’ and ‘you only live once’ portray this perception and there is much sexual permissiveness. 
 

For the Muslim it is undoubtedly a very difficult environment where there is much temptation and depravity. In addition the ideologies behind the modern lifestyle such as individualism, modernism, postmodernism deny the existence of religion. For a Muslim the most important thing is to maintain faith in Allah and live righteously as he or she is accountable to Allah in the hereafter. Allah says, ‘short is the enjoyment of this world. The hereafter is (far) better for him who fears Allah, and you shall not be dealt with unjustly in the very least!’ (4:77). In a tradition the Prophet (PBUH) further states, ‘this world is the prison of a believer and the paradise of a disbeliever’. For the believer the life of this world can be a torment, it is difficult for him/her with many trials and tribulations. Of course believers wants to enjoy life but within the confines of Islam but they will forego the pleasures of this world for the reward of Jannah (paradise). 
 

In contemporary society a Muslim must ensure that he or she emulates the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as he has set a fine example with his moral excellence. Essentially Muslims must engage and integrate in permissible environments with non-Muslims and represent and live the Islamic values. By words, manner, clothing and technology a Muslim is able to portray Islam and disseminate its message to non-Muslims in everyday life, by enjoining good and forbidding the evil. Good morals and character illuminates and guides and can overcome evil through patience, perseverance and steadfastness. Allah says: 

‘The good and evil deed is not alike. Repel the evil deed with one that is better then lo! He between whom there is enmity will become though he was a bosom friend, but none is granted it save those who are steadfast, and none is granted it save the owner of great happiness. And if a whisper from the devil reach thee (O Muhammad) then seek refuge in Allah. Lo! He is the Hearer, the Knower’ (41:34-36). 

All in all, Islam promotes a practical and realistic way of life and notion of society and does not hide behind sheer idealism or utopia. In essence it aims to provide equilibrium between realism and idealism to guide and uplift believers. The examples cited such as marriage, polygamy, divorce shows that Islam does not suppress human feelings but rather advocates a society where individuals are able to achieve their genuine needs but such needs are to be regulated and controlled by society. Islam appeals to the betterment of human nature and not to make a slave of him or her in terms of basic desires. As we have discussed above, Islam does not condone transgression against other individuals but invokes believers to respect the rights of others and fulfill their social responsibility. Islam also does not condone the community to transgress the individual either and Muslims are expected to stand up to oppression. Believers are required to show responsibility to family, society and to the natural world. In essence Islam advocates brotherhood of believers and humanity as a whole to maintain peace and harmony in life. 
 
 

References 

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Hamblett, C. & Deverson, J. (1964), Generation X, Tandem Books.  

Harrison, E. (2006), ‘Divine Trash: The Psychology of Celebrity Obsession’, [online]. Available

http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/node/414(accessed 03/01/2007) 

King, A. (2004), ‘Britons' belief in God vanishing as religion is replaced by apathy’, [online]. Available http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;?xml=/news/2004/12/27/nfaith27.xml&sSheet=/portal/2004/12/27/ixportal.html (accessed 07/01/2007) 

Nasr, S. H. (1993), A Young Muslim’s guide to the Modern World, The Islamic Texts Society Cambridge. 

Sherif, F. (1995), A Guide to the contents of the Quran, Garnet Publishing Limited. 

Translations of the Quran [online]. Available http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/ (accessed 07/01/2007)