George Orwell's Animal Farm: Russian Revolution
The book Animal Farm by George Orwell is an allegory based on the Russian Revolution. Every animal is supposed to represent one of the figures that played a part in the Russian Revolution. The book basically retells the story of how the factory workers overthrew the Czar and what happened after that by embedding into a book about animals and their society. Maqasid Al-Shariah Made Simple by Mohammad Hashim Kamali explains the Shariah society. He explains the goals and objectives in detail, but also in a way that is easy to understand. The Shariah society is a part of Islam, which is a monotheistic religion and the Qur’an is their holy book. They believe in one god and that Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him) is his messenger. These
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two societies are similar and differ in many ways. The animal’s society and the Shariah society have two different definitions of equality and the way that they enforce it. In order for the societies to meet their goals they have to plan and control the humans, so that is exactly what both societies did. Lastly, one of the societies has a higher being to whom they listen to and obey whereas the other society does not.
In contrast, the definition of equality among these belief systems vary. On Animal Farm, whether or not one works hard everybody will be treated the exactly the same and given the exact same amount. “Everyone worked accordingly to his capacity.” (Orwell 29) “The corn ration was drastically reduced.” (Orwell 74) The former quote states that everybody worked to what they were capable of, everybody did not do the same amount of work. For example, Boxer goes above and beyond in his work while Molly makes up elaborate excuses to get out of it, but they still get the exact same things. The latter quote says that they have rations, which is a fixed amount of the food that each of the animals get. It does not matter how much time and effort that one puts into the work because they will all get the same exact things. This does not only apply to rations, but also other things such as rights and the items that they own. However, in the Shariah society people are equal in a different sense. Everyone has the same opportunities, rights, and restrictions but not everyone has to have the exact same things. For instance, if one person decided to expand their knowledge even further and go to college, while another person just stopped after graduating high school, they would not be deprived of the extra privileges that come after college. If this were Animal Farm, they would have not give that college graduate the privileges that they deserve or they would just give the high school graduate the same privilege without them actually earning it. All in all, these belief systems both have a concept of equality, but enforce and interpret it in different ways.
Similarly, both belief systems regulate human behavior to achieve the goals of the overall society.
In the book Animal Farm the animals have a set of rules that regulate their behavior called The Seven Commandments. “1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. 2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings is a friend. 3. No animal shall wear clothes. 4. No animal shall sleep in a bed. 5. No animal shall drink alcohol. 6. No animal shall kill any other animal. 7. All animals are equal.” (Orwell 24,25) These are the animal’s commandments that they follow in order to ensure that they do not stray from their intention. The first two commandments are essentially stating who is the cause of the problem and who they can and cannot associate themselves with. This then gives them a clear view of their plan. The next three commandments signify the oppressors, which is why they steer away from that type of behavior. And to make sure that they do not lose sight of their purpose, the last commandment restates it. In the same manner, the Shariah society also has a set of rules to make sure of their objective. While having rules, the Shariah society also has punishments. “Theft, adultery, and wine drinking are punishable offenses as they pose a threat to the protection of private property, the well-being of the family, and the integrity of human intellect respectively.” (Kamali 4) Like Animal Farm’s commandments, the Shariah society has their own in the Qur’an while stating reasonable
punishments. In the same way, all of our rules manage the behavior of the humans to make sure that the goal is not obscured. Also having the punishments for breaking rules guarantees that the goals will be reached, since they will not be willing to be penalized. Overall, both societies manage the the behavior of the people in order to stay true to their purpose.
Between these two belief systems, one submits ultimately to a higher authority while the other one does not. the Shariah society is a branch of Islam, which means that they are monotheistic. “Justice itself is a manifestation of God’s mercy.” (Kamali 3) This piece of evidence mentions God to whom the Shariah society ultimately submits themselves to. Since they are submitted ultimately to God and only God, they follow his every word and what he revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him.) “The Qur’an is expressive, in numerous places and a variety of contexts, of the rationale, purpose and benefit of its laws so much so that its text becomes characteristically goal-oriented.” (Kamali 3) This is a short description of the Qur’an which is a book that the people in the Shariah society follow. God wrote the Qur’an to guide the people to do good and not stray away from the straight path. People in the Shariah society follow God’s words in the Qur’an wholeheartedly without doubting it, since they are ultimately submitted to God. Whereas in Animal Farm the animals do not have a higher authority to whom they are ultimately submitted to.
Beliefs impact citizens in different ways depending upon the belief system itself. The different perceptions of equality affected the citizens in those societies in various ways as well as their way of managing the people in order to stay faithful to their plan and to whom the people listen to and get their ideas from.
two societies are similar and differ in many ways. The animal’s society and the Shariah society have two different definitions of equality and the way that they enforce it. In order for the societies to meet their goals they have to plan and control the humans, so that is exactly what both societies did. Lastly, one of the societies has a higher being to whom they listen to and obey whereas the other society does not.
In contrast, the definition of equality among these belief systems vary. On Animal Farm, whether or not one works hard everybody will be treated the exactly the same and given the exact same amount. “Everyone worked accordingly to his capacity.” (Orwell 29) “The corn ration was drastically reduced.” (Orwell 74) The former quote states that everybody worked to what they were capable of, everybody did not do the same amount of work. For example, Boxer goes above and beyond in his work while Molly makes up elaborate excuses to get out of it, but they still get the exact same things. The latter quote says that they have rations, which is a fixed amount of the food that each of the animals get. It does not matter how much time and effort that one puts into the work because they will all get the same exact things. This does not only apply to rations, but also other things such as rights and the items that they own. However, in the Shariah society people are equal in a different sense. Everyone has the same opportunities, rights, and restrictions but not everyone has to have the exact same things. For instance, if one person decided to expand their knowledge even further and go to college, while another person just stopped after graduating high school, they would not be deprived of the extra privileges that come after college. If this were Animal Farm, they would have not give that college graduate the privileges that they deserve or they would just give the high school graduate the same privilege without them actually earning it. All in all, these belief systems both have a concept of equality, but enforce and interpret it in different ways.
Similarly, both belief systems regulate human behavior to achieve the goals of the overall society.
In the book Animal Farm the animals have a set of rules that regulate their behavior called The Seven Commandments. “1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. 2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings is a friend. 3. No animal shall wear clothes. 4. No animal shall sleep in a bed. 5. No animal shall drink alcohol. 6. No animal shall kill any other animal. 7. All animals are equal.” (Orwell 24,25) These are the animal’s commandments that they follow in order to ensure that they do not stray from their intention. The first two commandments are essentially stating who is the cause of the problem and who they can and cannot associate themselves with. This then gives them a clear view of their plan. The next three commandments signify the oppressors, which is why they steer away from that type of behavior. And to make sure that they do not lose sight of their purpose, the last commandment restates it. In the same manner, the Shariah society also has a set of rules to make sure of their objective. While having rules, the Shariah society also has punishments. “Theft, adultery, and wine drinking are punishable offenses as they pose a threat to the protection of private property, the well-being of the family, and the integrity of human intellect respectively.” (Kamali 4) Like Animal Farm’s commandments, the Shariah society has their own in the Qur’an while stating reasonable
punishments. In the same way, all of our rules manage the behavior of the humans to make sure that the goal is not obscured. Also having the punishments for breaking rules guarantees that the goals will be reached, since they will not be willing to be penalized. Overall, both societies manage the the behavior of the people in order to stay true to their purpose.
Between these two belief systems, one submits ultimately to a higher authority while the other one does not. the Shariah society is a branch of Islam, which means that they are monotheistic. “Justice itself is a manifestation of God’s mercy.” (Kamali 3) This piece of evidence mentions God to whom the Shariah society ultimately submits themselves to. Since they are submitted ultimately to God and only God, they follow his every word and what he revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him.) “The Qur’an is expressive, in numerous places and a variety of contexts, of the rationale, purpose and benefit of its laws so much so that its text becomes characteristically goal-oriented.” (Kamali 3) This is a short description of the Qur’an which is a book that the people in the Shariah society follow. God wrote the Qur’an to guide the people to do good and not stray away from the straight path. People in the Shariah society follow God’s words in the Qur’an wholeheartedly without doubting it, since they are ultimately submitted to God. Whereas in Animal Farm the animals do not have a higher authority to whom they are ultimately submitted to.
Beliefs impact citizens in different ways depending upon the belief system itself. The different perceptions of equality affected the citizens in those societies in various ways as well as their way of managing the people in order to stay faithful to their plan and to whom the people listen to and get their ideas from.