November 23, 2001
Presenting Islam to Non-Muslims – The Role of the Masjid
Section: WRITINGS | 597 reads
A Culture called Islam
Culture is often the key to success or failure, for individuals as well as for societies.
Islam is the comprehensive cultural code designed by God for the all-time and all-round success of humans as a species.
People often tend to talk about this or that teaching or aspect of Islam, or about this or that ayah - passage – of the Qur’an, being unique or special or beautiful. In reality, every one the Islamic teachings, and every one of the Qur’anic ayat, is a marvel in its own right.
That is why, for example, the ayat of the Qur’an are called ayat. They are signs and marvels that have come down from Allah. They are God’s special gift to humanity.
I list below what I consider to be some of the central qualities of Islam as a culture, as a message and communication and as a divine way of life. Muslims must keep these ideas in mind when planning and carrying out their Open House events. These ideas would also be useful in other areas of life beyond the mosque Open House.
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Simplicity: Islam is a simple message from God. In fact, one of the charges against the Prophet, peace be upon him, was that he reduced the complexity of idol worship to the simple worship of one God.
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Clarity: Islam is clear as daylight. Whether it is a question of eating or not eating something, or of doing or not doing something, the teachings of Islam are marvels of clarity.
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Conciseness: Islam does not waste time. I often marvel at how concise the basic creed of Islamic faith – the shahadah - really is: “No God but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God.” No more than four simple words – or syllables: La Ilaha Illa Allah! These are the four words that changed the world.
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Directness: What Islam has to say, it says in as direct a manner as possible, whether it is outlining a new principle of belief or behavior.
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Accuracy: Falsehood is a form of violence. It is perhaps a more terrible violence than physical violence, for it is directed against the human mind. It is psychological and moral violence. The Qur’an refers to falsehood as batil.
Islam is the opposite of falsehood. It is truth. In the language of the Qur’an, it is haqq.
It is one of the central principles of the Qur’an that truth and falsehood cannot coexist. And Muslims, according to the Qur’an, are the bearers of the banner of truth – haqq.
So nothing but the most accurate information can come out of the mouth of the Muslims, whenever they speak – or write.
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Integrity: Nothing perhaps is more important in Islam than honesty and integrity. While others may have the luxury of endless debates over means and ends, Muslims don’t. For, in the culture of Islam, it is the intentions that matter, even when the actions appear good.
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Respect: Islam requires respect, not only to parents, but to all human beings.
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Punctuality: Respect for time is integral to Islam and its teachings. Everything in the world of Islam works according to a schedule. In Islam, there is a time for salah or prayer; there is a time for siyam - fasting; and there is a time for hajj.
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Wisdom: Part of the reason Allah sent the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was to teach people wisdom. The essence of wisdom in Islam – the Qur’an calls it hikmah – is the ability to translate, in every time and place, Allah’s commands into language and practice that fit the requirements of life in those times and places.
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Tact: Often, in the course of human interaction, there arise situations that call for special tact and resilience in their handling. Those organizing the Open House must be fully cognizant of this fundamental fact of life.
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Patience: One of the hardest qualities to master, and yet one on which Islam places great emphasis, is patience – sabr. Sabr means not only perseverance in your efforts, but also gracefully accepting the outcome of your efforts as a decree from Allah.
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Perseverance: It is part of the concept of patience – sabr - in Islam
It means, one must be steadfast in one’s efforts, no matter how hard the going gets. Allah’s help and success come when he chooses.
These are some of the qualities that lie at the heart of Islamic culture. They must characterize, inform and guide any Islamic enterprise that the Muslims undertake.
Next Article: Dr. Pasha’s All-Day Islamic Camp and Community Clean-up at Oldham – 1
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