A Muslim community of excellence is one that continually strives to improve itself. The community would also not be content to allow Islamic teachings to remain superficial, or to be understood and practiced only in its rituals and forms. Instead, Islam must be understood and practiced historically, both in its rituals and in the essence or spirit of those rituals. Both essence and rituals are symbiotic. An emphasis on the essence of Islam is necessary to highlight the comprehensiveness of Islamic teachings, and thus, is critical in our efforts to live as Muslims in the modern age.

With an emphasis on the essence and spirit, the Muslim community will be better prepared to face the ever-present challenges of modern life. Each negative influence would be easily counteracted and dealt with in accordance with Islamic principles, while positive influences would be recognized as a force for change.

Having a progressive outlook means understanding the universality of Islamic teachings and the concept of Islam as “a way of life”. It also means to understand how Islam can be applied in everyday life and how it is part of modern life, not apart from it.

Often, religion is seen as a matter of ritual practices; a Muslim becomes defined as someone who prays, pays zakat, performs the hajj, and has a Muslim name. In actuality, a Muslim is, beyond observing these rituals, also someone who is morally guided, disciplined, sincere, diligent, and known for his good deeds. Exhibiting these virtues in one’s life is considered an act of ‘ibadah that is valued by Allah; it encompasses more than ritual practices.

A Muslim community of excellence needs to understand the spirit of every ritual and the essence of Islam that is imbued in every religious practice.

Ibn Sina is among the finest of Muslim scholars. He is known not only amongst Muslims, but his contributions to humanity are acknowledged by all. His most important contribution is in the field of medicine through his great work, Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb (The Canon of Medicine). Such is the importance of his work that he is known to this day as ‘The father of modern medicine’. He is also known for his works in geology; he had studied mining methods and means of extracting ore and other natural minerals.

‘Ibadah is one of the fundamentals of Islam. It includes the practices that have been laid out in the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah. Within each practice is the essence and spirit or reason for which the practice was instituted. The essence of ritual practices is normally in the form of universal moral virtues and values. These values will, in turn, shape good character. The failure to distinguish essence from form can contribute to our inability to prioritize efforts to overcome contemporary challenges.

For example, many Muslims are willing to spend a large amount of money every year to perform the Umrah, a ritual for which Allah (SWT) has promised bountiful rewards. Meanwhile, responses and support for calls for donations from madrasahs and other charitable organizations pale in comparison, even though contributing to such organizations is also an ‘ibadah that Allah would duly reward. In addition, the benefits of donating to such institutions go beyond the individual and will serve the community’s strategic needs. In comparison to the benefits accruing to the individual that are generated from performing an ‘umrah, the benefits that the community would enjoy from the individual’s contribution to charitable organizations and religious institutions are more extensive and long-term, continually accruing, as long as those institutions continue to exist.

Technological advancements such as the internet, blogging, podcasting, and webcasting should not be seen in the first instance as negative and a threat, nor should they be used for immoral purposes. Such advances in technology can be used for Islamic education, especially for the younger generations who are comfortable with such media.

Islam teaches Muslims to adopt and benefit from that which is good and beneficial, and to refrain from all that is harmful. The Prophet (SAW) encourages Muslims to continually seek knowledge, but also seek Allah’s protection from being given knowledge that may lead to harm and destruction. For example, the Prophet (SAW) says in one of his supplications to Allah (SWT):” Oh Allah, I seek Your protection from knowledge that is not beneficial, from a mind that is not conscious of You, from never feeling satisfied, and from prayers that are not accepted.”

MUIS