Islamdale
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Editorial
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Muslims are a group that is small in number and yet strong in faith, a group that has diverse ideas and understand-
ings and whose individuals come from many different cultural and ethnic back-
grounds, a group that is few amongst a dominant group that is many. The domi-
nant group is strong in many areas; in fact, they are controlling many areas of the world. What are the obligations, responsibilities and priorities of such a group? Here are some ideas, methodol-
ogy, approaches that will be beneficial to implement them. In contrast to Mus-
lims living in the dominant Muslim world at large, you are, in many ways, strang-
ers in a strange land. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,
(continue page 2)
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There is a lot of enthusiasm, today in the Muslim community about building its fu- ture, but clear sense of direction and priori- ties is still lacking. There is a need of practical plan and sharing responsibilities. To be responsible Muslim is to care about sharing the good you find in your religion, to do your best to establish the truth that is in it and defend it, or to take part in any form of dawah. This is only a nature of Islam. If one is not actively living and spreading his deen, one must reconsider his understanding of Islam. Allah says " And Allah put forward an example of two men. One of them is dumb, has no power over anything and is a burden on his master, whichever may directs him, he brings no good. Is such man equal to the one who commands justice and is himself on a straight path?"[Q:16:76] a very striking difference.
Activism is composed of at least 5 factors: (1) Being responsible and caring to spread the dawah [Q:7:6],. (2) Proud of being Muslim ([Q:63:8], [Q:40:53]. (3) Being honest and prepared to sacrifice what you have for the sake of Allah. (4) The desire and yearning to be successful in reaching all of your goals. (5) Having clear priorities and focusing time and efforts. And one final way, having the ability of going all the way in any undertaking and finding alternatives when all efforts fail to produce the expected results.
We need to make these points very practi- cal and mold them into an Islamic perspec- tive. I hope that you find them useful and a reason to engage in positive dialogue about being Muslim, and its purpose within our community in the present and the future.
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Volume 3, February 2001
Freelanz Waiter
Youz Corner (page 4)
The Prophet Mohammed's Farewell Sermon
(Continue page 3)
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