Why Companionship and Community?
“A man follows the faith of his friend; so each one should consider whom he [...]
“A man follows the faith of his friend; so each one should consider whom he [...]
The Qur’ān is the pre-eternal translator of these creatures; the sempiternal interpreter of the various tongues constantly reciting the verses of creation; the commentator of the great book of the Universe; the discloser of the treasures of the Divine Names concealed in the heavens and on the earth; the key to the verities hidden beneath the lines of events; the tongue of the Unseen World in the Manifest World; the treasury of the favors of the pre-eternal and Divinely addresses, and the Most Merciful and perpetual attentions; the foundation, plan, and sun of the spiritual world of Islam, and the sacred map of the worlds of the hereafter; the distinct expounder, lucid exposition, articulate proof, and clear translator of the Divine Essence, attributes, Names and deeds; it is the instructor of the world of humanity; the water and light of Islam; the true wisdom of mankind; and the true guide and leader urging humanity to prosperity and happiness. It is both a book of law and wisdom, and a book of prayer and worship, and a book of command and appeal, and a book of invocation and thought - it is a book for all spiritual needs; and it is a sacred library offering books and treaties fitting for the various ways and different paths of all the saints and veracious ones, the wise and the learned, which suits the illuminations of each way and enlightens it, and is appropriate for the course of each path and depicts it.
The political participation of Muslims in the West may even vary significantly from country to country, depending on the circumstances prevailing in each place and the costs and benefits of that participation, which are to be determined by the people living there. Establishing justice is also not limited to direct political participation and in many cases other activities, such as establishing organizations for social services or other types of civic involvement may be a more effective means towards that goal. In addition, Muslims in the West should work in coalition with non-Muslims towards shared goals of justice within their countries and communities.