Islam

in Britain

2

What Islam says…

•Islamic teachings are derived from two divine sources: the Qur’an

the Sunnah (endorsements of Prophet Muhammad)

• And also from juristic processes such as: Qiyas

Ijtihad…

•An important principle emerges from these for matters other than acts of worship and prescription:

„All things are permissible except what has been expressly prohibited‟

3

…defines our view of citizenship:

• God-centred life & world-view

• Focussed life-purpose: worship God & do good

• After-life: strong sense of accountability

• Stewardship: responsibility & caring

4

… & our ‘Rules of Citizenship’:

1. Civic duty/Stewardship/Khilafah:

Saving life,

Protecting the environment,

Rights of neighbours,

Human rights,

Making peace,

Working for the common good & social harmony...

5

• “It is He Who has made you (His) vicegerents,

inheritors of the earth...”

(The Qur’an, 6:165}

• …Eat and drink the sustenance God has

provided and do not act wrongfully in the land,

causing corruption.

(The Qur’an 2:60)

• “...(Allah’s Servants) are those who are neither

wasteful nor niggardly when they spend, but

keep to a just balance...”

(The Qur’an 25:67)

6

• “… if any one slew a person -

unless it be for murder or for

spreading mischief in the land - it

would be as if he slew the whole

people: and if any one saved a

life, it would be as if he saved the

life of the whole people...” {The Qur‟an, 5:32}

• “Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess: For Allah loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious”

{The Qur’an, 4:36}

• “Cleanliness is half of faith” {Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him}

7

• “And good and evil deeds are not

alike. Repel evil with good. And

he who is your enemy will become

your dearest friend.” (41:33-34)

• but do thou good, as Allah has

been good to thee, and seek not

(occasions for) mischief in the

land: for Allah loves not those who

do mischief." (28:77)

8

9

‘Rules of Citizenship’ cont’d...

2. JUSTICE

“ Allah doth command you to render back your Trusts to those to whom they are due; And when ye judge between man and man, that ye judge with justice: Verily how excellent is the teaching which He giveth you! For Allah is He Who heareth and seeth all things.”

{The Qur’an, 4:58}

• “O you who have believed, persistently stand

firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it

be against yourselves or parents and

relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah

is more worthy of both. So follow not

[personal] inclination, lest you not be

just. And if you distort [your testimony] or

refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is Ever-

Acquainted with what you do.”

(The Quran 4:135)

10

11

‘Rules of Citizenship’ cont’d...

3. RESPECT & COMPASSION

“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).”

{The Qur’an, 49:13}

12

‘Rules of Citizenship’ cont’d...

4. MERCY

“…Allah is merciful only to those of His

slaves who are merciful (to others).”

"Whoever is not merciful to others will

not be treated mercifully." (Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, Sahih Bukhari)

“And We have not sent you but as a

mercy to all the worlds.” (Quran 21:107)

13

‘Rules of Citizenship’ cont’d...

5. DOING GOOD –however small, to whoever, whenever, where-ever:

Smile

Feeding

Sharing

Charity

Helping hand

Going out of your way

“But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is Gardens, beneath which rivers flow.” {The Qur’an, 2:25}

14

5. DOING GOOD cont’d...

• "Help the weak or do good for a person who cannot work for himself." I said, "If I cannot do that?" He said, "Refrain from harming others for this will be regarded as a charitable deed for your own good."

{Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him}

• “O people, feed the hungry, spread salam (the

greeting of peace), maintain your relationships

of kin and pray at night while others are asleep.

Thus shall you enter Heaven in peace.” {Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him}

5. DOING GOOD cont’d...

• : “To smile in the company of your brother is charity. To

command to do good deeds and to prevent others from doing

evil is charity. To guide a person in a place where he can not

get astray is charity. To remove troublesome things like

thorns and bones from the road is charity. To pour water from

your jug into the jug of your brother is charity. To guide a

person with defective vision is charity for you.”

• “Charity is prescribed for each descendant of Adam every day

the sun rises... The doors of goodness are many…enjoining

good, forbidding evil, removing harm from the road, listening

to the deaf, leading the blind, guiding one to the object of his

need, hurrying with the strength of one’s legs to one in sorrow

who is asking for help, and supporting the feeble with the

strength of one’s arms—all of these are charity prescribed for

you."

{Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him}

15

...& having good character...

• "Indeed Allah is gentle and loves

gentleness, and gives due to

gentleness that which He does

not give to harshness.“ {Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him}

• “The heaviest deed to be placed

in the scales (on the Day of

Judgement) is good character.” {Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him}

16

• “Smiling is charity.”

• Indeed there is a piece of flesh in

the body which if it is good, then

the whole body is good, but if it is

corrupt then the whole body is

corrupt. Indeed it is the heart." {Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him}

17

...& having good character...

‘Rules of Citizenship’ cont’d...

6. Following the law

“Oh you who believe! Fulfill (your)

obligations.”

[The Qur’an, 5:1]

“And fulfill (every) covenant. Verily! The

covenant will be questioned about.”

[The Qur‟an 17:34]

He says: “And fulfill the Covenant to Allah

when you have covenanted, and break not

the oaths after you have confirmed them.”

[The Qur’an, 16:91]

18

6. Following the law cont’d...

• “Three things are the sign of the hypocrite:

when he speaks he tells lies, when he

promises he breaks it and when he is trusted

he proves to be dishonest.” (The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him)

• The Hypocrites will be in the lowest depths

of the Fire: no helper wilt thou find for them.

Except for those who repent, mend (their

life), hold fast to Allah, and purify their

religion as in Allah's sight: if so they will be

(numbered) with the Believers. (The Qur’an, 4:145-146)

19

‘Rules of Citizenship’ cont’d...

7. Dealing with differences

• “There is no compulsion in religion…” (Quran 2:256)

• “O mankind! We created you from a single

(pair) of a male and female, and made you

into nations and tribes, that you may know

each other (and not hate one

another). Surely, the most honoured of you

in the sight of God is he who is the most

righteous of you. And God has full

knowledge and is well acquainted (with all

things).” (Quran 49:13)

20

7. Dealing with differences

• “All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab

has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a

non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab;

also a white has no superiority over black

nor a black has any superiority over white

except by piety and good action.”

{The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him}

• “If it had been your Lord’s will, they would all

have believed – all of who are on earth! Will

you then compel humankind, against their

will, to believe?” (Quran 10:99)

21

• Did not Allah check one set of people by

means of another there would surely have

been pulled down monasteries, churches,

synagogues, and mosques, in which the

name of Allah is commemorated in abundant

measure. Allah will certainly aid those who

aid His (cause); for verily Allah is Full of

Strength, Exalted in Might, (Able to enforce

His Will). (The Qur’an, 22:40)

22

23

Pluralism & Inclusion

• We can agree to disagree and still respect and care for one another,

• and work together for the common good.

• Inclusion and faith provision:

requests for accommodation of faith needs are not an imposition of our values or faith

Muslim Cultural diversity

24

25

History of Muslims in Britain

• The conquering of Makkah - 7th century

• King Offa – 8th century

• Trade & Political alliances

• Crusades – 12th century

• Learning – 14th century

• Elizabeth I – trade, mobility & conversion 16th century

• British India 17th century

• Abdullah Quilliam – Shaykh ul-Islam of the British Isles – Liverpool mosque 19th century

• 1st & 2nd world wars and Muslim soldiers of the British army

• Immigration & established British Muslim communities- 20th century

26

Muslims in Britain today

Geographical spread

27

What We have in Common…

• Always Look On the Bright Side of Life

• The Values That We All Share

• Accountability of Government

• The First Parliament

• Mutual Consultation

• Religious Conflict

• Religious Tolerance

• Religious Minorities in Britain

• No Compulsion in Religion

• Early Reforms in Women’s Rights

• A Vindication of the Rights of Women

• The Right to Vote

• Human Rights Campaigners Abolition of Slavery

• Anti Racism

28

• Anti Apartheid Movement

• Our Common Origin

• Fair Play

• Charity

• Public Health

• Florence Nightingale

• State Welfare

• The National Health Service

• Health and Welfare in the early Islamic

world

• House of Wisdom

• A British Education

• Inform, Educate, Entertain

• Mind Your Language

• Invention and Creativity

• Culture

• Love of Countryside…

29

…far outnumbers what we don’t…

Some beliefs

Some religious and cultural practises

30

…and make for a colourful world…

• Dress

• Food

• Other cultural artefacts

• History

• Diversity in all its splendour…