Islam in Britain
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 2
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 3
& 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... 4
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) 5
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} 6
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
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} 9
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
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} 11
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) 12
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} 13
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} 14
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
...& having good character... 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
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
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 23
Muslim Cultural diversity 24
History of Muslims in Britain The conquering of Makkah - 7 th century King Offa 8 th century Trade & Political alliances Crusades 12 th century Learning 14 th century Elizabeth I trade, mobility & conversion 16 th century British India 17 th century Abdullah Quilliam Shaykh ul-islam of the British Isles Liverpool mosque 19 th century 1 st & 2 nd world wars and Muslim soldiers of the British army Immigration & established British Muslim communities- 20th century 25
Muslims in Britain today Geographical spread 26
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 27
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 28
far outnumbers what we don t Some beliefs Some religious and cultural practises 29
and make for a colourful world Dress Food Other cultural artefacts History Diversity in all its splendour 30