Living Islam with Purpose: Key Concepts and Ideas

Belief and Understanding

• Intrinsic Goodness: Islam brings out the intrinsic goodness in people, requiring both belief and understanding of the faith.
• Unlocking Potential: Muslims in America have untapped potential, needing a deeper understanding of their faith to realize it.

Main Paper by Umar Faruq Abd-Allah, Ph.D.

• Explores operational principles and societal obligations in living Islam.

Operational Principles

1. Trusting Reason

• Islam values reason as evidence of God's guidance.
• Encourages Muslims to effectively use their intellect.
• Reasoning is central to Islamic tradition.

2. Respecting Dissent

• Dissent and diverse views are recognized and respected within the Islamic tradition.
• Encourages intellectual maturity and flexibility.

3. Stressing Societal Obligations

• Emphasizes proactive development of resources to address real issues.
• Muslims should be actively engaged in societal duties.

4. Setting Priorities

• Actions should have a clear direction and purpose.
• Prioritizing actions according to their impact on societal well-being.

5. Embracing Maxims

• Maxims are broad principles that guide decision-making in Islam.
• Encourages practical application of these principles in daily life.

Societal Obligations

• American Muslim community needs to engage in resource development.
• Addressing ground-level issues is crucial.

Conclusion

• Effective practice of Islam requires understanding and applying its rationales and objectives.
• Islam is a religion that encourages intelligent followers to grasp and practice its principles wisely.