Humanity progresses through thought. The most important factor affecting our actions in life is the thoughts we believe in and carry. Without thought we drift aimlessly from situation to situation, waiting for things to happen and reacting to them, rather than initiating action and progressing.

Humanity needs to take a comprehensive view of what we are, and how we fit into the scheme of life in its entirety. Most people are generally interested in finding an answer to these basic questions, but finding these answers needs to be given more importance than mere curiosity. These answers are required as a reference point upon which to regulate our affairs.

Only in the adoption of a comprehensive thought and ideology will humanity both individually and collectively have peace of mind and a solid foundation upon which he is freed to truly progress.

We must think deeply of our situation and not accept any way of life blindly. The reality is that the dominant ideology existent in the world today, Capitalism (or what we may refer to as secular liberalism), has been accepted without any searching examination of the basis upon which it is built. Does twenty-first century man think of what the concepts of freedom and democracy really mean? Is mankind ‘free’ in all actions? There must be a controlling or organising influence, but where does the control exercised by a democracy led us?

It has led humanity to the control by an elected minority backed by a faceless elite. It has led us to a rapidly declining environment, massive increases in crime, the breakdown of the family unit and a selfish drive for profit and individualism. On the global level it has led to a world characterised by some horrifying realities, such that those indicated by the following latest statistics:

• 50% of humanity lives on less than $2.50 a day
• 80% of people live in countries where income inequalities are getting worse
• The richest 10% of people possess 59% of total wealth whilst the poorest 10% own only 0.5%
• Half the world’s children live in poverty
• 25,000 children die every day due to poverty
• Over 1 billion people entered the 21^st century unable to read a book or sign their name
• Basic water problems affect half of humanity

Part of our problem today is that man does not think of his situation, and what little thought is brought forward to solve any problem is based upon a consensus view. It is a fundamental error to believe that a majority view or view of the lowest common denominator is correct. We see that the average view or majority view may bear no resemblance to the truth at all. In a society where domination of an unthinking public is very easy, through such forces as the media, then control of the consensus view can be almost complete. The results are devastating.

Over the last several hundred years, Western nations have sought to avoid oppression by political leaders with checks and balances on power, to eliminate the oppression of one race by another through antislavery and civil rights legislation, to eliminate excessive burdens in industrial employment through child-labor laws and minimum-wage laws, and to end the subjugation of women by providing the right to vote, liberalising divorce laws, and providing equal pay employment. Yet to what extent have these objectives been achieved?

We must return to using our intellect, and not settle for anything less than the truth. That truth, as is our contention for you to consider, is Islam.

WHAT DOES ISLAM MEAN?

The word ‘Islam’ is an Arabic word which linguistically means submission. As a legal convention, ‘Islam’ refers to the message which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by God. In turn, a Muslim is the one who adopts Islam as their way of life.

Islam is more than a religion. When trying to understand Islam, one cannot view it as a mere spiritual idea or ‘religion’ like Christianity or Judaism. Islam is a unique ideology with its own creed and a system of rules & regulations that emanate from this creed. This system is comprehensive in that it covers all aspects of human life on both the individual and societal level. It lays down the ritual modes of worship by which the Creator is worshipped, how transactions & relations between human beings are conducted, as well as the manner in which one regulates his or her personal life.

Islam provides a comprehensive answer about humanity, life and the universe for the purpose and direction of human life. It is a complete code for living, including principles and systems of economics, politics, law and the social set-up of a society. It is a complete and self-sufficient way of life.

Broadly then Islam covers three relationships with regard to their organisation in line with human nature: the relationship of man to himself, the relationship of man to his Creator and the relationship of man with others. Through the organisation of these relationships, Islam offers peace and tranquility to humanity through the acquisition of accurate knowledge.

FOUNDATION OF ISLAM

Islam is founded upon a comprehensive concept, namely that this world and all of its components are created by a Creator. This Creator is not passive with respect to the creation. He plays an active role in the lives of the people and in the world at large. He, in His infinite knowledge, sets the rules and regulations for mankind to follow throughout their lives. People are follow these rules and are accountable with respect to them in the next life. Those who submit and obey will be rewarded, whilst those who reject and disobey will be punished.

Islam provides a clear agenda for humanity to solve its problems and organise itself in a manner that would bring tranquility and progress without leading to perversions or conflicts - that agenda being the application of the Islamic system, a system revealed by the Creator to organise His creation. A system whose application is in humanity’s own interest.

One of the fundamental points, amongst many, that sets Islam apart from secular capitalist ideology, as applied in the West, is the latter’s position that the Creator or God should not have any role in the process of conducting the affairs of the people.

Practically, the choice is between two notions regarding the system for organising life’s affairs: one taken from God, the Creator, and the other taken from humans. There is no doubt that the ideology taken from God could not be wrong. The same cannot be said about the idea generated by a man, no matter how much of a genius he/she is. This is because human beings hold limited knowledge, are influenced by the environment in which they live and are liable to disparity and contradiction.

THE ISLAMIC CREED

The Islamic creed encompasses ideas or thoughts which are unique to Islam. The conviction in such ideas is a prerequisite to becoming a Muslim. The Islamic creed is absolute as the reality itself is absolute. Thus, there is no room for indecisiveness or uncertainty in its ideas or thoughts. Certainty of understanding is required when adopting this Islamic creed. It cannot be adopted on the basis of blind imitation, emotions or as a reactionary belief.

The Islamic creed can be proven by human rationale and it is on this basis that it must be adopted. It is based on three fundamental ideas:

1. the universe, life, and human beings are created by one Creator, who is absolute, unlimited, and independent.
2. Prophethood is a necessity for humanity, that God indeed sent messengers and prophets to humanity in order to guide them, including Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus) (peace be upon them all). The last and the final messenger is Muhammad (peace be upon him).
3. the Qur’an is a book revealed by the Creator Himself as guidance for human beings.

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