27.05.2013 Views

Islam_in_Focus_text

Islam_in_Focus_text

Islam_in_Focus_text

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

throughout the ages. The dist<strong>in</strong>ctive approach of the Qur'an<br />

i s that its <strong>in</strong>structions are aimed at the general welfare of<br />

man and are based on the possibilities with<strong>in</strong> his reach.<br />

Modcration<br />

A third characteristic is moderation or harmony between<br />

the Div<strong>in</strong>e and the human, the spiritual and the material, the<br />

<strong>in</strong>dividual and the collective, and so on. The Qur'an pays due<br />

attention to all facts of life and all needs of man, and deals<br />

with them <strong>in</strong> such a way as to help man to realize the noble<br />

objectives of his be<strong>in</strong>g. For this approach of moderation, the<br />

Qur'an calls Muslims a Middle Nation (2:143), and with this<br />

"m<strong>in</strong>dedeness" they are called the best people ever evolved<br />

for mank<strong>in</strong>d; as they enjo<strong>in</strong> the right, combat the wrong and<br />

believe <strong>in</strong> God (3:1 10).<br />

The Qur'anic wisdom functions <strong>in</strong> three pr<strong>in</strong>cipal dimen-<br />

sions: <strong>in</strong>wardly, outwardly, and upwardly. Inwardly, it pene-<br />

trates <strong>in</strong>to the <strong>in</strong>nermost recesses of the heart and reaches the<br />

farthest depths of the m<strong>in</strong>d. It is aimed at the healthy cultiva-<br />

tion of the <strong>in</strong>dividual from with<strong>in</strong>. This <strong>in</strong>ward penetration is<br />

different from and far deeper than that of any other legal or<br />

ethical system, because the Quran speaks <strong>in</strong> God's Name<br />

and refers all matters to Him.<br />

The outward function of the Qur'an embraces all walks

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!