Surah 1-2 - YasSarNal QuR'aN

Al-Baqarah (The Cow) | CHANGE OF DIRECTIONgiven by its literal equivalent of ‘middle’. The term is used here in a very broadsense. Thus, the Muslim community, or ummah, to use the Qur’ānic term, is a middleof-the-road community which stands witness against other nations and communitiesin the sense that it upholds and defends justice and equality for all people. It weighsup their values, standards, traditions, concepts and objectives, judging them as eithertrue or false. It occupies the dual position of being a witness against mankind and anumpire administering justice among them. God’s Messenger, Muĥammad, is in turna witness against the Muslim community in the sense that, as its leader andguardian, he defines its aims, activities and obligations, and charts the direction itshould take. His teachings, example and leadership stimulate the community toappreciate its role and position in the world, and live up to their requirements.The Muslim community occupies the middle ground in its beliefs and outlook onlife. It maintains a healthy and equitable balance between the two extremes ofspiritual asceticism and materialism. It treats man as a balanced combination of bodyand soul, and allows him the opportunity and means to satisfy them both in such away as to uplift the spirit and enhance the quality of human life. Within thisframework of balance and moderation, every constructive talent, ability, aptitude,and activity is nourished and encouraged to grow and play its part in society.The Muslim community is balanced in the sense that it is not rigid or dogmatic. Itholds fast to its ideals and traditions, and to the sources of its religion and way of life,while fostering change and progress in all fields. It is an open society that welcomesnew ideas and learns from the work and experience of other societies, cultures andcivilizations. Its main objective is to seek the truth, wherever that may come from,and to adopt it with courage and confidence.Balance and moderation are clear in the way Muslim society is run and organized.It is neither a permissive, undisciplined community nor a regimented one run bybrute force or rigid rules. It is a society raised on learning, education and rich culturaland social traditions.Within the Muslim ‘middle’ community, equitable and fair relationships arecultivated and regulated among all individuals and social groups in the community.Individual rights and liberties are guaranteed and protected in order to encourageinnovation, production and growth, in a manner that will serve the common goodwithout infringing upon the rights of the individual, or endangering society as awhole. Individual as well as collective rights and obligations are clearly defined toenable people to serve a society that will care for them and protect their rights andinterests.The Muslim community is also the middle nation geographically, because the partof the world where Islam first emerged, and which continues to represent the heart149