booke

66chapter oneMuslim-Assenters in the sense that they naturally accept al-isl§m’sbeliefs and ethical values, even though they are shaped and articulateddifferently in each state and society. As for the practice of ritualsand belief in messengers, al-Êm§n, it is evident that they are(ethically) neither self-sufficient nor self-explanatory. They need tobe authenticated by the moral ethos of al-isl§m. It is our task toinform Arab Muslims about the real understanding of al-isl§m andtell them that they are not just followers of MuÈammad (ß) but thatthey are first and foremost Muslims, that is, assenters to God, as wehear in the following verse:And they say: “None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or aChristian.” Those are their (vain) desires. Say: “Produce your proof ifyou are truthful.” Nay, whoever submits His whole self to God and isa doer of good, he will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall beno fear, nor shall they grieve. ( Al-Baqara 2:111–12)It is our responsibility to advise people of the importance of ‘doingwhat is righteous’ and ‘doing what is fair and just’ and to tell themthat these are fundamental pillars of al-isl§m and al-Êm§n. EveryMuslim on this earth is called upon to fulfil this duty. It is the onlycriterion in judging a person’s righteousness. The gates and avenuesof ‘doing what is good’ are many and they will be kept open untilthe Day of Resurrection. Innovation and diversity in ‘doing what isgood’ is of high priority and will be rewarded by God because everythingthat is of benefit to His creation is registered with Him for alleternity.Second PrioritySecond on the list of priorities are the religious obligations of al-Êm§n(prayer, alms tax, fasting, pilgrimage), which are entrusted to themu"minån who follow the Prophet MuÈammad (ß). This does notmean—as we have said several times—that the religious obligationsare detached from al-isl§m and from ‘doing what is righteous’. It onlyimplies that they are particular obligations which do not enjoyuniversal validity or political significance. They are ritual obligationsthat do not permit alteration or diversity. Innovations—eitherby adding new rituals or removing old ones—are illicit acts (bid#a).In the realm of al-Êm§n, innovations are impudent and reprehensible.In the realm of al-isl§m, however, innovations are good andlaudable.