Pausing for a recap
INsights 057, Friday 20th September 2024
Pausing for a recap
INsights 057, Friday 20th September 2024
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I’ve had a splitting headache for the last couple of days. As a result, I haven’t been able to cobble together a fresh piece for this week’s INsights. Sorry!
In the circumstances, I thought it might be a good opportunity to pause for a recap.
I relaunched INsights at the end of June after a year long break. Since then I’ve written 12 pieces with the aim of highlighting crucial principles for us to adopt if we want to fulfil our mandate of building God-centred societies.
I’ve reviewed the first seven of them - which preceded the current mini-series on the topic of language - and I've extracted seven key passages which I’ve reproduced below. I hope you find this to be a beneficial summary.
In the spirit of reflection, it would be helpful for both of us if you were to reply or use the links at the bottom to share what you’ve learned and how you’ve benefited practically, it at all, from the INsights that you’ve been reading in recent weeks.
~ On being steadfast ~
For a star to be born, there is one thing that must happen: a gaseous nebula must collapse. So collapse. Crumble. This is not your destruction. This is your birth.
If you feel like you’re collapsing now, or at any time in the future, hold on.
You’re in God’s ultimate training programme, and as He says: “Remain mindful of God. God will teach you. God knows everything.” (2:282)
Just pay attention in His class. Ask the right questions. Persist, and you will prosper. After the mayhem, there will be miracles.
~ On our collective vision ~
I would propose an overarching vision to unite believers in any land as follows: a prosperous and harmonious society built on a unifying foundation of a profoundly simple and deeply faithful monotheism.
Working towards this outcome is what I understand to be the meaning of striving for God’s cause, the most noble of endeavours in which we are all invited to participate by our Lord.
This is the vision we should be communicating both internally and in public, and then substantiating it every single day with our individual and collective actions.
~ On facilitating guidance ~
Instead of being 4 million out of 70 million in Britain today, why can’t we be 20 out of 80 million by 2050, and 80 out of 100 million by 2100?
Hardly any of our leaders talk about this exciting possibility as an aspirational goal to inspire our efforts.
But this is all we should be talking about and losing sleep over.
Yes, guidance is in the hands of God. But it's our job to facilitate it.
We need to stop relying on our birthrate for our future growth. We need to stop functioning in survival mode. We need to stop being defeatist.
We have something – the only thing – to offer that can heal and transform our societies. For God’s sake, let’s start offering it.
Because when He asks us why we didn’t, we’ll have no excuses whatsoever.
~ On our public engagement ~
On the one hand there is the “insular Muslim community approach” which unfortunately continues to be our dominant one.
This involves prioritising advocacy for our needs as a community and pushing against the prejudices and injustices that we face. It is typified by an “us versus them” narrative, which usually comes across as quite negative and combative.
Crucially, this approach tends to remove any mention of God, faith or scripture in our public communication.
On the other hand there is the “universal God-first approach” which is what I’m suggesting would be far more authentic and effective.
This involves considering much more seriously the wellbeing of everyone in society, including ourselves. It is based on the realisation that our role is to promote monotheism alongside positive social and cultural change, thereby facilitating the straight path for as many people as possible.
It combines courage and compassion in bearing witness to God and in promoting goodness, in a way that is compelling and relevant to the context in which we live.
~ On the prophetic agenda ~
Of course the final messenger was sent to invite all people to believe in God. Of course he cared for all those around him.
Well that’s the thing: if it’s so obvious and if it was so central to the prophetic way, why does it feel like such a stretch, or so novel, or so secondary, to adopt this open approach ourselves, in our time, in our place?
It’s only because we’ve lost our true sense of purpose and become so used to convenient, insular, defensive thinking and action.
The exclusive pursuit of a narrow “Muslim community” approach to public engagement isn’t just inauthentic.
Despite being well-intended, it can even be damaging to the wonderful and inspiring prophetic agenda that we exist to continue promoting long after he passed away. Peace and blessings be upon him.
~ On belonging ~
When it comes to conveying the message of faith and initiating potentially revolutionary change based on the simple but profound truth of there being no god but the one God, the chances of acceptance and openness amongst the people are so much greater if there is a pre-existing trust, connection and relatability between the advocates and the audience.
Even then, it can be a terribly difficult task to persuade people of the truth as we well know from the sacred history revealed by God.
But without this authentic sense of belonging on the part of the believers, the task won’t just be difficult, it will be almost impossible.
Also, with a feeling of belonging comes a sense of responsibility, which is vital in helping us to keep going with the real task at hand even when we receive hurtful comments and have to deal with objections and animosity.
It’s only if we feel that we belong that we will care and fulfil our responsibility in striving for God’s cause, come what may.
~ On retaining perspective ~
The real danger of any kind of attack on us is not the near-term safety and security threats posed, serious as they may be and much as they have to be dealt with swiftly and appropriately.
The real danger would be for us to further internalise the psychology of victimhood, losing sight of the overall vision and mission of monotheism.
The real shame would be for us to forget that our ambassadorial role for God, truth, justice, prosperity and harmony is paramount.
The real tragedy would be for us to remain stuck in our own unhelpful ways, losing the opportunity to vastly improve our long-term public engagement and education methods once the dust has settled.
~~~
That's it for this week!
Next time I hope to resume the mini-series on the topic of language, God willing.
Until then.
Peace.
Iqbal
~~~
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Have a blessed week. I'll send you the next edition next Friday, God willing.
