If the Oceans Were Ink

1. Islam emphasizes reason and reflection, not blind faith

"Use your reason, then you will gain faith."

Reason and faith intertwine in Islamic thought. The Quran repeatedly calls on believers to observe, think, and reflect on the world around them. This emphasis on intellectual engagement stands in contrast to popular misconceptions of Islam as a faith demanding blind obedience.

• The Quran contains numerous verses urging contemplation:
  • On the creation of the heavens and earth
  • On the alternation of night and day
  • On the diversity of languages and colors among humans

Scientific inquiry is encouraged, with many early Muslim scholars making significant contributions to mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and other fields. The Islamic golden age saw advancements in knowledge that later influenced European Renaissance thinkers.

2. The Quran encourages diversity and tolerance, not rigid dogma

"For each of them We have established a law, and a revealed way. And if God wished, God would have made you a single nation; but the intent is to test you in what God has given you. So let your goals be everything good."

Pluralism is divinely ordained according to the Quran. This verse acknowledges that God intentionally created diversity among peoples and their ways of life. Rather than mandating a single, rigid interpretation of faith, the Quran presents this diversity as an opportunity for mutual understanding and competition in good deeds.

The concept of "no compulsion in religion" (2:256) further reinforces Islamic tolerance. Early Muslim societies were often characterized by relative religious freedom, with Jewish and Christian communities coexisting under Muslim rule. While historical practice hasn't always lived up to this ideal, the Quranic basis for pluralism remains a powerful counter to extremist ideologies.

3. Islamic scholarship has a rich history of women's contributions

"I do not know of another religious tradition in which women were so central, so present, so active in its formative history."

Women scholars shaped early Islam. Sheikh Akram Nadwi's research uncovered thousands of female hadith scholars, jurists, and teachers throughout Islamic history. These women played crucial roles in preserving and interpreting religious knowledge.

Examples include:

• Aisha, wife of the Prophet, who transmitted over 2,000 hadith
• Umm al-Darda, a 7th-century jurist who taught in Damascus and Jerusalem
• Fatima al-Bataihiyyah, a 14th-century scholar who taught in Medina

This historical legacy challenges modern restrictions on women's religious education and leadership in some Muslim societies. It provides a strong argument for greater inclusion of women in contemporary Islamic scholarship and institutions.

4. Muslims can practice their faith while living in secular societies

"Islam is not a property. It's not your identity. Don't think that if someone laughs at you, you have to explain yourself. We are more interested in defending our belonging, our identity, than in the Prophet. Don't think about identity! Think about good character!"

Integration without assimilation is possible for Muslims in non-Muslim societies. Sheikh Akram emphasizes focusing on personal piety and good character rather than outward displays of religious identity. This approach allows Muslims to be active, contributing members of secular societies while maintaining their faith.

Key points:

• Participate in civic life and contribute to the common good
• Focus on developing inner virtues rather than enforcing external rules
• Seek common ground with non-Muslims through shared values
• Use reason and kindness in interactions, not confrontation

5. The Prophet Muhammad's life exemplifies compassion and justice

"The Prophet is not calling people to get power, or to establish an Islamic government. He's teaching them one thing: to follow the plan of their Creator and to save people from the fire of hell."

Muhammad as ethical exemplar, not just political leader. While much popular discourse focuses on Muhammad's role as a statesman and military commander, Sheikh Akram emphasizes his primary mission as a teacher of spiritual and ethical truths.

Examples of Muhammad's compassion and justice:

• Forgiveness of enemies upon conquering Mecca
• Equal treatment of followers regardless of social status
• Kind treatment of animals and respect for nature
• Emphasis on charity and care for the poor and orphans

Understanding Muhammad's life in this light provides a model for Muslims to prioritize ethical conduct and spiritual growth over political power or rigid enforcement of rules.

6. Islamic teachings promote gratitude and mindfulness in daily life

"Every cup of tea depends on the whole universe being there. For the tea to exist, it needs the sun and the moon. It needs the earth to be there. He made water, He made the container to hold it, He made the leaves to grow. When we were born, everything was there, just waiting for us. Every cup of tea depends on the whole universe."

Cultivating awareness of blessings is central to Islamic spirituality. The Quran frequently calls on believers to reflect on God's signs in nature and in their own lives. This practice of mindfulness and gratitude can transform mundane experiences into opportunities for spiritual growth.

Islamic practices that foster mindfulness:

• Five daily prayers, orienting one's attention to God throughout the day
• Ritual purification before prayer, bringing awareness to the body
• Fasting during Ramadan, increasing consciousness of one's dependence on God
• Recitation and contemplation of Quranic verses

7. Death and the afterlife are central to Islamic worldview

"Your life is governed by death. The next world is our destination. This one is for travel."

Consciousness of mortality shapes Islamic ethics and spirituality. The Quran frequently reminds readers of death's inevitability and the coming Day of Judgment. This emphasis is not meant to instill fear, but to inspire reflection on one's actions and ultimate purpose.

Key concepts:

• Life as a test or trial, preparing one for the afterlife
• Accountability for one's deeds before God
• Paradise and hell as ultimate consequences of one's choices
• Death as a return to God, completing the cycle of existence

This perspective encourages believers to prioritize spiritual growth and ethical conduct over worldly accumulation or status.

8. Jihad has been misinterpreted; its true meaning is spiritual struggle

"The real jihad is when you grow up in a place like this. You want to be a real man and fight the real fight? You try being a good Muslim when you're in a place with naked women, with miniskirts, with casinos and guns."

Inner struggle takes precedence over external conflict in Islamic teaching. While "jihad" is often misunderstood to mean holy war, its primary meaning is the effort to overcome one's own ego and base desires. This internal struggle is considered the "greater jihad" in Islamic tradition.

Types of jihad:

• Jihad against the self (nafs)
• Jihad with knowledge and intellect
• Jihad with wealth (through charity)
• Jihad with the hand (good deeds)
• Physical fighting (only as a last resort, with strict ethical guidelines)

Understanding jihad in this broader sense challenges both extremist interpretations and Islamophobic stereotypes.

9. Cultural practices often diverge from core Islamic principles

"Culture. All culture."

Distinguishing tradition from religion is crucial for understanding Islam. Many practices associated with Islam in popular perception are actually rooted in specific cultural contexts rather than religious requirements. Sheikh Akram frequently emphasizes the need to separate cultural accretions from core Islamic teachings.

Examples of cultural practices often mistaken for Islamic requirements:

• Face veils (niqab) for women
• Gender segregation in all public spaces
• Arranged marriages
• Restrictions on women's education or employment

Recognizing this distinction allows for a more flexible and universally applicable understanding of Islamic principles, freed from specific cultural constraints.

10. Islam values both individual piety and social responsibility

"Islam is not an idea. It is a history."

Balancing personal and communal dimensions of faith is essential in Islamic practice. While individual spiritual development is crucial, Islam also emphasizes the believer's responsibilities to family, community, and society at large.

Key aspects of social responsibility in Islam:

• Caring for parents and relatives
• Giving charity (zakat) to the poor
• Promoting justice and speaking against oppression
• Contributing positively to one's society, regardless of its religious makeup
• Treating neighbors and strangers with kindness

This holistic approach to faith challenges both purely individualistic spirituality and overly politicized interpretations of Islam that neglect personal ethical development.

Last updated: January 25, 2025