The worships that have been decreed in Islam and which has been included in the basic pillars of the faith are not some mystic exercises that link man with unknown mysterious being and which subjects people to perform useless acts and meaningless movements and ceremonies.
The word community has acquired certain connotations, some of which are romantic and nostalgic, some derogatory and reactionist.
The message of Islam is also not restricted to a particular place, people, or class. It addresses all nations, races, people and classes. In Islam there is no nation or people who can claim that they are the “chosen people” and that all others should be subjected to them.
It’s one of the greatest sins and yet it’s something we do day after day. Sometimes we don’t even realise it. You’re just chatting away with your friends and you begin to talk about somebody else.
We can strive, we can plan, make decisions, we can move, but we cannot guarantee the results of any of our acts. If we get successful, then this is a blessing from Alláh for which we should be thankful and grateful.
Taqwa is therefore a concept having to do with the remembrance of Alláh, fearing Alláh, protecting ourselves form His wrath of Alláh.
It is a reality that none of us is perfect. We all have some weaknesses and shortcomings and we find ourselves committing sins out of ignorance or out of submission to our desires and whims.
The new substitute for Antisemitism is resurgent in formerly Nazi regions as well. In Austria, the currently-triumphant Freedom Party seems no less mistrustful of the Muslim presence…
