Modern Islam - Part 2

In Part 1 we looked at the five aspects of Islamic renewal, this time we look at the results of that renewal.

1. Muslims become more aware of who they are and in particular they get a ‘common’ religious identity. This provides a creed that emphasizes how different they are from others. This comes from awareness and acceptance of the Sharia and the Umma (the Muslim Nation)

2. It also pushes the development of political Islam. This is based in the events after circle 622 AD when Muhammad moved to Medina and from Prophet to judge and ruler. This then drives the change in Jihad from inner development to the defensive and offensive forms.

3. The results also provide the Dawa (Mission).

On the internal side this dawa or mission is found in the following:

This is the development of the Islamic consciousness e.g. what is Halal (allowed) and what is Haram (forbidden). Events like Ramadan (fasting) take on greater meaning and importance.

The development and expansion of the consciousness leads to the development of structure. These take the form of societies, i.e. Muslim societies, Muslim schools and other formal Muslim structures that emphasize difference.

These societies are then used to address the social elements outside of their own societies. The targets are the governments and a series of incremental changes some call the stealth jihad others Sharia creep.

If they do not get their own way then the ‘warfare’ elements emerge. Demonstrations, fighting and conflict as is now seen in places like Europe and the UK.

The above are examples of the internal dawa or mission.

In the final part the external dawa (mission) is considered.