Muslim Identity
\r\nThere is no true faith without understanding: for a Muslim, this means to understand both the sources (the Quran and the Sunna) and the context within which he or she is living. The responsibility of every Muslim is based on this twofold aspect of “understanding”: that is to develop, in concomitance, an “intelligence of the texts” and an “intelligence of the context” in order to find the way to remain faithful to the Islamic teachings. This has been the fundamental teaching of Islamic legal practice since the time of the Prophet, unceasingly kept up by the great scholars over the centuries. As such, Muslim identity is not closed, confined within rigid and fixed principles. On the contrary, it is based on a permanent, dynamic and dialectic movement between the sources and the environment, in order to find a way to live in harmony. This is why the development of intellectual skills is so important in Islam and, as such, partakes of the foundations of Islamic teachings. The Muslim cannot be satisfied with a hypothetical state of nature: to be a Muslim means to strive in order to increase one’s capacity, to seek tirelessly to know more, to such an extent that, in light of Islamic sources, we could state that, once the dimension of worship has been mentioned, “to be a Muslim is to learn”.
\r\nThe Muslim, having to act according to the Islamic teachings, should use this capacity to make choices between what is right and what is wrong, to find the best way to please God in whatever environment he finds himself. If it is plain that there is no choice without freedom, we have yet to add that there is no choice either without knowledge and, furthermore, comprehension. Choice and ignorance are antithetical words. Therefore the elements of Muslim identity which come immediately after faith and spirituality are comprehension based on knowledge and choice relying on freedom. Together they constitute the dimension of responsibility. Muslim identity is thus defined through an active and dynamic intelligence requiring knowledge, freedom and a sense of responsibility.
\r\n Compiled From:
\r\n \"To Be A European Muslim\" - Tariq Ramadan