Egypt's new Constitution has scared many into thinking that there are plans afoot to turn Egypt into some sort of Iran-style Islamic state. Some of those opposed to the Constitution tried to make it appear that Islam was the real threat to Egypt. They even succeeded in making many believe that Islam itself is a direct threat to personal freedom and the rights of individuals. Maybe in the hands of the wrong people that might be so and it remains for politicians and others to ensure that this does not happen, but let us be quite clear that Islam itself is not the threat. The word “Islam" comes from an Arabic root word which means both surrender and peace. A “Muslim" is one who submits to the will of Allah. In doing so he finds both peace and fulfillment in this world and looks to eternal bliss in the Hereafter. This submission, though, does not destroy a person's own free will, nor does it take anything away from that person's faculties as a man or a woman. Submission is a continuous, positive choice. Islam teaches that each moment of each day Muslims are called to surrender their heart and their will to Allah. During Ramadan, for example, they restrain their bodies, fasting for the sake of Allah, and show their bodies that they are in control of their bodies, rather than the other way around. In submitting to Allah, Muslims even give up those bodily appetites from sunrise to sunset. Five times a day, Muslims prostrate themselves on the ground in a deliberate choice of praying as Allah has commanded. Many times during the day they declare that there is no God but Allah and that Mohammad (PBUH) is His Messenger. Muslims use a phrase which is essential to the very meaning of being Muslim. In anything they talk about, they preface it with insha'llah (if God wills). Even though they are thinking beings, they admit that nothing can happen unless Allah wills it to be so. The laws of physics tell us that the sun will come up tomorrow and that night will follow day, but Muslims believe that these things can only happen if Allah wills them to be so. Even though they know, for example, when the start of Ramadan will be for many years to come, according to astronomical calculations, Muslims still go out to look for the new moon. Ramadan will not start unless Almighty Allah wills it to start. In raising their children or loving their wives or husbands or serving their brothers and sisters in the community they have in mind the will of Allah. Islam urges Muslims always to do His will. Yet, it is most important for us to remember something. Almighty Allah chose to create us as men and women. He could have created us to be jinn or angels. He could even have created us as inanimate objects or as fishes in the depths of the sea, each praising and serving Allah in its own way. Yet, He made us men and women. As men and women we have feelings and appetites, given to us by our Creator. Surrendering to the will of Allah, then, does not mean that Muslims stop being human. We can submit to Allah and still have love in our hearts for the little baby that calls out to us. We can still submit to Allah and earn food for our families as a sign of the love we have for them. In Islam, there is no monastic tradition. It is not encouraged that men leave all things, as in other religions, and forsake the world to live a life apart. Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) was well aware of such traditions, as he was in contact with Christian holy men right from the start, but he chose not to encourage this way of life. Instead, the normal way of life for any Muslim is to marry and to have children and to work in this world. After a man has prayed in the mosque and discussed with his friends, he goes back home to his wife and children. It is normal, too, that in Islam imams are not looked up to as holy men, but as brothers highly respected in the community for their knowledge and for the uprightness of the lives. They earn their living like anyone else. Muslims revere scholarship and hold their scholars in esteem, but these scholars are men like anyone else. In Islam, there are no priests or popes or intermediaries between Allah and men. It is for each one to give an account of his deeds. There will be no one to intercede for him on the Day of Judgment, neither Al-Azhar nor anyone else. He must take responsibility for his actions in this world. So “surrendering to the will of Allah" must not be mistaken for surrendering our responsibilities in this world. When a man marries, he completes half of his religion. Marriage is not a distraction that prevents him from being a good Muslim or from serving Allah with all of his heart and soul. Marriage actually leads him to Allah. So, we must never confuse the message of Islam with the words of this or that Sheikh or this or that politician, no matter how important he may seem. Nor should Muslims look for a spirituality that diverts them away from who they really are. We are men and women, called to live and work in this world, and to find holiness and do goodness in our lives by the way we carry out our responsibilities. Weeping over the loss of a son is not a weakness that we should try to avoid. Desperately longing to be with our spouse after a period of enforced separation, perhaps because of travel, is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of manliness. One of the figures from British history who is admired immensely by many people is Sir Thomas More. He was the Chancellor of King Henry VIII and he was ultimately beheaded because he refused to give his vocal assent to the king's divorce so that the king could marry someone else. Just before he was beheaded, More spoke from the place of execution. “I am the King's good servant," he said, “but God's first." These words explain the place and the role of Muslims in this world. They should also explain the role of Islam in any future Egypt. Muslims live in this world, enjoying all its good things and celebrating all the blessings they receive each day. Ultimately, though, Allah is their final end. Islam is not a threat to personal freedom. It is, if understood properly, the guardian of it. There is neither strength nor power, save in Allah, they proclaim. Islam is not a threat to any country or to any person. In surrendering to His will Muslims are not denying their humanity. They are, instead, completing it. British Muslim writer, Idris Tawfiq, teaches at Al-Azhar University. The author of nine books about Islam, he divides his time between Egypt and the UK as a speaker, writer and broadcaster. You can visit his website at www.idristawfiq.com and join him on Facebook at Idris Tawfiq Page.
