As human society has evolved over the centuries with expansion of knowledge and interactions between cultures, there is a need to restate the teachings of Islam in terms that are relevant to the contemporary world. We make the following statement of principles for reforming Muslim life. We present them not as a fixed system of beliefs but as a guide for the progressive elements of Muslim society.
Islam’s message is eternal, aiming at the unification and perfection of mankind. In order to bring the power of Islamic teachings to succeeding generations we recognize the principle of progressive development in spiritual as well as cultural and social life. We welcome all truth, whether revealed, or discovered by scientific principles.
Human beings are the special creatures in whom God~Rs spirit has been placed. They have been made the Divine vicegerents in the world. Human beings are endowed with moral freedom and are charged with the responsibility of developing their faculties and contributing to the upliftment of the world.
The Quran preserves the revelations received by Prophet Muhammad as he pursued his mission of infusing goodness and sanctity in the Arab society of his time. Being a product of the historical process, many of Quran~Rs laws have lost their binding force with the passing of the conditions that called them forth. But as a depository of permanent ideals, the Quran remains the dynamic source of Muslim life. Each generation has the obligation to express the universal principles in the Quran, and in other teachings of Prophet Muhammad into rules of spiritual and social guidance that enhance, enrich and empower Muslims.
The Quran maintains that revelation is a continuous process, not confined to particular persons or ages. It emphasizes the essential unity of all monotheistic religions. Many of the historical anecdotes in the Quran are related to accounts in the Jewish and Christian scriptures. We seek wisdom and insight wherever it is found, through the Quran, other scriptures and in the teachings of the sages of all eras.
Conscious practice of the five pillars of Islam forms the basis of our lives. Faith, prayer, charity, fasting and pilgrimage are the cornerstones on which Muslim lives are built. The human spirit can be raised by these means to unlimited heights of personal fulfillment and actualization. We recognize that the effectiveness of prayer is determined by its purpose and depth and not by outward form. Worship and prayer can be expressed through an unlimited range of forms including art, music and poetry. The purpose of charity is to uplift those who need assistance and to make them self-sufficient.
Muslim social life is based on devotion to family. Each of us has the responsibility of creating a home where the principles of love, respect and faith are put into action and where equality of genders is manifested. We inculcate habits of a balanced life in which we seek the proximity of God through prayer and remembrance, expansion of intellect by continuous learning, vitality by practicing principles of good health, prosperity and self-sufficiency by attainment of wealth, accomplishment by excelling in professional life, and we seek to contribute by uplifting others, especially in the Muslim community.
We are loyal citizens of the country we reside in. We seek to actively contribute to the progress and enrichment of the society around us, by cooperating with all people in the spirit of mutual respect, tolerance and understanding. We believe that interpretations of Islamic history that seek to turn back the clock are misguided; instead, we recognize in the modern era of universal culture of education, science and technology an unprecedented opportunity to advance towards the Islamic ideals of justice, peace progress and prosperity for all.
Morality is an integral part of religion. Seeking the pleasure of God means to strive after fairness and goodness. Love of God is meaningless without love of His creatures. We emphasize the kinship of human race, the worth of each human life and the right of every individual to freedom in the pursuit of fulfillment and happiness. Women and men have the same rights in all social, civil and religious aspects of life, and human progress requires that they should have the same opportunities in developing their individual potentials. The diversity of race, culture and inclination among people is a divine gift that enriches our lives, and we seek unity while celebrating our diversity.
Copyright © 2002 by MRMO’s Board of Trustees.