Community, Justice, and Jihad Elements of the Muslim Historical Consciousness

Abstract

The Community
Islam is more than a Faith in the heart of every Muslim. It is also a source
of identity. The fundamental rites and devotions constituting its 'Pillars'
simultaneously confirm the faith of the individual and affirm the bonds of
Community. It is this symbiosis of Faith and Community that over time gave
rise to a Muslim historical consciousness. From it too stems the predilection
for an active social and political involvement on the part of Muslims as groups
and individuals.
The elements of this consciousness emanate from an Islamic world-view
and they have interacted in various situations and contexts to condition the
responses of Muslims throughout history. To explore these elements it is
essential to examine three basic concepts: Umma, 'Adl, and Jihad or respectively,
Community, Justice and the Just Striving. All three concepts are
embedded in the matrix of Tawhid and are interwoven and integrally related to
one another. In their context a Muslim group consciousness has been forged
for over a millenium. As such, they justly provide the parameters for
understanding Muslim history and forecasting the future of Islam in the
world.
Cornmunity/al'Umma: Legacy of Prophethood and
Vehicle of Muslim Consciousness
The Community in Islam is a purposeful entity composed of a group, or a
jamah whose members, by virtue of a common faith, way of life and sense of ...