The
Observatory

Now we know that the muslim deen,

the way of goodness,

ihsan,

can be seen throughout the muslim world,

lived within all the different cultures that it embraces,

and has embraced over history.

And in that world, each individual has lived their deen

as an individual choice of lifestyle

based on understandings drawn from the world around them,

and the deen can embrace all the endless range of variety

that is how humans perceive the unity of creation.

Creation may seem divided,

but the idea of good and bad is shared by all.

It is morality that shows we are united,

that all is one.

Are we doing good or bad

is with us whatever we are doing,

wherever and whenever we are doing it.

And the vast range of circumstances surrounding

each and every human thought and action

are all part of that infinite variety of creation,

so who is to say which expression of the deen

is correct for any individual.

The true shariah for any act can only be known to the individual,

which is why early scholars avoided passing judgement on people,

as that was God's prerogative.

So just because someone doesn't conform to a local style

doesn't mean that they aren't muslim,

as that is up to God,

and the variety of muslim styles around the globe

gives any individual a wide array of alternatives to choose from.

Especially when you realise

that all human cultural variety

is set in a historical context, over the years

giving another vast range of examples to follow.

Or on which to model a new personal lifestyle for the future.

Morality,

the understanding of good and bad

that underlies the choices that they make,

binds together the community of humanity.

Actions can be judged on whether they were

intended for the good of other people,

and whether those actions were being done as well as possible

to suit the circumstances.

And as both can only be known by God and the individual involved,

the way that you live your deen can only be up to you,

though of course in some way it will need to fit into

the context of the culture that surrounds you.

People become comfortable in their chosen lifestyle,

and rarely do they put aside the external signs

of how they like to think of themselves,

or how they want others to think of them.

But the Deen does have a reminder

that we all have to put away these things eventually,

when we are wrapped in cloth and put into our graves.

Each year muslims stand at 'Arafah

with all their worldly signs of individuality stripped away,

with even men's clothing replaced by the ihram of Hajj.

The peak of a muslim's individual spiritual life,

standing in a sea of similarity.

All One.