The
Open
Road

Well, here we are again back at a Thruway for the Open Road,

but this time we have landed at Level 5

You see we've managed to think about a lot of stuff

since we started down the Open Road,

and now that we've reached the final level that may seem like that's it,

and that after this there's nowhere else to go.

Get through this level and we must know everything,

right?

Of course not.

Life isn't so simple that we can learn all about everything

before we do it,

and neither is the Deen.

Just like getting to the end of school,

it may feel like it's the end of learning stuff,

but it's really just the beginning.

For everything that we've looked at

plus whatever is still down the road at this level,

there are a hundred more things to be thought about.

For everything we've experienced and learned from so far,

there are a myriad more things yet to come.

So just because IZWAYZ comes to an end

doesn't mean we can let our brains stop working.

There are libraries of books to be read,

and not just the one attached to here.

There are wise people to consult,

and if they are worthy of consultation

they will be happy to be questioned and challenged.

Asking questions is how we learn,

and challenging answers is how we extend our knowledge.

We all come into this world in different places

and at different times,

and have to find our own ways to serve our Maker

and prepare ourselves to meet the Judge of our behaviour in the afterlife.

The road any one of us has to travel may need to be a straight path,

but when we set out from different places

all our straight paths will end up covering different terrain.

The Deen doesn't come as one size fits all,

or even one shape and style to suit everyone's taste.

The Deen is as vast and varied as humanity itself,

and each of us has to learn what we need to know,

but we are also free to study whatever interests us.

We are free to explore the Open Road

in whatever direction life takes us.

Of course, if there is somewhere we are trying to get to,

there is no chance of us getting there if we insist on always travelling in the opposite direction.

That's why we were sent the Message and the Messenger

for our guidance.

Life is a wonderful journey for us to explore,

and if we follow that guidance to the best of our knowledge and abilities,

God willing we shall achieve success,

peace and happiness.

But before we reach the end of this part of IZWAYZ

there are still a few more things to think about.

How do we achieve peace?

What do we mean by Taqwa?

Do we need to prove what we believe?

Why is it better to give charity and show mercy?

What's wrong with murder, sex, suicide and shirk?

What about marriage in the middle way?

How should we deal with those who disagree with us?