◈ The Scope of Philosophy
Philosophy, by its nature, remains confined to the world of thought and theory.
✔ A philosopher draws conclusions from events but does not strive to change those events.
✔ Practical life, social struggles, and historical developments lie outside his direct engagement.
✔ His concern is intellectual interpretation, not transformative action.
◈ Religion: In Its Conventional and Limited Sense
In the commonly understood framework:
✔ Religion gives moral guidance to the individual, coupled with personal beliefs.
✔ However, it remains detached from broader social and political systems.
✔ It does not aim to transform the structure of society or challenge political systems.
✦ The Typical Features of Religion:
① Its message is limited to sermons and spiritual advice.
② It ignores the realities of its audience’s circumstances.
③ It does not analyze or counter the influence of social or political powers.
④ It promotes partial goodness, but lacks a vision for collective reform.
◈ Islam and the Role of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
✦ A Distinctive Model from Philosophy and Religion
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was neither a philosopher nor a mere preacher.
His mission was to bring comprehensive change in every aspect of life:
✔ Individual and collective reformation
✔ Political and social transformation
✔ Moral and civilizational renewal
He ﷺ:
✔ Identified the forces sustaining the status quo
✔ Attempted their reform, and
✔ When necessary, challenged them directly.
◈ Leadership and Strategic Struggle
✔ The Prophet ﷺ carefully analyzed each event and condition.
✔ He used strategic wisdom and political insight to advance his mission.
✔ He displayed patience and acted with foresight, choosing the right time for every action.
✦ His Actions Were Multifaceted:
① Inviting toward Islam, critiquing, and when needed, confronting.
② Fighting wars when required and making peace when opportunities arose.
③ Countering propaganda and shaping public opinion.
④ Using poets and orators to respond to verbal attacks from opponents.
◈ Organization and Training
The Prophet ﷺ sought out those who were naturally gifted and pure-hearted, and:
✔ Made them part of the Islamic movement
✔ Trained them thoroughly to face real-life challenges
These companions were:
✔ Brave, resolute, and insightful
✔ Self-respecting, active, and field-oriented
✔ Not reclusive mystics, but disciplined and organized under visionary leadership
◈ The Result: A Transformative Force
Under the leadership of the Prophet ﷺ:
✔ These individuals became an unshakable power.
✔ Despite being small in number, the Islamic movement shook the foundations of Arabia.
✔ In Makkah, a group of just 40 believers made their message resonate across the city.
✔ In Madīnah, a small minority laid the foundation of the first Islamic state, which became a model of civilizational revolution.
◈ The Fundamental Difference: Religion vs. Dīn al-Islām
✔ Religion, in its limited sense, is confined to personal reform.
✔ Dīn al-Islām is a dynamic, holistic system aimed at transforming society.
✔ The mission of the Prophet ﷺ was a comprehensive plan for total reform—spanning every field of life.
Through the Qur’an and the Prophetic life (Sīrah), Islam not only purifies the individual, but also lays the groundwork for civilizational transformation.
