QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT MAS METHODOLOGY
Mission Statement
To Move People to Strive for God-Consciousness, Liberty and Justice, and to Convey Islam with Utmost Clarity.
Vision Statement
A Virtuous and Just American Society.
What is MAS?
MAS is a Islamic American movement for comprehensive reform, gradual reform of our society to make it just, prosperous, and morally sound. MAS’s mission statement is “I only desire (your) betterment to the best of my power” [11:88].
MAS is a response to Allah’s Call and an echo of the message of the Prophet. “let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: they are the ones to attain felicity” [3:104].
It is a pioneer and leading grass roots movement with long history, comprehensive programs, and extensive network of chapters and regional offices/centers across America (3D). MAS operation/work is Godly, principled, transparent, legal, and independent.
MAS Approach to Reform: Reform how? (what is MAS approach to reform?)
Reaching out to and engaging all components of the society (people, systems, laws, norms, policies, media, civic society, religious community)
to educate the public (Dawa), advocate just causes, and work for the common good (enjoining that which is good and forbidding that which is evil; determining and advocating the Islamic position on issues and events
). For individuals, outreach means cultivating relationships (with neighbors and colleagues,…) and participating in the civic society (including political participation). For organizations (including Islamic Centers), it means serving the larger community and building coalitions.
Indeed, the mission of Islam is built on two pillars: Dawa and Islah:
- Reforming/transforming people through Dawa and Tarbiya (for those who respond to the call).
- Reforming/changing everything else (systems, laws, and norms) through enjoining good and forbidding evil, using relevant discourse (determining and advocating the Islamic position on issues and events).
What is movement, and why? Why comprehensive?
A movement is a group of people with a mission, an identity/ideology, a methodology, a vision, a structure, and a leadership. An organization has a limited objective and no distinguishing identity or ideology. The level of commitment is another difference between membership in MAS and membership in any other organization.
Why movement/Jamas?: It is a mandate and a necessity?
This huge task requires collective and organized work (Jamaa) that coordinates, streamline, and unify individual efforts. But establishing (or belonging) to a Jamaa is not only a necessity. It is a mandate and the Prophet’s way. Indeed, at the time of the Prophet (PBUH), it was well understood that declaring shahada meant both embracing Islam and joining the Jamaa led by the Prophet. In other words, it was well understood that the Prophet had a dual role: a messenger and a leader. And when he passed away, all his privileges as a leader were transferred to Abu Bakr. That’s why Muslims were united despite their differences. What kept them together was the concept of brotherhood, and a system of consultation and obedience. Echoing the Prophet methodology, MAS devised a mechanism that nurtures brotherhood and a system that ensure consultation and obedience. Our belief/reverence of unity (next only to faith/Iman) goes beyond our Jamaa to encompass all Muslims and extends even to all people of conscience following the golden rule of “ “. Indeed, by focusing on action and the common ground away from divisive issue and theoretical argumentation, our approach is a unifying approach and has the potential to unify Muslims and build bridges with the people of conscious to work for the common good and for a better world. Also, what helps unifying Muslims is the fact that we rely exclusively on Quran and Sunnah as ultimate references, and we believe that everything else needs to be checked against those two sources. That’s why we tolerate differences both in our ranks and in dealing with other Muslims who do not defy clear-cut teachings of Islam.
In summary:
- Unity is an Islamic mandate, and the movement/Jamaa is the mechanism to ensure that unity (despite differences) and the nucleus/seed of that unity
- This is the way of the Prophet who spread the message, nurtured those who responded to his call, and blended his followers into one Jamaa under one leadership through brotherhood and the concept of shura and ta’aa. This structure/system continued after his death (pbuh).
- Organized/collective work is a necessity given the scope of the mission of universal Dawa and comprehensive reform.
Why comprehensive?
Because we understand Islam as
- A comprehensive way of life that regulates all of its aspects.
- A mission to bring the whole world (the reality) in line with Allah’s Design/Will, by taking His message to everybody and advocating Islamic values, systems, and solutions.
MAS Methodology?
Because we believe that “Allah will never change the conditions of a people until they change themselves”, MAS work/methodology/approach (to reform) is centered around:
- Personal development (Tarbiya) which is a comprehensive and continuous process, and
- Organized/collective work (Jamaa) that coordinate, streamline, and unify individual efforts in all spheres and on all fronts:
o Development:
§ Personal development
§ Community development
o Outreach:
§ Dawa (public education)
§ Islah (enjoining good and forbidding evil, standing up for justice, working for the common good.
What is Tarbiya?
Tarbiya is a systematic, comprehensive (all aspects of the personality: spiritual, intellectual, moral, social, physical, etc), and continuous program of character development to prepare the individual to carry the mission: live, spread (Dawa), and advocate Islam (reforming the society), both individually and collectively. It is MAS’s way of preparing members and potential members to be not only a good Da’iya and activist, but also a disciplined member of a team (Jamaa) of Du’aat and activists (servant/leader). Tarbiya is a process of equipping the individual with the faith, character, knowledge, and skills necessary to carry the mission. The goal is to develop good example/model, good messenger, good advocate of Islam, and a disciplined/effective member of a team (Jamaa) of Du’aat and activists/reformers (servant/leader).
Tarbiya aims at rooting the faith, purifying the soul, expanding and refining knowledge/understanding, developing and refining all aspects of character, boosting the commitment, building skills, and instilling the discipline necessary to conduct a successful, fulfilling, meaningful, and balanced life of learning, virtue, commitment, and service of Islam and humanity.
Tarbiya aims at instilling the passion to worship…the desire to serve…the drive to learn, grow, and excel…the skills/character to lead…the discipline of teamwork…a burning sense of mission…an encompassing sense of responsibility.
Tarbiya is a mechanism of shaping/constructing the thought process of members and potential members, develop their character, and forge unity by joining their minds and hearts (instilling a clear and common mission, mutual understanding, brotherhood: acquaintance and solidarity). It is a process of personal development and team building. The success of the Tarbiya process is vital to the health and strength of the Jamaa.
As a process/mechanism of preparing the individual and the Jamaa to carry a particular mission in a particular reality, Tarbiya must be relevant to the mission and the reality. The knowledge provided should be structured, profound/deep, broad, and practical. The focus should be on shaping minds and empowerment (useful knowledge and skills) not on quantity of information and material covered. People have to be taught the skills of critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, not flooded with information to be memorized. To do that, the naqeeb need to be constantly broadening and refining his knowledge, so that he/she can encapsulate it for students, as the prophet did with his followers. The character aspect is to be instilled/acquired by example and by practice (till it becomes second nature). So, Tarbiya is essentially the responsibility of the individual both for the member and for his/her naqeeb. The Jamaa offers curriculum and the setting where everyone improves himself/herself and impact others. That’s why the social aspect of Tarbiya is important. Indeed, one of the main objectives of Tarbiya is to forge meaningful relationships between members and their families so that they will have a chance to live a collective Islamic life and provide a model for communal life and the seed/nucleus for an Islamic community/society. Tremendous work is needed to shift the Tarbiya paradigm towards Tarbiya by objective and by example, a Tarbiya that is measured by its impact on all aspects of the individual and collective life.
Basis for Tarbiya?
Tarbiya is the way of the prophet who nurtured those who responded to his call and blended then into one Jamaa. The prophet himself was prepared for his mission through Tarbiya, and he was sent as a Murabbi “it is He Who has sent amongst the unlettered a messenger from among themselves, to rehearse to them His Signs, to purify them, and to instruct them in the Book and Wisdom” [62:2]. He (pbuh) summarized his mission by saying “I was sent but to perfect the manners of people”.
Tarbiya is the secret behind the miracle of the early days of Islam. The only explanation for changing the course of history and the face of earth in a short period of time at the hands of people, who were short in number and in money, was the belief and the quality/character of those people, which was the result of the Tarbiya.
Inspired by the Prophet’s approach, MAS prepares its members and potential members through its rigorous and diverse Tarbiya program, and blend them into one Jamaa under one leadership through the concept of Consultation (Shura) and Obedience (Ta’aa).
What are the characteristics of MAS’ understanding of Islam (Ideology)?
MAS members’ understanding of Islam is also characterized by being comprehensive, balanced, moderate, dynamic, and positive. Islam not only encompasses all aspects of life, but also strikes a beautiful balance between all these aspects (the constants and the variables, the spiritual and the mundane; the spiritual, the intellectual, and the physical; politics and morals; business and ethics; Fiqh, Ibadat, Tarbiya, Dawa, and activism; the political, social, economical). It does not focus only one aspect nor overemphasizes one aspect at the expense of others. It is a moderate and simple religion of innate nature (Fitrah). Our understanding of Islam does not call for isolation or Takfeer or confrontation. It is dynamic and positive because it calls for engaging the reality by mandating Dawa and Islah (enjoying good and forbidding evil), and by sanctifying a number of relationships/connections centered around kindness/compassion (parents, family relationships, cousins, neighbors, everyone who is need of help).
- Godly: (Ar-Rabbaniyyah)
o Establishing and maintaining a strong connection with Allah and trying to reconnect people and the whole world with Allah. People hurt themselves and hurt each other when they are disconnected from Allah, and deviate from His Path.
- Universal: (Al-Insaniyah)
o Islam is Allah’s last Message to all humankind. Indeed, all people have one origin, form one brotherhood, belong to one family. They don’t distinguish themselves except by righteousness and their contribution to the common good and the well being of humanity. “O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye many despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.” [49:13]
- Comprehensive:
o Islam is a complete system that regulates all aspects of life
- Balanced:
o Need to strike balance between all dimensions of life and all aspects of Islamic work. No aspect should be blown out of proportion at the expense of others
- Moderate:
o Islam is the religion of innate nature (fitrah) and moderation (wasatiyah). It shuns all kinds of extremism. Almost every Islamic manner is a middle course between two extremes
- Dynamic & positive:
o We don’t believe in isolation or confrontation with the society. Instead we believe in reaching out to, and engaging all components of the society.
- Unifying:
o Our belief/reverence of unity (next only to faith/Iman) goes beyond our Jamaa to encompass all Muslims and extends even to all people of conscience following the golden rule of “We cooperate when we agree and we excuse each other when we disagree”.
o By focusing on action and seeking the common ground away from divisive issue and theoretical argumentation, our approach is a unifying approach and has the potential to unify Muslims and build bridges with the people of conscious to work for the common good and for a better world.
Membership in MAS?
MAS members are American Muslims who are striving to learn/understand, apply, spread, and advocate Islam and its values, solutions and systems in the service of the common good. We believe in the individual and collective obligation of Dawa and enjoining good and forbidding evil, and that this requires Tarbiya and organized work.
- Understanding Islam: we are constantly trying to improve, refine, broaden, and deepen our understanding of Islam in order to be good examples, good messengers, and good advocates of Islam
- Living Islam: we are constantly trying to live Islam in its totality, by strengthening our connection with Allah, renewing our Iman, purifying our souls, perfecting our Ibadat, and aligning everything we do (all aspects of life) with the teachings of Islam. That’s self-purification and self-development, and that’s how we develop viable models of Islamic life at all levels (individual, family, community, and society)
- Spreading Islam: we believe in the obligation of Dawa, because Islam is Allah’s Last and Universal Message. It was sent to all people and all times. And it is the duty of every Muslim to take the message of Islam everywhere he/she can.
- Advocating Islam: we also believe in the obligation of enjoining good and forbidding evil (Islah), and therefore contributing to a better society and better world. This is because we believe that Islam serves the best interests of all people in this life and in the hereafter. So, whatever Allah the All-knowing and the All-Wise has prescribed is beneficial and whatever He has forbidden is harmful. And there is no way out of the current mess in the world, except through Islam and its values, solutions and systems.
Anyone who believes in MAS mission and methodology can join MAS. MAS has an open/associate membership. Any other level of membership (adjunct, regular, active) requires mutual agreement between the chapter and the potential member (invitation and acceptance) after the potential member complete a Tarbiya program. The criteria for recruitment are understanding, character, and commitment.
MAS Institutions & Departments:
1. MAS Freedom Foundation
– Fulfilling the Islamic mandate to "enjoin good and forbid evil" by mobilizing, organizing, and empowering our community for effective civic engagement and advocacy through civic education, training, and coalition building. Thus providing a better society for ourselves, children and all Americans.
2. Islamic American University
– Systematic promotion of Islamic knowledge for all members of the community, and grooming future scholars with relevant in-depth knowledge through distance learning, class room teaching, and resident scholarship programs.
3. MAS Council of Islamic Schools (MASCIS)
– Enhancing and standardizing the performance of our schools through networking, evaluation, training, and curriculum development.
4. MAS Youth
– Giving roots, nurturing, and establishing organized and efficient, movement oriented, Islamic work amongst all segments of young men and women based on the comprehensive understanding of Islam. The mission of MYD is to develop, through knowledge and practice, committed Muslim young men and women capable of spreading and giving root to the comprehensive understanding of Islam, and to prepare them to be at the forefront in the development of their communities.
6. Tarbiya Department (the human resources development for MAS):
– Equipping MAS members and potential members with the proper understanding, the character, the commitment/discipline, and the skills necessary to fulfill the mission, and blending them in a harmonious family and an effective team.
7. MAS Outreach Department (Media, Community Services, Public Education (Dawa))
– Engaging all segments/components of the society and empowering the community with proper material and skills to be civically engaged. The department’s motto is ‘education through participation’.
8. MAS Quran Institute
– Preserving the Qur’an and the Arabic language by aiding children to memorize the Qur’an and master the Arabic language, in addition to teaching Islamic faith and values/manners.
9. MAS Scouts
– Personal development for children and young youth, teaching them religion besides other necessary traits and skills like discipline, teamwork, responsibility, self-reliance, self-confidence, and leadership skills.
10. Regional Conventions:
– Islamic days gathering large number of people with scholars, experts, and leaders addressing religious and contemporary issues. This is a great opportunity to learn, socialize, and get trained and involved.
11. MAS Service Corps
– MAS Service Corps (MSC) is the charity and volunteer arm of the Muslim American Society (MAS)