Islam As It Is
Islamic Society
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of the brick, not to destabilize the edifice, but to
consolidate it. It does not seek to fashion the
building after its own style, but rather moulds itself
to whatever shape will produce a strong and
durable structure.
What is required for such an Islamic society to come
into being? The answer is simply that people should
fear God. The secret of all good in this world is the
fear of God, while the absence of this fear is the root
of all evil. The companions of the Prophet used to
observe that “your greatest well-wisher is one who
fears God with regard to you.” Indeed, it is the truly
God-fearing man who is predisposed to treat others
well.
There can be no better rein upon an individual’s ac-
tions than the thought that God will one day call
him to account for his deeds. When one is on the
point of being overwhelmed by some animal
instinct, or one feels tempted to assert oneself at the
expense of others in some matter of honour,
prestige or vested interests, there is only one thing
which can keep such urges in check so that one does
not deviate from the path of justice, and that is the
