Editorial

The Framework of an Ideal Society

Building connections, building trust, building a home, and building a family—the social aspect of human life has complex stages that are often attributed to the marvelous human nature that allows us to unite our lives with others with a noble, dignified purpose. Our efforts in this life to surround ourselves with people take incredibly delicate work that requires a more sensitive and meticulous approach than surrounding ourselves with walls. Finding emotional shelter within the warmth of a family is no less essential than finding physical refuge under a roof. Yet every day, we see marriages fall apart and parents and children living their lives scattered and broken up into erratic reunions. The failure of such a vital bond takes a toll on everyone involved on multiple levels.

The disparity between our expectations, dreams, and plans for the future and the twists and turns of our lives might often seem like the greatest source of disillusionment we feel. The real issue, however, is a matter of alignment; our failure to align our goals with the ideals outlined by the Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) leaves us straggling, unable to reconcile the life we lead with the direction our life leads us in. Shaping our lives with this awareness entails drawing lines where they should be drawn to separate the legitimate from the excessive, the compassionate from the merciless, and the repentant from the remorseless. Family life is no different in this regard. We all have aspirations but we need to temper them with an ever-present mentality of Muslim ideals to guide ourselves and our families towards a life of moderation balanced between this world and the next. 

This path is set with such finesse that, when the methods are applied as required, everything we do to earn our place in this world becomes an act that goes towards earning our place in Jannah under the merciful gaze of Allah. Nourishing our families with the knowledge of Islam as well as the blessings Allah has bestowed upon us in this world—this is the fine line we all must walk. May Allah grant us success in this endeavor and preserve our families.

I hope to see you in the August issue inshallah.

M. Galip Dönmez