A Nice Way to Understand True Islam compared to Inherited Islam

In the name of the most loving and merciful (Allah)

In the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), the Muslims were those who consciously chose Islam for themselves. They made a deliberate decision to follow this path, fully aware of the difficulties and trials they would inevitably face. They embraced the deen not as a passive inheritance, but through active verification. They listened to the Messenger’s words, scrutinised them, and ensured they were true, rational, and sound.

They sought the truth with their own hearts and minds. Through this process, they came to recognise the profound logic of Tawheed (the Oneness of God), the compelling signs of Prophethood in Muhammad (pbuh), and the undeniable existence of the Creator. Then, and only then, did they make the conscious decision to believe. Some were brave enough to announce their faith and endure persecution, while others, though believing, kept it private out of fear. Not everyone is the same. But the core principle was the same: personal investigation and conviction.

Therefore, it’s clear that embracing Islam requires personal research (taḥqīq) and effort. This process of verification can be lengthy and is rarely easy. This is how true Islam is taken—this was the way of the Salaf (the righteous predecessors).

If you simply receive Islam as a ready-made, inherited package, how can you ever be sure your understanding is authentic and not distorted? We must undertake this process of verification ourselves. We might find that our inherited understanding is incomplete or even warped. The consequences of speaking up about a new, verified understanding can be severe; you might even be rejected by your community. So what do you do?

The courageous person is the one who, unconcerned with popular opinion, continues upon the new understanding they have verified for themselves. They bear the consequences because they know that Allah’s pleasure is found in following the truth, not in seeking the approval of people. Allah’s name is Al-Haqq (The Truth). Therefore, whoever sincerely searches for truth is, in essence, searching for Allah.

Those who do not seek the truth are content with blindly following their forefathers. Their condition may resemble that of the Arabs before Islam (Ahl al-Jāhiliyyah)—not necessarily disbelievers, but living in a state of ignorance (jahālah). Your role towards them is to offer gentle advice, even if they harshly criticise you. Make du’a for their guidance, not seek revenge or hastily declare them to be outside the fold of Islam. Perhaps Allah will guide them to seek the truth, just as He guided you. Beware of looking down on them; that is a trick of Shaytan. Instead, be a patient, well-wishing adviser to them, continue on your own path, and put your trust in Allah.

Now, suppose you find others who have also undertaken this research and arrived at a new understanding of Islam—one that differs slightly from your own. Here, I believe, you will find true brother/sisterhood. We should all be willing to learn from one another. The process of seeking knowledge is continuous, for only Allah possesses absolute, perfect understanding. We are all striving (mujtahid) when we think and research.

When you see mistakes in your brothers and sisters, advise them, but do so in a way they can accept—treat people according to their intellect and temperament. If a brother finds it difficult to accept advice, leave him be and maintain good company with him. In this way, you have fulfilled your duty while also benefiting from the knowledge they hold.

Perhaps more important than anything is our ability to accept differences amongst ourselves and maintain bonds of brotherhood and love within the vast house of Islam. We shouldn’t fall out with each other simply because we don’t agree on every single point. See the good in differing opinions; it teaches you mercy, acceptance of others, and how to coexist peacefully with those who hold different views. This is a beautiful and noble trait. Those who cannot coexist with differences are still at the beginning of their spiritual journey and need more time to learn. We make du’a for their guidance and maturity.

Summary: The Key Takeaways

· True Islam is a conscious choice. It is what you choose for yourself after personally researching and verifying the authentic understanding of Islam. It is not the passive acceptance of an inherited understanding without scrutiny.

· The state of inherited understanding can mirror the pre-Islamic era of ignorance (Jāhiliyyah), where people followed the path of their forefathers without verifying if it was truly correct and complete.

· Embrace the journey of verification. This path requires courage and patience. Do not fear doubt or confusion—they are natural parts of a sincere search for truth. Doubt is not kufr (disbelief); denial of clear truth is.

· Beware of those who use fear. Some may try to scare you away from questioning by warning you will fall into disbelief. This is often a tactic to keep you in a state of passive ignorance. Be brave, trust in Allah, and seek guidance from those who have sincerely researched.

· Accept respectful differences. True brother/sisterhood means coexisting and loving one another even when we have different scholarly opinions or understandings, so long as they remain within the boundaries of the faith.

This culture of critical thinking and personal conviction may feel missing today, especially the certainty about the Akhirah (Hereafter). This certainty requires the great effort of verification. We must remember that this life is merely a passage to the final abode, not something to become overly attached to. The journey isn't easy, but perseverance will bear fruit.

I have also seen communities that are afraid of critical thinking and reviewing ideas. They prefer to walk a rigid path with no room for questions, fearing they may slip into error. In my view, such people have weak faith in the strength of Allah’s guidance and their own God-given intellect. They are content with what they have and feel no need to verify further. This fear, often whispered by Shaytan, holds them back from reaching the highest ranks of Paradise. It is difficult to advise them, but we can make du’a for them and keep their company in kindness, especially if they are good-hearted but simply intellectually cautious. It may also be that they are doing the most yet can currently, so no problem inshallah. 

May Allah grant us all the courage to seek the truth, the humility to accept it, and the wisdom to live by it. Ameen.