That this is indeed a very encouraging development, this is for sure. However, it is helpful also to take note that zealousness should not supersede wisdom. The swing to the extremes, be it towards spirituality, or intellectuality, or materiality, can have its own setbacks too. Indeed, the extremes of spirituality can be as detrimental to the wholesomeness of a person as any other forms of extremes, for in truth, extremities are actually forms of intoxication and obsession. Thus as noted, However, the re-entry of religion back into mainstream social life should be done with care and wisdom for otherwise the uninitiated society may swing to the far end of spirituality and religiosity, to become extremists of sorts. Indeed, the very reason why modern society threw off religion from their lives in the past was because extremists of religion had created a state of suffocation for society, itself causing psycho-spiritual problems in society.

Because of the unhappy experiences of many modern western societies with religion and the religious institutions of the past, the selection of religion today will be given much thought, no more accepting the religions at face value. It is not surprising therefore that many among the seekers of religion in the West come in and out of religions, feeling their ways around, so to speak, before they finally settle in their chosen religion. It is therefore advisable to look into the type of religion or spirituality that will attract and appeal to modern seekers of religion today.

If religion is to make a comeback, it should be a religion that fits into the tempo, the mood and the needs of contemporary time, that can make a person feel comfortable and fulfilled in life and with life. Because of this, religions that feed on a sense of guilt and fear will not be able to spread in contemporary time because contemporary society does not fear threats anymore and what more threats of something they have no certain knowledge about. Neither can religions that are too doctrinal and dogmatic be accepted for the simple reason that contemporary people are not into doctrines and dogmas, and will be confused rather than enlightened by winded arguments. Religions that are too mythical, illusive and romantic too cannot capture the interest of modern minds which have become more rational and straightforward rather than mythical, illusive or romantic. Likewise religions that are all focused on laws and regulations too will not find a sympathetic audience in a world that is anti-establishment and anti-regulations. Religions with complicated and taxing rituals and rites too will not be favored by a society that prefers simplicity and easy life. Religions that are issue-oriented and localized in focus too will not appeal to the open society which is going global by the day. Within these considerations, Islam indeed can be very well accepted by contemporary society because Islam does not, or is not, any of these.

Although Islam can be well accepted by the modern world, yet the prejudices around Islam and Muslims are so thick and deep, so much so that in general the modern West is ever ready to believe the worse rather than the better about Islam and Muslims, and in most cases information is not checked out as to the accuracy or authenticity of it. Nevertheless, there are also some among the non-Muslims of the West who take it upon themselves to explain Islam in good lights, and it is to the credit of the modern western culture that the people want to listen despite their resentment against Muslims and Islam. Still, Muslims also need to explain Islam in a way that makes good sense to the Westerners.

However, for Islam to gain global acceptance than Islam need to be introduced unto the global setting through its universal aspects and ever contemporary paradigm sets, with answers to the needs of contemporary society, with volume and weight that can fill up the spiritual void and address the socio-psychological problems and attend to the psycho-spiritual needs of contemporary society. Furthermore, if Islam is to withstand the surges of the global tide, then it has no choice but to have global existence and presence for if otherwise, the global tide will wash up all the alien culture onto its shore causing confusion of sorts within the Community Ummah (أمة). In other words, Islam needs to be part of the global tide, spreading the Islamic culture along the shores to other lands too. Moreover, Islam has indeed to have global existence and roots for the simple reason that it is indeed a universal and an ever contemporary religion. To make it otherwise is to reduce its status and character. Although Islam is indeed the religion of the Muslims, yet its teachings are applicable to one and all, human and non-human alike, to benefit all in different ways.  

We (Allah) sent you not, but as a mercy for all creatures. Today, the social landscape of the West has changed tremendously. There are almost as many foreigners in every state in the Western countries as there are the locals. Many among these foreigners are Muslims, and some have even become citizens of their new homeland. Moreover, many among these Muslims, especially the new immigrants, come from various Muslim countries and their entry into the new homeland is such a disorientation, to say the least about it; a real cultural shock, no doubt. They keep to their own culture, for what else can they do since that is all that they know of and that was how they have lived all their lives. Change is always difficult for whoever it may be; very difficult indeed.

Nevertheless, these Muslims need to be conscious and to appreciate the fact that they are seen as the representatives of Islam and the Muslims and their actions and words will either fall well or badly on Islam and the Muslim Community al-Ummah (ﺍﻟأمة) in these countries. Thus, their very persons are al-da’wah (ﺍﻟﺪﻋﻮﺓ) and they should therefore be wise in every way, in line with the mandate of doing al-da’wah (ﺍﻟﺪﻋﻮﺓ) with wisdom da’wah bi al-Íikmah (الدعوة بالحكمة).
If Islam is to function as a truly universal religion, then it should be able to blend into the local culture of whatever state it resides in, as it is, without foregoing the teachings and guidelines of the religion. Indeed Islam is inclusive in nature and the Islamic laws give room for local customs to be embodied into it. By general definition, Islamic culture is a culture that comprises of everything that does not contradict or is not in conflict with the Islamic teachings and guidance. That Islam had become and was taken into the local cultures throughout its history are obvious facts which are very much alive and very fresh even today. Thus, in the old days when Islam came to the Malay world, it developed the Malay Muslim culture, to China it set up the Chinese Muslim culture, to India it shaped the Indian Muslim culture, to Persia it formed the Persian Muslim culture, to Africa it produced the various African Muslim cultures, and the same too with regard to other parts of the world. Therefore in these countries Islam became part of the local cultures and identities, giving to them as well as taking from them, and thus evolving a character of its own.

Likewise should it be so today. As Islam finds home in the western countries, so should it develop the Western Muslim culture in the West. This is not only for practical purposes since each country has its own type of climate and environment, but also each country has its own history which developed its own sensitivities and way of life, its own culture. As guests, respect for the hosts is an essential etiquette al-ÉdÉb (الآداب) of Islam. Furthermore, evolving a culture that blends with the local features, that observes the local laws, that respects the local sensitivities, that appreciates the local norms and values, and that honors the local hosts without discarding and disregarding the Islamic teachings, reflects not only the adaptability and the graciousness of Islam but also indicates to the loyalty and the spirit of citizenship of the Muslims towards their new mother country. Moreover, the new generations born in the new mother country will feel and develop a deeper sense of belonging to both Islam and the new motherland and will be able to identify with both without the disorientation and confusion of cross cultural conflicts between that of the former culture and that of the present one. Also, the Muslims will feel themselves as part of the new motherland and will take into their hearts the concern as well as the excitement of their new country, contributing sincerely and wholeheartedly toward the stability, the well-being and the healthy growth of their new homeland. As how they accept and relate to others, so too will they be accepted by other people, for indeed relationship and friendship are reciprocal by nature.

As stated, Islam need not only be seen in the best light, but it ought also to be explained and communicated to others, especially Westerners, in the best light too. Thus communication techniques need to be given ample thought and consideration.

The more the resentment and the confusion there is about Islam, the more the need for Muslims to explain the religion in the wisest and the clearest possible way, not to be apologetic about it, nor confrontational, but to be truthful. The apologetic approach is actually a form of hypocrisy and at the end of the day people will see how shallow the apologists are and likewise how unreliable their explanations are too. The confrontational and antagonistic approaches will only distant people away rather than bring them closer to Islam and so they can never learn the truth about Islam. Not only the teachings and tenets of Islam need to be explained and clarified, but even more relevant and helpful are the psycho-spiritual dimensions of Islam that can help overcome psychological-related problems such as drug addictions, alcoholism, promiscuity, gambling even smoking problems. Indeed, Islam offers solutions to many social ills of contemporary society. If Muslims cannot explain the Islamic solutions clearly and confidently, then what can the world gain from Islam and the Muslims?

- DR. KAMAR ONIAH