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]. This huge task of 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.

 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. 

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.

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)

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)

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:

Islam is a complete system that regulates all aspects of life

Balanced:

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:

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:

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:

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”. 

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.

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). 

The Muslim American Society (MAS) in NY is a religious, social, cultural, and educational, not-for-profit organization. It is a pioneering Islamic organization that uplifts the individual, family, and society. 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. MAS operation/work is Godly, principled, transparent, legal, and independent.

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:

Development:

Personal development

Community development

Outreach:

Dawa (public education)

Islah (enjoining good and forbidding evil, standing up for justice, working for the common good.