Beliefs Islamic Aqidah Mawlid-an-Nabi Declaration of Aims Vision Statement Board of Advisors Shaykh Ahmed Tijani Ben Omer Shaykh Nooruddeen Durkee Shaykh Harun Rasheed Faye Dr. Abd al-Haqq Godlas Dr. Abdelhadi Honerkamp Hazrat Khawaja Ghulam Qutab ud-Din Shaykh Ahmed Abdur Rashid Disclaimer	ISRA´S VISION STATEMENT Bismillahi-r-Rahmani-r-Rahim ISRA´S VISION: THE SPIRITUAL REVIVAL OF ISLAM ISRA is an Islamic organization founded on the affirmation that Allah is One, Muhammad (S) is His final prophet, and the deen of Islam has three dimensions: al-Islam, which is the surrender of one´s body, heart and soul to Allah; al-Iman, faith in the Unity of Allah and the truth of His books, His guidance and His prophets; and al-Ihsan, the spiritual awareness of the Presence of Allah which is also known as tassawuf. These have been revealed and described in the Qur´an and in the model of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family and his followers. Furthermore, ISRA's members believe that Islam is the way of life that Allah intends for all creation, and that it will spread and thrive to the extent that the Muslims represent Allah's guidance and His will. It is on the basis of all three of these dimensions - Islam, Iman and Ihsan -that the Muslim community can be strong and effective for this world and the next. When we turn our course away from these sources of creativity and unity, over-emphasizing one aspect at the expense of the others, we get bigotry and intolerance. The members of ISRA are determined to break out of the frustrating, divisive limitations, imposed by one group or another, that have too often damaged Muslims from within and clouded the true picture of Islam from without. Many calamities have befallen the Ummah during the last 200 years but one of the worst has been the rejection of tasawwuf. We find ourselves without coherent leadership and following self-proclaimed scholars who teach a dry, literalist and legalistic religion cut off from its traditional and spiritual heritage. In some cases this develops into a harsh and uncompromising political ideology, with violent results. While we understand the sources of this ideology, we cannot condone its methods or attitude. Islamic civilization, which was remarkably stable and united for over 1200 years, is now in a crisis of disunity. The function of ISRA is to be a positive, non-sectarian, tolerant and compassionate response to this crisis. Its members want to recover the spiritual roots of Islam, and to promote an alternative, deeper and truer vision of Allah's guidance to the two-dimensional legalistic and political version so widely publicized today. ISRA intends to become a world-wide Muslim web, centered in the United States, which links together a broad coalition of various broad-minded and intelligent Muslim individuals and organizations to serve the cause of Allah. What we wish to avoid is brothers and sisters who have succumbed to the dictum of Shaitan: “I am better than you.” We wish to encourage and support clear and inspired leaders who are not afraid to speak, to examine and to understand what is going on today in society. We have had enough of tyranny hidden in democracy, politics passing for prayer, and legal posturing covering over the truth. We also need to acknowledge elements of Islam which have been forgotten or buried by local tradition, including the equality of all souls, the extensive rights of men and women, the great rewards of remembrance of Allah, and the superiority of generosity over the material gains of this world. We wish to uncover the real Islam from within our hearts, not a suffocating social fabric inherited from this or that cultural past. We wish to discover the way Islam can manifest today, for each of us, by exploring the principles and guidance that Allah in His wisdom set down for us to apply within each age and circumstance. ISRA believes that through the pursuit of knowledge and the growth of wisdom, through moral scrutiny and spiritual practice, the Ummah can regain its status as the best of nations. Enhancement of knowledge through study and research, spreading of educational opportunities and development of clear means of communication are needed to overcome the enormous apathy and rigidity we face today. We also hope to improve relations and understanding between the Muslims and other faith groups, “to compete with one another in good works,” for the well-being of the entire community. Such efforts are needed on local, national, and international levels, and we intend that ISRA chapters form in many places and co-operate with one another. All Muslims long for community and unity. Community will be achieved as we serve one another fi sabil Allah, whether in one physical place, through virtual means, or in frequent gatherings and conferences promoting the remembrance of Allah and the love of His Rasool, blessings of Allah and peace be on his hand his family and followers. Unity will be achieved when our hearts are cleaned, and hearts will be cleaned by the revival and practice of tasawwuf. We ask Allah to make our work fruitful through the personal experience of the Divine Presence in our lives, and the deepening of our own compassion, mercy, and service. The role of ISRA will be to help to spread this understanding, so that the Muslims may lay aside fears, open their hearts, and work together for the spiritual revival of Islam. © 2007 Islamic Studies and Research Association (ISRA)