Dr. Ramadan: Without following clear regulations there is no true faith in the heart!

Islam brings man a balance between spirituality and regulations and opens the door to true and deep faith, says Dr. Tariq Ramadan in the 26th installment of Ramadan Chronicles, as reported by the Bosnian news agency Patria (NAP). Dr. Ramadan speaks about the relationship between regulations in Islam and man's individual faith, emphasizing that without respecting transparent regulations there is no true faith nor life in peace with the environment and the Creator. He also cites an example from the life of Muhammad (peace be upon him).

- We spoke earlier about what happened when the Prophet arrived in Medina from Mecca. He built a mosque and established a community and social life around the mosque. But there is one very important fact here. Yes, there is a spiritual dimension, love and solidarity among people, but Muhammad (peace be upon him) precisely regulated all this through a contract and agreement between those who came from Mecca and those Muslims from Medina who helped them – says Dr. Ramadan.

According to his words, he did promote a brotherly relationship between the Muhajirun, those who were expelled from Mecca, and the Ansar, those Muslims from Medina, but he also bound that relationship with a contract.

- It was a moral contract of respect and assistance. Even the Prophet invited the Jews and Christians who lived in Medina and offered them an agreement on living together in the city. Yes, we should respect each other, but there must be clear regulations for life in a community. And this set of regulations and agreements on life in Medina is called by many the first Constitution in the Muslim community – adds Dr. Ramadan.

Also, as he adds, even in marriage, which is based on love and feelings between a man and a woman, there is and must be a contract and clear regulation on mutual obligations and matters such as divorce, etc. Feelings and their expression are not sufficient without following clear regulations.

- There must be a clear framework of behavior and regulations. In Islam there is always this balance of spirituality and regulation. Even when we fast, we do not eat or drink until sunset, thus we follow strict regulations and clear rules by which we show discipline that leads to deep and sincere faith. By following the regulations of Islam, we show Allah (glorified and exalted be He) how aware we are of His presence – says Dr. Ramadan, adding that we should never forget to tell those we love that we love them, as reported by NAP.