Do you see Islam as a means to an end?

[Breshna]

Do you see Islam as a means to an end or an end in itself?

What I mean by this question is that do you see Islam as a way to englightment (iman), or do you become enlightened (mumin) by just outwardly expressing your faith in Islam as being a true religion?

I think both concepts are needed to really submit to The Creator.

[hk1992]

yeah, I know but he still explained it better than i could have, I know hes a fake in practice but that doesnt mean he cant have some good ideas I can use to explain my point.

[khushal]

Good question; I see it more as a means, Islam is like a way of problem solving, NOT a problem solved. If you think you have achieved everything by simply believing then you cannot grow and if you cannot grow how can one be enlightened? Enlightenment implies possessing a higher state of awareness and limiting awareness thus stifles enlightenment

It is strange and ironic that both narrow minded types like Wahhabis and Secularists look at Islam the same way. They want to limit the power and potential of Islam. Some secularists argue that Islam has never created a utopia; but Islam never says it is here to create utopia, Islam indicates it is here to give a method of problem solving, which means it is up to US on how we use it. That's why Islam is always relevant and always applicable because we use the Models given by Islam to address the problems we have today.

So people who try to limit Islam are ignorant of Islam and are ignorant of enlightenment.

Very good explanation Senorita,
but how did you get to the conclusion that Islam indicates it is a method of problem solving?

[Pakwatan]

Look at how fast we all grow up. I can still remember climbing trees in my village and playing hide and seek like it was yesterday.

This life goes by so fast that it's like a dream. It basically is a dream. When we die, that's when we actually wake up from this dream and begin our true life.