Islam came to guide humanity to the straight path and to improve their condition in this world so that they may be worthy of attaining paradise in the Hereafter. Therefore, its teachings encompass all aspects of life, and its Shariah provides remedies for all diseases, achieving harmonious completeness in its rulings and a unique balance in its commands between worship and ethics.

One of the most important characteristics of Islam is its moderation and balance, comprehensiveness, and integration. It instructs its followers to worship Allah through a close relationship with Him and through good conduct towards others equally. It encourages them to elevate their spirits without neglecting their bodies and balances between inner and outer purity, as well as between individual and collective dimensions. Those who examine the texts of the Quran and the Sunnah will find numerous references supporting this.

Allah says in His Holy Book, “And thus we have made you a just community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you.” (Al-Baqarah: 143) He also says, “But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and yet, do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.” (Al-Qasas: 77) And He says, “But among them is he who says, 'Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.' Those will have a share of what they have earned, and Allah is swift in account.” (Al-Baqarah: 201-202)

The principle of balance necessitates a comprehensive and integrated view of this religion, which is one of its most important characteristics and from which emerges the correct understandings to perceive it. Allah says, “O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely [and perfectly] and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.” (Al-Baqarah: 208)

Undoubtedly, any flaw in this precise understanding of the characteristics of this religion will result in a doctrinal, value-based, and behavioral imbalance that manifests clearly as obvious gaps in the reality of today's Muslims. Perhaps the most prominent reflection of this can be termed the fragmentation of religion, meaning the separatist view of religion that treats each part as separate, disconnecting worship from transactions, creed from Shariah, religion from worldly life, and rituals from ethics.

Some Muslims, out of ignorance or personal desire, treat the teachings of this religion as if they are shopping in a market, taking what pleases them and leaving what does not. Some focus on worship rituals like prayer and fasting but neglect the ethical aspect. Others emphasize outward appearances but neglect their inner selves, allowing their hearts to harbor grudges and malice. There are groups that magnify secondary issues in the religion, treating them as fundamentals and becoming adversarial over them, while diminishing fundamental principles and neglecting the ultimate purposes and goals.

The fragmentation of religion has several dangers, including:

• Presenting a distorted, incomplete understanding of the religion, making it appear insufficient to encompass various aspects of life.
• Leading to the separation of religion from life’s values and transactions, ethics, and behavior, law, and methodology.
• Minimizing religion and confining it to narrow, specific aspects, reducing it to merely a relationship between the servant and Allah, without impact on behavior and transactions.
• Emptying acts of worship of their objectives and purposes, as acts of worship in Islam are not mere dry rituals without effect in life; they yield fruits like piety and excellence. Allah says about prayer, “Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.” (Al-Ankabut: 45) He says about fasting, “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” (Al-Baqarah: 183) Allah describes the Quran as: “This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.” (Al-Baqarah: 2) Piety involves following Allah's commands in both worship and dealings, rituals, and ethics.
• This fragmentation leads to chaos in understanding the religion, allowing half-educated individuals and those with personal desires to dominate the scene, corrupting rather than reforming.
• Manipulating religion to suit desires sometimes and to please those in power and authority at other times, thus trivializing and magnifying its teachings and tampering with its principles and purposes, diminishing its importance in people's hearts.
• Creating a significant imbalance in prioritizing and creating a gap between people's reality and their religion, making it seem incapable of keeping up with new challenges and solving problems.
• Distracting the Ummah from its crucial issues and occupying it with minor disputes, exaggerating the individual aspect at the expense of the collective aspect, leading to division, increased fragmentation, and continued backwardness in witnessing civilization.

Given these dangers of fragmenting religion, it is crucial to recognize the gravity of the matter and its implications. Hence, we must return to our religion, with a deep understanding of it, balanced application of its rulings, and a comprehensive view of all its aspects.

Therefore, here are some recommendations to address this matter:

1. In-depth foundation by scholars on this topic, clarifying the dangers of fragmentation.
2. Raising awareness of the characteristics of this religion, its systems, perceptions, and objectives.
3. Encouraging and supporting studies and research on this topic, and utilizing their scientific and practical results.
4. Monitoring the consequences and effects of fragmentation in our institutions and highlighting its disadvantages in our societies.
5. Providing balanced, uplifting religious discourse to counter misleading, deviant narratives.
6. Highlighting role models who genuinely belong to our Islamic identity and apply the teachings of the religion in all aspects of their lives.
7. Simplifying the understanding of religious teachings for people and linking their applications to their daily needs and various life paths.
8. Cooperation between religious, intellectual, and media platforms to present discourse that corrects misconceptions and perceptions.
9. Focusing on the proper management of priorities in the Ummah's issues and positively dealing with the trials it faces.
10. Presenting religious commands and rulings properly, linking details to general principles, explaining ambiguous aspects through definitive ones, and balancing between constants and variables.

In conclusion, what we have presented are modest highlights on an important subject that requires collective efforts to correct perceptions and provide true insights into our noble religion, counteracting attempts to distort and mislead its values and principles.

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