What is a norm? The islamic definition of the norm is radically different from that of the west what
is normal in western terms is what is present in the average man in the street that is the
majority of the population this view is garbled in scientific respectability by means of statistics
the notorious bell-shaped curve where individuals positioned at either tail are considered abnormal
it is nothing less than the legitimization of mediocrity by contrast the norm in islamic terms
is nothing less than the original or primordial nature of man or his fitra we have indeed created
man in the best constitution says the quran in chapter 95 verse 4. the reason why this is
termed norm and not ideal is that far from being a mere theoretical or hypothetical construction
this pattern was actually lived in medina in the early days of islam
and still is to this very day by those who strive to realize it in full the norm in islam is thus
the sunnah of the prophet may god's blessings be upon him and that of the companions and
followers these three generations were specifically mentioned by the prophet
and this is why they are to this day greatly revered and taken as modeled by most muslims
there is a hadith that states the best generation is my generation then that which will follow then
that which will follow and that's found in bulkari the sunnah represents the very perfection of human
behavior and anything less than that is considered abnormal consequently the westerner stagnates in
the smug satisfaction that is mediocrity because it is shared by the majority of his contemporaries
is normality itself but the true muslim aware of how short he has fallen from the norm that should
be his by birthright can never allow himself to stagnate and feel comfortable and well adjusted in
his imperfection but rather is obliged to strive constantly to regain what he feels he has lost the
father the muslim is from understanding normality as defined by the sunnah and the closer he is to
conceiving of it in the western manner the less motivated he is to strive for real superiority
the islamic norm as lived by the prophet muhammad covers a vast range of human behavior for besides
his function as divine messenger and legislator which is exclusive and inimitable he also lived
the roles of orphan shepherd merchant father adopted father grandfather warrior
political leader and husband of women both older and younger than himself
at times he was poor to the extent of not having cooked food in his house for weeks on end while at
other times he was rich to the extent of being able to give away a vast valley full of sheep
he survived mortal dangers plots and formidable hardships saw all his
children but one die before him began his immigration as a fugitive hiding in a cave
and eventually returned to mecca as a conqueror this together with what is on record concerning
the pattern of behavior of his companions and his approval or criticism of them leaves almost
nothing of what human beings think feel say or do without a clear model to emulate until next time