Community vs. Congregation

In the previous article we explored that while both behavior and belief are important the primary focus of a community is not the same as an individual. That a community needs to be more concerned regarding the behavior of its members, while an individual needs to be more concerned with their belief.

But what about a congregation? While a community can encompass an entire nation with people of all faiths and creeds, a congregation is more refined. Despite the Arabic uses the term أُمَّة (umma) for both meanings the verses show that there is a distinction between a community like a nation and a community like a congregation. One of the verses that best describes this distinction can be found in the following verse:

5:48 Then we revealed to you this scripture, truthfully, confirming previous scriptures, and superseding them. You shall rule among them in accordance with GOD’s revelations, and do not follow their wishes if they differ from the truth that came to you. For each of you, we have decreed laws and different rites. Had GOD willed, He could have made you one congregation. But He thus puts you to the test through the revelations He has given each of you. You shall compete in righteousness. To GOD is your final destiny—all of you—then He will inform you of everything you had disputed.

وَأَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَمُهَيْمِنًا عَلَيْهِ فَاحْكُمْ بَيْنَهُمْ بِمَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ عَمَّا جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنْكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَمِنْهَاجًا وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَٰكِنْ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَا آتَاكُمْ فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ

The above verse informs us that a congregation is defined by the laws and rites that the members follow. As the Quran does not advocate compulsion in religion this shows that in a societal level the laws must guarantee that each congregation should be able to worship freely without interference from the state. It is because of this that the closest political system according to the Quran on a federal level is that of libertarianism, where individuals are free to do what they want as long as they don’t infringe on the rights of others. Therefore, while our community can encompass people of all faiths and beliefs our congregation is determined by our religious laws and rites.