UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE ISLAMIC SOCIETY
Guidelines
In the Name of Allah the Most Beneficent the Most Merciful
Please also refer to the constitutionIntroduction
Muslim students come to the University of Cambridge from around the world by the Grace of Allah Most High to study a wide range of subjects. The multitude of students is highly diverse in its interests and personalities. The University of Cambridge Islamic Society (ISoc) enables Muslim students for the sake of Allah to network with and support each other in their studies as well as in religious, social and cultural activities.
The activities of ISoc are guided by the vision and aims of the Society which are to bring together Muslim students at Cambridge and encourage them to perform Islamic duties and strengthen their faith; promote learning and discussion on Islam; create an environment of unity for Muslims to thrive in; work in the local Muslim community where possible; and increase awareness of Islam among non-Muslims.
Vision
The vision of ISoc is in essence guided by the principles of Islam: as a body of believers, to worship Allah and to live for Him through following His Guidance as revealed in the Qur’an and further stated in the Sunnah. This overarching vision has several dimensions as stated under the aims of the Society’s Constitution. By following a number of guiding principles outlined below, ISoc will strive to achieve these aims and set up an appropriate structure to discharge its duties.
Guiding Principles
“…They were youth who believed in their Lord, and We advanced them in guidance.” (18:13)
The guiding principles underpinning the aims of ISoc are as follows:
1) Students come to study at the University for a number of years. During this transitory phase of their lives, ISoc hopes to develop the strengths of its members and equip them to further the Islamic cause in their own unique ways as they enter the world arena.
“Thus, have We made of you a community justly balanced, that ye might be witnesses (set an example) before humanity…” (Qur’an 2:143)
2) ISoc members come from a variety of backgrounds and adhere to different Islamic schools of thought. Diversity in ISoc is to be respected and each individual’s valuable contribution to the Society celebrated.
“O mankind! We created you… and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know one another.” (49:13)
3) Through spiritual, academic and social support, ISoc members must hold fast with each other, “all together, by the rope of Allah, and be not divided …” (3:103). We must aim to be united through all our endeavours, whether we agree on issues or differ.
“Truly Allah loves those who strive in His Cause in ranks (organised), as if they were a solid cemented structure.” (61:4)
4) All communication must aim to employ the best of manners, for the Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) “was sent to perfect good character.” (Malik’s Muwatta)
5) ISoc calls all to the way of their Lord “with wisdom and beautiful preaching” (16:125). Individually and collectively the duty of ISoc members is to continuously increase awareness of Islam amongst Muslims and non-Muslims through events and other vehicles.
Guiding principles for the structure and conduct of ISoc
Shura:
Members of the Shura (Consultation) Committee are servants of their Lord, and work in service of their people.
“The world is green and beautiful and Allah has appointed you as His stewards over it. He sees how you acquit yourselves…” (Sahih Muslim)
“Of those We have created are people who direct (others) with truth, and dispense justice therewith.” (7:181)
Duties of Shura to ISoc:
Shura oversees the general well-being and the running of the society, and all its members should be very involved in and informed about ISoc activities. Shura members must together aim to accurately represent the wishes of all ISoc members.
The authority Shura holds should not be abused in any way, but employed to improve
collective affairs and fulfil the aims of ISoc. Advice must be listened to and when reasonable, acted upon. Shura may consult scholars and specialists, and indeed must do so regarding issues that require clarification and greater knowledge. In all cases Shura must adhere to Islamic practice in accordance with the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah.
“Those who hearken to their Lord, and establish regular Prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual Consultation; who spend out of what We bestow on them for Sustenance.” (42:38)
The Prophet (may peace be upon him) prayed, “O Allah, whoever (happens to) acquire some kind of control over the affairs of my people and is hard upon them – be Thou hard upon him, and whoever (happens to) acquire some kind of control over the affairs of my people and is kind to them – be Thou kind to him.” (Sahih Muslim)
Duties of the members of ISoc to Shura:
All members of ISoc will respect Shura while keeping to the vision/aims of ISoc. If at any point it is apparent that Shura is not aware of an injustice or wrong doing in the society, whether committed by a member of ISoc or Shura itself, other ISoc members will need to inform and if necessary advise Shura about the occurrence.
“Listening and obeying are the duty of a Muslim, both regarding what he likes and what he dislikes, as long as he is not commanded to perform an act of disobedience to Allah, in which case he must neither listen nor obey.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
Main Committee (Com)
The Committee comprises the full range of sub-committees. Com will allow its members to participate in discussions on important issues concerning ISoc as a whole or Islam and the Islamic world in general. Any other individual in ISoc who wishes to participate in discussions on these issues may also be added to the Com e-list.
“Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity.” (3:104)
ISoc Sub-committees
There will be a number of ISoc sub-committees to handle different sets of activities:
Access
Charity
Dawah
Events
Experience Islam Week (EIW)
Design
Student Activism
Magazine
Prayer Room
Sponsorship
Brothers Socials
Sisters Socials
All Shura members must be included in all sub-committee mailing lists. Each Shura member will supervise the sub-committees listed under their additional duties in the Guidelines.
“And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive.” (22:78)
“So keep your duty to Allah as best ye can, and listen, and obey, and spend; that is better for your souls. And whoever is saved from his own greed, they are the successful.” (64:16)
A biography of all speakers at events will be provided, clarifying their background.
The events sub-committee will decide what to include in the biography, but it mustspecify whether the speaker adheres to the Sunni or Shia school of thought
ISoc Adab
Inclusiveness
Members will endeavour to include all Muslims regardless of their beliefs or level of practice. New and potential Muslims will be helped and supported in their faith.
Valuing Diversity
Diversity will be respected and honoured. ISoc activities will be carried out respecting as many diverse views as possible.
Justice
“O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.” (5:8)
Manners
“Nor can goodness and evil be equal. Repel (evil) with what is better: Then will he between whom and thee was enmity become as it were thy friend and intimate!” (41:34)
“O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness … Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: And spy not on each other behind their backs … fear Allah: For Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.” (49:11,12)
All members of ISoc must listen to one another with complete respect for that is the Islamic way. A consultative process will be established and no one will be cut out or intimidated.
Patience and Mercy
There is a possibility that people may go wrong during their involvement in ISoc. Every effort will be made to advise others where necessary, and then overlook and forgive mistakes.
ISoc Meetings
“Surely Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change their own condition.” (13:11)
Any member of ISoc may be present and is to be encouraged to provide their views. All views must be respected, listened to, and be taken into consideration by Shura and the sub-committees.
“Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves ...” (4:135)
Relationships with other University bodies and the wider world
ISoc will encourage its members to follow events taking place in the University, the local and wider student community and the world at large, and where possible will avail of opportunities to further ISoc’s vision and attempt to bring in external speakers to increase members’ awareness of current issues affecting Muslims as well as the lives of other people.
End
“And those who strive in Our (cause), We will certainly guide them to our Paths: For verily Allah is with those who do right.” (29:69)
“For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward.” (33:35)
“By Time, verily Man is in loss, except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.” (103:1-3)
[images courtesy of Quran.com]
