Every Muslim is obliged to apply Allah’s rulings to every aspect of his life, so far as he is able. Hence, the duty of every believer is to act within his capacity—Allah does not burden any soul beyond what it can bear. Establishing sound tawḥīd and correct worship is not inseparably bound to setting up an Islamic state in lands that are not ruled by what Allah has revealed, for the very first sphere that must be governed by divine law is tawḥīd itself.

There have undeniably been exceptional periods in which seclusion proved better than mingling with society: a Muslim would withdraw to a mountain ravine, worship his Lord, shield himself from people’s harm, and spare them his own. Numerous hadiths attest to this, even though the basic principle remains what Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “The believer who mixes with people and patiently endures their abuse is better than the believer who neither mixes with them nor endures their abuse.” (1)

The Muslim state, without doubt, is merely a means to establish Allah’s rule on earth; it is not an end in itself. It is astonishing that some preachers preoccupy themselves with matters beyond their power while neglecting what is obligatory upon them and readily attainable—namely, striving against their own souls. As one Muslim preacher advised his followers, “Establish the state of Islam within yourselves, and it will be established for you in your land.”