But while this forgetfulness is regarded as a universal human tendency...

But while this forgetfulness is regarded as a universal human tendency, it is not the definitive human trait. It is human nature, encouraged by Allah's manifold signs in creation and the near endless succession of prophets, to remember ( dhikr) that Allah has created everything and that every thing should bow before Allah. B. Human Purpose The word Islam, which means "to submit", reveals the central purpose of human life, which is to submit to the revealed purposes of the creator.

This Islam, along with faith and works of righteousness, are the din , or religion in the broadest sense, of Muslims. While the exact meaning of din in the Quran is complex, and the subject of much discussion by commentators, more recent Muslim theologians have used it to mark the definitive difference between Islam and all other religions. They take din to indicate the absolute fullness of God's purpose for humans in the world.

Thus Islam is din, a "way of life" which indicates everything from personal manners, to social interactions, to political systems, to international relations. It includes architecture and all of the arts as well, and ultimately embraces God's entire plan for the creation, so that it includes God's final judgement of humanity, one of the distinctive meanings of the word din as found in the Quran.

While this full elaboration of Islam as din belongs to our era, in which Islam defines itself over against the retreat of Christianity into a form of private piety in the face of secularization, it is justified historically. Very early on Muslims saw every choice in every situation as an opportunity to either submit to God's plan or abandon it.

They sought guidance in the most minute and greatest of human affairs in the Quran and the traditions of the prophet, and later in the ever expanding body of fikh or Islamic law.[^3] While this traditional rules-based approach to Islam as a complete way of life continues to have a powerful attraction for Muslims, there has been a growing consensus that ijtihad , or the reasoning out of God's will in specific instances is necessary for any Muslim in a responsible decision making position.

The challenge of ijtihad , as well as the desire to awaken Muslims to think more deeply about their religion, and the desire of Muslims to speak convincingly to a non-Muslim audience, have led to a great deal of modern discussion on the first principles of human responsibility in the Islamic din . 1.