Q: We are a group of friends and we always gather to discuss Islamic and secular matters. Once, one the question was put forth : Can one lead a perfect Islamic life taking into account living in a society and dealing with its positive and negative aspects and influences alike? In other words, can one avoid all that is prohibited, enjoy oneself with all that is allowed in the Book of Allah, and act in accordance with the Sunnah of AlMustafa (the chosen Prophet) (peace be upon him) doing what it permits and avoiding what it forbids?
There were many answers to this query. They all are affirmative but people differ regarding to what extent one can do so. Some agree that one can lead a perfect Muslim life, while another group may not agree claiming that the influences of society are so strong and its effects are numerous. Moreover, there may be many wrong matters, which despite being wrong; the community allows them such as football that receives great encouragement in all countries although it contains lesser benefit to youth when compared to horsemanship, swimming, and archery for instance.
Similarly, photography and statues of animate beings, foods, i.e. imports of meat from other countries, bank interests, etc.
After a long discussion and various disagreements, we decided to send the question to you so that we may have a satisfactory answer.
A: A Muslim is not infallible, as the Prophetic statement declares, To err is human but the best of those who err
is the one who repents to Allah. However, it is not impossible for a Muslim in a Muslim community to adhere to Islam within his capacity and in accordance with Allah's Statement, So keep your duty to Allâh and fear Him as much as you can It does not harm him when he may make some mistakes which he does not commit intentionally or he thinks they are permissible according to his Ijtihad (juristic effort to infer expert legal rulings) and Islamic information, or by asking some scholars who give him a Fatwa that runs counter the Noble Shari`ah (Islamic Law). What I want to point out to is that a Muslim must fear Allah as much as possible, abstain from what Allah prohibits, and make an effort to fulfill what is obligatory on him. If he commits a mistake, he must immediately offer sincere repentance to Allah (Exalted be He).