The Two Models of Islam

By: Aadil Farook August 6, 2025

When it comes to what kind of Muslim one should aspire to become, there are two dominant models of Islam-both of which have produced remarkable personalities: the Revolutionary Model and the Sufi Model. Let us briefly explore each.

Revolutionary Model

In this model, a Muslim focuses on bringing significant change to society through positive contributions in his field of work. He leads a life of activism and public engagement. His purpose is not worldly success itself, but rather, he uses worldly success as a means to a higher end. He does not pursue fame for its own sake, but ensures that his presence in the world leaves a meaningful impact on a broad scale.

He strives for excellence in his profession so that he can implement Islamic values from a position of influence and leadership. He sees himself as a vicegerent of God, actively participating in various spheres of life-such as economics, technology, and politics-where Islamic principles are often neglected due to the dominance of secular ideologies. The Muslim who follows this model perceives no conflict between religion and worldly affairs.

Allama Iqbal subscribed to the Revolutionary Model.

Sufi Model

In this model, a Muslim focuses on bringing about profound transformation within himself through spiritual purification and inner rectification. He leads a life of renunciation and anonymity. He does not pursue worldly success for any reason whatsoever. In fact, he views fame, self-projection, and recognition as cancers to his spiritual journey.

He seeks to leave a mark only among his close circle of followers. Like the revolutionary, he also strives for excellence in his field so that his work carries the fragrance of the Sunnah. He too considers himself a vicegerent of God, but refrains from active participation in politics and other worldly spheres, as he does not want to compromise his spiritual growth within a system riddled with corruption and moral decay. The Muslim who follows this model sees a clear conflict between religion and worldly matters, because he believes the world is not inhabited by the spiritually pure.

Wasif Ali Wasif followed the Sufi Model.

An Observation

In my humble opinion, both models are fully acceptable in the eyes of Allah. Only Allah can truly judge the worth of a human being. We cannot definitively claim which type of Muslim is superior. The real issue arises when followers of one model begin to criticize the other and assert that they alone represent the true legacy of the Holy Prophet (SAW). If Muslims of both models were to give each other the benefit of the doubt-recognizing that each is serving Islam according to their own limited understanding and vision-the Ummah would become far more beautiful than it currently is.

Towards a Synthesis

The need of the hour is to cultivate personalities that embody a unified model-integrating within themselves the positive traits of both approaches. Why? Because it is commonly observed that revolutionaries often lack spiritual purification, while Sufis tend to fall short in public engagement.

In 2025, the challenges facing the Muslim world demand individuals who are a perfect blend of activism and inner spiritual development. This is the true embodiment of the Sunnah. It is this Sunnah-based model that holds the potential to awaken the Ummah from its centuries-long slumber. In the personality of the Holy Prophet (SAW), we witness both the outer and inner dimensions manifested at the highest level. That is why he remains the most influential person in history-even in the view of non-Muslims.

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The Two Models of Islam

Revolutionary Model

Sufi Model

An Observation

Towards a Synthesis

Author: Aadil Farook August 6, 2025

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