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Abstract

The article explores the profound impact of beliefs (?????) on the social structure and moral fabric of a society. It emphasizes that when beliefs are grounded in truth and guided by divine revelation, societies flourish; conversely, deviation in belief systems leads to moral decay, extremism, and societal fragmentation. Islam, as a divinely revealed religion, centers around core tenets of faith such as belief in Allah, His messengers, His books, angels, the Day of Judgment, and divine decree. These tenets form the basis of ethical behavior and social harmony. The paper categorizes belief deviations into three main groups: Mufrit?n (exaggerators), who elevate religious personalities beyond their ordained status; Muqassir?n (diminishers), who show irreverence or underestimate the sanctity of divine figures; and Mu‘tadil?n (moderates), who adhere to a balanced path as taught by the Qur'an and Sunnah. The author calls for the revival of moderation and the elimination of extremism, which fuels sectarianism and religious intolerance. Furthermore, the article offers practical remedies for correcting weakened beliefs across various domains—belief in Allah, the Prophets, divine books, angels, and the afterlife. These remedies include promoting monotheism, avoiding polytheism, nurturing moral character through prophetic teachings, and integrating faith-based education within societal and legal frameworks. The paper concludes that the root causes of societal disorder in the Muslim world stem from imbalance in belief systems. A return to authentic teachings of Islam with an emphasis on tolerance, justice, and moderation can restore harmony. The concept of Ummah Wasat (a balanced nation) is highlighted as the ideal model, wherein Muslims are urged to embody moderation in all aspects of faith and practice, distancing themselves from both neglect and extremism to foster a peaceful, united, and morally sound society.
Keywords: Belief, Moral Fabric, Moderation, Social Harmony