Surah 22. Al-Hajj, Ayah 67

Lit., "a way of worship" (mansak, which sometimes denotes also "an act of worship"). For a fuller explanation of this passage, see the second paragraph of 5:48 -"Unto every one of you have We appointed a [different] law and way of life" - and the corresponding notes [66-68].

I.e., do not allow thyself to be drawn into disputes" (Zamakhshari and Baghawi).

 All prophets came with the same message: have faith in one God and do good. But each faith-community had their own law.

 The Muslim code of life is called Sharî’ah, which means a “path.” For more information, see the Introduction.

Rites and ceremonies may appear to be an unimportant matter compared with "weightier matters of the Law" and with the higher needs of man's spiritual nature. But they are necessary for social and religious organisation, and their effect on the individual himself is not to be despised. In any case, as they are visible external symbols, they give rise to the most heated controversies. Such controversies are to be deprecated. That does not mean that our rites and ceremonies are to be made light of. Those in Islam rest on the highest social and religious needs of man, and if we are convinced that we are on the Right Way, we should invite all to join us, without entering into controversies about such matters.