were the best. He replied: “You will find that people are mines

of gold and silver. The best of you in the time of ignorance be-
fore Islam will be the best of you in Islam if they gain understanding of

the religion.”& This Hadith implies that Islam requires both belief and
understanding to bring out intrinsic human goodness, even in the best of
people. However great the native goodness of Muslims may be, they can
only realize their potential as individuals and members of communities
through an adequate understanding of their faith. The need for a deeper
understanding of Islam in order to achieve excellence clearly applies to

Muslims in America. They have exceptional potential. They are intelli-
gent, industrious, and uniquely promising, yet, like undiscovered mines

of gold and silver, their promise remains largely untapped due to insuf-
ficient acquaintance with their faith, its resources, and legacy.








The author said in the beginning of the book, The need for a deeper understanding of Islam in order to achieve excellence clearly applies to Muslims in America. They have exceptional potential. They are intelligent, industrious, and uniquely promising, yet, like undiscovered mines of gold and silver.