Equality, and What It Really Means to Be a Muslim (Part 2)

I do not deny that there are people that exist in Islam, and in fact throughout all religions, that become absorbed – not in the religion, or ways to become closer to God and implement peace the way God intended humans to live – but to have power . To put fear into others so that they can be in control. But does this sound like a Godly person? No. As a matter of fact, this sounds like someone who rather wants to compete with God. And we all know that there is no purpose and no benefit in doing such.

One other thing I would also like to point out, something I found was really powerful was the fact that Allah mentions in the last verse I posted: “And certainly did We create man from an extract of clay.” [23:12]

Allah strategically mentions this immediately after explaining the reward the Believers will receive for doing good. Why?

He says we will get al-Firdaus (which is the highest level of Paradise) for having the certain characteristics which He listed above, and then follows by reminding us that we are only made of clay. This is a very humbling verse. It serves a powerful purpose, proving that whether you are rich or poor, more or less beautiful, handsome, charming, smart, talented – we all come from the same source. Clay. Earth. Calcium, Iron, Zinc, Potassium – not gold or diamonds or emeralds or rubies. Yet we mean so much to Him. And by merely doing good and helping others, and being humble people, we can earn the reward of the Highest level of Paradise.

How many times have you been hurt or put down and you said to yourself “wow, this person really treated me like dirt.” ?

We feel humbled in a sense, by remembering this, our very own origin. I am not saying by any means that you should feel like dirt, or that you should feel below anyone in any way. We are neither above or below anyone, but we are all of the same origin. And in remembering this, we humble ourselves.

We have to remember that not every one in the world is a Muslim. And not every Muslim is perfect. So we have to take each teaching in the Qur’an with such careful thought, these verses are meant to be contemplated in such a deep level. We cannot look upon a non-Muslim and ultimately say that they are “khaffirs!” or that they are sinners, because many of them are simply confused or searching for the truth, and we should respect and acknowledge that this is something very common. The term “khaffir” (strong disbeliever) is reserved for those who know the truth yet simply choose not to believe out of arrogance and spite, and who insist on denying Allah and His commandments. After all, there was a time when the Prophet Muhammad himself was searching for truth, and alas Allah sent him the Message within the Qur’an.

And as Allah states in the qur’an:

“The repentance accepted by Allah is only for those who do wrong in ignorance [or carelessness] and then repent soon after. It is those to whom Allah will turn in forgiveness, and Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.” [4:17]

There is no blame on those who are unaware of acts they do that Allah disapproves, and when they realize their wrong and they repent showing humility, Allah is Most Forgiving.

And as a Muslim, we should not be so quick to judge one another, but to rather judge ourselves. And we should be the example to which other people look upon as good human beings – not barbaric or cultured people living primitive lifestyles.

Islam came in a time where women were being mistreated, baby girls were being buried alive, animals were constantly being sacrificed and killed aimlessly for stone gods – Islam came at a time to liberate mankind, and especially to liberate women, and establish peace in society. The Qur’an itself is the first holy book to have an entire chapter dedicated to women and women’s rights (and that being said, is a miracle for 600 AD.) However, it seems now that Islam is in the shadows, and that we are going backwards with our faith, and are focussing primarily on what outwardly appears to each other instead of what is inwardly. And change can only begin from inside your heart. That is what needs to be cleansed, and that is what we should keep a close eye on – purifying our hearts.

Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves. [13:11]

I pray that this message speaks to many of you and serves as an enlightenment and a reminder of what the rare and true Islam really is, and the beauty that is within it.

Salam/ Peace to all :)

Equality, and What It Really Means to Be a Muslim (Part 1)

Throughout this blog I have made many posts in relation to the way in which people approach Islam, and how we treat one another.  The reason for this, is because I’ve found so many times that between Muslims, we sometimes feel interrogated by the way some implement the teachings of Islam. Many treat the religion as if it were a ‘cult.’ A group with which you lose all individuality and right of opinion, and are condemned if suspected of being a ‘transgressor’ or if you question certain aspects of the religion itself.

Or if you do not “look” a certain way, you are not a Muslim. If you do not “eat” a certain way, you are not a Muslim. The problem with this is that this is not Islam.

We have lost the true way of practicing Islam the way the Prophet (peace be upon him) had.

It’s a harsh thing to throw around, judging whether one is “Muslim” or not. It is not the place of another being to tell you where you stand with God, or how you feel about God. As I stated in my previous post, ‘Viewing Others, Ourselves, and the Creator’, we all sin – only in different ways.

Islam is something that is within your heart, it’s not something that other’s can judge, but what Allah, the Creator, can judge.

And of course, it is very easy to point out actions which are against the teachings of Islam. And anyone can do this. Even a non-Muslim would be able to spot an act that is against the religion. Hypocrites, the ones who preach about how ‘such and such’ makes one a Muslim, giving the image as if he or she is is very holy themselves, however even they do not practice what they preach, are able to do this. Pointing out the flaws of one another does not make anyone a better Muslim nor does is it a means in coming closer to God.

The Muslim – a true believer in the Creator – should be the one with the most compassion, and the most understanding amongst mankind.

To carry the title of a Muslim, means that you yourself are not quick to judge, because you know you have also flawed yourself, however – if you see a loved one or anyone whether you know them or not, you feel in your heart that you do not want this person to fall into hardship or sin, and so you advise them, and relate to them what you know from Allah’s words and the Prophet’s teachings, and relate to them what you think is best, in the best manner. You let them know that you are there for them when they fall so that you can encourage them to do good and help them realize the good within themselves.

To carry the title of a Muslim also means you are an environmentalist and an activist for animal rights.

” And when he goes away, he strives throughout the land to cause corruption therein and destroy crops and animals. And Allah does not like corruption.” [2:205]

And a supporter and implementor of womens rights (Surah 4: The Women/Anisa, entire chapter)

It is sad how such a beautiful way of life – the kind of Islam that the Prophet had implemented in his life, has been slowly eaten away through arrogance and eagerness to feel above one another.

However the honest truth is that there are many good Muslims that still exist today – although, they are dispersed throughout the world, and it is the handful of hypocrites and cultured/politically driven ‘radical’ people who consider themselves Muslim, who are the ones that stand out the most in the Muslim world.

Many of us may have had the experience where we have felt “targeted” by another Muslim for reasons such as the way you dress, or the way you wear your hijab, to the hand with which you use to eat and so on.

But here is a beautiful verse in the Qur’an that I really advise you to contemplate:

“Certainly will the believers have succeeded

They who are during their prayer humbly submissive

And they who turn away from ill speech

And they who are observant of zakah (charity)

And they who guard their private parts

Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed

But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors

And they who are to their trusts and their promises attentive

And they who carefully maintain their prayers –

Those are the inheritors

Who will inherit al-Firdaus. They will abide therein eternally

And certainly did We create man from an extract of clay.”

Over and over these verses in Surah Mu’minun/ The Believers [23:1-12] never fail to speak to me.

The Creator is saying that Muslims, the one who believe in the One God, who know of the message and the Prophet’s teachings are obliged to be, in summary, the most civilized of mankind. Those with humility, good speech, charity, modesty, chastity, who keep their promises, and pray. Muslims, amongst every human being in the world should be the best of mankind. It is funny however, that we see even non-Muslims with certain characteristics such as those listed above, yet when we hear the word “Muslim” the characteristics that Allah had decreed for the Muslim to possess, aren’t the first thing that pop into our mind.

Because of media and propaganda, and even the way we ourselves behave towards one another and people outside of Islam, many of us have been conditioned to associate the word “Muslim” with characteristics such as “terrorists” and “women haters” and “oppressors” all which truly have nothing to do with the teachings of Islam. Allah the Creator, the One true God, never mentions any such things as being the ‘criteria’ towards being a Muslim.

The answer and proof is within the verses of Chapter 23: The Believers, above.

(to be continued…)

Behind the Submission

To submit to a higher power, to submit to God, is not the mere action of praying itself, nor is it the action of giving in charity or sacrificing food and drink during the month of Ramadan.

To submit to God, is within the character you are and intentions behind the act of praying, giving, and sacrifice.

The humility that comes with spending time throughout the day to acknowledge that there is something greater than you, through prayer and contemplation. And the selflessness and kindness inside of you that is shown through your acts of charity (whether it be in giving money, spending time with the lonely, a friendly compliment or a smile), and the cleansing we experience throughout our entire bodies, physically and mentally, to prepare us for the year to come during Ramadan, the month of fasting.

The Creator is self-suffiecient, and in reality, He is in no need of anything the human race can give. However, in the character you become and the actions you do that shape your heart – that is the submission.

It is an indirect submission. Submitting to the Creator by bettering ourselves, by using the humanity He had built into us to the best of it’s ability. To overcome any arrogance and animalistic behaviours and to use our intellect and reason to become civilized human beings. That is what it means to submit to God. That is what it means to be a Muslim.

Salam/ Peace to all :)

 

What Happened to the Simplicity of Islam?

Salam all,

Recently I have been thinking about beliefs and practices of Islam, and what it actually means to be a Muslim. In doing research, I’ve come across many ways in which people define Islam, and what really defines a “Muslim.” Well, I would like to address my opinion as well, on what it means to be a Muslim and what I believe Islam (submission to God) is really about.

I think many of us, sometimes, overlook the underlying principles and manners of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Rather than focusing on the depth of his moral character (the reason which he became a Prophet in the first place) a mistake that many of us make is focusing primarily on actions itself. And this is why it is very important to practice Islam with a thoughtful mind, and not just an eager eye.

For example, many Muslim men believe that if they do not grow a beard or wear pants above the ankles, they will be punished. This also, in turn, causes an uproar of people condemning these men both publicly and privately to the point where they may ask themselves – where is the Islam in this? If in doing or not doing these actions, we react by condemning them with anger, I believe that is very counterproductive. What is the importance of the beard and wearing pants above the ankles? Many non-Muslim men grow beards, and-non Muslim men may wear short pants, does that make them a Muslim if they do so? Of course not. Does this man, who may not appear to “look Muslim” pray? Does he fast? Does he give charity, and treat others, both Muslims and non Muslims alike, with respect? If the answer is “yes” to those questions, then there is no need to find “faults” in these people, as it is not your place. Is there some expectation we have that “if we keep reminding these people about there flaws, one day they will be perfect” ? Nobody is perfect. The condemnation of other people is not a reflection of the person who is condemned or humiliated, but it reflects the character of the one who is judging. This same matter occurs for women who do not wear the hijab, who may pluck their eyebrows, who wear nail polish and so on – the bottom line is that these actions do not necessarily reflect what the priority is in their hearts. We are not all the same, and we cannot be defined so rigidly.

I also believe that Islam cannot fully exist without reasoning, understanding and knowledge – that is why we cannot be ignorant and act upon impulses of judgement and anger, although you may argue that these are natural human feelings – this is something the Prophet would never allow, and in fact, may lead to a domino effect of negative outcomes.

An important and beneficial thing you can do is to constantly reflect upon yourself.

” Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” [13:11]

Humiliating others will only push people further away from Islam and from understanding their Creator, as you have no place between them and Allah. There is absolutely no need to condemn a brother or sister for what you think Islam is, or what you think defines a Muslim, because nothing defines a Muslim except the heart – and nobody can understand the heart except Allah.

Salam/ Peace to all

Viewing Others, Ourselves, and the Creator

One thing that has really interested me in psychology is the use and creation of language. We use language to understand and communicate with one another. To share our ideas and learn new things…

But it boggles my mind sometimes, because how can we explain the characteristics of the Creator of the entire universe within the limitedness of language itself? In Islam we have the 99 names of Allah, which cover his various characteristics, but even then, Allah is the one who created us, we did not create Him with our language and therefore (this is becoming really philosophical), how can we truly understand every aspect of the Creator Himself?

I guess the truth is, we can’t. At least not everything, but we have what we need to know. And from my understanding of the Qur’an, Allah is very simple yet extremely dynamic in His ways of viewing us. Think of the many different people that have existed over time and how many hearts differ from one another. It’s hard to comprehend so much, yet it is so easy for the Creator.

This is how I came to truly understand the essence of the meaning behind ‘only Allah can judge’. Because how can we, being very limited in comparison to the infinite Creator, be the ones to say who will be ‘punished’ and who will not?

You may view someone as faltering in an area where you excel, however that person may excel in an area which you falter.

There is a quote I came across recently (which I cannot for the life of me find the author of) but it states: “Don’t judge somebody because they sin differently than you do.”

How many times have you felt a sense of pride when you walked by someone, and maybe it was the way they dressed, or the way they talked, or the fact that you heard they went to bars and drank alcohol on weekends, and you thought to yourself – I would never wear/do something like that! How can they be like that? How can they do such a thing?

We never care to think that, maybe the girl who doesn’t wear hijab – prays 5 times a day, when the girl wearing hijab or niqab cannot even wake up for Fajr. Or maybe the man who drinks alcohol donates 10% of his salary to charity every year, when the man who prays at the mosque is miserly.

We all do good, and sin in different ways, and whether or not it is apparent to our eyes, it’s important to realize that it is not for us to judge who is more or less religious or who is closer or further away from God, rather that is between the individual and God Himself.

The psychology behind the judgement of others and looking down on others is to gain a sense of pride and assurance that we are doing something right, that another person may not be doing. However, instead of seeing it as “I am better than that person” it is much more beneficial to train our hearts to respond in a way such as “Alhamdulilah (praise be to God) I am not in their situation, because had I been in their situation I may have done the same thing.”

It’s so important to always be grateful towards Allah, and instead of condemning one another for the things we do or do not do, we must encourage the good that we see being done, and advise others if need be, preferably in private, to keep from embarrassing or humiliating that person, as this is what the Prophet himself would have done.

Let’s make this change starting this Ramadan, and I assure you, you will feel a significant difference.

Salam/Peace to All :)

Faithful Modesty

This is a topic I am always ‘iffy’ to discuss, only because it can go in so many directions. But I will try my best to stick to the main points.

Origin

The headscarf itself, is a tradition not only carried out by Muslim women, but was also an article of clothing worn in the past by women in Christianity and Judaism, as well it was a mere universal way of portraying modesty amongst non-religious women.

Nowadays we see that this tradition has changed, and the definition of modesty itself has also changed. There are some Muslim countries in the world in which the law states that the women must cover her hair, and in other cases her face as well (niqab). On the other hand, modesty in western countries can be seen as wearing a loose high collar T-shirt and jeans. In all honesty, it is not for me to say whether either of them are correct, but Allah the Creator will view you by what you interpret and what you believe to be true.

Faith

Desiring modesty for yourself is a beautiful thing. In my personal opinion I am a true believer in being modest. It displays confidence, humility, and respect all at the same time, and I believe that mankind itself is a creation that was destined to work best amongst living a modest lifestyle, as well as speaking and dressing in a modest manner in order to respect one another. As I believe all of these qualities hold true, it’s also important to remember that your faith itself, is not merely defined by what you wear, but what is in your heart. However, your faith can be shown through your dress code –  although it is not exclusively based on the mere physical. That is why a woman or girl who wears a niqab, may not necessarily be more faithful than a woman who wears the hijab (headscarf), and a woman who wears a hijab, may not necessarily be more faithful than a woman who does not cover her hair. This may seem shocking to many who have been brought up to believe that the religiosity of a woman is primarily defined by her clothing: the more covered she is, the more she knows about her religion and her God, but this is not always the case.

Pride

It’s almost natural that if a woman covers in a certain, way whether it be the hijab or niqab, we must keep a closer eye on them, and if they are ever to make a natural human mistake it is somehow more magnified than if it were to be committed by any other. However it is so important to keep in mind that everyone can flaw, no matter how you dress, and that is normal. Speaking in terms of it being the other way around, this is also why it is not suitable to take pride in any matter – especially in terms of the way you dress, whether you are more or less covered. The danger of this pride, in feeling more superior than other due to being more ‘covered’ is that it can lead one inevitably into arrogance. And as Allah does not specify directly in the Qur’an the specific covering of a woman’s hair or face, he does specifically state that He does not tolerate any form of arrogance.

“Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and arrogant.” [4:36]

Physical Modesty

‘Modesty’ is something subjective, it’s aspects will differ based on your culture, and the society you grew up in. And that is how Allah will judge you, based on what you believe to be modest, not by the definition of another person. What matters is how your heart interprets Allah’s words.

“And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.” [24:31]

In the beginning of the passage, the actual commandment by Allah was for the women to draw the scarf that was already worn over their hair, to cover their chest (cleavage), not to specifically cover their hair – as the non-Muslim women at the time also covered their hair. However, although the hair of both the Muslim and non-Muslim women were covered, the women who were not of the believers did not care to cover their chest, and therefore let their chest be displayed to attract and allure men around them.

However I will add, the physical modestly of a woman is something that is very under appreciated in society. And as I have stated before about modesty displaying confidence as well as respect towards one another, it also psychologically aids in better relationships amongst many men and women. The fact is, men will always be sexually attracted to women, and that is actually a good sign. However over time, the attraction men have towards the body of women have been abused – using sexuality to sell everyday merchandise from cars to watches and so on. It plays upon the minds of people and unfortunately this form of abuse inevitably leads to the desensitization of men’s attraction, under appreciation, and de-valuing the woman’s body. So to speak, the beauty in embracing a modest style of dress is that you not only truly respect the body that the Creator has gifted you with, but you realize the beauty of your spiritual and intellectual mindset, as you let those be the tools with which your beauty speaks in society, rather than merely being eye candy to a stranger.

Spiritual Modesty

I also want to state that modesty itself is not only a physical aspect. If you do not have a modest character or a humble heart, you cannot fool Allah or other people by being physically modest. And since we humans are biologically programmed to recognize people primarily by the way we appear, dress code included, it goes the other way around. It may be challenging and almost contradictory to have a modest and humble heart, but to dress in a provocative or inappropriate manner. However, I will state again, it is not for me to judge. Allah will judge you by what you personally believe is reasonably modest and whether you followed through with that interpretation.

Another note to add is that many girls are scared or refrain from wearing a headscarf out of fear of hypocrisy  when they make a mistake. So to speak, you are not by any means a hypocrite if you wear the hijab and make mistakes or commit sin, as a matter of fact it is completely normal and expected of you to do so! Many girls may think they are not “good enough” to wear a head scarf and ‘represent Islam’ but there is no rule that says once you wear a headscarf you must be perfect. Wearing a headscarf is simply just another step towards becoming more familiar with the traditions of Islam, and can even serve as a reminder of Allah to you. The bottom line is that when you do something wrong or prohibited against yourself, you ask forgiveness and remain humble, as that is what our mistakes and sins should really teach us – that we will never reach perfection, but we will be perfectly human – and we should respect each other as such.

Reasoning, Intention, and Oppression

Many women choose to wear the hijab for many reasons: to empower themselves and branch away from societal expectations of women, to follow the dress code of Mary mother of Jesus, or to show their love for Islam and Allah, and these are all beautiful reasons.

However, under no circumstance should a woman feel pressured or manipulated into wearing a headscarf or niqab, as those are both, by definition, forms of oppression.

As it states in this hadith: Allah says, “O My servants! I have indeed prohibited injustice upon myself and made it prohibited among you, so do not oppress one another.” [Recorded by Muslim]

I have heard some very absurd cultural rulings in order to put fear into women in order that they cover their hair (eg. being hung by your hair for however many years you did not wear a headscarf) and I believe it is absolutely wrong – as there is no such thing stated by Allah or even the Prophet himself. So that is another thing to watch out for – if there is any such ruling you hear please refer back to the Qur’an and hadith, and if there is no statement made by Allah or the Prophet, you do not have to follow and nor are you obliged to follow such manipulations of Islam.

The rulings and impositions we place on other people, will be something that can be held against us on the Day of Judgement. It is not for me to tell anyone how they should dress or what they need to wear, but rather I will say to simply remain modest in your character and in your dress code, and Allah the Creator will guide you through your journey.

The Men

I know many muslim women who love the idea of wearing a headscarf in order to attract a believing Muslim man. I think that to an extent this may be a great way in showing a man where your values lie, however, I also ask you to be very careful about “impressing” a man for this matter. Allah knows best, but unfortunately there are some very cultured and politically powered men who merely like the idea of a woman who wears a hijab simply for their ego, or to “prove” to others how “religious” he “appears” in order to gain respect, yet behind the scenes he may abuse or mistreat her. To me, this is the equivalent to a ‘Modern’ man who forces his partner or wife to wear revealing or tight fitting dresses in order to show her off as a trophy in the eyes of other men, in order to gain respect. This is not the kind of relationship the Creator wants for anyone, as we are not possessions of one another and nor should a human being be used as a tool in gaining power or respect. Obviously, not all men are like this, there are some who are genuinely happy to see that a woman would put aside her desire to be head-to-toe attractive in society, to rather dress to represent her faith. However, so to say, as there are many types of men out there, Allah knows best what their intentions are, the bottom line is that it may not be best to wear a headscarf with the mere intention of impressing a ‘religious’ man. I believe that regardless of who you are, eventually the Creator will send you somebody suitable and perfect for you.

In Conclusion

Your Creator is the One that truly understands you best, and therefore it is not the place for anyone to impose on others or to force others to obey something, but rather it is only upon us to relate what we know directly from the Quran, and it not for us to judge or put down others for not doing what we want them to do.

That is my message, and, for now, all I really want to say about the matter of modesty amongst Muslim women. I really am in no place to tell anyone exactly what they must do. We humans are a dynamic race, and we all have our own journey to follow. I sincerely advise those who are confused about what they want, not to follow what others tell them but rather to go back to the Qur’an, and find the answers within Allah’s words as that is where the real truth lies.

Salam/Peace to all :)

20 Question Tag – Just for fun :)

In response to the commenter who posted this :)

1. Would you rather be born Muslim or convert and why?

Haha well I’m happy to be born into a Muslim family that has no cultural impact on our religion (because that always confuses people) so, I’m really satisfied with my upbringing. I wouldn’t have it any other way. :)

2 Favorite book that is g-rated . (suitable for young)

Most of the books I read are actually my textbooks haha I’m more of an ‘article’ reader. I read articles about anything from health sciences, the news, psychology, and of course Islam and other religions.

3. If you won the lottery what would you do with it?

Haha that would never happen because I don’t do lottery. ;)
4. Most inspirational Muslima you know

My friend, Nancy!
5. Number 1 thing you cannot leave home without.

Phone.
6. Biggest problem faced as a Muslim teen.

Having conflict between morals and mainstream societal expectations for girls.
7. Coke or Pepsi

Neither! I mostly drink water haha trying to be healthy!
8. Chicken or beef

Chicken
9. Fav. Ice cream flavor

Mint chocolate chip
10. Cooking or baking

Baking
11. Perfect age for marriage (both girl and guy)

Girl: 25

Guy:27

12. Celebrity crush

Kellan Lutz, he honestly seems like a genuine humanitarian kinda guy and to me, that is really rare and unique
13. Christianity or Judaism

To be honest, I’m not as knowledgable about Judaism as I am about Christianity, but I do know that both faiths have many good morals and values. I don’t think I can choose between the two though?
14. What would you name ur daughter?

Asiya or Mina
15. What would you name your son?

Haven’t thought of a name yet haha it will come to me one day!
16. Colour that suits all skin tones

Coral
17. Your dream car

Don’t have one yet!
18. Characteristics your husband must have

Good sense of humour, intellectual, humble, kind, faithful, clean/hygenic, sense of style
19. If you could change anything physically about yourself what would you change?

I feel like if I changed one thing about my looks, I’d have to change everything to go along with it (like a domino effect) because mashaAllah I’m pretty happy with the way I look haha. I wouldn’t change anything.
20. If you could change eye colour, hair colour and skin colour. Which colours would you
choose?

Actually it would be cool to have green eyes, I love my hair colour mashaAllah (auburn) and my skin tone is fair-olive so yeah just green eyes might be nice..

In With the New (Ramadan part 2)

For many of us living in North America, Ramadan becomes challenging through the long and hot summer days. Even I myself find it difficult fasting over 12 hours. However, it’s important to remember that there is purpose and logic behind the fasting that we do.

At all times, and especially in this month, Allah’s Mercy has a broad and infinite spectrum.

2:286 (Asad) “God does not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear”

Easing into Ramadan may be tough, however, it is not impossible.

This is a month of cleansing and renewal. It’s a time to really question your understanding of Islam and Allah, understand why you choose to follow Islam, and why you believe in Allah. Practicality and logic is something that I find lacks in many cultured Muslim societies. Most of the time we find that we do as we are told, not by Allah, but by our parents, friends and teachers. But how many times have we actually followed something directly from the Quran itself, or followed a supposed Islamic ruling supported by Quranic evidence? – Most of the time, and I would argue nearly every time, it is not the Quran, but differences in cultural traditions and practices that are actually the root of conflict between Muslims. If you can relate to this, and I’m sure many of you can, this would be the perfect time to understand the difference between culture and religion, and to learn healthy ways to practice both, in which you feel comfortable and that the two do not conflict one another.

I truly believe in this month we can take advantage of our free time to really understand our religion, from the core. To try our best to break away from things that we feel distract or un-motivate us from understanding our purpose, and ease into the things that help us relax our minds and remember Allah. It will be different for everybody. And you know yourself better than anyone else, here are some suggestions to get you going:

-obstaning from food and water (of course, unless you have health restrictions)

-refraining from music with no meaning or purpose behind it (I myself listen to nature music at times to bring stress levels down and create focus)

-prayer

-practicing yoga/deep breathing exercises (its important to keep our blood and lymphatic flow going throughout the day, without putting too much stress on our bodies)

-reading and, most importantly, understanding the Quran

and lastly, learning and practicing the ways of our Prophet Muhammad- a man of perfect character who was most beloved to the Creator.

It’s important not to look at what other people do, but to look at yourself and what you are able to do, because it is your potential, not another’s, that Allah expects of you. Allah never places you in a situation you cannot handle.

Above everything I have said, the best thing we can do, especially in this month, is to trust in Allah and believe in his Mercy and He will show you a tenfold of the good you know in Him.

Salam/ Peace to all :)

 

Out with the old… (Ramadan part 1)

The beautiful month of spiritual and physical cleansing, is just around the corner.

Now, many people, especially those who may not understand the Muslim faith, may think Ramadan is just a month of deprivation – hunger, thirst, and fatigue. Physically for many of us, this can be true to an extent, especially within the first few days, but as the month prevails, we become stronger and the longer the days are, we obtain something that most of mankind deem most challenging and almost impossible- self control.

Ramadan is a month in which our Creator, Allah, has placed for us each year to bring ourselves back to reality and to attain the highest and most beloved state of not just our Iman (meaning: belief), but our humanity. We turn off the music, turn off the t.v. and tune into whats left of the nature around us. As we become less reliant on food and water to sustain us, we become more reliant and aware of our Creator. And on just the lowest level of the scale of benefets of Ramadan – we learn to appreciate the food and water we have that mankind can sometimes take for granted. We cleanse our bodies of harmful toxins that have been building up in our system throughout the past year. We learn to control our tongue – to not gossip or use course language – as we are careful to use the limited energy we have throughout the day on only things that can benefit ourselves, our family and friends. We focus our heart and soul on understanding our purpose and creating and maintaining a good relationship with our Creator. And inevitably, we enter a state of humility – a characteristic most beloved to our Creator.

You see, Allah knows how busy we may be throughout the year. We have other duties in our lives – a job to work, school to attend, and many things that consume our mind. But Ramadan is a month that He blesses us with every year; it allows us to refresh our mental, physical, and spiritual state. To relax us and purify ourselves. To prepare us for every aspect in our lives in the coming year, so that no matter how busy we become or how cluttered our mind may feel, we will always have this month to cleanse and renew ourselves.

This is a time where we can regain and re-strengthen ourselves to become better human beings, to be a good example to our families, neighbours, colleagues, in hopes that this utmost state of overall wellbeing will remain with us long past the month of Ramadan.

(…to be continued)

 

Peace, all!

I want to thank the commenters for their suggestions for future posts on this blog. I have been quite busy lately, but inshaAllah I am hoping to finish my next post before Ramadan starts. Jazakhallah khair to all of the viewers, for supporting this blog, and I look forward to more suggestions and ideas for future posts!

May Allah bless you, and have a wonderful Ramadan :)