All praise belongs to God who is the source of everything that is good.
Of recently, I have come to realize the holistic positivity in death. God tests us with losses. Though for many, this begs the question, how can God--the Almighty--take the life of an innocent being who has done nothing but worship Him or is a mere infant. How can the Merciful Lord take a mother away from her child, or a husband away from his wife and young children? Such questions have been posed with much animosity and frustration. However, we often forget to ask the real questions. And the real question is; who's property are we? Are we the property of our children, of our family; or are we God's property and our families are nothing more than God's custodians for the time being. Does one ever complain when the owner takes his belonging back? The owner has reclaimed it therefore our conjecture that God has done something 'evil' is false.
So when people question, 'What kind of a God can see a child drown away in a flood or die of hunger and deprivation,' there is a greater mercy to this. The greater mercy is the compassion you and I feel towards that child. A child died--I am going to cry for that child. Allah says THAT'S IT. That is why I took the child away. How are we supposed to fully comprehend the value of life, if we don't see it go away? How can we understand the fragility of the human race if we don't experience loss? How can we understand the value of this Earth if it did not shake? How would we know?
When catastrophe occurs, we jump to label the event as being evil and treacherous, when in fact, they have simply mis-defined the term in itself. Evil is the willfull rejection of good. When a person rejects the idea of doing something that is good, that is evil. Any other way, is not evil. Meaning when I have free will, I can choose to do good and I can choose to reject good (which brings about evil). If a person murders someone but they did not intend to kill; we call it an accident. There is no evil in it, there is innocence (assuming that we can prove that the person did not willfully intend to commit the act, then such an individual is innocent). This is how atheism starts--when terminologies are mis-defined and you get stuck in a spiral of misunderstands.
The definition of evil has a direct connection with free will. If free will is removed from the equation then there is no such thing as evil. It cannot exist. Evil only exists with free will. Therefore a flood has no notion of evil because there is no question of free will present.
But we fail to realize that evil is actually a good thing! A common example to better understand this point are the lines on a basketball court. In a game, we have demarcations of good and evil. If we take those demarcations out, the sport ceases to function. These lines on a basketball court define evil and good. When we play the game, as long as we keep the ball inside the line, it's good. But once we hit the ball outside the line, it's evil--you lose the point. Experts in the field know how to keep the ball inside the line and they're good at it. Even if those lines are a distraction, they come in our way, we need those lines to be there because the more we struggle to keep the ball within the lines, the more we avoid losing the point and thus, the better we become at the game. This is how heroes are born. Evil needs to be present; the secret is that we must avoid it. The question is not whether it should exist or not, the idea is it that it must be avoided. And that is why evil is actually designed to enhance the good.
Allah says in this world, we're constantly going to struggle; it's a never ending struggle, and we're going to keep doing it until we die--because that is the design of Allah's system. When people struggle in this world their whole life and are finally released from this test, that release is a blessing. It is the end of the examination and there is comfort in knowing that it's finally over.
It's not very often that we thank God for releasing our loved ones from the pain and struggles of this world. Alhumdulillah, for the eternal life that will bring about harmony and contentment to those who deserve it the most.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Why hijab?
One thing that really gets under my skin is when people (even Muslims) preach misinformation about hijab and why it is implemented in Islam. People often forget that the primary reason for hijab is so that we as Muslims are identified. Hijab is the flag bearer of Islam, more so than anything else. In fact, one of the primary verses in the Qur'an that talks about hijab tells us this:
"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to cover themselves. That will be better, so that they may be recognised. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful." (33:59)
Other verses in the Qur'an tell us what should be covered, but as far as I know, this is the only verse that explicitly tells us as to WHY hijab is mandatory.
I recently wrote a piece on this topic; I wish more Muslim women (and men) could understand this concept.
This is my favorite passage from the article:
"Though interestingly, in many societies hijab is continuously portrayed as a means of oppression through the concealment of hair and skin. On the contrary, the concept of this covering is not an entity to hide a woman; it is to expose her. Because of her garb, when she is disclosed as a Muslim, her modest demeanor becomes a teacher for society as to what is morality and ethics. And it is this physical covering working as an equilibrium with the social humbleness taught by Islamic values that demonstrate the essence of what morality is."
I will post the full article for those interested in reading it.
----
My hijab is my identity
Identity is seen by many as one of the most important subjects in the world today. Within human history, each one of us has sought to look at, develop, and understand the identities of the people around us in order that we’re able to live with human beings in a way which is known as a peaceful coexistence. When looking for an identity, we find that virtually every area of our lives is governed by the individual having an identifier around him. Even at the most trivial level, a passport, a bus pass, or a driver’s license, are all forms of identifiers which within our lives today are seen as vital components of our every move.
Innately within a human being, there is a constant search to identify his or herself with something. What that thing is—be it metaphysical or physical in nature—is the constant search for an identity. And among one of the most important identifiers today is the idea of clothing. As an example, there are certain individuals who will not travel unless they have a bag with ‘LV’ written all over it. Or you find those who have a small badge with the letters of PRADA. Because clothing is and has always been a piece of identity for every human being; accordingly, the concept of hijab is seen today as one of the main identifiers of the world. And therefore, when a person sees a woman in hijab, her first identity is that of a Muslim.
In addition to being an identifier for Muslims, hijab continues to liberate women from the media perception of beauty and using women as a commodity. To be liberated is not doing what you want, when you want to do it; but rather, in Islam, liberation is engaging in what is right without fearing what others may think. Similarly, control is not putting a piece of cloth on a woman; control is when TV, movies, and magazines tell people what to wear and how to be attractive. When a woman spends millions of dollars to look skinny and live by standards of fashion designed by men—a patriarchal society will undoubtedly continue to exist among us. It is at this level that hijab is a threat to consumerism because it forces an individual to look into her soul rather than striving for a narrow-minded image of what she should look like according to the standards of men.
Hijab, like every other concept in Islam, has a two-sided aspect—physical and spiritual. A head covering in itself is not sufficient in acquiring modesty and therefore, an attractive mannerism and humbleness are vital when attempting to liberate oneself from the media norms of sex, violence, and drugs.
In this manner, the honor of representing Islam through this garb holds a great responsibility. In a world where vulgarity and arrogance are at their peak, the uniformed need to be modest both physically and socially is what gives hijab the fundamental need in societies today. Though interestingly, in many societies hijab is continuously portrayed as a means of oppression through the concealment of hair and skin. On the contrary, the concept of this covering is not an entity to hide a woman; it is to expose her. Because of her garb, when she is disclosed as a Muslim, her modest demeanor becomes a teacher for society as to what is morality and ethics. And it is this physical covering working as an equilibrium with the social humbleness taught by Islamic values that demonstrate the essence of what morality is.
And though perhaps society will persist on viewing this apparel with a glass half empty—I find it interesting that Islam gave women the opportunity and honor to represent the religion by wearing what is known as the flag of Islam—the hijab.
"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to cover themselves. That will be better, so that they may be recognised. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful." (33:59)
Other verses in the Qur'an tell us what should be covered, but as far as I know, this is the only verse that explicitly tells us as to WHY hijab is mandatory.
I recently wrote a piece on this topic; I wish more Muslim women (and men) could understand this concept.
This is my favorite passage from the article:
"Though interestingly, in many societies hijab is continuously portrayed as a means of oppression through the concealment of hair and skin. On the contrary, the concept of this covering is not an entity to hide a woman; it is to expose her. Because of her garb, when she is disclosed as a Muslim, her modest demeanor becomes a teacher for society as to what is morality and ethics. And it is this physical covering working as an equilibrium with the social humbleness taught by Islamic values that demonstrate the essence of what morality is."
I will post the full article for those interested in reading it.
----
My hijab is my identity
Identity is seen by many as one of the most important subjects in the world today. Within human history, each one of us has sought to look at, develop, and understand the identities of the people around us in order that we’re able to live with human beings in a way which is known as a peaceful coexistence. When looking for an identity, we find that virtually every area of our lives is governed by the individual having an identifier around him. Even at the most trivial level, a passport, a bus pass, or a driver’s license, are all forms of identifiers which within our lives today are seen as vital components of our every move.
Innately within a human being, there is a constant search to identify his or herself with something. What that thing is—be it metaphysical or physical in nature—is the constant search for an identity. And among one of the most important identifiers today is the idea of clothing. As an example, there are certain individuals who will not travel unless they have a bag with ‘LV’ written all over it. Or you find those who have a small badge with the letters of PRADA. Because clothing is and has always been a piece of identity for every human being; accordingly, the concept of hijab is seen today as one of the main identifiers of the world. And therefore, when a person sees a woman in hijab, her first identity is that of a Muslim.
In addition to being an identifier for Muslims, hijab continues to liberate women from the media perception of beauty and using women as a commodity. To be liberated is not doing what you want, when you want to do it; but rather, in Islam, liberation is engaging in what is right without fearing what others may think. Similarly, control is not putting a piece of cloth on a woman; control is when TV, movies, and magazines tell people what to wear and how to be attractive. When a woman spends millions of dollars to look skinny and live by standards of fashion designed by men—a patriarchal society will undoubtedly continue to exist among us. It is at this level that hijab is a threat to consumerism because it forces an individual to look into her soul rather than striving for a narrow-minded image of what she should look like according to the standards of men.
Hijab, like every other concept in Islam, has a two-sided aspect—physical and spiritual. A head covering in itself is not sufficient in acquiring modesty and therefore, an attractive mannerism and humbleness are vital when attempting to liberate oneself from the media norms of sex, violence, and drugs.
In this manner, the honor of representing Islam through this garb holds a great responsibility. In a world where vulgarity and arrogance are at their peak, the uniformed need to be modest both physically and socially is what gives hijab the fundamental need in societies today. Though interestingly, in many societies hijab is continuously portrayed as a means of oppression through the concealment of hair and skin. On the contrary, the concept of this covering is not an entity to hide a woman; it is to expose her. Because of her garb, when she is disclosed as a Muslim, her modest demeanor becomes a teacher for society as to what is morality and ethics. And it is this physical covering working as an equilibrium with the social humbleness taught by Islamic values that demonstrate the essence of what morality is.
And though perhaps society will persist on viewing this apparel with a glass half empty—I find it interesting that Islam gave women the opportunity and honor to represent the religion by wearing what is known as the flag of Islam—the hijab.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Syeds and Facebook
I never update my facebook status. Last night I saw a group on facebook called 'SYED ONLY' and the description said:
"Only 4 syeds sorry 4 others"
Several people I know joined this group. Saddened by this, I decided to update my facebook status portraying my stance on the ridiculousness of the issue, and how it truly hurts the feelings of those who are not called "syed."
And then.... all jahannum broke loose...
Mehak Rizvi I think it's quite sad when you have to brag about being a "syed."
I now understand that it was wrong of me to present this strong of an opinion in the blunt manner that I did. Though my stance remains--I apologize for hurting anyone's feelings on the discussion.
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