In search of Muslims
- Details
- Category: Notes from Atlanta
- Written by M. U. Ndagi
- Hits: 989
The evolution of religious history illustrates the universality of religion as a non-sectarian, non-racial and non-doctrinal pathway to God, which Islam indisputably represents.
Islam, which implies submission to the Will of God entails faith; doing right, being an example for others to do right, and having the power to see that the right prevails; eschewing wrong, and having the power to see that wrong and injustice are defeated. Islam therefore lives, not for itself, but for mankind. It is in this regard that Allah (SWT) reveals Qur’an 3:110 “Ye are the best of peoples evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in God…”In truth, we are supposed to see and appreciate Islam through the actions and speeches of Muslims. The way of life of Muslims should, indeed, represent the teachings of Islam. A Muslim is expected to live a righteous life. He should be a model of righteousness from whom fellow Muslims would be encouraged to do right. The righteous life of a Muslim is also supposed to attract non-Muslims to the beautiful and decent values of Islamic religion. The teachings of Islam as outlined in the political, social, economic and spiritual principles of the religion are designed to make Muslims virtuous in character, overtly and covertly. Unfortunately, the life of many Muslims today seems to completely negate this fundamental concept. We are getting to a point where, sometimes, you may need to ask to know that you are with a Muslim even though Muslims are supposed to be morally unique for being “the best of peoples evolved for mankind”.
The culture of Muslims is one that is founded and built on Islamic principles. Islamic religion has perfectly provided legislations that would guide Muslims in every aspect of their life. This include the way we should look, talk, eat, dress, answer the call of nature, enter into and come out of our houses; as well as the Islamic tradition of conducting marriages. All these collectively combine to shape what is called “Islamic culture. Startling enough, many contemporary Muslims appear to suffer from a crisis of identity, or more critically, from a clash of civilization.
Just recently, I saw a female university student whose indecent mode of dressing kept her at the longest distance from Islam. She had no scarf or veil covering her hair, and was putting on tight jeans trouser. I found it incredible when I heard another student calling her “Zainab”, indicating that she is a Muslim. Parents must devise effective means of monitoring their children and wards at school in order to check immoral tendencies in them, which they ordinarily do not exhibit at home. When you see pictures of brides and grooms at wedding ceremonies today, you may need to ask whether they are Muslims because of what brides with Muslim background put on as wedding gowns as well as what some of them do at a public function called “reception” to symbolize “love”. The ostentations nature of marriages, too, among Muslims in modern times illustrates how moderation has become an abandoned virtue. This column condemns the very expensive nature of Muslim marriages in Nigeria today, which of course, is foreign to Islamic culture.
Islamic culture requires Muslims to be trustworthy. Today, one would have to be selective and cautions to give any article of trust to some Muslims especially if it involves money or power. It is even worse if the substance of trust were a woman. Corruption, which is so endemic in Nigeria, has given birth to more betrayers than trustworthy persons among Muslims. Kindness, courtesy and humility which are some of the virtues that make Muslims unique from others, and by which others are attracted to Islam, have become scarce attitudinal commodities. Humility and not pride makes a good Muslim. Humility and courtesy are acts of piety. The prophet (SAW) said “Verily, Allah commands me to be humble and lowly and not to be proud; and that no one should oppress another”. The prophet (SAW) who is a model of kindness and charity once said, “Charity is a duty unto every Muslim. He who possesses not the means thereto should perform a good act or abstain from an evil one. That is charity”.
A good Muslim speaks the truth when he talks; fulfils his promises; and discharges his trust accordingly. These and other cherished qualities define the character of a Muslim. But sadly, the general conduct of many Muslims today is so much in dearth of virtuous qualities that we may soon be prompted to go in search of Islam and Muslims outside of Muslim communities. The unwillingness by some Muslims to render help even when they can; their unfriendly and uncourteous nature; the widespread dishonesty and brazen fashion of betrayal among them are indeed embarrassing to Islam and damaging to the image of this Ummah that is supposedly “the best of peoples evolved for mankind”.
We call on Muslims to critically re-examine themselves with a view to ensuring that they live according to the provisions of the Qur’an and Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW). It is unbecoming that a Muslim today cannot easily be identified by his Islamic cultural values. Let us strive to remain good Muslims no matter how hard the devil struggles to take us off the track of guidance. Our thoughts and actions should be within the provisions of Shari’ah, which sufficiently deals with the most minute and delicate circumstances of life. In fact, the documented account of prophetic traditions is a Muslim’s dictionary of morals and manners. May Allah (SWT) preserve and protect the sanctity of our faith so that we remain true Muslims in words and actions, amin.
Articles
In search of Muslims
Category: Notes from Atlanta Written by M. U. Ndagi Hits: 989
The evolution of religious history illustrates the universality of religion as a non-sectarian, non-racial and non-doctrinal pathway to God, which Islam indisputably represents.
Islam, which implies submission to the Will of God entails faith; doing right, being an example for others to do right, and having the power to see that the right prevails; eschewing wrong, and having the power to see that wrong and injustice are defeated. Islam therefore lives, not for itself, but for mankind. It is in this regard that Allah (SWT) reveals Qur’an 3:110 “Ye are the best of peoples evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in God…”In truth, we are supposed to see and appreciate Islam through the actions and speeches of Muslims. The way of life of Muslims should, indeed, represent the teachings of Islam. A Muslim is expected to live a righteous life. He should be a model of righteousness from whom fellow Muslims would be encouraged to do right. The righteous life of a Muslim is also supposed to attract non-Muslims to the beautiful and decent values of Islamic religion. The teachings of Islam as outlined in the political, social, economic and spiritual principles of the religion are designed to make Muslims virtuous in character, overtly and covertly. Unfortunately, the life of many Muslims today seems to completely negate this fundamental concept. We are getting to a point where, sometimes, you may need to ask to know that you are with a Muslim even though Muslims are supposed to be morally unique for being “the best of peoples evolved for mankind”.
The culture of Muslims is one that is founded and built on Islamic principles. Islamic religion has perfectly provided legislations that would guide Muslims in every aspect of their life. This include the way we should look, talk, eat, dress, answer the call of nature, enter into and come out of our houses; as well as the Islamic tradition of conducting marriages. All these collectively combine to shape what is called “Islamic culture. Startling enough, many contemporary Muslims appear to suffer from a crisis of identity, or more critically, from a clash of civilization.
Just recently, I saw a female university student whose indecent mode of dressing kept her at the longest distance from Islam. She had no scarf or veil covering her hair, and was putting on tight jeans trouser. I found it incredible when I heard another student calling her “Zainab”, indicating that she is a Muslim. Parents must devise effective means of monitoring their children and wards at school in order to check immoral tendencies in them, which they ordinarily do not exhibit at home. When you see pictures of brides and grooms at wedding ceremonies today, you may need to ask whether they are Muslims because of what brides with Muslim background put on as wedding gowns as well as what some of them do at a public function called “reception” to symbolize “love”. The ostentations nature of marriages, too, among Muslims in modern times illustrates how moderation has become an abandoned virtue. This column condemns the very expensive nature of Muslim marriages in Nigeria today, which of course, is foreign to Islamic culture.
Islamic culture requires Muslims to be trustworthy. Today, one would have to be selective and cautions to give any article of trust to some Muslims especially if it involves money or power. It is even worse if the substance of trust were a woman. Corruption, which is so endemic in Nigeria, has given birth to more betrayers than trustworthy persons among Muslims. Kindness, courtesy and humility which are some of the virtues that make Muslims unique from others, and by which others are attracted to Islam, have become scarce attitudinal commodities. Humility and not pride makes a good Muslim. Humility and courtesy are acts of piety. The prophet (SAW) said “Verily, Allah commands me to be humble and lowly and not to be proud; and that no one should oppress another”. The prophet (SAW) who is a model of kindness and charity once said, “Charity is a duty unto every Muslim. He who possesses not the means thereto should perform a good act or abstain from an evil one. That is charity”.
A good Muslim speaks the truth when he talks; fulfils his promises; and discharges his trust accordingly. These and other cherished qualities define the character of a Muslim. But sadly, the general conduct of many Muslims today is so much in dearth of virtuous qualities that we may soon be prompted to go in search of Islam and Muslims outside of Muslim communities. The unwillingness by some Muslims to render help even when they can; their unfriendly and uncourteous nature; the widespread dishonesty and brazen fashion of betrayal among them are indeed embarrassing to Islam and damaging to the image of this Ummah that is supposedly “the best of peoples evolved for mankind”.
We call on Muslims to critically re-examine themselves with a view to ensuring that they live according to the provisions of the Qur’an and Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW). It is unbecoming that a Muslim today cannot easily be identified by his Islamic cultural values. Let us strive to remain good Muslims no matter how hard the devil struggles to take us off the track of guidance. Our thoughts and actions should be within the provisions of Shari’ah, which sufficiently deals with the most minute and delicate circumstances of life. In fact, the documented account of prophetic traditions is a Muslim’s dictionary of morals and manners. May Allah (SWT) preserve and protect the sanctity of our faith so that we remain true Muslims in words and actions, amin.