I’ve always believed there is a difference between people who were born Muslims and others who chose to be ones. Which one are you?

To me the latter are often stronger Muslims than the former.

Most of us who were born Muslims get our teachings from our parents, school, etc. Or that’s what it’s supposed to be. Most of our knowledge is what is given to us. Mimicking actions. We don’t actually go & search, further educate ourselves. Prepare for potential questions and inquires from non-Muslims who seek to become one or others who want to demolish and question the essence of our beliefs.

It saddens me, the way we practice our Islam here. I am not a religious person. I’ve a really long way to go. But there are basics one should not detour from and ignore. We don’t realize that our actions reflect directly on our religion, even if it’s not related what so ever.

Simply, praying (عماد الدين). Once we were in Starbucks and it was prayer time, so we prayed in one of their rooms

( وَلِلّهِ الْمَشْرِقُ وَالْمَغْرِبُ فَأَيْنَمَا تُوَلُّواْ فَثَمَّ وَجْهُ اللّهِ إِنَّ اللّهَ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ ).

The sad thing is that all the rest of the coffee shop which was packed to its fullest, men & women, didn’t move. As if the man calling for the prayer (اذان) was just another unheard familiar ritual.

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم: انما بعثت لاتمم مكارم الأخلاق

ان الظلم ظلمات يوم القيامة

How does this translate into our life routine? Think about it. They way we treat each other and other people. The way we behave like we were these untouchable superior beings.

I was taking a course and this Filipino woman was talking to me. She was surprised why we don’t have nude beaches, as her husband was about to take her swimming top off another Filipino told her it is not allowed here. Why isn’t allowed here was her question. Why don’t you eat pig meat or drink wine. She was saying that she attended a private party here in Kuwait and Kuwaiti-Muslim men were drinking & partying. So simply I said, in your religion, you must have rules and regulations you do not abide to or practice right, don’t you have to go to church or fast for a day for example. What you see doesn’t necessarily mean that this is our religion, our religion forbids all that. If you want to know more about Islam go and read about it from our books, how it is supposed to be not how it is right now.

My IELTS teacher once asked me. Do you think Islam is practised here? The way the girls are in malls. You know even in England girls don’t walk around like that. I am surprised that you don’t appreciate that Quran is written in Arabic which is your native language, I have to struggle to understand its meaning. Do you know that I teach basic Islamic teachings to Muslims. Finally he told me, he’s thinking of going back to England and becoming a (داعية)

Just some quotes to ponder:

“Al-Hamedellah Allah showed me Islam before HE showed me Muslims”

ذهبت للغرب فوجدت الاسلام و لم أجد المسلمين
ذهبت للشرق فوجدت المسلمين و لم أجد الاسلام

My attempt here is a daily struggle between myself & I. Maybe it is Ramadan but deep down I know it is not. Which kind of makes me happy. I do retain my basic Islamic practices and teachings all year long, but in this holy month I go the extra mile in hopes to redeem myself into becoming a better Muslim and keep it for a life time. Insha’Allah I succeed.

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