Salaam my dear brothers and sisters,
So here we see and read the challenges the Ummah faces today. With prejudice, racism, and elitism the division of "this kind" of Muslim over "that kind" of Muslim has fractured our community. Now I am not talking about trying to bind Shia with Sunni, those are real and serious matter of tawqa and deen. But when a Somali won't treat a Pakistani as a brother/sister over the melanin content of the skin of some borders drawn into a map by humans...then we have a very serious issue. (btw I am simply mentioning two types of nationalities and not trying to center out anyone in particular)
We need to remember that Rasool'illah never discriminated against any Muslims. From having Bilal stand on the kabba to call adaan to marrying a Jew, he never told them they were any less or more because of their color/ethinicity. Such sillyness that we pick and choose our mates from lines drawn on a map. It's as if people really beleive those borders are true physical lines in the sand and not some whimsical decision made by follish men. Those borders change and dissapear from those maps but we still all bleed red.
My point is, we need a serious revival of what real Islam means. Someone mentioned a valid and cogent point, that people try to "dirty" Islam by overlaying their culture and traditions onto it. That is absolutely correct. While there is no shame in having cultural differences (as diversity is the spice of life) we should never, ever elevate culture above or make it equal with our religion. When we die our ethinicity will not even matter. It's as if some people think we will be put int he "Pakistani" line or the "Arab" line on judgement day. lol (the mental picture just made me laugh) No, we will be naked for all to see...in other words our sins will be visible to everyone...our mothers, fathers, and anyone else we held in esteem.
Lastly, I have received many, many encouraging and kind PMs offering me everything from money to a place to live. I am lambasted by the outpouring of generosity and kindness I have received. I am unable to move presently as I wait for my school to straighten out my finanacial aid. I don't need money as, alhumdulliah, I have a job that pays adequate funds for food and my small rent. And I still am being patient with the brother to get things squared with his family....so no need for matchmaking...yet.
I have made dua that every single person who sent me kind words or made dua for me are rewarded many times over. I love you all for the sake of Allah and prays he Opens a way for you.
Wasalaam