I would like to speak of something which I find to be quite popular amongst us Muslims..it bothers me just a little..but I pray that one day we eliminate it..
We find it *easier* to just *focus on the shells* of a fellow Muslim..if a sister doesn't wear hijab..*she's a horrible Muslimah*..if a brother has a beard..*he's pious*..if an older man says something about religion..because he's older..*he's right and should be listened to*..if a young Muslim or Muslimah make da'awa..because they're young..*they're brainwashed*..et cetra..et cetra
Where are we from the reality of *riya'a* in everything from ibaadah..to dealing with others?..here are people who put on an act of *worship* just to glide in life with the evil wings of *riya'a*..not even having the slightest taqwa towards Allah (swt)..so why would they be considerate of the servants of Allah?
What's important is what lays within the chest..*the heart*..if the heart is pure..if the heart is Allah-Fearing..if the heart is attached to the deen...then you bet that the outter shell of the Muslim will shine these matters through!..no lecturing..no begging..no warning necessary..the hijab will be worn appropriately..the beard will be grown without shame..the manners will be awingly upright..and so on
I am not saying that we should have suspecion of others..ao'otho billah..but I am saying we should analyze the *ikhlaas* and *ihsaan* of others..and from there..build a *perception* to utilize our behaviors..communications..and interactions through
If a brother with a beard down to his stomach proposed to me..but he's unjust and hardhearted with his parents..he prays only juma'a..does not read the Qura'an..knows the basics of The Sunnah..he has ill-manners with people..he commits haram secretly..commits actions full of riya'a..thinks that he can smack me around because I am a "woman"..and so on..
Then what good is that beard for?!..let me tell you all..absolutely..NOTHING!..
Even if a brother comes proposing to me with a beard..and he has a distinct Islamic look about him..he will be questioned by me..and he will be asked his character and deen in the community by my mahrams..on a deep basis..to help me make a solid decision about him..because his beard..miswak..or thawb..won't give him a free pass over the brother who wears tees..jeans..lugz..and keeps his beard trimmed..
As each one is a human..
Thus..each one can fall under the shade of utmost blessing and guidance..and each can also fall under the gloominess of the fitan of the dunya..so to eliminate fears *buts* and *ifs*..what will matter (at least for me) is *the well-being of the heart*..and the intrepretation of what's *within it* into actions with utmost soundness..ikhlaas..and ihsaan..in everything regarding ibadaah and even daily affairs