Storm
SiStEr
I had written this article inthe summer and I want to share it with you. I have posted half of it and will do the rest later. I will appreciate to know what you think
OUR ISLAM
The word "Islam" is an Arabic word which means "submission to the will of God". This word comes from the same root as the Arabic word "salam", which means "peace". As such, the religion of Islam teaches that in order to achieve true peace of mind and surety of heart, one must submit to God and live according to His Divinely revealed Law. The word "Muslim" means one who submits to the will of God, regardless of their race, nationality or ethnic background. Being a Muslim entails willful submission and active obedience to God, and living in accordance with His message. Have we done that?
During the summer holidays, I had attended an Islamic course, which I was reluctant to go to at first. But I joined nonetheless. The first few days were hard because you had to get used to sitting for nearly 3 hours, concentrating on the lecture and bearing the summer heat. But then everything changed.
After attending the Islamic course, most of my friends told me how I had changed and I completely embraced it, “Of course I have”. I believe that 90% of us would, after listening to the Holy Quran in detail. In modern times in which so many people are caught up in doubt, spiritual despair and "political correctness", the Qur'anic teachings offer solutions to the emptiness of our lives and the turmoil that is gripping the world today. In short, the Qur'an is the book of guidance par excellence.
Unfortunately, we don’t believe.
Most people think that to live an Islamic life you would have to restrain yourself from all the worldly possessions. Islam does not allow the person to surrender themselves to lust and desire, as in contemporary 'civilization'. Islam recognizes the love a man has for women, children, gold, silver, and other possessions. But it provides a limit for the amount of this worldly pleasure which we require, and reminds us of the life in the hereafter.
"Beautified for men is the love of things they desire: Women, Children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world's life, but Allah has the excellent return (Paradise)"(Surah Aali-Imraan 3:141)
So when the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth is offering a reward which is high, and the Benefit is eternal, shouldn't we at least see what's on offer?
The use of the word "restrictive" often comes from those who think they live a "free- life". But the fact of the matter is that, wherever you go you will find rules and regulations. For example, in the workplace, in colleges and universities and more obviously on the roads, i.e. the highway and green cross codes. Wherever you are, there are rules and regulations.
Islam forbids us to follow many of the rules which are held by western culture and subcultures. Yet people are more than willing to obey them, because they believe that these rules will protect them.
Do we think of these rules as being restrictive? If anything, you would expect them to bring about a sense of control and order, as well as increasing the pleasure. Without realizing, people are ready and willing to accept many man-made rules, rules that are invented by one group of people and to be obeyed by the rest of society. These rules are not perfect because man is imperfect, yet people accept them and hope and believe that they will benefit from them. What about the restrictions set by Allah which can save the whole of man-kind? Such restrictions come from the One Who is Perfect, and not man, who is imperfect! The so-called 'freedom' of 'modern civilization', is one which is defined for you, by another human. We are often told what is 'politically correct' and what is not. We are told that this is what everybody will be wearing this summer, and that this is the film to watch. Those are the new Hollywood stars to emerge. You shouldn't be seen 'dead' in this dress and you should paint your finger-nails this colour. The list is endless. All of this is then redefined to fit in with the next wave of fashion trends.
Those who do not conform are labelled bigamist, narrow-minded, backward, out-dated and so on.
OUR ISLAM
The word "Islam" is an Arabic word which means "submission to the will of God". This word comes from the same root as the Arabic word "salam", which means "peace". As such, the religion of Islam teaches that in order to achieve true peace of mind and surety of heart, one must submit to God and live according to His Divinely revealed Law. The word "Muslim" means one who submits to the will of God, regardless of their race, nationality or ethnic background. Being a Muslim entails willful submission and active obedience to God, and living in accordance with His message. Have we done that?
During the summer holidays, I had attended an Islamic course, which I was reluctant to go to at first. But I joined nonetheless. The first few days were hard because you had to get used to sitting for nearly 3 hours, concentrating on the lecture and bearing the summer heat. But then everything changed.
After attending the Islamic course, most of my friends told me how I had changed and I completely embraced it, “Of course I have”. I believe that 90% of us would, after listening to the Holy Quran in detail. In modern times in which so many people are caught up in doubt, spiritual despair and "political correctness", the Qur'anic teachings offer solutions to the emptiness of our lives and the turmoil that is gripping the world today. In short, the Qur'an is the book of guidance par excellence.
Unfortunately, we don’t believe.
Most people think that to live an Islamic life you would have to restrain yourself from all the worldly possessions. Islam does not allow the person to surrender themselves to lust and desire, as in contemporary 'civilization'. Islam recognizes the love a man has for women, children, gold, silver, and other possessions. But it provides a limit for the amount of this worldly pleasure which we require, and reminds us of the life in the hereafter.
"Beautified for men is the love of things they desire: Women, Children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world's life, but Allah has the excellent return (Paradise)"(Surah Aali-Imraan 3:141)
So when the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth is offering a reward which is high, and the Benefit is eternal, shouldn't we at least see what's on offer?
The use of the word "restrictive" often comes from those who think they live a "free- life". But the fact of the matter is that, wherever you go you will find rules and regulations. For example, in the workplace, in colleges and universities and more obviously on the roads, i.e. the highway and green cross codes. Wherever you are, there are rules and regulations.
Islam forbids us to follow many of the rules which are held by western culture and subcultures. Yet people are more than willing to obey them, because they believe that these rules will protect them.
Do we think of these rules as being restrictive? If anything, you would expect them to bring about a sense of control and order, as well as increasing the pleasure. Without realizing, people are ready and willing to accept many man-made rules, rules that are invented by one group of people and to be obeyed by the rest of society. These rules are not perfect because man is imperfect, yet people accept them and hope and believe that they will benefit from them. What about the restrictions set by Allah which can save the whole of man-kind? Such restrictions come from the One Who is Perfect, and not man, who is imperfect! The so-called 'freedom' of 'modern civilization', is one which is defined for you, by another human. We are often told what is 'politically correct' and what is not. We are told that this is what everybody will be wearing this summer, and that this is the film to watch. Those are the new Hollywood stars to emerge. You shouldn't be seen 'dead' in this dress and you should paint your finger-nails this colour. The list is endless. All of this is then redefined to fit in with the next wave of fashion trends.
Those who do not conform are labelled bigamist, narrow-minded, backward, out-dated and so on.
