Thursday, December 3, 2009

Being 'Proper'

Asalamu Alaikum ladees!

Did you guys have a good Eid? I hope you did because I know I did :D
Unfortunately it rained on my parade (literally) and I could feel the carefully applied foundation dripping away.

-sigh-

But other than that, my maternal Uncle had gotten married last year and his wife (who is a convert from Romania -my maternal family is pretty diverse in their marriage partners) brought me some turkish hijabs!

I can't believe they remembered that when I had only said it in a passing comment when I heard they were going to Turkey a couple months ago!

I got black, white, purple and a patterned purple one <3

She even taught me how to wear it!

I can't wait to get a coat to wear it with. Yeah, I see great things in my future -insha'Allah-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Vague on purpose*
Why can't everyone learn to accept each others differences?
If you tell someone over and over again to change something benign about their appearance you're only making yourself look bad.
Although you could argue that you're trying to 'forbid an evil' (And yeah I'm all for it and willing to hear it)
A person's choice of wardrobe is their choice.
Maybe they like their jeans and skirts and sandals.
Maybe they have done their research and just decide to opt out of something they don't perceive as obligatory.
Take your self-righteousness and shove it.
We can't all be perfect like you
************************************************************************
I dislike many people's definition of Islam, it's such a false dichotomy; you either do it this way or you're doing it wrong.
These people love to have such precise ways of doing something that it irks me.
I mean, really?, there's a detailed paragraph on how to wash yourself after you take a piss?
Really?
And there's always some hadith giving an exact play by play on how to do wudu, eat, sleep, walk and talk that I wonder how people can like being so constricted.

Islam is such a beautiful way of life, but people love to narrow it down
-boxing it in-
that things that shouldn't be overthought "dang it, I forgot to step in with my left foot" are taking so much more importance to the things that should matter
(i.e have you paid your zakat yet?)
But if you like to adhere to strict rules, than go wild, sorry for feeling differently about it.

It kind of reminds me of a story in the Qur'an of how Moses tells his people about Allah swt wanting them to sacrifice a cow.
(Do you all remember that story?)
And how essentially they asked for more and more detail on what kind of cow they wanted that Allah swt gave them an almost impossible task.
They took what was a general order
-just find a cow-
and made it so much harder

He said: "He says: A heifer not trained to till the soil or water the fields; sound and without blemish." They said: "Now hast thou brought the truth." Then they offered her in sacrifice, but not with good-will. (2:71)

Islam rocks you guys, seriously, but I'm not a conformist
(at least that's what I tell myself in the hopes that one day it'll ring true in all aspects of my life)
and I love the simple beauty of Islam that I find in the Qur'an and the not-so-detailed aspects of the Sunnah.
I agree that the Prophet (saw) was the final prophet and one of the best men of all time (leads to a link containing some snippets of music)

But some muslims frighten me in their near-worship of the Prophet (saw). Celebrations like mawlid- but I can't be a hypocrite, I attend those once a year just to see friends I see.. once a year or so-, and people following his example to the licking of their fingers.
I'm not criticizing, really, but he was just a man who delivered to us the beautiful message of Islam.
And ya just don't worship the messenger.

“But as for those who believe in God and His apostles and make no distinction between any of them – unto them, in time, will He grant their re wards [in full]. And God is indeed much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace. (4:152)

-steps down from soapbox-

Okay, I'm done being the type of person I'm ranting about.
But if anyone feels in complete disagreement with what I've written that they're starting to froth and seethe in angry rage at such a big-mouthed infidel- the x button is always on the right hand corner-

Thank you and have a nice day/night/evening/afternoon/whatever

Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (2:62)

10 comments:

Maddie said...

Oh goodness, I agree with how far Sunnah people can get. Agreeeeeee so much.
I laughed so hard at the "of all time." :D

Candice said...

When I started reading the part of your post about definitions of Islam, I was a bit afraid it was going to be something about people who have definitions a bit outside the norm. I feel I fit into that category. But we actually fully agree!

I think I'm being paranoid. Someone wrote a post I felt might've been in relation to something I wrote on my blog and now I'm imagining the blogging world is against me. lol. Nah, I actually feel full of support overall from the blogging world and I think my views are generally accepted (even from the people who might disagree).

Stacy K. said...

I agree with you completely. I friend told me that when he was in the Otanga camp in Kenya all the guys were cutting their pants to the ankles b/c its sunnah. He had only 1 nice pair of pants and didn't want to ruin them. The other guys criticized him for following the sunnah of the prophet down to the letter. I don't think that just b/c something was done a certain way in 7th C. Arabia means that literally everything needs to be done the way it was there at that time.

Fatou Thioune said...

well about the pants men shouldnt wear it past their ankles. thats an obligation, not a sunnah.

Ghost Writer said...

I think there's a beauty in wanting to emanate the actions of the Prophet. Everything he did - be it trousers above the ankle or sleeping in a certain way - was for a reason and modern science is proving just how deep his actions were every single day. So if someone wants to go out of his way to follow a sunnah - be it out of love for the prophet or just because he wants extra rewards - then why not? Who are we to criticise?

I don't like it when people dismiss sunnah as 'only sunnah' just because they don't have the strength to do it themselves. How can something be 'ONLY' sunnah - how demeaning is that to our Prophet - because of whom this entire world was created? Who will be the ONLY person to stand on the day of judgement and cry for his ummah, when everyone else will be too concerned about themselves.

Having said that, I agree that some people place so much emphasis on the little things that they forget about the big things.

It's difficult to strike a balance but I think essentially, it comes down to being considerate of others. If you want to practise every sunnah you can - go for it - but let others get on with their lives without berating them. And if you don't - that's your decision - but don't belittle those who do.

ModestJustice said...

Maddie: I just had to include that :D Thanks for commenting!

Candice: Yeah I feel the same way! I don't normally express my views for fear of backlash- but then again, I should stand strong on my stance. We should be more accepting of differing viewpoints- it's not like it's harming any of us right? :D Thank you for commenting!

Stacy aka Fahiima: Woah, I actually remember reading a hadith about it (in an etiquette book) and started condemning my brother for his saggy jeans. I recognize now how narrow-minded I was because at the end of the day, it's their own choice. I don't particularly agree with that because I don't understand the logic behind jeans that reach below your ankle to the top half of the shoe. Thanks for commenting Stacy! :D

Habibti: In all seriousness, I honestly do not know why it's obligatory or why it's a sin. Could you please explain? :]

Ghost writer: I'm so sorry if I came off as belittling those who try and adhere to the sunnah. I was just a bit peeved at people who try to impose their own ways or beliefs on me, even if it's unwanted. Plus it was just my own reasons for not being, as.. into it -for lack of a better word- as others (I still follow sunnah, just not all of them).
Go wild, as I said in there, no one's stopping what isn't haram (unless we're discussing mawlid, then I have a bit of a problem with that)

However, I don't agree with the world being created because of the prophet saw, Allah swt created the universe so we could worship Him. At least that's what I believe. And hey, thanks for commenting! I enjoy Desperate in Dubai :]

Fatou Thioune said...

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said; “Whatever of the lower garment is beneath the ankles is in the Fire.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5450.

It was narrated from Abu Dharr that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are three to whom Allaah will not speak on the Day of Resurrection and will not look at them or praise them, and theirs will be a painful torment.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) repeated it three times. Abu Dharr said: “May they be doomed and lost; who are they, O Messenger of Allaah?” He said: “The one who lets his garment hang beneath his ankles, the one who reminds others of favours he has done, and the one who sells his product by means of false oaths.”

Narrated by Muslim, 106.

there are many other ahaadiths about it. some people believe in it, others dont. at the end of the day, to each what he believes he has to follow from the commandments of Allah and the sunnah

srsmiley333 said...

thank you for this blog entry and I agree that some are too judgemental with how you have to be muslim this way or that- Islam is a wonderful faith that respects individuals using their free will to determine how they should worship Allah and that can be lost if too much emphasis is on following a prophet's ways- following a wonderful example is a great practice but that should not extend to worshiping a human being

Farnnay said...

whats a turkish hijab? post pics

ModestJustice said...

Thank you for clarifying Habibti!

Smiley33: I agree! And your welcome heh

Constructive Attitude: Pictures now added! :D

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