What happened to just being Muslim? Lately, with all the anti-Islamic sentiment going on in the United States, Muslims themselves have become more and more separated from one another. In some cases, turning against one another.
Please note that I am NOT trying to judge anyone in this post, please read everything to understand my point. While I hate the use of segregating terms, it is used here to distinguish between two extremes.
In a long conversation with my husband, we noticed that many Muslims (converts, born Muslims, and immigrants) tend to swing one of two ways in the United States. The diversity between Muslims is no problem in general, but these two groups are pushing so hard against one another that they are driving themselves further and further away from the meaning of Islam. No longer are we one Ummah, but a Nation divided against itself.
First you have the liberals. Women who don't believe in wearing hijab, individuals who believe anything goes. Some common beliefs of liberals are that homosexuality is accepted in Islam, practicing Christian holidays, drinking alcohol, associating with non-Maharam (people of the opposite sex outside your immediate family) outside of work, dating, adultery, etc. Personally, I have nothing against these individuals. I am NOT going to judge someone for their sins. What bothers me is that instead of saying that what they are doing goes against Islamic beliefs, they say that anyone who doesn't believe in what they do is a 'Salafi' (or Wahabi). Their attitude: We are right, they are wrong.
Salafis, on the other hand, are closer to terrorist extremists. They believe only in what has been written in Quran and Hadith taken literally as written. They believe there is no interpretation outside of the exact way it is written. Islam is divided into schools of fiqh (fiqh means the understanding or interpretations of Islamic laws). Salafis believe that these schools of fiqh have moved Islam away from it's true meaning.
Salafis often seem like they are always judging others. Salafis will argue this point, but from what I have experienced in the United States and Egypt, this is true. They follow strictly the harshest views of Islam, including that Muslims should not befriend or associate with Christians. Salafis think lower of women's rights, such as women can not hold public office, and must wear traditional Arab clothing (niqab and abaya-black). Salafis are great at recruiting new Muslims to Islam but tend to paint a very black and white picture for them, often resulting in many leaving Islam. To a Salafi, anyone who doesn't follow their strict rules is viewed as an infidel. Again their attitude is, we're right, and you're wrong.
What we don't tend to see much of anymore is the moderate Muslims. Again, while I hate the use of segregating terms, it is used here to distinguish between two extremes. Nothing more. My husband and I view ourselves, and most of the people we associate with, moderate Muslims. We believe that hijab is a requirement, we believe women can be educated, hold public office, and work (though her first duty is to God and her family). We believe Sharia has it's place in the world, but also acknowledge that religion is not supposed to be compulsory. We follow true Sharia in that is should only be used in judging Muslims, and not in judging others outside Islam. We believe homosexuality is forbidden and that associating with a non-Maharam outside of a professional setting is wrong. We don't believe we are always right, and have the ability to have religious conversations, some other extremes do not. We commit sins; everyone does. The difference between moderate Muslims and the other two extremes is that we acknowledge that they are sins and do not represent Islam. We are wrong, Islam is not, it is no one's fault but our own. We do not blame one group or the other for our mistakes. We pray that we become better Muslims and ask God to forgive us.
Muslims make mistakes; we are all humans. No human is perfect, but our religion is. Interpretations can be misguided and wrong (extremists of all ends of the spectrum come to mind). Instead of fighting against one another and blaming each other, isn't it just easier to acknowledge we are sinners and ask God for forgiveness? Why do we have to segregate ourselves from one another? One extreme to another? In a time where so many people are against peaceful Muslims, we are making it only harder on ourselves and non-Muslims to understand our religion by dividing. Instead of spending so much time pushing against other Muslims, that time could be spent repairing our image and coming together to become better Muslims in the eyes of God. Isn't that what matters most? Not who is right and who is wrong?
Please note: When talking about extremists I am not referring to Daash or ISIS/ISIL. They are an entirely different extreme that can not be brought together and are a terrorist group. I do not support terrorism, Daash, or ISIS/ISIL.
Please note that I am NOT trying to judge anyone in this post, please read everything to understand my point. While I hate the use of segregating terms, it is used here to distinguish between two extremes.
 |
| Image from Al Arabia News Diversity is common among Muslims in America, coming from different cultures around the world. |
In a long conversation with my husband, we noticed that many Muslims (converts, born Muslims, and immigrants) tend to swing one of two ways in the United States. The diversity between Muslims is no problem in general, but these two groups are pushing so hard against one another that they are driving themselves further and further away from the meaning of Islam. No longer are we one Ummah, but a Nation divided against itself.
First you have the liberals. Women who don't believe in wearing hijab, individuals who believe anything goes. Some common beliefs of liberals are that homosexuality is accepted in Islam, practicing Christian holidays, drinking alcohol, associating with non-Maharam (people of the opposite sex outside your immediate family) outside of work, dating, adultery, etc. Personally, I have nothing against these individuals. I am NOT going to judge someone for their sins. What bothers me is that instead of saying that what they are doing goes against Islamic beliefs, they say that anyone who doesn't believe in what they do is a 'Salafi' (or Wahabi). Their attitude: We are right, they are wrong.
Salafis, on the other hand, are closer to terrorist extremists. They believe only in what has been written in Quran and Hadith taken literally as written. They believe there is no interpretation outside of the exact way it is written. Islam is divided into schools of fiqh (fiqh means the understanding or interpretations of Islamic laws). Salafis believe that these schools of fiqh have moved Islam away from it's true meaning.
Salafis often seem like they are always judging others. Salafis will argue this point, but from what I have experienced in the United States and Egypt, this is true. They follow strictly the harshest views of Islam, including that Muslims should not befriend or associate with Christians. Salafis think lower of women's rights, such as women can not hold public office, and must wear traditional Arab clothing (niqab and abaya-black). Salafis are great at recruiting new Muslims to Islam but tend to paint a very black and white picture for them, often resulting in many leaving Islam. To a Salafi, anyone who doesn't follow their strict rules is viewed as an infidel. Again their attitude is, we're right, and you're wrong.
What we don't tend to see much of anymore is the moderate Muslims. Again, while I hate the use of segregating terms, it is used here to distinguish between two extremes. Nothing more. My husband and I view ourselves, and most of the people we associate with, moderate Muslims. We believe that hijab is a requirement, we believe women can be educated, hold public office, and work (though her first duty is to God and her family). We believe Sharia has it's place in the world, but also acknowledge that religion is not supposed to be compulsory. We follow true Sharia in that is should only be used in judging Muslims, and not in judging others outside Islam. We believe homosexuality is forbidden and that associating with a non-Maharam outside of a professional setting is wrong. We don't believe we are always right, and have the ability to have religious conversations, some other extremes do not. We commit sins; everyone does. The difference between moderate Muslims and the other two extremes is that we acknowledge that they are sins and do not represent Islam. We are wrong, Islam is not, it is no one's fault but our own. We do not blame one group or the other for our mistakes. We pray that we become better Muslims and ask God to forgive us.
Muslims make mistakes; we are all humans. No human is perfect, but our religion is. Interpretations can be misguided and wrong (extremists of all ends of the spectrum come to mind). Instead of fighting against one another and blaming each other, isn't it just easier to acknowledge we are sinners and ask God for forgiveness? Why do we have to segregate ourselves from one another? One extreme to another? In a time where so many people are against peaceful Muslims, we are making it only harder on ourselves and non-Muslims to understand our religion by dividing. Instead of spending so much time pushing against other Muslims, that time could be spent repairing our image and coming together to become better Muslims in the eyes of God. Isn't that what matters most? Not who is right and who is wrong?
Please note: When talking about extremists I am not referring to Daash or ISIS/ISIL. They are an entirely different extreme that can not be brought together and are a terrorist group. I do not support terrorism, Daash, or ISIS/ISIL.
No comments:
Post a Comment