WHAT THE WORD “MUSLIM” MEANS TO ME
The word alone triggers such different reactions in
different people.
The literal definition of the word Muslim is “one who
submits,” meaning one who submits to Allah, believing in Him and obeying His
commandments.
There are many stereotypes about Muslims in the world in
general.
Instead, I’d like to share my thoughts and feelings on
hearing the word Muslim and contemplating its meaning. I am using the word in a
gender-inclusive sense.
Faithful: Allah is his Master, and the Quran is the
wellspring of his life. Muhammad (pbuh) is his beloved Messenger, and all the
Sahabah * (see glossary at bottom for explanations of many terms) are his
guiding stars. Tawheed is his creed, taqwa his rugged garment, imaan his cool
summer rain, and ihsaan his aspiration.
Harmonized: Aliyat has chosen to live the way Allah created
us to live, in harmony with everything around us, including nature, other
people, and the earth itself. Plugged into the reality of the universe.
Peaceful:Jimoh B. Odunaro manner is gentle. He is not angry
or violent. He would never raise his hands except to defend himself, his
family, or other innocents.
Generous: If I knock on his door, he will invite me in and
bring me honey tea and baklawa, ask about my family, and be a believer with me,
remembering Allah so that his house remains a place of life. When the salat
time arrives he’ll spread the musallas and pray with me.
Kind: Jimoh eyes are soft and smiling. He shakes people hand
firmly, but with a brotherly openness. If I need help, offers it. He is
charitable, ready to give his last coin to someone hungry or ill, knowing that
it will come back to him seven hundred fold, and that everything is recorded
and nothing is lost.
My brothers and sisters: Arab, African, Indian, Thai,
Filipino, Chinese, European, American, Latino, and everyone around the world
who says, “Laa ilaaha il-Allahu, Muhammadan Rasul-ullah” (There is no god but
Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah)… they are my family, my Ummah,
my people. If they are free, I breathe easy. If they are fed, I sleep well. If
they are mentally aware and spiritually conscious, I am liberated.
Feeling each other’s pain: If she is suffering or oppressed,
I feel it like the pain in my own body. If she is sad, lonely or confused, I do
what I can to guide and help. I can never ignore her agony, any more than I
could ignore a sliver in my own eye.
Friends, compatriots: When I see him, I feel comfortable and
at ease, whether I know him or not. I greet him with “As-salamu alaykum” and I
smile. I can engage him in conversation, even if I know nothing about him. I
know his language no matter what it is. If he tells me something good I say
ma-sha-Allah. If he mentions some blessing or favor in his life, I say
Alhamdulillah. If he mentions something he hopes to do, I say Insha’Allah. We
understand one another.
At home in Allah’s house: He can walk into a masjid anywhere
in the world and feel at home. He can perform wudu’, prostrate himself to
Allah, read the Quran, stand shoulder to shoulder in prayer with strangers, and
feel a sense of rightness and belonging.
An Islamic worldview: She shares my world view and cultural
understanding, no matter her nationality or race. She knows that this life is
only a test, a moment of activity between a sleep and a sleep, a flower
blooming and wilting in a single afternoon. She knows that the aakhirah is the
home that calls; her heart is filled with hope and fear of Judgment.
She steps out of her door and does the right thing, because
that is her covenant with Allah, and because she loves to do good. She sees
signs of Allah in the miracle of a hummingbird or the majesty of Mt. Everest;
in the swirls of her fingertips, and in the knowledge of Allah that exists in her
heart.
Pursuing excellence: Doctor, lawyer, farmer, engineer, human
rights worker, driver, tour guide, seamstress, Olympic athlete. Striving for
excellence in all things as a matter of worship and a way of life.
Truth-telling, fair, honest in business and in love.
Family: Mother, father, giddo (grandpa), nena (grandma),
niece, nephew, cousin, wife, daughter, son. Respecting their elders, kind to
their youth.
Full of love like the sunrise: Embracing like the warm
Mediterranean. Laughing like light on the water. Supporting like the granite of
the earth.
Seeker and guide: Da’iyy, Imam, Quran reciter, submitting in
prayer, fasting, performing the Hajj. A voice calling in the darkness.
Footsteps to follow in the sand. A bringer of truth. Commanding good and
forbidden evil, with the hand, the tongue or the heart.
Patient and grateful: Striving her utmost but never trying
to force the outcome because that belongs to Allah. Never giving up, patient,
strong.
If she has suffered, if she has been beaten or hurt, if she
has been hungry or confused or lost in the dunya, she comes through it
stronger, knowing that Allah is on her side.
If she has been blessed to live in comfort and ease, to have
a loving family, rich food, tailored clothing and quiet cars, then she thanks
Allah, knowing that everything she has is a blessing and a trust from Him, and
knowing that the way to show thanks is to give and share.
No matter what, she is humble before Allah, never arrogant,
never looking down on others.
Standing up: He is angry that the image of his religion has
been hijacked by extremists, and by those who practice ignorant cultural
traditions. He stands up for human rights, freedom, and the dignity of all
human beings. He stands against terrorism in all forms, oppression of those who
follow other religions, “honor killings”, racism, female genital mutilation,
intolerance, and destruction of churches or monuments of other religions.
Suffering: Battered by war. Torn apart by sectarian strife.
Oppressed by tyrants and dictators. Invaded by foreign powers. Massacred. His
land stolen, his holy places demolished, his leaders arrested, his people
driven from their homes.
Starving: Politically imprisoned. Tortured by his own
police, tortured by foreign invaders.
Crying out for freedom, struggling valiantly, never giving
up, never accepting subjugation, never submitting to anyone except Allah.
Submitting to Allah.
Glossary of Terms:
• Aakhirah
– the eternal life herafter, the life after our worldy death.
• Alhamdulillah
– “Praise be to Allah.” Something Muslims say to thank Allah for any good
thing, large or small. Also, what a Muslim says when he sneezes.
• As-salamu
alaykum – “Peace be upon you.” The greeting of Muslims.
• Baqlawa –
a Middle Eastern sweet with honey and nuts.
• Da’iyy –
a caller to Allah. One who works to propagate Islam by preaching and setting a
good example.
• Ihsaan –
perfection or excellence. Showing one’s inner faith in action.
• Imam – a
Muslim prayer leader, community leader or scholar. Not to be confused with
Iman.
• Imaan or
Iman – faith or belief, a state of being made up of more than 70 parts which
consist of all kinds of virtuous behavior.
• Insha’Allah
– “If Allah wills.” Something Muslims say when discussing future actions.
• Ma-sha-Allah
– “What Allah has willed.” Something Muslims say when praising something good,
or sometimes just as a way of saying, “That’s just the way it is.”
• Masjid –
a mosque, a Muslim house of worship.
• Musalla –
place of prayer. Also used for small prayer rugs that many Muslims use.
• Sahabah –
the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
• Taqwa –
consciousness of Allah in all one’s actions.
• Tawheed –
the Oneness of Allah, and belief in that principle.
• Wudu’ –
the ritual ablutions or washing up that a Muslim performs before prayer.
is it interesting or inspiring in any way?
Thank you, may Allah reward you!
MA SALAM
ODUNARO B. JIMOH
Grand Victoria Casino - Mapyro
ReplyDeleteGrand Victoria Casino is in the area and close to 대구광역 출장안마 Casino Royal. The 원주 출장마사지 casino is situated in the Casino Queen Margate, 시흥 출장마사지 Tosciana, Tosciana, 전라남도 출장샵 Tosciana, Tosciana and the casino 군포 출장마사지