Coming to earth about what Islam really is … (Part 1)
COLUMN: Express it by Imane
BY IMANE FAWZY NOFAL | Twitter: @Imane2express
Hijab has always been symbolic of Muslim women. But with the whole world delving into controversial topics on freedom and well being of women, hijab has also been scrutinized and heavily analysed. And, the world seems to have come to the conclusion that hijab is:
‘A Choice’ …
Seriously! And what is not?
Two months ago, I got into an argument with an Irish friend about my stance against gays which ended by her unfriending me as well as calling me ‘prejudiced’ and ‘bigoted’. This was because I expressed that I believe homosexuality is a deviation from the right path Allah has drawn for us.
During the past year, I have witnessed many instances where friends and public figures took off the hijab. Between people commending and denouncing their act, I stood on middle grounds respecting their choice, however pitying their decision. In Islam, a woman should be modest in her dressing, covering her body including her hair. There are clear statements and verses alluding to this, although some may maneuver these facts.
Amidst the confusing thoughts I had in all those instances, I could not deny that something was wrong. My vision was so blurry and my grounds sounded flimsy to me no matter how strong my voice was during arguments. I could feel my insides shaking like a loose leaf in the autumn wind trying to catch a grip on something; trying to believe and have ‘true’ faith.
I had questions about my identity just like everyone else, but I wasn’t meaning to leave them quivering in the air this time. Do I still believe in God? What is the meaning of ‘freedom’? How do I define ‘choice’? When I die and meet my Creator, will He judge me only by my good deeds? Why are Muslims always trying to defend Islam as if it were a perpetrator behind bars? Am I holding unto some ‘violent’, ‘bigoted’ religion? Is Allah just? Should I love or fear Him?
Years ago, I found much relief in encountering Allah in all aspects of life that surround us. I found Him in the coincidences, the beauty of nature and the meagerness of myself in front of the universe. I found the Compassionate, Just, All-Knowing and Merciful Allah. In my dreams, I found the Allah of ‘hassnat’ (good deeds).
My soul got uncomfortable quite a little when it came to exploring the Allah of ‘say’at’ (bad deeds). I was certain about sins like lying, cheating, killing, backbiting, stealing, etc. These are the common sins we human kind won’t argue about because they harm us in a clear visual way.
However, Islam has other clearly defined sins that the world may not approve of. For instance, sex before marriage is a sin called ‘al-zinna’ (adultery). Homosexuality is obviously rejected. Prostitutes are condemned. Wine is a forbidden beverage. You will find that Muslims still speak out against these sins, although their voices may turn a little lower when facing the outside developed worlds of America, Canada, European countries … etc, where the freedom to drink wine, have sex, have same sex marriages or be a prostitute, is for some reason integrated into the pretty picture of the perfect land.
What is more, with Islam being relentlessly questioned and doubted, those voices are pretty much set on mute when it comes to discussing punishments Allah has defined for sins. Oh, yes, Islam has punishments for adultery, wine, same sex marriages, robbery, murder … etc (pardon me, my brain falls short of mentioning all the sins here).
Muslims today find themselves in a dilemma of trying to prove their good intentions to the world, let alone speaking openly about ALL the teachings of their religion. For, how can one speak the truth when he knows that judgment (from the world) has already been issued before his lips have even started uttering the words?
Some other Muslims have taken another route. They have gone on some imaginary journey of trying to prove that common rituals of Islam including prayers, fasting, drinking water while sitting (yes, tales about the Prophet PBUH say he drank while seated and advised us to do so) have got some amazing, scientific, healthy, worldly ‘blah’ ‘blah’ ‘blah’ benefits. It is their way of promoting their religion, while not losing contact with the materialist world which calculates everything and demands scientific evidence to every claim.
Funny as it may seem, posts about prayers reducing cancer cells and how drinking water while sitting benefits the liver, often go viral on social media. Such posts and their hundred shares, to me, proves a lack of faith on the part of those who share them. I do not mean to be judgmental; I myself would have loved to prove how prayers contribute to human well-being. But that’s not for me to do.
— stay tuned for part 2.
Imane Fawzy Nofal is a translator, News Reporter, Copywriter, Editor, Proofreader (Arabic<>English) and mother of twin boys. She is an Egyptian living in Bahrain and blogs at Express It 2 Live It. Imane regularly shares her thoughts on human interactions and real life experiences through her DUNIA Mag column Express it by Imane. Imane’s first language is Arabic.
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