"If you do not feel ashamed of doing something, do whatever you like." (Bukhari)
Arabs are Muslims. Muslims are Arab. Sound familiar? That is just one of the popular misconceptions related to the Islamic faith.
Another popular illustration of Muslims, or Arabs, for the matter, is that they sit around all day, probably in a mosque, or a home, chanting melodic verses from a large book, sometimes in unison, sometimes not. These people who chant comprise mostly of men - no women in sight at all - and boys.
The man, or boy, in focus does not differ a great deal from the man, or boy, sitting next to him. They dress the same, their hair is combed the same way, they both wear a skull-cap and both grow a beard to the best of their ability. Where are the women? Probably sitting in a room down the hall, with the lights dimmed, all wearing black, chanting the same verses too.
Many believe that this picture denotes the only way one can be a firm follower of the Islamic faith.
Scholars though, along with the multi-cultural Muslim society scattered around the globe, beg to differ. With the saying of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) to do "whatever you like," directly reminds Muslims of the infinite amount of knowledge, also scattered around the globe, and the importance of attaining as much knowledge as possible to build a progressive, developing society, known as the Muslim umma. A progressive nation requires a multitude of talents.
Though it is true that there are Muslims who devote their lives in becoming experts in the realm of Islamic creed, it is not mandatory on every Muslim to study Islamic fiqh as their main career in life.
A Muslim, is allowed and encouraged to delve into studies of his or her interests and choose the field that allows him or her to flourish by capitalising on his or her strengths.
Like followers of other faiths, Muslims are doctors specialising in different disciplines; engineers, with sometimes more than one degree to their name; writers and journalists; accountants and bankers; lecturers and historians; politicians and economists; architects and artists.
What Muslims have to observe however, is that whichever field of knowledge they specialise in, they are required to hold steadfast to the Islamic principles that govern their expertise.
For example, Muslim bankers can only enter into banking contracts that are enacted without the element of interest. Architects are allowed to express their creativity provided their architectural designs do not violate Islamic beliefs. For example, they may not incorporate human images in their designs.
These practices are in conjuction with the Muslim way of worship, whereby each follower loves and hates for the sake of Allah, demonstrating that Islam is indeed a complete way of life with Muslims holding steadfast to the truth - together.
By adhering to this Islamic conduct with regards to the various strands of knowledge, Muslims also acknowledge hat infinite wisdom belongs to Allah and to Allah alone. The knowledge acquired by one person throughout his or her lifetime is but a speckle of dust caught in a drop of water resting on a grain of sand on a vast beach stretching a cross a tiny country.
A Muslim, or an Arab for that matter, is not only a lawyer, realtor, warden, police officer, or construction worker - he or she is encouraged to be whatever he or she wants to the best of his or her ability and interest.
The uniqueness of one Muslim to the next is important in order to complement another person's field of speciality. A society would not survive if every member of the community shared the same profession, even if it were a whole society devoted to Islamic creed.
Diversity is the key of a progressive nation. This goes to show that no one person, regardless of faith would ever be able to survive in this world all alone. There is no such thing as living as an island as far as Islamic belief is concern.
This principle is further strengthened by the opening chapter in the Qur'an, which Muslims recite at least 17 times a day during prayers: "Thee do we worship and thine aid do we seek," (Al-Fatiha: 5). The verse clearly reflects the humility of a Muslim towards Allah Ta'ala through his or her invocations and his or her humility towards the Muslim praying next to him or her.
A Muslim worships with his or her brothers and sisters of the Islamic faith, portraying that Muslims need the unique strengths of his brothers and sisters in order to successfully worship his of her Creator.
Therefore the next time a newsclip on Muslims is aired on television, understand that worship in the traditional sense is not the only activity Muslims partake in, 24 hours a day.
Every Muslim is different from the next in what he or she does during the day. At the same time however, it is so important for Muslims to sit down together whether in prayer, reading of the Qur'an , rememberance of Allah (dzikr), or the breaking of the fast (iftar), to remind each other of the greatness of Allah Ta'ala.
Arabs are Muslims. Muslims are Arab. Sound familiar? That is just one of the popular misconceptions related to the Islamic faith.
Another popular illustration of Muslims, or Arabs, for the matter, is that they sit around all day, probably in a mosque, or a home, chanting melodic verses from a large book, sometimes in unison, sometimes not. These people who chant comprise mostly of men - no women in sight at all - and boys.
The man, or boy, in focus does not differ a great deal from the man, or boy, sitting next to him. They dress the same, their hair is combed the same way, they both wear a skull-cap and both grow a beard to the best of their ability. Where are the women? Probably sitting in a room down the hall, with the lights dimmed, all wearing black, chanting the same verses too.
Many believe that this picture denotes the only way one can be a firm follower of the Islamic faith.
Scholars though, along with the multi-cultural Muslim society scattered around the globe, beg to differ. With the saying of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) to do "whatever you like," directly reminds Muslims of the infinite amount of knowledge, also scattered around the globe, and the importance of attaining as much knowledge as possible to build a progressive, developing society, known as the Muslim umma. A progressive nation requires a multitude of talents.
Though it is true that there are Muslims who devote their lives in becoming experts in the realm of Islamic creed, it is not mandatory on every Muslim to study Islamic fiqh as their main career in life.
A Muslim, is allowed and encouraged to delve into studies of his or her interests and choose the field that allows him or her to flourish by capitalising on his or her strengths.
Like followers of other faiths, Muslims are doctors specialising in different disciplines; engineers, with sometimes more than one degree to their name; writers and journalists; accountants and bankers; lecturers and historians; politicians and economists; architects and artists.
What Muslims have to observe however, is that whichever field of knowledge they specialise in, they are required to hold steadfast to the Islamic principles that govern their expertise.
For example, Muslim bankers can only enter into banking contracts that are enacted without the element of interest. Architects are allowed to express their creativity provided their architectural designs do not violate Islamic beliefs. For example, they may not incorporate human images in their designs.
These practices are in conjuction with the Muslim way of worship, whereby each follower loves and hates for the sake of Allah, demonstrating that Islam is indeed a complete way of life with Muslims holding steadfast to the truth - together.
By adhering to this Islamic conduct with regards to the various strands of knowledge, Muslims also acknowledge hat infinite wisdom belongs to Allah and to Allah alone. The knowledge acquired by one person throughout his or her lifetime is but a speckle of dust caught in a drop of water resting on a grain of sand on a vast beach stretching a cross a tiny country.
A Muslim, or an Arab for that matter, is not only a lawyer, realtor, warden, police officer, or construction worker - he or she is encouraged to be whatever he or she wants to the best of his or her ability and interest.
The uniqueness of one Muslim to the next is important in order to complement another person's field of speciality. A society would not survive if every member of the community shared the same profession, even if it were a whole society devoted to Islamic creed.
Diversity is the key of a progressive nation. This goes to show that no one person, regardless of faith would ever be able to survive in this world all alone. There is no such thing as living as an island as far as Islamic belief is concern.
This principle is further strengthened by the opening chapter in the Qur'an, which Muslims recite at least 17 times a day during prayers: "Thee do we worship and thine aid do we seek," (Al-Fatiha: 5). The verse clearly reflects the humility of a Muslim towards Allah Ta'ala through his or her invocations and his or her humility towards the Muslim praying next to him or her.
A Muslim worships with his or her brothers and sisters of the Islamic faith, portraying that Muslims need the unique strengths of his brothers and sisters in order to successfully worship his of her Creator.
Therefore the next time a newsclip on Muslims is aired on television, understand that worship in the traditional sense is not the only activity Muslims partake in, 24 hours a day.
Every Muslim is different from the next in what he or she does during the day. At the same time however, it is so important for Muslims to sit down together whether in prayer, reading of the Qur'an , rememberance of Allah (dzikr), or the breaking of the fast (iftar), to remind each other of the greatness of Allah Ta'ala.
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