Friday, August 15, 2008

Show me ur muslimness....

So... its the biggest conundrum for the “modern” muslim, the question worth millions...
How muslim am I?
Am I muslim at all?
Who's asking?
Who's measuring?

What's the unit muslimness is measured in? Like electricity is measured in watts and distance is measured in kilometers. So what will it be? One friend offers “sawaab” as the unit of choice and another picks, the surface area of a womens body she covers measured in centimeters squared as the preferred unit.

I'm thinking something more along the lines of the OVIA -and no, this is NOT an ode to our rapid reproduction rate as a collective ummah- (outwardly visible islamic actions). The prophetic tradition lays out a holistic lifestyle choice that makes every self-help concept ever look like a pathetic attempt at remaking a classic movie. The only leader, to lead on religious, military and political fronts. His tradition gives us a beautiful example of life as it should be lived. So why is it that we aim first for the sunnah of appearance? By this I mean the visible ones like style of dress and facial hair.

Surely the more important acts to emulate are those sunnah of the heart, like justice, respect for all people, regardless of their race or gender, kindness and most importantly love.

4 comments:

bb_aisha said...

we can discuss this topic ad nauseum-some of us realised from very early ages that appearance means nothing. but that doesn't mean we should disregard dress-hijab is compulsory. but certainly, the worse are those whose dress classify them as 'pious', who offer prayer in abundance but are otherwise bad Muslims in character.

it isa conundrum, and it's up to us to solve it. we can-it starts with each of us on an individual basis

abu shariati said...

with regard to this comment by bb_aisha:

"hijab is compulsory."

I would say, "says who" and would recommend s/he read and listen to some knowledgeable folks other than standard traditional types wedded to a system of deep patriarchy, a cornerstone of which is policing women's bodies, dress, etc. Asma Barlas's book "Believing Women: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the Qur'an" would be a good start...

Unknown said...

glad to see someone's reading barlas, another one to check out is Kesia Ali a sexual texual exploration of islam.

Saaleha said...

Hmm, I like .
and agree.
But you knew that already. :)