I was visited recently by an honorable friend and brother in faith. He is an American convert to Islam. I spent four years studying with him at Madinah Islamic University and gracefully we both graduated this summer, all praise be to Allah. My honorable friend is a studious hard-working man with a vivid interest in knowledge and learning.
Anyways, just before we sat to have dinner, I asked him a question that I have always been meaning to ask. Yes, it was the cliché question:
"Why did you convert to Islam?"
It may be a cliché question; however, it never returns a cliché answer. Hence the reason for insisting on asking it all the time, as with every answer one learns a new reason that makes people convert to Islam. What is even a stronger fix than the answer are the overwhelming emotions that cling to the answer leaving the convert grappling to keep it together. It almost happens all the time and it is magical. What even makes it more enticing is the fact that most if not all Muslim converts never get tired of telling their story again and again; creating no discomfiture in asking the cliché question.
"Islam is the only religion that exalts God in every single aspect of life;" he replied simply, "no other religion does it!"
It was such a brief yet amazing answer. It is a true fact; no other religion exalts God like Islam. To illustrate the meaning of what is meant by my friend's statement; here is how Islam exalts God in every little aspect of life.;
There is a supplication for:
Waking up.
Entering the bathroom.
Before performing ablution (Wudu).
After performing ablution.
Leaving the bathroom.
Getting dressed.
When wearing something new.
When getting undressed.
Before eating.
After eating.
When leaving the house.
When entering the house.
Sunrise.
Sunset.
When one hears the call for prayer (Athan), it occurs five times a day. Once for each prayer.
When going to the mosque.
When entering the mosque.
When leaving the mosque.
Immediately after each of the five prayers, as well as within them.
When entering malls or shops.
After eating as a guest in a host's house.
At bedtime.
When one moves in bed.
When one wakes up from sleep frightened.
When one has a nightmare.
Before sexual intercourse with one's wife.
When the wind blows strongly.
When one is sad.
When one is worried.
When one fears his enemy.
When one has doubts about his or her faith.
When one commits a sin.
When one has a debt he or she wants to settle.
When one feels that something in particular is difficult.
When one congratulates another on a new born baby.
A supplication to protect one's children.
When one visits the ill and sick.
When a sick person has lost hope in being cured.
When one is in the presence of a dying person.
When one is faced by a tragedy or hardship.
As one closes the eyes of a dead person.
When burying a dead person.
And the list goes on and on. Nevertheless, the idea has been presented and the dare erected, is there any religion that exalts God like Islam? Surely the religion that most exalts God is the most sincere in worshipping Him!!
Sometimes we born-Muslims take Islam for granted and do not appreciate the enormity of the blessing of being Muslims. A lot of what we lack in this department can be regained to a large extent through intermingling with Muslim converts who entered Islam for a purpose and reason. Not to mention the effect they can also have in reviving one's faith and steadfastness upon Islam.
What is boggling beyond anything, though, is the fact that there exists a group of Muslims who have adopted secularist ideas; deeming Islam as being only fit in a worship context. In other words, they say Islam has nothing to do with politics or everyday life matters. I do not intend to refute their frail accusations in this article. However, let me just pose one logical question.
Is it possible that a religion that has legislated rulings and supplications for every minuet aspect of one's life, is it possible that such a religion has neglected major areas such as politics, economics and other life matters?
The answer is clear for those who seek it.
Islam in not just a religion, it is a way of life.
Anyways, just before we sat to have dinner, I asked him a question that I have always been meaning to ask. Yes, it was the cliché question:
"Why did you convert to Islam?"
It may be a cliché question; however, it never returns a cliché answer. Hence the reason for insisting on asking it all the time, as with every answer one learns a new reason that makes people convert to Islam. What is even a stronger fix than the answer are the overwhelming emotions that cling to the answer leaving the convert grappling to keep it together. It almost happens all the time and it is magical. What even makes it more enticing is the fact that most if not all Muslim converts never get tired of telling their story again and again; creating no discomfiture in asking the cliché question.
"Islam is the only religion that exalts God in every single aspect of life;" he replied simply, "no other religion does it!"
It was such a brief yet amazing answer. It is a true fact; no other religion exalts God like Islam. To illustrate the meaning of what is meant by my friend's statement; here is how Islam exalts God in every little aspect of life.;
There is a supplication for:
Waking up.
Entering the bathroom.
Before performing ablution (Wudu).
After performing ablution.
Leaving the bathroom.
Getting dressed.
When wearing something new.
When getting undressed.
Before eating.
After eating.
When leaving the house.
When entering the house.
Sunrise.
Sunset.
When one hears the call for prayer (Athan), it occurs five times a day. Once for each prayer.
When going to the mosque.
When entering the mosque.
When leaving the mosque.
Immediately after each of the five prayers, as well as within them.
When entering malls or shops.
After eating as a guest in a host's house.
At bedtime.
When one moves in bed.
When one wakes up from sleep frightened.
When one has a nightmare.
Before sexual intercourse with one's wife.
When the wind blows strongly.
When one is sad.
When one is worried.
When one fears his enemy.
When one has doubts about his or her faith.
When one commits a sin.
When one has a debt he or she wants to settle.
When one feels that something in particular is difficult.
When one congratulates another on a new born baby.
A supplication to protect one's children.
When one visits the ill and sick.
When a sick person has lost hope in being cured.
When one is in the presence of a dying person.
When one is faced by a tragedy or hardship.
As one closes the eyes of a dead person.
When burying a dead person.
And the list goes on and on. Nevertheless, the idea has been presented and the dare erected, is there any religion that exalts God like Islam? Surely the religion that most exalts God is the most sincere in worshipping Him!!
Sometimes we born-Muslims take Islam for granted and do not appreciate the enormity of the blessing of being Muslims. A lot of what we lack in this department can be regained to a large extent through intermingling with Muslim converts who entered Islam for a purpose and reason. Not to mention the effect they can also have in reviving one's faith and steadfastness upon Islam.
What is boggling beyond anything, though, is the fact that there exists a group of Muslims who have adopted secularist ideas; deeming Islam as being only fit in a worship context. In other words, they say Islam has nothing to do with politics or everyday life matters. I do not intend to refute their frail accusations in this article. However, let me just pose one logical question.
Is it possible that a religion that has legislated rulings and supplications for every minuet aspect of one's life, is it possible that such a religion has neglected major areas such as politics, economics and other life matters?
The answer is clear for those who seek it.
Islam in not just a religion, it is a way of life.
1 comment:
Good for people to know.
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