Weird Muslims...

The irony of our communities we are more likely to commit vices such as adultery, drink alcohol, force our daughters and sons into marriage, and commit other vices which are totally condemned and forbidden within our faith before we renounce our faith.
 

As a community who generally testify being Muslim we do display some strange behavioural patterns, ask yourselves why is it...?

- Mosques are virtually full at the start of Ramadan for a non-obligatory prayer even filling many rows at fajr but they disappear the night after Ramadan. It still takes the same amount of time to get to the mosque during Ramadan as it does after Ramadan...also the night prayers are far shorter.
 

- That at an Islamic event with a renowned speaker, the majority of the audience do not pray when it is time for salah?
 

- That there exists racism in some mosques? Can’t be a member of the management committee if you are not part of a particular ethnic group, can’t marry a sister because you’re too dark, or because you’re not from the right ethnic background.
 

- That a Muslim man who goes to work with non-Muslim women and is able to socialise comfortably with all his colleagues transforms into ultra-modesty mode when going to the mosque with a Muslimah presence; head down, no holding doors open, walking past fast...
 

- That there are many places with no provision for women at the mosques, when women were never forbidden to go to the mosques. Umar’s, the second Caliph’s wife used to go to the mosque even though he didn’t want her too! He never forbade her.
 

- That a sister wears a hijab but behaves immodestly or a brother sports a beard and speaks disgracefully.
 

- That there is so much harshness in our community, especially to children? Have you seen the way children get looked at by the elders in mosques? We are a people who start our acts with the Bismillah, reciting the name of Allah, The Most Merciful, All Merciful.
 

How can one contrast the harshness when we should know from the Hadith that once when the Prophet took a very long time to get up from his sajdah (prostration) he was asked by his companions as to why he took so long, he responded only by saying that it was because his grandsons were playing on his shoulders. Subhan-Allah.

The above were just a few serious contradictions within our communities. It is disheartening and shocking at times when some choose to follow ideals against the Shariah though they are perceived as examples for it from the way they present themselves i.e. the big beards, sporting the hijab or abaya, speaking in a ‘holier than thou’ manner...
 

These strange behavioural patterns exist in different degrees in different people. It is important to remove from our practices the vices of our forefathers; When it is said to them: "Follow what Allah hath revealed:" They say: "Nay! we shall follow the ways of our fathers." What! even though their fathers Were void of wisdom and guidance? (2:170). In the same instance it is just as important to be careful not to innovate our Islam with practices and behavior which is contrary to the spirit of Islam, which is sadly something that is more frequently prevalent.
 

On a positive note, I am seeing so many wonderful, active, young Muslim men and women, who are loyal to their Islam, questioning the practice of their forefathers and questioning the practices of some of their generation, they live comfortably, among non-Muslims, and different Muslims in an age of many hedonistic trials. They are a testimony that the values of Islam defy time, space and cultures. Alhamdulillah.