It is important to understand ones Muslim identity Photo Bonsaitrust
South Africa – At one point or another in our lives, we must have all wondered ‘who am I’. A question the Muslim youth are always asking themselves as they grow up. It is a question that is often hard to answer as there are so many answers floating around in the modern age.
The internet has made our lives easier but at the same time, it has made answering such questions for the Muslim youth much tougher. While it may have been easier to answer this question in the past, the youth are exposed to various different things which makes it extremely hard for them to solidify who they are.
Before understanding our identity, we have to understand what Imaan is, explained Maulana Bilal Milanzi. This gift of Imaan is our biggest indicator of who we are. This Deen is not just believing in Allah (SWT) but it is a way of life.
“The scholars have written that Islam is not just a religion but a way of life. Islam is the most righteous religion of all times in all spaces and the world will never ever come right without Islam. The issue of the world is an issue that can be solved by none other than the religion of Islam … As we speak we know the whole world is fighting against Islam because of its moral ethics as well as its values. It basically paves the path towards goodness.”
A person who understands what Imaan is would not hide is Islam from the world and will understand that before anything else, they are a Muslim, said Maulana Milanzi.
There is nothing wrong in being strange
It was narrated from ‘Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Islam began as something strange and will go back to being strange, so glad tidings to the strangers.” (Sunan Ibn Majah 3988)
As one enters the teenage years they often begin to look at society and see what is trending and try to imitate that. No child wants to feel left out especially in the high school years. To fit in, they change the way they dress, speak and even their names. Shortening it or wanting to be called by something else. However, we must understand that to be strange, to be unique in these times is better than to fit in with the crowd.
“In today’s time people don’t want to be strange or different. It’s like everyone does something therefore I’m also doing … We as youth, today’s time, we see things and then we do. We don’t ever differentiate ourselves to the current norms. We don’t try to understand that our Deen is complete. Our Deen is all in one. If you look different amongst the majority, it does not make you wrong. It just makes you unique.”
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What does being and identifying as a Muslim mean
Scholars write that Deen in its entirety is nothing but Akhlaaq (etiquette). Being a Muslim means one must behave, dress and speak in a certain manner, explained Maulana Milanzi. These etiquettes have already been shown to us but we must incorporate them in our lives.
“The scholars have mentioned that Akhlaaq is a set of rules and principles that govern human behaviour or human life. If we don’t follow these principles then we will not be able to govern our lives nor will we be able to behave in a manner expected from us by Allah (SWT). There are many ways to identify yourself as a Muslim.”
Wearing a kurta or abaya is one way to identify yourself as a Muslim. Without saying a word, a person can immediately identify that you are a Muslim. In today’s time, Maulana believes it is easier to wear the kurta and keep a beard because of how society views it.
“In today’s time the world has recognised that keeping a beard is also fashionable and shaving a beard comes with its own negative effects. Now that’s just one aspect of how to identify yourself as a Muslim. If you dress in a kurta, some people have taken the kurta to be fashionable.”
It is extremely important to solidify who you are in your life. Understand who you are and what it means to be a Muslim. Having a sense of who you are is important as you walk along the road of life. It will ensure that you are your own person, understand your role in society and keep you from consistently changing to fit the ever growing lists of trends.
To learn more from Maulana Bilal Milanzi on understand your identity, listen to the podcast here:
