Madina Archives

Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board

Is this the state of our Ummah?
Ruqayyah
12/24/01 at 15:29:40
[slm] This article in the New York Times was a bit sad to read. Is this the real state of the muslim ummah? :( December 23, 2001 Stereotyping Rankles Silent, Secular Majority of American Muslims By LAURIE GOODSTEIN Khalid Pervaiz is an American Muslim, an investment banker in Los Angeles with two young daughters. On the door of his home is a Christmas wreath made by his 7- year-old, and in the living room is a Christmas tree with an angel on top. His daughters go to the mosque, or masjid, on Sundays for classes in the Koran, but Mr. Pervaiz himself goes once a year on the major Muslim holiday of Id al-Fitr. "I had the privilege of being exposed to other religions from the very beginning, so I wasn't so fixed on the idea that Islam is the only way to live," Mr. Pervaiz said. "Every once in a blue moon I will go for my Friday prayers, but I still think I'm a good Muslim. If I don't go and pray five times a day, I don't think I'm less of a Muslim. I'm just not a practicing, going-to-the-masjid Muslim." In behavior and belief, Mr. Pervaiz is among an overlooked silent majority of Muslims in America. They call themselves moderates, but another way to describe them is as cultural Muslims, akin to the assimilated cultural Jews who identify as Jewish, eat gefilte fish and celebrate Passover, but are for the most part not observant and not affiliated with a synagogue. The cultural Muslims may attend prayers in mosques once a year on Id al-Fitr, not unlike Christians who make it to church only on Easter or Jews who attend services only on the High Holy Days. They may fast intermittently in the monthlong holiday of Ramadan, but they do not pray regularly. And yet they consider themselves good Muslims. In every religion, some people are devout, some are secular and some fall somewhere in between. But the cultural Muslims say they have been overlooked in the portrayal of Muslims after the Sept. 11 attacks, with devout Muslims regarded as the norm, even in the United States. Cameras have homed in on women in head scarfs and bearded men on their knees facing Mecca. Looking at those images, many American Muslims say, they cannot see themselves. "The Muslims that I associate with are mostly the way I am, which is secular," said Zoovia Hamid, a doctor and writer in Larchmont, N.Y., who, like many other Muslim women, does not wear a head scarf. "I'm not into rituals," Dr. Hamid said, "and I put more importance on deeds, on the work you do. And I can't get too excited about mosques, the group experience. I was a big fan of the Who, and I've gone to hear them, but that's about it as far as group events." Unlike the new generation of African- American and white Muslims, who have the zeal of converts, these less ardent Muslims are usually immigrants or their American- born children. Many grew up in places like Egypt, Pakistan, Indonesia or Turkey in families that did not find it necessary to be religiously observant or to express their Islamic identities because they lived in predominantly Muslim countries. When Mr. Pervaiz, for instance, was growing up in Pakistan, his parents never pushed religion onto him and never prayed the required five times a day. He attended a Roman Catholic school in Lahore, where every Friday he went to chapel and knelt and prayed to Jesus. So it is not surprising that Muslims like Mr. Pervaiz say they value the United States for keeping church and state separate, and they believe in assimilating into American society and culture. But on global political issues, they are just as likely as more religious Muslims to express solidarity with Muslims abroad over such issues as sanctions against Iraq or support for Israel. "There are a large number of Muslims that hold on to their identity as Muslims, but choose not to practice, not to act out their beliefs in everyday life," said Ihsan Bagby, a professor and an imam at Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C., who helped write the report of a large study on American Muslims this year. "Most of them would not view the world through the lens of religion and basically have put religion to the side to a certain extent to function in the world. A large portion of the American Muslim community are in this group." Just how many American Muslims fit this description is hard to gauge, but by one measure the number could be significant. The report that Dr. Bagby helped write, "The Mosque in America: A National Portrait," revealed that only a fraction of the Muslims in the United States attend weekly prayers in one of the nation's 1,209 mosques. Of an estimated four million to six million Muslims in the United States, the study found, only about 350,000 on average attend the Friday midday prayers — congregational prayers expected of men, though not required, and optional for women. Perhaps the number is small because not every community has a mosque and many Muslims are used to praying on their own, wherever they are. In comparison, about 40 percent of Christians in the United States say they attend church regularly, and 27 percent of Jews say they attend synagogue regularly. Sometimes called Id (pronounced eed) Muslims, because they take part in the major Islamic festivals of Id twice a year, cultural Muslims are akin to the so-called cafeteria Catholics, as Roman Catholics who pick and choose the customs they observe are popularly designated. Dr. Hamid, for instance, said she fasted during Ramadan because she found it cleansing and meditative. But she occasionally has a glass of wine, which, like all alcohol, is prohibited in Islam. She prays on her own occasionally, but objects to covering her head, a requirement widely debated by American Muslims. She, too, has a Christmas tree — not apostasy in Islam, which recognizes the virgin birth and Jesus as a prophet, though not the son of God. Moderation in religious practice is acceptable in Islam, cultural Muslims argue, quoting the Koranic injunction: "Let there be no compulsion in religion." And yet, they admit, there is pressure to conform. A Muslim lawyer in New York, who spoke on the condition that he not be named, said his family was "not that religious but had to pretend we were." He says he drinks alcohol, rarely prays and during Ramadan this year fasted only one day before Id. "It's weird in our culture," he said. "People have to act more religious than they really are." Yet living in the United States has permitted many Muslims to become more secular. Saima Makhdoom, who grew up in Oklahoma as the daughter of strict Muslim immigrants, said she began to question her beliefs as a student at Pennsylvania State University. "I could pick my own rules," Ms. Makhdoom said. "My friends were all these great Catholic, Jewish, Hindu people who were just like me. These were people that were good people. So I had to re-evaluate myself and what I was taught." Ms. Makhdoom, now a lawyer in Falls Church, Va., says she is "spiritual but not religious." She wears shorts in the summer, flouting the Koranic decree to dress modestly. But she said she was moved when she made the pilgrimage to Mecca with her family, and she plans to go again this year. Since the terrorist attacks, Ms. Makhdoom has started wearing a necklace with "Allah" inscribed on it to make a statement that Muslims should not be stereotyped. "I want people to know that there are so many different people who are Muslims," Ms. Makhdoom said. "People accept me as just another American woman, and I feel like saying, `No, I'm also a Muslim.' "

Re: Is this the state of our Ummah?
NewJehad
12/24/01 at 16:42:44
when they say they are after exstremists not moderate Muslims, the above people are the people they regard as not exstremists. So if your wife does not wear shorts in bars they MIGHT be ok with you, thats what they are saying. they are saying pray five times a day, and you are our enemy, but be like us and your one of us. But you know what, they are lying. Its called devide and conquer. The disbeliever will never except us until we believe in what they do. They want the non Practicing Muslims to join them against us, and once the practicing ones stop existing, then they will turn on the non practicing ones. Look at Bosnia, loads of Muslims there were only Muslim by name, but even that was too much for the kaffar.

Re: Is this the state of our Ummah?
humble_muslim
12/24/01 at 17:14:17
AA Yes, this is very sad.  But what should our reaction be, based on the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) ? 1. We should not be ANGRY at these muslims, but feel sorry for them.  To be misguided is a great misfortune. 2. We should realize that is the duty of the active muslims to change things around by way of dawah, education, example, etc, and most important, BY MAKING DUA THAT ALLAH GUIDES ALL MUSLIMS BACK TO THE STRAIGHT PATH.  To just complain and get angry about the (non) actions of muslims is of no benefit. 3. If only 10% of muslims are attending Jumuah, that would explain why the muslim ummah is in such dire straits.
NS

Re: Is this the state of our Ummah?
Kashif
12/24/01 at 17:33:35
assalaamu alaikum To echo NJ's point, i think this is the real issue that Muslims have to think about - especially Muslims living in the West - and in particular the US & the UK. The push against Islam in the West is an intellectual push and not a physical one. It seeks to strip away from us anything that makes us uniquely Muslim. And just as it says: if you don't pray five times a day - you're a moderate; if you're a sister who wears shorts and flouts Quranic laws - you're a moderate. If you are used to praying or observing modesty then either you're extreme, or at least there is a question mark hanging over you. Very importantly, if you think that Islam is the only way to God - then most definitely you are an extremist: just throw away the verse: "And whomsoever desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers." We need to balance this evil against the benefits of living in the West. Again we need to ask ourselves, has the decision to live in the West been a good deal for the ummah? And like HM said, you need to engage in some action to counter this. We can't sit around letting ourselves be consumed by our frustration, we need to get out and take the MEssage to the people. Kashif Wa Salaam
NS

Re: Is this the state of our Ummah?
Hania
12/24/01 at 17:56:48
slm Yes Br. Kashif is right we shouldn't get frustrated but even so I felt so sick reading that article. I just don't like people who act one way to please one group of people then behind their backs insult them when with another group. :(

Re: Is this the state of our Ummah?
Mystic
12/25/01 at 02:18:33
[slm] I echo brother Kashif's point's on Intellectual stripping...its all part of the flimsiest of plans that has been used and re used with out fail. The sad part about the article is that it has confirmed that living in the west does play a strong role in depleting the "spiritual aspect" of our beings.The whole societies are based on materialistic, chauvinistic, capitalist systems...so no surprise there. The growth of moderate Muslims and disenchanted youths is the saddest part of the deal...and raises important questions about how to effectively counteract. I see Media as being one of the *potent* tools of communication, since Masajids echo the emptiness of the collective ummah's soul. *ALL* of us have beautiful and Unique talents that can be put to use to help the Ummah in one way or another. And if that is the sole focus of *every* practicing Muslim, then the rest will unfold according to Allah's plan. Whether we are in the west or East, at this point it doesn't really matter. Do what *you* can do at the place where you are. The anger should never be at the PEOPLE but the actions being committed...that way we can always maintain a rational outlook on how to effectively fight off the evils. May Allah guide us all (Amin). [wlm]

Re: Is this the state of our Ummah?
kareema
12/25/01 at 03:05:14
Basically, it states that some Muslims are Muslim in name only, they pick what they like and disobey Quran. I don't have a problem with them saying that there are people out there like that, but with the legitimacy and lack of critical analysis of the whole situation. What DOES being a member of the Islamic faith mean if you don't practice it? Not much. 'Secular Muslims' is obviously an oxymoronic statement. At least they acknowledged that the people were basically only Muslim because they were born that way and never bothered to think of something else to check in that box. If they are spreading disinformation about Islam and knowingingly persist after correct evidence is given, I think depending on the severity of the disinfo, it can be hurtful to Islam.

Re: Is this the state of our Ummah?
akbalkhan
12/25/01 at 10:41:54
as Salam Alaykum, Is it not correct to say that those who Believe are called one thing and those who submit another? When people ask me if I am a Muslim or not (when I was not making all my prayers, and doing all required to be Muslim) I would tell them some days I am, but I am always a believer. Is it Mu'min for Believer? I do not like to call people I do not know 'Muslim' because I am not aware of the actions or committment.  I find it easy however, that if someone I do not know says they are Muslim, to just think of them as a fellow Believer(until I know them better), and let Allah SWT decide if they have surrendered or submitted. Regards, QAK

Re: Is this the state of our Ummah?
Imran
12/25/01 at 11:17:59
"So when the sacred months have passed, then fight the mushrikin wherever you find them, and capture them and beseige them, and lie in wait for them in each and every ambush. but if they repent and perform the salaah, and give the zakah, then leave their way free. verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful" [9:5] This ayah became known as the ayah of the sword when Abu Bakr[RA] used it to justify the war that was waged against professing MUSLIMS that refused payment of zakat after the prophet[saws]'s death. This should be a warning for those that swap salaah for wine, I guess it will be the will of Allah[swt] whether they will be raised up on the Day of Reckoning with the Ummat of Muhammad[saws] or with whom they love.
Individual posts do not necessarily reflect the views of Jannah.org, Islam, or all Muslims. All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners. Comments are owned by the poster and may not be used without consent of the author. The rest © Jannah.Org