Sick and Tired
Most people in this world are individuals that belong to a distinct group. Be it by gender, family name, nationality, occupation, health, religion, etc. And because they belong to this group, they are expected to represent it completely and know absolutely all there is to know about being part of that group. You are expected to spread awareness and knowledge when it is needed. Personally, I always had to defend my groups. I was always defending Islam, Arabs and Journalism. Living in a foreign country where people are ignorant (can’t blame the people for that) yet curious, defending myself was a constant routine. I was sick and tired of it.
Islam. This is the hardest one. Even the basics of Islam are hard to defend thanks to the contradicting events happening in the Middle East and surrounding regions. I would tell them that Muslims believe in and are supposed to respect all the prophets and books sent to us from God. What could I respond with when even the Arkan Al Iman (Articles of Belief) are set aside?
Is it still justified to say that Islam is a religion that promotes peace? To my knowledge in the times of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) people of different faiths lived peacefully in their towns. It was only when the Muslims were wronged that jihad was declared and the peace was disturbed. Let’s not also forget the Islamic movement that was for the purpose of spreading the religion. It was effective, but also violent. That is a fact.
I consider myself to be a religious person, in my own way. I love my religion and it is always on my mind. Almost every night before I fall asleep, my head rests on the pillow as I ponder and think about the things I was told to memorize at school. I try to make sense of it all. I do. And if I need to, I ask my mom to help me figure things out. She gives me the facts and lets me understand them on my own. The only thing that throws me off is that Muslims all over the world believe different things. We claim that that all Muslims are unified in their beliefs, but it is painfully obvious that we are not.
So the only things I said in my defense is that the people that are behind non-peaceful events and actions are extremists. Even though the truth is that some of those people that agree with extremists are just ignorant and don’t know any better. I’m not a history buff, but has there been a time when there hasn’t been a war in the name of Islam? (That’s a legitimate question that I hope someone answers in the comments.)
September 10th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
You are pondering worthy questions. As I was reading your conclusions about Islam, I found myself thinking that just about everything you said could also be said about Christianity. We all fail to live up to the tenets of our faith. Love one another? Live in peace? Don’t backbite? We fail time and time again every day. I guess the goal is to keep trying.
September 11th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
i guess every religion has their extremists that take one or two tenets too far, making them overlook other tenets too far as well.
September 11th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
not everyone is a good muslim
or a practicing one
religious is like an antibiotic … if you give it to a sick person and they dont take it like their supposed to it wont work… do u fault the meds or the person?
religion is like that
u cant blame the faults of individuals on it
September 11th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
eshda3wa, i like ur little metaphor
but who is to blame? i do blame individuals because they follow their leaders like sheep.. some don’t know why theyre supposed to follow them.. like children who come on news channels and say they want to bomb themselves to kill israelis without knowing why theyre doing it or the history of the conflict.. and some have not been given a chance to know other paths so that they can decide on which ones they think is right.
September 16th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
It depends on who you’re conversing with. Sometimes it is absolutely useless to talk to someone that lacks the intelligence or common decency to comprehend anything you’re saying. Your intentions are good though and God bless you for that.
September 17th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Hey dude.
I’ve had many discussions with all sorts of people, and 99.9% of the time I was-continue to defend Islam. One thing you need to remember is that whoever says religion is the cause of so many deaths and war is a person who needs to get off their high horse. Let’s not forget that Islam is the ONLY religion with conduct protecting the people of the very area that is being expanded into. For example, Islam is the only religion that treats prisoners of war with respect, doesn’t burn people alive-and advises against harming the trees themselves. People who say that Islam is not one to be called a religion of peace are the very ones who go around saying that there is no god. Oh, and let’s not forget political reasons are the main factor people live in poverty today; not religion.
With that said, to whoever says that Islam’s ways of expansion are violent, let me state that it was only under Islamic rule that the Jews of Europe were able to prosper themselves.
That’s not to say people today are the best Muslims for being Muslim, but the increasing lax between Muslims and Islam doesn’t discredit the faith itself. Be sure of yourself and your faith, 7abeebti, it’s all we’ve got. Our worth is measured by it-at least I measure my worth by it. The problem is, most people today are all about appearances on an international level, and they portray their religion in the wrong ways. It doesn’t help that the media is reminiscent of a drunk zionist waving his yamaka–which coincidentally sprinkles awesome PR for itself, but endless negativity towards the faith he’s known to resent.
Be SURE that the hateful (within context) things said and actions (violence is unjustified in war as far as I care, unless it’s a freaking war) in the name of Islam have NO logical backing. Ours is a religion whose prophet withstood rocks being thrown at him without retaliating, had guts dumped on him while he prayed and still didn’t retaliate. We are Muslims, we are patient, and forgiving-the rage you see in those stupid idiots who claim to be Muslim is the most hypocritical thing I’ve ever seen.
September 17th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Also, with regards to your question, The Crusade. Never has the world seen such monstrosity.