Making life harder for ourselves.

Asalamu Alaikum.

Been a long time since I last blogged; to be honest I didn't really know WHAT to write about.

If I haven't already mentioned it, I am not a scholar - in fact I am just merely a student who voices her opinion about different topics.

Recently, I've debated with people after they've asked questions about certain things which are non-Islamic, and why we don't do them. However, unfortunately they were not willing to listen to what was being said. And though I had said that Islam was completed before the death of the Prophet pbuh, they were still questioning. It reminded me of the Qur'anic Ayah in which Allah says:
"O you who believe! Ask not about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble. But if you ask about them while the Qur'an is being revealed, they will be made plain to you." Surah Al Maaidah 5:101

We should not question what has already been made clear to us, Allah has even told us so in the Qur'an. Another point, is that we shouldn't ask questions when we do not have the intention of gaining knowledge but rather have the intention to argue. Islam is a simple and beautiful religion, yet we make it so difficult for ourselves.

Those of us who wish to gain more knowledge and ask questions, should be open towards the information and views given to us. However, we should not be so open that we make ourselves vulnerable to believing what is clearly wrong, such as innovations or straight out denying facts.

It is also upsetting that many who ask questions, not only do they not listen but they also start labelling others as certain "sects" - one of the main labels being Wahabbi. What is a Wahabbi exactly? From what I have gathered, people who are labelled as Wahabbis don't follow any innovations and try to stick to the Sunnah as it was revealed and adhered to by the Prophet pbuh and his companions. But it seems to me that most people forget the Hadith in which the Prophet pbuh says that the "sect" who will be the most righteous will have those who follow the Qur'an and Sunnah properly, like he and his sahaabah had done.

Nevertheless, there are still so many innovations. So many things which have no place in Islam. One particular event is celebrated a lot in South Asia, which is the birthdate of the Prophet pbuh. They call it Eid Milaad un Nabi. However, again people seem to forget that we had been told about our two Eid's by the Prophet pbuh. Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha. Yet so many Muslims put more effort into innovated festivals rather than the ones which were given and told to us by Allah and His messenger pbuh.
Instead people prefer to celebrate events which are Bidd'ah. Not only do they innovate, but they also celebrate events from non-Muslim societies and beliefs such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Mothers Day, Fathers day, Valentines Day and birthdays.

We should respect and care for our family members and close ones as much as we can, all year round. We shouldn't designate days for them. Also, we should thank and pray to Allah each day, at least 5 times a day - after each Salaah.

We should all try and educate ourselves as much as possible in Islam. And I have even come across excuses such as we don't understand Arabic yet we read the Qur'an, how can we learn anything? What I would like to ask them is, who or what is stopping them from understanding the Qur'an and Hadiths? The only thing stopping them from learning is laziness and lack of willpower. Those who can, should learn Arabic and those who cannot can get translated versions of the Qur'an and Hadith with tafseer.

And let's not forget the "seasonal Muslims." They will pray and read the Qur'an during certain times of the year; the most common being Ramadan. If they can pray Salaah and recite the Qur'an during Ramadan, why can't they do the same throughout the entire year? With Salaah, many people find it difficult and are put off because one, they need to pray 5 times a day and secondly, they think they need to pray all the Sunnah and Nafl rakah's too. Those who have just begun to pray more consistently should just concentrate on praying the Fardh rakahs first. Once their daily routine is set for praying all 5 salaah's, they can start praying extra rakahs.
Praying isn't the only problem. Many women are under the wrong understanding that Allah only watches them when the Adhaan is being said, or there is a du'a being said (at events such as weddings). They throw a scarf on their head until it is over, and then take it off. I personally find this quite funny and disappointing at the same time. Allah is watching us all the time, we need to fear His punishment. Allah is forgiving, and we are rewarded for the smallest good deeds we do. Subhan'Allah, even if we think of doing a good deed but for some reason aren't able to carry it out, we will be rewarded for it. However, if we think of doing a bad deed, it will only be seen as a sin if we carry through with it.

It seriously isn't that hard. Those who want to learn, will. And they will not make excuses. Acting in these ways is only breaking up the Ummah further, we need to work together, learn together to improve the chances of becoming succesful in this world and the Hereafter.


May Allah give us the strength and faith to become better Muslims. Ameen.

Wasalaam.