Don’t Touch Me With Your Religion

Posted in Spiritual, Your Voices
Don’t Touch Me With Your Religion

We live in a society today where everyone is free to do whatever they want, as long as it doesn’t bother or interfere with another’s life. This of course, can go under many interpretations. Many people would say that homosexuality isn’t a big deal… but yet, they don’t want to see them showing affection in public. The same goes for Muslims. Many will say that religion is a personal choice, but when it comes to women wearing the hijab (headscarf), this appears to impose on the American lifestyle or people feel it is necessary to “liberate” such women from this “oppression.” The same opposition is shown when Muslims ask for breaks at work in order to pray.

The fact is, that we don’t live in a rural society anymore, and we are going to step on each others toes. We must look towards the middle path which means not accepting anything in order to not hurt anyone’s feelings, nor should we distance ourselves from anyone different from ourselves. We are commanded to speak up, but we should choose our words carefully.

“Let there be a community among you who call to the good, and enjoin the right, and forbid the wrong. They are the ones who have success.” [Qur'an 3:104]

And as the “different” ones, we can’t hide our religion nor push it in anyone’s face. Simply, we follow the guidelines of Islam in how to conduct our daily lives, and make accommodations when necessary. We can’t please everyone, and it seems we are bound to upset some. How we handle that though can make the world of difference. We must be an active part in our societies and make positive difference and maybe this gap that seems so wide may become more narrow through time, education, care, and understanding.

Remember – you are not God. You don’t know everything. Allow for others to speak and to give their voice respect. You may learn something.

Post Tags:

Article by Durriyyah

Durriyyah is a revert since February, 2007, mashaAllah. She is a IT manager by profession, and decided to instead take advantage of the privilege to stay at home and be a homeschooling mom. She lives in the US with her revert husband and daughter. InshaAllah, she aims to continue growing in knowledge of her faith and has a specific interest in inter-faith discussions and information. See all 8 posts by Durriyyah
The views put forth by our Authors are the views of the individual Authors and do not represent the views of Muslimas Oasis or Editors, Authors, Websites or Organizations associated with Muslimas Oasis.
Advertisment
Love Nyla

Comments

6 Responses to “Don’t Touch Me With Your Religion”

  1. Author Date Comment

    nassima mahieddine
    		 February 23rd, 2010
    12:55 pm

    mashallah it is a good article .

    may allah bless u.

    thanks muslimaoasis for all that;)
  2. Author Date Comment

    Amina
    		 February 23rd, 2010
    11:18 pm

    Nice topic, mashaAllah. Not only does this happen with non-Muslims, it happens even with other Muslims. I mean, I personally could modify the title to "Don't touch me with your niqaab"! I remember when I put it on, I received opposition from other Muslims as my decision to wear it was somehow affecting their lives personally (I almost felt like they were paranoid I was going to force them to put on niqaab or something). What really bothered me the most though were the people who "pretended" to give me a chance to discuss my decision but actually everytime I opened up my mouth started telling me "their evidences" against it …

    So definitely, even when you're living in an area with other Muslims, you still find this sort of "don't touch me attitude". I think people are just afraid- afraid to rethink their own values, reconsider what they've grown up with, afraid to think of the possibilty that yes, you will be judged by God on every single thing you do, e.g. whether you shake hands with a guy or what you wear…
  3. Author Date Comment

    Amina
    		 February 24th, 2010
    1:23 am

    ^ I meant to write "as IF my decision to wear it…." ;)
  4. Author Date Comment

    UmmIn
    		 February 24th, 2010
    8:51 pm

    Mashaallah great advice sister :D
  5. Author Date Comment

    Kathleen
    		 February 25th, 2010
    9:51 am

    I know what you mean about hijab. My husband really doesn't like it at all. I live in a VERY rural area, but no one looks at me, but I don't go out with him anymore because doesn't understand why I need it, even though I DID explain it to him.

    You can not compromise with the word of God, dang blast it! lol. Funny, isn't it that the grief comes from him. My adult kids want me to be happy and they even provide spaces for me to pray :)

    I am no longer willing to compromise on the important things.
  6. Author Date Comment

    Abigail
    		 March 3rd, 2010
    1:55 pm

    Masha Allah very interesting article. As a converted I had to face many things and still doing it. Today was the first day on which a christian complained about why I turned to Islam. Every question he asked me about Islam and Jesus I answered but it seemed for him that I was incorrect. He began to ridiculize me in front of people at the university, since I'm the only muslim woman wearing the hijab. Clearly we have the right to choose our way of life and religion but when we live in a "democratic free country" everything changes.

Let us know what you think of this article.