Late this evening, I stumbled onto the CNN Report by Christian Amanpour on 'Generation Islam' and it reminded me of this question that constantly plagues my mind, 'What does it mean to be a Muslim?'
Like so many Malay Bruneians, we are born Muslims. Our father was born as Muslims, like our forefathers before us. Yet, when I listen to Muslim converts tell their tale of how or why they come to appreciate the beauty of Islam, I sometimes am left in awe and maybe in envy that they appreciate and actually acknowledge what it is to be a Muslim. For me, I sometimes wonder, will those born as Muslims such as I, ever know what it is to be a Muslim, or do we take it for granted & at the same time, not fulfill the responsibilities to entails in calling ourselves a Muslim?
I recall the time when I studied overseas. It is ironic that I felt more of a Muslim or more religious when in a foreign country, or when in a non-Muslim country, whether it is by waking up for the subuh prayer, reading the Qur'an often or giving more donation. Then when I came back home, I find myself somewhat lax. Am I really a Muslim?
I also recall wars & conflicts related to Islam such as the recent Israeli bombimg in Gaza in January, or the Israeli bombing in Lebanon a few years back. It strikes me that voices of Muslims around the world echoed against such injustice, and it helped to bring attention to the bombings, and ended it. But what surprised & dissapointed me is that once the news coverage ended, where were these majority, moderate Muslims? The Palestinians are still suffering but these Muslims it seems were back to their status quo, living their everyday life., maybe feeling good after giving some charity. Is that wrong, or right? What else could 'common' Muslims do, one may argue.
In any case, in the context of being a global community as the world shrinks, & with regards to the complicated misconception of Islam & the West, maybe we should ask ourselves, what it means to be a Muslim?
At the end, I come to this current conclusion.
Firstly, to be a Muslim, I guess we must first correct ourselves, turning the mirror inwards before advising others. Individually, to be a Muslim, I believe is to follow what this religion asks us to do what is good, and leave what is prohibited/bad. I have seen nothing wrong with this religion and therefore, I hope to be a Muslim.
Secondly, such is the reality of this world that Muslims are currently disjointed. Therefore, when it comes to the Muslim brothers & sisters in Palestine, in Somalia and other places where unjust prospers, I like so many other Muslims can only pray. The friday prayer in Brunei today elaborated on the power of prayers in Islam, to even change what may appear to be pre-destined. I pray that we find some happiness in this world, and can meet in jannah or heaven.
Thirdly, I pray that there is a unifying institution or voice in the Muslim world, driven by real, moderate Muslims to make sure all Muslims are kept attuned with what other Muslims are faced. Such is the power of news coverage that only then do Muslims know what is happening on the other side of the world. When the mass media is gone, the global community usually seem to look at other issues. We need to keep on knowing what is happening.
There are perhaps news institutions that do such service, but some may question their neutrality. Perhaps there needs to be a network of Muslim news institution reporting what is happening within their Muslim community, in a weekly or monthly coverage. Only this way, can we ensure that Muslims all over the world are in-the-know, and that we become real Muslims.
My thoughts.
Like so many Malay Bruneians, we are born Muslims. Our father was born as Muslims, like our forefathers before us. Yet, when I listen to Muslim converts tell their tale of how or why they come to appreciate the beauty of Islam, I sometimes am left in awe and maybe in envy that they appreciate and actually acknowledge what it is to be a Muslim. For me, I sometimes wonder, will those born as Muslims such as I, ever know what it is to be a Muslim, or do we take it for granted & at the same time, not fulfill the responsibilities to entails in calling ourselves a Muslim?
I recall the time when I studied overseas. It is ironic that I felt more of a Muslim or more religious when in a foreign country, or when in a non-Muslim country, whether it is by waking up for the subuh prayer, reading the Qur'an often or giving more donation. Then when I came back home, I find myself somewhat lax. Am I really a Muslim?
I also recall wars & conflicts related to Islam such as the recent Israeli bombimg in Gaza in January, or the Israeli bombing in Lebanon a few years back. It strikes me that voices of Muslims around the world echoed against such injustice, and it helped to bring attention to the bombings, and ended it. But what surprised & dissapointed me is that once the news coverage ended, where were these majority, moderate Muslims? The Palestinians are still suffering but these Muslims it seems were back to their status quo, living their everyday life., maybe feeling good after giving some charity. Is that wrong, or right? What else could 'common' Muslims do, one may argue.
In any case, in the context of being a global community as the world shrinks, & with regards to the complicated misconception of Islam & the West, maybe we should ask ourselves, what it means to be a Muslim?
At the end, I come to this current conclusion.
Firstly, to be a Muslim, I guess we must first correct ourselves, turning the mirror inwards before advising others. Individually, to be a Muslim, I believe is to follow what this religion asks us to do what is good, and leave what is prohibited/bad. I have seen nothing wrong with this religion and therefore, I hope to be a Muslim.
Secondly, such is the reality of this world that Muslims are currently disjointed. Therefore, when it comes to the Muslim brothers & sisters in Palestine, in Somalia and other places where unjust prospers, I like so many other Muslims can only pray. The friday prayer in Brunei today elaborated on the power of prayers in Islam, to even change what may appear to be pre-destined. I pray that we find some happiness in this world, and can meet in jannah or heaven.
Thirdly, I pray that there is a unifying institution or voice in the Muslim world, driven by real, moderate Muslims to make sure all Muslims are kept attuned with what other Muslims are faced. Such is the power of news coverage that only then do Muslims know what is happening on the other side of the world. When the mass media is gone, the global community usually seem to look at other issues. We need to keep on knowing what is happening.
There are perhaps news institutions that do such service, but some may question their neutrality. Perhaps there needs to be a network of Muslim news institution reporting what is happening within their Muslim community, in a weekly or monthly coverage. Only this way, can we ensure that Muslims all over the world are in-the-know, and that we become real Muslims.
Nu'man b. Bashir reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The similitude of believers in regard to mutual love, affection, fellow-feeling is that of one body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches, because of sleeplessness and fever.
My thoughts.
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