Comments on: What does it mean to be Muslim? http://jannah.org/blog/2009/08/20/what-does-it-mean-to-be-muslim/ A Single Muslimah's Musings Sun, 21 Mar 2010 09:10:06 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: jannah http://jannah.org/blog/2009/08/20/what-does-it-mean-to-be-muslim/comment-page-1/#comment-85999 jannah Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:37:56 +0000 http://jannah.org/blog/?p=1078#comment-85999 Jazakamullahu Khairan for your comments u guys :) Wishing you a happy ramadan inshaAllah!! Jazakamullahu Khairan for your comments u guys :) Wishing you a happy ramadan inshaAllah!!

]]> By: WCoastbaba http://jannah.org/blog/2009/08/20/what-does-it-mean-to-be-muslim/comment-page-1/#comment-85996 WCoastbaba Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:58:32 +0000 http://jannah.org/blog/?p=1078#comment-85996 You've got some excellent points there Sis J. I think we are all guilty to some extent, as you say and I hope that with such reminders and with some initiative within ourselves and those in our community who have taken some responsibility to organize such events.With, that we can then make a difference in peoples lives and subsequently improving ourselves, the lives of others and at least in the long-run, improving our condition, so, like that Ayah states, Allah will then Help improve our condition and that of our children and beyond - that is, the Ummah's condition. You’ve got some excellent points there Sis J. I think we are all guilty to some extent, as you say and I hope that with such reminders and with some initiative within ourselves and those in our community who have taken some responsibility to organize such events.With, that we can then make a difference in peoples lives and subsequently improving ourselves, the lives of others and at least in the long-run, improving our condition, so, like that Ayah states, Allah will then Help improve our condition and that of our children and beyond – that is, the Ummah’s condition.

]]> By: Shaari http://jannah.org/blog/2009/08/20/what-does-it-mean-to-be-muslim/comment-page-1/#comment-85992 Shaari Thu, 20 Aug 2009 05:31:10 +0000 http://jannah.org/blog/?p=1078#comment-85992 Dear Jannah, all I can say to this is that, as a rule, human beings are primarily motivated by self-interest. Not to call an apple an orange, but there's a famous poem written by a Christian priest regarding the arrest and eventual killing of Jews and others during WWII. Basically, it says, when they came for everyone but me, I did nothing. Alternatively, one can look at Newtons laws of motion. An object at rest will stay at rest, while an object in motion will stay in motion. (unless acted upon by outside forces). What I'm trying to say here, is that unless we channel our energies into something different than our daily lives, apathy will continue. It's not just Muslims, it's people. Why else, do you think, that every election, only about half the country votes? Apathy. People, when left to their own devices, will usually do what is easiest. Regarding your comment about the end of times... I urge you to look up the Monk of St. Denis. (as a history buff, I've been reading about the period after the Black Death) You'll see a very repetitive strain, written throughout history. Shaari Dear Jannah, all I can say to this is that, as a rule, human beings are primarily motivated by self-interest. Not to call an apple an orange, but there’s a famous poem written by a Christian priest regarding the arrest and eventual killing of Jews and others during WWII. Basically, it says, when they came for everyone but me, I did nothing.
Alternatively, one can look at Newtons laws of motion. An object at rest will stay at rest, while an object in motion will stay in motion. (unless acted upon by outside forces).

What I’m trying to say here, is that unless we channel our energies into something different than our daily lives, apathy will continue. It’s not just Muslims, it’s people.

Why else, do you think, that every election, only about half the country votes? Apathy.

People, when left to their own devices, will usually do what is easiest.

Regarding your comment about the end of times… I urge you to look up the Monk of St. Denis. (as a history buff, I’ve been reading about the period after the Black Death) You’ll see a very repetitive strain, written throughout history.

Shaari

]]> By: umm talhah http://jannah.org/blog/2009/08/20/what-does-it-mean-to-be-muslim/comment-page-1/#comment-85991 umm talhah Thu, 20 Aug 2009 04:50:20 +0000 http://jannah.org/blog/?p=1078#comment-85991 you're not wrong at all jannah...in fact, every item on that list actually emphasizes the point that we can *all* do something or another for these families and others in similar situations. However, just take a moment to view those items on that list...they are all different and speak to people in different ways...not every single muslim can be vocally and actively involved in speaking against these injustices, not every muslim is capable of that, literally. They may actually end up doing more *harm* than good to themselves and others due to not properly representing the true teachings of Islam on this subject. I completely understand your arguments, however, and we are definitely NOT doing enough (within our own capacities and limits even) to help these people...and Allah (swt) will judge each person according to what he or she could have done but didnt do...and remember...it is important to work on yourself too..because no matter how much we want change to come in our communities, Allah (swt) also said, that He (swt) does not change the situation of a nation (group) unless they change within themselves... and Allah (swt) knows best... you’re not wrong at all jannah…in fact, every item on that list actually emphasizes the point that we can *all* do something or another for these families and others in similar situations.

However, just take a moment to view those items on that list…they are all different and speak to people in different ways…not every single muslim can be vocally and actively involved in speaking against these injustices, not every muslim is capable of that, literally. They may actually end up doing more *harm* than good to themselves and others due to not properly representing the true teachings of Islam on this subject.

I completely understand your arguments, however, and we are definitely NOT doing enough (within our own capacities and limits even) to help these people…and Allah (swt) will judge each person according to what he or she could have done but didnt do…and remember…it is important to work on yourself too..because no matter how much we want change to come in our communities, Allah (swt) also said, that He (swt) does not change the situation of a nation (group) unless they change within themselves…

and Allah (swt) knows best…

]]>