“To every People have We appointed rites and ceremonies which they must follow: let them not then dispute with thee on the matter, but do thou invite (them) to thy Lord: for thou art assuredly on the Right Way” (Koran 22:67).
While reading this aya a year ago, I thought this verse basically summed up the entire field of anthropology. One will always find rites and rituals with people. Perhaps the origin of these rituals are from God for example, the case of pagans in Makka that most of their rituals of Haj were from God. The important thing is that the duty is to call people to God. American Muslims should reflect on this verse. According to the Qur’an, our duty is to call people to God and not to a particular culture or custom. Let me zoom in on this concept. The call is made for God that don’t get caught up with a particular cultural dress, food, language, ceremonies, etc. Every Muslim in America adheres to a particular culture/custom. However, that culture should not prevent others from coming to Islam. What am I talking about?
In all sincerity, many converts are turned off from the mosques because in many instances a mosque is a cultural center for a particular Muslim community. Converts often have difficulty identifying themselves with this foreign culture. People look at them as they have “two heads on their shoulders” (term borrowed from anonymous on this blog). They feel that unless they are dressed in ‘jalabiya’ or ’shalwar-qamees’, they don’t look ‘Muslim’. And my God if they can’t eat spicy food they are in a wrong place to begin with. As if eating cultural food is a precondition to one’s Islam. I recall Brother Gary Miller (Abdul-Ahad) mentioned that he was once asked by a non-Muslim family member: “To be a Muslim must be really difficult – How did you get used to eating all the spicy food?”.
Brothers and sisters, lets just welcome people to our mosques/MSAs especially when we see someone who may feel uncomfortable due to their different ethnic origin or culture. Remember, the call is to God.
3 Responses
Very good points addressed on this issue. It’s disheartening to know that some people have to pass a so called ‘acceptance test’ before they can become affiliated at a particular masjid. Sometimes people tend to forget that there are no cultural barriers in Islam. Islam is Islam no matter what your nationality, race, spoken language, or way of dress is. That’s what makes our religion so beautiful!
I’m not saying that all masjids are this way, but I think we’ve come across this sentiment at one time or another. The most important thing is that Allah is in our hearts and that’s what unifies us together. We should always welcome everyone with kind hearts and open arms. Even if we have to go out of our way to make sure they feel comfortable, it’s important that we do so. Otherwise converts will never return and it would be a shame to know that it was due to the way they were treated. (at a masjid of all places) Some converts are drawn to Islam because of the warm kindness and thoughfulness shown among Muslims, something they may not necessarily see as much in other religions. Let’s not forget to maintain that feeling and remind them why they were drawn to our beautiful faith.
Posted on November 28th, 2006 at 12:35 pm
BTW, very cute picture of the Muslim children…Masha’Allah!
Posted on November 28th, 2006 at 12:36 pm
It is great that converts are drawn to Islam because of the warmth and kindness of muslims, but that should not be what their faith is dependant upon. The fanfare the greets each new convert is often ephemeral and many converts are left lost and confused when the initial attention abates. When I converted many muslims I met harped continuously on the generosity of muslims, their kindness and warth and I was often disheartened when I was met with the opposite. I learned instead to focus on the inherent beauty of the religion and was not swayed by those who had less than pleasant things to say to be. As a result my love of Islam did not falter with each scornful stare of tactless criticism. I did not expect that muslims would embody the characteristics I had read about, but tried to embody them myself. I was no longer disheartened by the negative, but always pleased by those who were kind. I ramble and I don’t know if my point is muddled or even if I still have one… but umm yea
Posted on November 28th, 2006 at 6:06 pm
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