The Koran talks about nations that came before the Pagans of Arabia. Every nation was destroyed for their wrong doings. Their main crime was shirk (associating partners with God), and that resulted in a moral degradation of society at large. Once the moral values gave way, the entire social structure collapsed. Thus, every nation was left in ruins whether it was ‘Aad, Sodom and Gomorrah, Thamud, people of Pharoah, etc. They were all destroyed for associating partners with God and immorality.
Keeping this background info, there is a sense of depravity. A sense that moral values is slipping away in this nation of ours. Where is the pop culture leading us? What was considered to be taboo yesterday, is the rule of the day. Popular culture affects us everyday but is there a way that we (Muslims) can change it for the betterment? Can we have an impact in this society to guide the pop culture back to morality? In the coming years, can Muslim community become the moral conscience of America or we will adopt pop culture and go with the flow? Only time will tell (what we did).
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Insha’Allah, if we have any influence on the bettering of this culture it is going to have to be by example—walking the walk. We live in a time where anything goes. Acts of lewdness, profanity, and vulgarity dominate our media and are widely accepted as the norm. The government further legitimizes the promotion and practice of major sins (as if they needed any help) by passing laws supporting them. Expressions of morality and modesty are often considered passé and “old-fashioned”. Scantily clad women are promoted as the norms of beauty, while hijab is viewed as something archaic and not practical for the times. Not “socializing” with non-mahram men and women (for reasons other than work and/or study) is deemed regressive and somehow a degradation of rights. Being mindful that what we watch, hear, say, and do is in accordance with the teachings of Islam is considered “extreme.”?????? Istaghfirullah!!!
We know the influence that observing the exemplary nature of the Prophet (SAW) had on humanity. Many were called to the fold of Al-Islam simply by the effect his humility, modesty, and conduct had on them (SAW). Historically, we also know the benefit that Islam brought to many a nation. Assimilation to a culture is done gradually, but it has the effect of a snowball rolling down a hill. Instead of ALWAYS enjoining what’s right and prohibiting what is evil, we tolerate minor infractions of character, conversation, or deeds of ourselves and others. We become desensitized to certain behavior, which leads to much, much worse—we start to imitate those we’re supposed to uplift! If Islam is to be the moral conscience of this nation, Muslims must strive to influence and set a precedent.
“Surely, God will not change a condition of a people unless they change first what is within themselves” (Qur’an
–Nasihah
Posted on February 22nd, 2007 at 9:28 pm
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