By Suzana Nabil Saad
Freelance Writer- USA

Sunday, 24 March 2013 00:00

We represent Islam through our actions as Muslims, but are we truly exemplifying Islam?
Are you a Muslim living in the West? Have you often felt yourself obliged to explain to others the difference between the Islamic teachings and the cultural behaviors of some Muslims?

And as quickly as you jump in to explain that these stereotypes have nothing to do with Islam, some Muslims’ behavior often portrays the affirmative as “Actions speak louder than words.”

There is no question about the quantity of Muslims in the West, but what about the quality? We represent Islam through our actions as Muslims, but are we truly exemplifying Islam? Or do we often discover that our actions are the product of a strong cultural heritage?

Amongst the “cultural” stereotypes we could find about Islam are the inferiority of women, dishonesty, inquisitiveness, carelessness and disorganization.

Are Women Inferior in Islam?

Allah says (interpretation): {Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.} (An-Nahl 16:97)

The Qur’an clearly points out that righteousness and belief are the keys to Jannah, not gender. Men and Women are equal before Allah and it is only their actions that could uphold them. Why then are many Muslim women treated inferiorly by Muslim men?

Islam came with laws in favor of women in terms of good treatment, rights to own property, inheritance, etc.
Islam appeared in an area strongly affected by a cultural heritage of subordination of women. In fact, Islam came with laws in favor of women in terms of good treatment, rights to own property, inheritance, etc.

Unfortunately, the traces of jahiliyah are still present within some Muslim men in forms of ill treatment, refusal to give women their property or inheritance rights, etc.

This behavior does not limit itself to the treatment of the wife, but we even see this differentiation in the treatment of brothers to their sisters and fathers to their daughters. The son being favoured over the sister, and even at times left without scolding when not acting Islamically, just because he is a boy.

This sends mixed messages both to the wife, sister, daughter, female converts to Islam and the Western society in general; Muslim females take this ill treatment to be rooted in Islam and it may lead them to live in misery or act immorally or in extreme cases they may leave Islam.

Western societies accordingly perceive Muslim women as inferior and “enslaved” by their men.

Does Islam Teach Dishonesty?

“They don’t keep their word” is a notorious cliché for Muslims. Whether it be telling the truth, keeping promises, being punctual, etc.

Unfortunately, there are numerous incidents in which Muslims in Western countries have lied to the government to receive certain benefits, etc. You would even hear converts to Islam saying that they felt that many Muslims would use the word InshaaAllah (if God Wills) to try to find a way out and not keep their word. This is unfortunately taken to be an Islamic teaching.

However, in Islam dishonesty is regarded as hypocrisy as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) teaches us:

“The signs of a hypocrite are three:

1. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.

2. Whenever he promises, he always breaks it (his promise).

3. If you trust him, he proves to be dishonest. (If you keep something as a trust with him, he will not return it.)” (Bukhari)

What Does Islam Say about Inquisitiveness?

The cultural inquisitiveness of some Muslims is a very irritating behavior. Some give themselves the right to inquire into others’ affairs and give their opinion in each and every matter.

This sometimes even extends to private matters and can be very embarrassing for others as they may be “cornered” and unable to refrain from answering.

This has nothing to do with the teachings of Islam. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) teaches us: “Part of the perfection of one’s Islam is his leaving that which does not concern him.” (Tirmidhi)

Do justice to this beautiful religion and to those who really try to follow it but have to pay the price and be stereotyped into a “cultural” Islam.

Are Carelessness and Disorganization Islamic Traits?

The carelessness and disorganization of some Muslims has depicted Islam as being a religion that does not call for perfection. This is especially seen by converts to Islam when they start getting involved with Muslims in their activities.

In Islamic mosques, schools, and organizations or in just different events; a lack of professionalism is often present leading to drawbacks in the functioning as a whole.

However, Islam teaches us to be efficient in our work. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) says: “Verily, Allah loves that when anyone of you does a job he should perfect it” (Al-Bayhaqi).

A Wake Up Call

Muslims out there living in the West: please represent TRUE Islam and put your cultural heritage behind your backs.

Do justice to this beautiful religion and to those who really try to follow it but have to pay the price and be stereotyped into a “cultural” Islam.

Always bear in mind that when you misbehave, you are not just harming yourself, you are harming a whole religion!

Suzana Nabil Saad holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the Faculty of Languages, Ain Shams University, Egypt. She obtained her Master’s Degree of Arts in English Literature from Gothenburg University, Sweden. She previously worked as an editor in Reading Islam section at Islamonline.net (now OnISlam.net). She currently resides in Texas, USA.

Source: http://www.onislam.net/english/culture-and-entertainment/traditions/461948-who-are-you-buddy-muslim.html