A religion of Miracles

Assalamu’alaikum brothers 

Jumaa Mubarak. 

Islam is a religion of miracles. 

It takes a particular mind set to see beyond the everyday, and to realise just how much we  take for granted, and how much we have to be thankful for. 

For some that religious mindset makes them feel special. Of itself that is not a problem, however we should all be wary that after a time that feeling can lead to the slow erosion of what started as humility. 

And it is only by God’s kind grace presenting us with chance circumstance that we can return back to that humility with gratitude. (David (as) and the litigants). 

This is the role that Jamaa’ (the collective) often plays within our collective psychology. 

For when the army of Muslims returned from Mutah, having proved themselves against a mightier Roman force, by a factor of ten, they were rebuked by the crowd on entry into Medina. The rebuke was ill founded but the Messenger (saw) took heart from it and saw in them an eagerness for their religion. 

(Do not believe the Wiki account online as it fails wrt to historical analysis and is at odds with the Muslim version of events). 

The recent controversies surrounding M&S toilet tissue, and Nike, are points in question. To disdain your Muslim brothers when they show eagerness to defend the faith, is not the Sunnah. And if you think that you are better than them, then perhaps you need to contemplate the Ahl al Saff mentioned within the first twenty verses of Baqara. 

For these have not overstepped the bounds. 

And political activism is something that every Muslim should aspire to in the making of a just and true society. 

However for some the religious mindset only makes them feel special, and causes them to disdain others, sometimes even their own Muslim brothers. And sometimes it is because they feel themselves better educated or more intelligent. 

Still others when they have stood to gain from the usurping of other’s rights, only see that act of wrong as an affirmation of their specialness. 

That God has enabled them to do so, to wrong another, as an affirmation that God is on their side. (Israel vs Palestine).

But this is not borne out when we study the life of the most special of men, Muhammed (saw) who came as a guide. 

Know that if GOD loves you, then He will prevent and stop you from wrong, or from the stealing of another’s right, even when it is a trifling sum. And at these times if there is clear intervention, a greater miracle cannot be wished for. 

For then God has seen fit to protect you from harm. Or from your harming another, or taking another’s right. 

And if the rope is made out for you, and it is made easy for you to wrong another, however slight, then use it at your own loss- and stop it, at your gain. 

For still others that want of being, and feeling special, causes them to invent and add things to the religion that do not belong. Embellishing that which needs none, both simple and beautiful as it stands. 

They do this as a means of making themselves “feel” more special than the rest of us. 

I have seen this happen on multi levels, from the over complication of Fiqh, to the heresies of some tasawuf (Sufi paths seeking closeness to God). To know their error, is not to disdain them, but neither is it to hold them in regard. 

In all cases, it is openness that is a cure for them, or for their folk. And that openness means accepting them for who they are and then moving on. 

The believers have a sacred trust in God that far outstrips worries over their particular version of the religion. For it is He who promised to keep this religion pure, and to explain it. 

The Islamic mindset should make you both grateful and humble, strong in adversity, true and just in all dealing with fellow man. 

If should make you appreciate the ahlul saff, the simple men, and their needs. 

The secret of contentment and happiness lies in nothing but the remembrance of GOD.  

And religiosity has its bounds. 

Do not overstep them, thinking that by it you become better than others. 

Stick to the Jamaa’, and make excuses for those of your brothers that do so too. 

What I have said here is my opinion. If it is wrong then that wrong belongs to me. 

Knowledge is sought through study and contemplation, not via lectures, nor speeches, nor this. 

Shafi.