We have seen it time and time again. We may have even experienced it.
For so long, you were a Muslim only by name. You did not know much about Islam and its teachings, and you were content with your ignorance.
But something changed. Like the shifting of the earth before a quake, something happened in your life that suddenly opened your eyes to the beauty of your religion. You realized that you needed God and in that instance, you turned back to Him.
Or, you were never a Muslim, but the story that was your life fell upon a new chapter: Islam. You left whatever you were (or were not) practicing for His sake.
In both these instances, you have tried to claim or reclaim the Muslim identity that you finally realized and accepted as being yours. Yet, it was during the birth of your new spiritual self that things began to go downhill. You may not have seen it, but everyone around you certainly did…
Here are a list of 10 things that shouldn’t happen as a result of you turning a new leaf and becoming a more practicing (or new) Muslim:
1. You Become Narrow Minded
This is probably one of the worst – and ironic – things that can result from you becoming a more practicing Muslim. Islam has richness and diversity embedded within its history; from its revelation to the interpretations and rulings, from great scholars and intellectuals (think: Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam Ash-Shafi’i & Imam Ahmad), Islam is not something that can be limited to what you have learned from one person within your community, or after watching a few videos on YouTube. Contrary to what you might think, becoming closer to Allah, subhanahu wa ta ‘ala (exalted is He), and the teachings of Islam should make you far more OPEN minded. That is, the more educated you become, the more you realize that differences of opinions within Islam are not a curse, but a blessing. They make the religion easy & practical – a stark juxtaposition to the Islam you may be viewing through your narrow lenses.
Most of the time, it’s narrow mindedness that leads individuals to do the following:
2. You Rebel Against Your Family
Now that you have seen the light, you begin to notice the sins that your family may be immersed in. How dare they not pray? Why do they not attend these lectures? Why don’t they support me – I’m following the same religion as them after all!? Why wasn’t I born into a more practicing family? Why didn’t my parents teach my Qur’an from a younger age!? Why, why, why…?
These, and many more, are thoughts that might cross your mind. But you have to remember a couple of things: a) You will probably never be able to completely change your family – especially your parents b) Humble yourself. It was only a short while ago that you were immersed in the same sins and was it not by the mercy of the Most Merciful, your plight may have never changed.
Coming closer to Allah (swt) should indeed bring you closer to your family (despite their flaws) as now you realize the great importance of kinship in Islam, and the enormous rights of your parents upon you.
3. You Rebel Against Society
You have not only become hyper aware to the ills within your home, but those outside of it too.
You take extremes and ban yourself from things like all social activities, malls, gyms or sports activities, family gatherings etc.
Becoming more practicing in the deen (religion) shouldn’t mean that you revile the very society that may have raised you and to which you owe your cultural traditions, norms and values. Instead, it should make you more involved. Being a Muslim means to be balanced – appreciate and enjoy the good your society has to offer while avoiding the bad.
4. You Declare Everything as Haram/Halal
This is an extremely dangerous thing to do. Just because you have learned a bit about Islam, you still have no right to be declaring fatwahs (Islamic legal rulings). This is something left to the most learned of Muslims; those who have dedicated their lives to the study and teachings of Islam.
Further, if you are quick to declare things haram/halal, remember this: you are putting your word against that of Allah (swt) and those who have studied His deen. Pretty scary, huh?
But inevitably, becoming more practicing may make you more quick to declare things as haram/halal. A word of advice: don’t. Just because someone holds a different opinion on a matter than yours, doesn’t make their opinion less valid. There were differences of opinions during the time of the Prophet ﷺ and after his death! But these differences did not divide Muslims as they do today – instead, they highlighted the beauty of Islam and how it is truly a religion that has transcended time, history, and culture.
5. You Isolate Yourself
Just because you have become more practicing, doesn’t mean that you should only limit yourself to your home or Islamic events, activities, conferences, etc.
Allah (swt) has set boundaries that cannot be transgressed. If you remove your head from the sand for 5 seconds, you will realize that there is a LOT of leeway as to what we can do as Muslims.
As long as they do not transgress the bounds of Allah (swt), feel free to engage in the things that bring joy and happiness to you and your family within the limits of moderation.
Do not totally ditch your long-time friends just because you have become more practicing than them unless they are likely to influence you negatively. Do not quit your job or schooling (unless, of course they are, or lead to, haram). Do not limit your days to locking yourself in your room and only studying Islam. You will go nuts, trust me.
Becoming more practicing should open you to a more positive and productive world and new possibilities. Also, it should make you more engaged within your community, whether it be through non-profit organizations, sports, etc.
6. You Lose Your Identity
This is a big one. We are all unique, creative and different human beings. You should never feel that you now have to dress or look or behave like a particular group or jamaat. Avoid cultish behaviour.
Getting closer to Allah (swt) should bring you closer to your truer self.
7. You start discriminating against the sinful Muslims and non-Muslims
This speaks for itself. Again, humble yourself because as they say:
Every righteous person has a past, and every sinner has a future.
Also, cut out the discrimination against non-Muslims. They may not be your sisters/brothers in faith, but they are certainly still your sisters/brothers in humanity and deserve your respect and kindness.
8. You Instantly Become a “Scholar”
Google, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and any social media site or piece of technology does NOT make you an expert in the field of Islam. Think of the work it takes to become a doctor – would you ever accept the claims of someone who simply Googles their information without any valid form of education?
Do not make fatwahs, do not rebuke others and do not think that you know everything. Simply assume the position of a student. Recognize, too, that being on the receiving end of knowledge is a life-long thing.
9. You Race to Catch Up
Please go easy on yourself. Yes, you may have less Qur’an memorized than your friends. Yes, you may have less Islamic knowledge. Yes, you may not be as steadfast on Islamic acts of worship. Yes, you may constantly stumble, fall, and falter.
But remember, this is your personal journey to Allah (swt), it is not a race. It makes no sense to compare the beginning of your story to another person’s middle. Start from whatever level you may be at and keep going. Do not give up and purify your intentions. It is not about quantity, it is about quality. Remember that.
10. You start considering your self as a better Muslim than others
This is a dangerous spiritual disease of pride and takabbur and is a potent weapon of shaytan to destroy you spiritually. Always be on alert and check your heart for such thoughts. Whenever you feel takabbur in your self, remember that it is only Allah who guided you and immediately bring to mind those who are more pious and religious than you. Attending regularly the gatherings of the pious elders will help instill the required sense of humility and prevent this disease of takabbur.
Many of the points taken from: http://www.suhaibwebb.com/islam-studies/islam-101/misconceptions/10-things-that-shouldnt-happen- once-you-become-a-more-practicing -muslim/
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