As reflected in the Arabic saying, “life is a quarantine before paradise.” This means we should strive to find our identity in this world and emerge stronger, as strong minds pave the way to greatness. It also indicates that even if we find what we truly want to obtain in this world, we will never be satisfied. As humans we have many things in common.
There are hundreds of traits shared by all human beings in the world today. Death is a common denominator we all share, as it is inevitable. Among other things, humans have a set of emotions, capacity for self-awareness, ethics and morals, and abstract thinking.
With a quick Google search, we will find the definition of identity: “a set of qualities, belief, personality traits, appearance, and/or expressions that characterize a person or a group”.
I find human beings, us, as an interesting topic. Just studying our brain leaves me in awe. The way Allah (SWT) has created us is absolutely incredible. You can´t help it but to love the Creator, Allah Azzawajal *goosebumps*.
Before diving deep into my introspective thoughts of the connections between a Muslim and our divine identity, lets first start by defining what it means to be a Muslim.
What Does It Mean to Be a Muslim?
A Muslim is someone who submits to Allah with complete obedience. We follow the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and believe in the revelation of the Quran. There are five pillars of Islam that every Muslim must follow:
1. Shahada
The declaration of faith.
2. Salah
Performing the five daily prayers.
3. Zakat
Giving alms to the needy.
4. Sawm
Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
5. Hajj
The pilgrimage to Mecca, if physically and financially able.
These pillars are the foundation of a Muslim’s identity and guide us in our daily lives
Being a Muslim also means being a good person. You are good to others, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, values, history, nationality, sexuality, and who they are in general. However, as Muslims, we are not supposed to accept oppression, bullying, mental or physical abuse or any sort of negative behavior.
We are raised and taught to stand up against wrongdoers and to be with the victims. Muslims cannot tolerate oppression, nor should a Muslim allow themselves to be oppressed or treated poorly.
In fact, it is prohibited to accept oppression or any kind of abuse when there is a way out of it. Muslims are strong individuals and should carry themselves with humble honor. Resilience and Tawakkul (trust in Allah (SWT) are also traits of a Muslim person.
Being a Muslim means we are united; we refer to this community of Muslims as the ummah (a nation with common ancestry or geography). Muslims are people of integrity, with a great sense of humor and understanding, always aiming to give the benefit of the doubt when met with difficulty.
A Muslim should have your back when you are not in the room. The Muslim person refrains from anything that is Haram (prohibited) by Allah the Almighty. Everything that is haram is good for him or her to obtain from. It is a form of protection from the Creator, Allah Azzawajal.
A Muslim is not to fear anything in this world except the creator who created it all, Allah (SWT). Look at it from this perspective: Why should we fear anything other than the One who created fear? Fear the Creator of Jahannam, not Jahannam itself. Fear the One who created the animals you are afraid of, not the animals themselves. Fear the One who created the person you are afraid of, not the person themselves.
You see, being a Muslim means great news for the individual. This conversation is vast, but this is the short version of what it means to be a Muslim.
The Evolution of Identity
Personally, I don’t believe in the changing of pronouns. This is and will remain confusing to me as I did not grow up with such issues and unfortunately cannot relate. I am willing to learn more and try my best to understand from someone else´s perspective. However, I find it “interesting” how today we can easily change our pronouns. Back in 2005, for example, kids worried about when they could go out and play with other kids, not necessarily about their identity.
We were allowed to be kids, and thoughts like these have emerged within the younger generations. Who is responsible for these new acts? When we cannot point fingers at individuals but rather a group, there is a fine line of responsibility that comes from their home or where kids spend most time nowadays, which is school. I believe parents and teachers could be responsible for these renowned way of thinking for the youths.
Spending time, resources and energy on simplicity like our pronouns, instead of actual valuable teachings and life lessons, like how to become better individuals, going on spiritual and self-development journey´s or even learning more about where we are at (the earth) – will remain a mystery to me.
Nonetheless, it is not an issue; they will do what pleases them in their lives. We are allowing and tolerating each other to be who we want to be and embracing our identities as we are taught to, or through personal growth.
Can We Choose Our Identity? A Muslim Perspective
Are we really taught to choose our identities? Is our identity something we choose, or is it shaped by our circumstances and upbringing? Keep reading to find out about my thoughts and experiences.
Once a person embraces Islam, her or his true identity is a muslim.
The study concludes that Islamic identity is based on many components such as belief, language, values, history, etc., and is concerned with divinity as a source, the non-separation between the religious and worldly affairs, collectivism, and moderation.
Journal for Educators, Teachers and Trainers
From the moment I was born, I began forming my personality. I knew what I liked, what I didn’t, and asked questions. I learned to walk at around nine months old. My childhood was filled with new experiences, family gatherings, and challenges, such as living in a country with political tensions and even facing threats from terrorist groups.
Despite these challenges, my parents raised us with love and honor from the moment I was born. They set high standards for their kids, sometimes even rolling out a red carpet for us. This treatment shaped my early identity. They also took measures to protect us from envy, such as cutting my long hair to prevent the evil eye. These early experiences, both good and bad, have left lasting impressions that shaped who I am today.
I believe you can find your identity through personal growth, but you are never alone in the search for who you are. The realm we are living in as human beings will force us to crave human connection, whether through friendships, school, work, family, or encounters along your journey.
We gather knowledge as we go on a journey of self-discovery to identify who we are. While this journey cannot be undertaken entirely alone, it will sometimes feel lonely.
I have never in my life felt as alone as I do now. This does not mean that I am lonely or don’t have friends, family, or loved ones in my life. It means that I have experienced much of what life has to offer from a very young age.
I was only 13 years old when I started taking care of myself. I was only 16 when I moved into my own apartment. I was only 21 when I got married. I was only 22 when I moved abroad for a year. There are many of these “I was only” moments throughout my short life.
The knowledge I attained and stored in my memory from these life experiences has helped me find who I am. I am now on a journey where my focus is more development growth and connecting deeper with our Rabb Allah (SWT).
Through personal growth and healing, I have learned to forge my identity. This does not mean that I have it all figured out, but I can confirm that I have cracked a little bit of the code. This code, which I have kept dear to myself, has made me afraid to speak up, in the past.
I felt like an outsider for a while, as my perspective on life differed from my peers. I started to “lay low” and mind my own business where I used to lower my standards in every room I walked into. I felt as if everyone around me saw me as a threat just for being myself.
I still feel this way sometimes, but I now know how to manage it, and I have learned not to lower my standards. Instead, it is better to leave those groups or individuals, or else you are killing your potential into a slow and mentally painful death.
You learn a lot by releasing your full potential. Your circle becomes tighter and smaller over the years, you become happier, more vibrant, even when doing life in solitude it is completely worth it.
Combining Identity and Faith
Understanding identity in the context of being a Muslim guides us to the straight path, or As-Sirat Al-Mustaqeem. This path is essential for leading a righteous life. Our character and identity are intertwined. You can often discern a person’s identity by observing their character and behavior.
For instance, I find the current trend of changing pronouns confusing because it wasn’t something I grew up with or can relate to. In my childhood, we worried about simpler things, like playing outside, not our pronouns.
I was born a Muslim into a practicing household, fearing Allah (SWT). I naturally have the benefit of combining my faith with my identity, an identity I have forged through various life experiences.
This changed drastically after moving from Northern Africa to the West. Suddenly, it became a challenge to find where I belonged. My friends and I did not share the same beliefs, making the transition into my teenage years difficult to navigate.
Am I Norwegian, Sudanese, both, or just a Muslim? These were questions I asked myself from a young age. I did not know where to seek the answers. There were no role models to turn to. The answers came through all the life experiences I faced along my journey.
It did not come quickly, and it all happened exactly as it should have. I would not change anything in my past. It is freeing to acknowledge that everything that has ever happened to me, both good and bad, are all events I am grateful for. Everything that happened to me had to be decreed by Allah (SWT), so I can be in the place I am now.
Other questions that lingered in my mind were which languages I should stick with and master the most: my native language, Arabic; the widely spoken English; or the official language of the country I reside in, Norwegian?
Language can sometimes be a part of your journey of self-discovery, but it does not define your identity. Being bilingual is a great trait to have. I encourage you to learn new languages. It is beautiful to understand, learn from, and witness fellow bilingual people along my journey.
Right now, as I am finishing this article, I am sitting on my sofa with my MacBook on my lap, a hydrating face mask on, and my matching red pajamas, sipping on almond milk right before Maghrib, listening to the cars passing by outside my window and the wind fading into thin air, I am happy. I am living a simple yet fulfilling life in a healthy state of mind.
In moments like these, all I can say is Alhamdulillah. We live in a world where injustice and oppression happen before our eyes. This simplicity of life makes me think a little extra about our fellow Muslim sisters and brothers living in conflict, war-torn countries, in extreme crisis and oppression.
Please click HERE (my Linktr.ee) , and donate to your desired cause to help the ummah from our comfortable and safe houses.
Conclusion
Muslims are fully capable of thriving in this world. Our faith and identity provide strong foundation for success. By adhering to the teachings of Islam and embracing our identity, we can navigate life’s challenges and achieve our goals.
It is up to you to decide when you have had enough of limiting yourself in the life you are living now. The choice is in your hands; you are the one steering the wheel, so make sure to take the right turn.
Life is full of abundance and scarcity, so take advantage of it in the most righteous way possible, by including Allah in your plans. He, Allah Azzawajal plans better than what we do, and He knows what you do not know.
Being scared to take action is normal, but you have time to outgrow those icky feelings. On some occasions, being scared to follow your dreams is a great indicator that you should take action and go for it.
Remember not to miss your turn while also enjoying the ride. You are never going to be this young, intelligent, healthy, and full of opportunities again.
Make the right decisions for your life. In moments of shortcomings during your journey, take a second to enjoy life and breathe. You are not in a rush. Allah (SWT) has made it clear that we put too much pressure on ourselves, more than we should, so let us be gentle with ourselves.
Here’s an interesting fact: When you are kind, gentle, and at peace with yourself, you naturally become good to others, effortlessly collecting good deeds. Reflect on it…
References: https://jett.labosfor.com/index.php/jett
Suggested reading: Understanding the Human Compulsion for Negativity and the Journey to Self-Fulfillment
