The literal definition of the word Muslim is "one who submits,"
meaning one who submits to Allah, believing in Him and obeying His
commandments.
More specifically, the word Muslim is the participle of the same
Arabic verb of which Islam is the infinitive. The feminine form is
Muslimah , though afemale Muslim is often referred to as simply a
Muslim.
There are many false stereotypes about Muslims in the West, or one
might say in the non-Muslim world in general, and also many
misconceptions among Muslims themselves; but I will not go into those
in this article.
Instead, I'd like to share mythoughts and feelings on hearing the word
Muslim and contemplating its meaning. I am using the word in a
gender-inclusive sense.
Muslim
Faithful. Allah is his Master,and the Quran is the wellspring of his
life. Muhammad ibn Abdullah (pbuh) is his beloved Messenger, and all
the Sahabah * (see glossary at bottom for explanations of many terms)
are his guiding stars. Tawheed is his creed, taqwa his garment, imaan
his cool summer rain, and ihsaan his aspiration.
Muslim
Harmonized. She has chosen to live as Allah created us to live, in
harmony with all around us, including nature, human beings, and the
earth itself. She is plugged into the reality of the universe.
Muslim
Peaceful. His manner is gentle. He is not angry or violent. He would
never raise his hands except to defend himself, his family, or other
innocents.
Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz (Malcolm X) in prayer
Muslim
Generous. If I knock on his door, he will invite me in to his home and
offer me honey tea and baklawa. He will ask about my family, and be a
believer with me, remembering Allah so that his house remains a place
of life. When the salat (prayer) time arrives he'll spread the
musallas and pray with me.
Muslim
Kind. His eyes are soft and smiling. He shakes my hand firmly, with a
brotherly openness. If I need help, offers it. He is charitable, ready
to give hislast coin to someone hungry or ill, knowing that it will
return to him seven hundred fold, and that all deeds are recorded and
nothing is lost.
Muslim
My brothers and sisters. Arab, African, Indian, Thai, Filipino,
Chinese, European, American, Latino, and anyone around the world who
says, " Laa ilaaha il-Allahu, Muhammadan Rasul-ullah " (There is no
god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah)… they are my
family, my Ummah, my nation. If they are free, I breathe easier. If
they are fed, I sleep better. If they are mentally and
spirituallyconscious, I am liberated.
Muslim
Feeling each other's pain. If she is suffering or oppressed, I feel it
like the pain in my own limbs. If she is sad, lonely or confused, I do
whatever I can to guide and help. I cannever ignore her agony, any
more than I could ignore a sliver in my own eye.
Muslim
Friends, compatriots. When I see him, I feel comfortable and at ease,
whether I know him or not. I greet him with " As-salamu alaykum " and
I smile. I can engage him in conversation, even if I know nothing
about him. I know his language no matter what it is. If he tells me
something good I say ma-sha-Allah . If he mentions some blessing or
favor in his life, I say Alhamdulillah . If he mentions something he
hopes to do, I say Insha'Allah . We understandone another.
Muslim
At home in Allah's house. He can walk into a masjid anywhere in the
world andfeel at home. He can perform wudu' , prostrate himself to
Allah, take a copy of the Quran off the shelf and read it, stand
shoulder to shoulder in prayer with strangers, and feel a sense of
rightness and belonging.
Noha Abd Rabo of Egypt reacts after her fight against Sarah Stevenson
ofBritain in their women's + 68 kg taekwondo bronze medal match during
the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 23, 2008.
Muslim
An Islamic worldview. Sheshares my world view and cultural
understanding, no matter her nationality or race. She knows that this
life is only a test, a moment of frenzy betweena sleep and a sleep,
like a desert flower blooming and wilting in a single afternoon. She
knows that the aakhirah is the home that calls; her heart is filled
with hope and fear of Judgment.
She steps out of her door each day and does the right thing, because
that is her covenant with Allah, and because she loves to do good. She
sees the signsof Allah in the miracle of a hummingbird or the majesty
of Mt. Kilimanjaro; in the swirls of her fingertips, and in the
knowledge of Allah that lives in her heart.
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