1a] story Finding the Straight Path

1a]
"that's cool" and "that's really good to do that," one of Matt's
friends no longer respects his opinion on religion or international
politics. He believes Matt supports all those "like him."
When Matt's friend refers to those "like him," he's referring Osama
bin Ladenand his followers. September 11th, Matt says, "affected me
only in the mental sense." Being able to blend into a crowdof
European-Americans, Matt says, "Since I do not 'look like a Muslim' no
onewould think to say anything to me. Mentally though, I have a hard
time watching American news anyway. American news just seems to talk
about Islam like it is a foreign religion, and not that it is wrong,
but that it is a religion of foreign civilizations which are notas
advanced as Christian Europe/America." This view, which looks down
upon Islam, can be quite irritating to many, including Matt.
Despite the fact that September 11th has only affected Matt in
the"mental sense," he says,"Some Muslims in my school who I am friends
with have had to deal with some guff." Matt recognizes these
difficulties and offers some advice to his fellow young Muslims:
"Althoughit is not always easy, do not be afraid of what other people
think of you being [Muslim]. Anyone who thinks bad about a person on
the basis of religion is not worth your time. Try your best to be
aproud and upstanding example."
Although Matt may have accepted Islam, his life overall has not been
changed dramatically. Aside from going to the mosque, praying, and
reading the Qur'an, his daily events are pretty much the same. Islam,
though, has definitely affected his priorities. "I have found though,
that some things that used to seem important, like having certain
things or going to certain events, now seem like a second priority,
and I find that in general, since I became a Muslim it is very
difficult to get me feeling upset," says Matt.
Having such an easygoingpersonality and open mind, Matt doesn't expect
much out of life or peoplein general. When asked what his goals in
life are as a person and Muslim, he answers, "I would like to go to
college. I would like to go to the Garden (Jannah). My goal is to be
happy. I do not think that would require [many] things. I would like
to be successful in the world though so that I have the means to help
others."
Matt, understanding the power of Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala, claims, "I
do not think that I or anyonecould accomplish very much of
significance without Allah." Understanding the importance of seeking
knowledge in Islam, the one thing Matt hopes to gain from Islam which
he has hasn't already is"continued knowledge. That is something Islam
can keep giving me until Idie," he says. "The only real challenge I
face is trying to live my life as faithfully as possible."/