When I say I am a Muslim

Ibrahim Adle Muhammad

There are loads of people out there who find professing Islam discomfiting. They are uncomfortable with who we are and what we say, they are unsettled by our choices and decisions. This stems from a rather inaccurate understanding of the intent and purpose of professing the Gospel according to Allah.

When I say I am a Muslim, I'm not saying I'm perfect, I'm saying I am forgiven.

When I say I am a Muslim, I'm not saying I don't have weaknesses, I am saying Allah is my source of strength.

When I say I am a Muslim, I'm not saying I don't get tempted to sin, I'm saying I make choices that will take sin far away from me as possible.

When I say I am a Muslim, I don't mean to put up a facade of neatness, it means I boast in my weakness so that the power of Allah may rest on me.

When I say I am a Muslim, I want you to get better, it does not mean I don't love you as you are, it means I love you too much to let you remain as you are.

When I say I am a Muslim, I'm not saying I am righteous by what I do, I'm saying that I am righteous by what Allah has done for me.

When I say I am a Muslim and won't do what everyone else is doing, I'm saying that not everything is beneficial for me.

When I say I am a Muslim and won't go to the club, I'm not saying clubbers are evil people, I'm saying that I take responsibility for the material I allow into my soul.

When I say I am a Muslim I won't drink alcohol, I'm not saying alcohol is of the devil, I'm saying I'd rather be influenced by the Quranic recitation than by a beverage.

When I say I am a Muslim and won't watch some movies, I'm not saying movies are inherently hell's tools, I'm acknowledging that some movies can affect my discernment and contaminate my spirit of faith.

When I say I am a Muslim, I won't lie, I'm saying that a lie may temporarily keep me safe, but it is truth that sets free.

When I say I am a Muslim and I tell you your wrong, I'm not judging you, I'm being a brother's keeper.

When I say I am a Muslim and I share my faith and my words prick you, I am not intending to hurt you but to allow the Spirit transform you.

When I say I am a Muslim and have chosen not to do evil, I'm not saying Allah won't forgive me if I do, I'm saying that my actions either good or bad are seeds which I would reap fruit from.

When I say I am a Muslim and I pursue God passionately, I'm not trying to intimidate you, it's

Allah's love that constrains me.

When I say I am a Muslim, I won't speak against a sheikh or a Mufti, I'm not saying I support everything He does, I'm saying that it is not in my place to be judge.

When I say I am a Muslim, I choose to fast and pray I am not saying I downplay the works of the hands, I'm saying that Allah is my source in everything.

When I say I am a Muslim and I share my faith on social media, it's not to show you how pious I am, I am saying that it's a function of my purpose to do so.

When I say I am a Muslim, I'm not saying that I look down on you if you are not, I am saying that I still love you the same as Allah loves me.

When I say I am a Muslim and don't join in in what you do, I'm not saying I think less of you or your life, I'm saying that I'm living according to my identity.

When I say I am a Muslim, I'm not looking for the approval of man, I'm saying that Allah's approval is ultimate.

When I say I am a Muslim, I'm not saying I have everything in the world, I am saying that Allah is my everything and in Him is everything I'll need.

Columnist: Ibrahim Adle Muhammad (Social Activist)