#being muslim

[myislamicmuseum]

I know this is a Duaa page but, I read something once that stuck with me.

Being born Middle Eastern, you don’t have the choice to not be political, you are born political.

Your birth is a political dispute, your freedom is a question, your homes are a subject to be bombed or not.

When your life story, where you are, & the people around you would be completely different if not FOR the politics that shaped our lives,

when your whole story is a product of politics,

you must understand that we don’t have the luxury to not be political.

[thestateofardadreaming]

The other day, I was telling a younger muslim how it was to be a muslim teen after 9/11.

I forgot about the irrational hate we witnessed, how we had to apologize for something we hadn't done... realizing we were muslims. Before that we felt like we were just like everyone... but suddenly, we became the other. Some people chose kidness, others suddenly saw us as the enemy; even people we had known our whole life. Those were interesting times... Things are very different now.

[be-a-muslim-1st]

[aainaalyaa]

Within the intricate tapestry of Islamic spiritual practices, the virtues of stillness, observation, and detachment weave a profound journey through Tafakkur and Muraqaba.

Delve into the sanctum of stillness, where the art of observation transcends mere sight, inviting the soul to become a detached observer of the world's movements.

In Tafakkur, the reflective introspection aligns with the essence of existence, inviting consciousness to bloom in the quietude. Meanwhile, Muraqaba, the meditative voyage, beckons one to navigate the inner realm, fostering a serene detachment that unveils truths beyond the veils of illusion.

Embrace this harmonious dance between observation and detachment, for within their union lies the gateway to profound self-discovery and spiritual awakening in Islam.

Whilst being engaged in the midst of life's bustling rhythms, there exists a profound sanctity in the art of stillness within Islamic Muraqaba, beckoning us to embrace the silence that unravels the mysteries of existence.

Be still. And observe, breathing calmly, watch, become the witness of the imageries, and read from the mirrors of creation.

It calls for a departure from the clamour of the ego, allowing us to become unattached observers of the transient. Through this practice, we comprehend the essence of being the witness, discerning the veils of illusion that cloak reality. As the Light emanates, falsities dissolve, revealing the immutable truth within.

The hadith, narrated by Abu Huraira, The example of a believer who recites the Qur'an is that of a citron which tastes good and smells good. And the believer who does not recite the Qur'an is like a date which tastes good but has no smell, underscores the significance of engaging with the Qur'an, while Surah Al-Ankabut (29:69) echoes the significance of spiritual insight gained through deep contemplation: And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.

Islamic teachings often encourage deep introspection and contemplation, emphasizing the importance of spiritual awakening and transcending the ego. Muraqaba, or spiritual meditation, is seen as a means to achieve this by fostering a state of mindfulness, detachment, and heightened awareness.

— Mle. AainaA-Ridtz A R, A Thousand Veils, A Thousand Nights

[gammija]

the real reason tmagp is on break 'til april 11th is so sam can observe ramadan without being chased by a murderous clown blob

[pinbones]

I've seen a few posts about women and pants now and many of them are very good, and not to nitpick those posts or downplay religious sexism or anything, but I have to emphasise:

Somebody who DOESN'T live in a controlling religious country/cult/family is also affected by sexism. We all know that, right? Secular parts of the first world also have opinions about how women dress, including when it comes to trousers, especially in childhood and in institutions like schools and the workplace

Me and many people my age (20s) remember being forced into skirts, punished and shamed by parents & teachers & peers & possibly then bosses about what we wear not being feminine enough, and it wasn't by deeply religious sects. Many updates to dress codes are very new and sexist views are still in place in many institutions. Normalised societal misogyny wants women (and people they want to treat as women) to dress femininely, down to what KIND of pants they're allowed to wear (compare a pink top and jeggings to mens jeans and tell me these two women are treated the same. Hating women in pantsuits is still a sexist office joke today, and even those outfits are feminine compared to male suits, which raise eyebrows when worn by women). The women I know who wear trousers regularly are literally otherwise feminine, and all wear dresses to events.

I know trousers have become much more normalised over the past few decades in secular society (yay!! the result of many many years of effort and lawbreaking) but let's not be absolute when we talk about the pants concept lol. Especially within a larger conversation about female/transmasc/intersex/transfem masculinity and social perceptions, especially in an age of rising fascism

[deaddee-anime-brownfanlady]

[hussyknee]

I know some dickheads have now decided that Judaism is the "bad, violent, terrorist religion" and Islam is the "good, peaceful" one, which is only to be expected of white people, but how much of an issue is it currently? Like I've seen some USAmericans sharing how the Islamic faith shapes Gazans values and perseverance (good) except with that distinct white hippie "I'm about to imprint on this like the world's most racist duck" vibe (bad), but I didn't think they're already turning on Judaism in numbers.

Do they realize that Christianity is also the same kind of comfort to Christian minorities in Asia and Africa? That it was Buddhists that genocided the Rohingyas in Myanmar and Tamils in Sri Lanka? That Hindu fundamentalists are even now trying to ethnically cleanse Muslims in India? How Hindus and Christians are terrorized and persecuted in Pakistan? That Muslims have a history of persecuting and ethnically cleansing Jews too?

Really tired of asking y'all to be normal about people's religions man. There's no religion that's inherently violent or exceptionally peaceful. It's just like any other ideology that becomes a weapon in the hands of ethnic power. Interrogate power, not religion, and respect people's belief systems insofar as they aren't in your business.

Edit: I've amended the "long history" of Muslim persecution of Jews because it might be misleading in the current political climate. Zionism and antisemitic Arab nationalism are twin births resulting directly from Christian colonization, and Islamic empires tended to actually be more tolerant of other religions compared to Christianity, especially Judaism, which was considered a sibling religion. Antisemitism wasn't ideologically entrenched in Islamic tradition. It's simply that ethno-religious power will lead to ethno religious domination and intermittent cleansing of minorities, and Islam is no exception. Humans be humaning always.

[booasaur]

Special Ops: Lioness - 1x07

[schizononagesimus]

yo can we actually talk about harrow's blood face paint and veil at the beginning of htn for a sec. i know a lot of people poke fun at it but for me as someone who grew up in a veiling religion with the constant threat of that veil being taken away it's like... not being able to wear that veil IN FRONT OF PEOPLE? that's like being naked before god. it is terrifying and traumatic to not be able to wear a veil or other religious garments. at the end of the day it's not even about god specifically, like i could meet god and even if he said to take off the veil i wouldn't, because it's for me. it's for her before it's for god. i felt for harrow so hard at that part of the book and i get that she's just a scrungle but i would love if we could portray occasionally the nauseating forced vulnerability and sense of injustice you would feel at your religion being stripped from you.

[hunrising]

What’s baffling to me is that according to what western governments/media said these past days, hamas shouldn’t have attacked civilians in response to the violence they’ve been suffering for decades because it violates international laws, and I agree, civilians shouldn’t have been victims of an attack like this. However now, according to those same people, Israel has the absolute right to defend itself and have no other option but to respond aggressively, no matter how many civilians get caught in the crossfire, and thus also violating international laws? I’ve been racking my brain to see if I’m missing something, or if all of these politicians and journalists are intentionally contradicting themselves in order to please each other?

[runningwithscizzorz]

I feel a deep sense of anger and grief for Palestine. I’m angry at God, at the world powers donating to those who are killing civilians, angry at people looking away and encouraging you to worry about yourself when people can’t even walk down their streets without being attacked. I’m angry that my friend donated, only for it to be stolen and taken by the soldiers abusing Palestine. I’m angry that I can’t do much of anything but tell you to at least CARE about the people being bombed and slaughtered. Please, if you can’t do anything please just CARE about these people and listen to their stories. Hold them in your hearts at the very least. Don’t pretend they don’t exist or just brush it off as “its been going on for centuries, there’s no point in stopping it.” I want to do more, I want to make people care and love those who need it, rather than continue spreading anger and hate.

These are real people I’ve drawn. Keep the people of Palestine in your heart at the very least please.

[not-so-superheroine]

Jesus is my older brother, not my dad.

other christians don't seem to feel the same?

am i missing something where he insists on such a thing except perhaps with actual little children?

[be-a-muslim-1st]

[mithliya]

it makes no sense to claim to be a radfem while being het-partnered. maybe ur some other form of feminist, but certainly not a radfem. i also think the women who claim to be radfems while calling women dick-obsessed and other vulgar terms are not radfems either. these two beliefs can (and should) coexist

[sexisdisgusting]

burn your hijab