Why?

Why?

Growing up in the UK, as a Muslim, how do we see ourselves? Do we see ourselves as Muslim, British or Asian? When I was growing up I lived in a predominantly white neighbourhood. I wasn’t like the average kid from Rochdale; I always knew I was different from the other kids I went to school with. Different kind of name, different colour skin, I even ate different food. I was constantly reminded that I was a Pakistani first and foremost.

Like most of us, I was your average Muslim. The ‘seasonal’ Muslim, as I like to call it. You all know what I’m talking about. I would go to Jumu’a when I was off school, and fast during Ramadan. It’s weird how I used to stop all the bad things for that one month. Smoking, going out, all the usual things that teenagers do in this society. It’s as though all of these things are Haram for that one month of the year, but as soon as Eid came it was party time. After Eid prayer I felt free. The nice clothes came out, along with the hired cars and a sack of bud in my pocket and then we all used to head off to Wimmy Road. It makes me laugh inside when I think about it.

The weird thing is, it’s not our fault. I don’t blame or cuss my brother for wanting to chill, but you got to ask yourselves, who says that you need the flashy car or the drugs to have a good time. This concept was non existent in the Islamic world. It all stems from the society we’re raised in. Think about it. What does this society push? We’re told as kids that if you don’t get an education you won’t get a ‘good’ job. If you don’t have a ‘good’ job then you won’t be able to afford the fancy car, the big house or attract the opposite sex. That’s the ideal in this society. So is that what life is all about? I guess 50 was right, when he said “Get Rich Or Die Tryin’” This is the goal of the UK and the west in general. Materialism!! If nobody wanted the big house or the fancy car or the new PS3, do you think that this country would still be thriving? I ain’t saying that this is fact but it’s something to think about.

After all, it is in man’s nature to want to progress. There is nothing wrong with this concept. You see, there are three instincts instilled within every human being. The survival instinct, the procreation instinct and the worship instinct, this is fact. However, how we got about fulfilling these instincts is what shapes our lives. Let me break it down. Survival is man’s organic needs, the need for food, water, sleep, shelter, but also to progress. It says in the hadith “If the son of Adam has one valley of gold then he would want two, if he had two valleys of gold then he would want three.” This is the inherent nature of mankind. We always want more.

The second instinct is self explanatory; we all have urges after reaching a certain age. Man also feels the need to have offspring. The third is the need to worship something which is greater than ourselves, whether that be the Creator or something created.

The reason that the majority of Muslims hold the incorrect values in this society is due to what capitalism pushes. Britain is a capitalist society. Capitalism is materialism. Just look around you, look at the TV, the adverts, the billboards, what do you see? I’ll tell you, half naked women selling the most mundane products like shampoo, toothpaste and hair dye. This society links the survival (progression) instinct with the procreation (sexual) instinct. Materialism or capitalism is their agenda and they push this with the help of sex. Sex sells after all.

But what of the final instinct? The most important of the three, worship. There is no sign of worship whatsoever in this society. That is, if you don’t include “Songs of Praise” on the BBC on a Sunday!! Seriously though, as said earlier the three instincts are embedded within every human being from birth, but if worship is suppressed to such an extent, what happens? Man must express this instinct in some way. This has given birth to ‘celebrity culture’. Footballers are referred to as gods, shows like “Pop IDOL” are the highest rated shows on TV. Actors and actresses are followed day and night by the paparazzi just so we can see what colour underwear they had on today. This is how the worship instinct manifests itself in the western world, no sign of the Creator.

The irony is, we, as Muslims are told that we are not integrated into this society. Not integrated!!! I’m sure anyone of us that could reel of the members of the Man United or the Liverpool squad. Or tell you in detail about the latest Hollywood relationships, or sing along to the latest Beyonce track. But if we were asked to recite some verses from the Qur’an or name some of the companions of the Prophet (pbuh) could we do it?

The point that I’m trying to make brothers and sisters, is that without the guidance of Allah (swt) and by man ruling according to his own whims and desires, society becomes what you see and hear around you everyday. Murder, rape, drugs, paedophilia, and prostitution, the list is endless. It’s time to wake up.

This would not exist if mankind followed the guidance of our Creator.