When will this end?
Note: This post is a continuation of the topics discussed in a previous article titled ‘Feminism, The Red Pill and Islam’. Please click here to read: https://www.atiyahtalks.com/blog/feminism-and-islam
I am writing this not for the purpose of slander, nor because I believe I know everything pertaining to this specific topic, but rather it is a form of me articulating my humble opinions in the hope that it sheds light on the deeply rooted issue of misogyny in our community, and people using religion to justify heinous acts.
“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islām as religion.” [Quran 5:3]
Islam is a perfect religion, Muslims on the other hand are human and thus far from perfect. The issue is not about sinning, for we all do that, rather it is about looking at the magnitude of the sin and the way your actions can harm not only yourself but the lives of others. Allah holds us accountable, but that does not mean the community does not have a right to hold you to account if you are pretending to be someone you are not and are foresaking the rights of others.
It’s important to remember that matters pertaining to the exploitation of women, are very sensitive topics. Another layer of sensitivity is added when actions involve justification through religion. The widespread criticism that often occurs on social media when certain ‘scandals’ arise are usually not out of malicious intent, rather they are to raise awareness on situations that are sadly very common, and to hold the people in question accountable so that they do not continue with their actions. With that being said, Islam teaches us to control our tongues, and there is an etiquette of advising always. It’s important that we do not use divisive and degrading terms, even if the perpetrator in question is doing so - don’t stoop to their level. Do not let their sin be a reason for your sins piling up - and that is a reminder to myself first and foremost.
But I also have to add, the reason why these scandals always lead to such heated discussions on Muslim social media is because this is such a repetitive issue that seems to never be dealt with in the right way. People, dare I say, Muslim men, are rarely ever held accountable for their actions. If a person is misusing their platform by causing harm to others, surely it is not difficult to call them out on it and expect better, especially if they have built that platform based on giving others religious advice. If a system of accountability and justice was used in online spaces, for the sake of protecting each others rights, perhaps such situations would not be so common anymore. Our responses, the responses of so many Muslim women are due to traumatic experiences of the past. And in the most respectful way possible, no matter how much solidarity some Muslim brothers may show, they will never understand what it means to be a Muslim woman who feels unsafe in her faith because of the way the community are wrongfully upholding the principles and values.
The fact of the matter is this, when it comes to some Muslim men and their predatory behaviour and misogynistic views, it is wrongly justified in the name of Islam, and rather than being ridiculed for such views, they are applauded, and even worse, they build their platform off the back of it. When we as a community give these men pedestals, we are suggesting that their opinions are accurate, we are giving them the power that they will then misuse, we are openly proclaiming them to be a face of Islam when they are not and should never be. It is an endless loop of platforming popular individuals that are not qualified to speak on matters of the deen, whilst ignoring the great learned scholars that have spent their entire lives in the service of the deen.
The Islamic organisations, podcasts, mosques, that are in charge of planning such events and spaces should be mindful of who they are actually giving the mic to, and it is our collective responsibility as an ummah to hold them accountable if they are showcasing the wrong people.
When Islam was brought down to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, one of the biggest problems he had to solve in Arabia was discrimination against women. It was a patriarchal society, with women having no status at all. They were treated as objects, prostitution was the norm, and there were no limits on the amount of women men could marry. It was also customary to bury their daughters alive, with many adhering to the social customs in order to keep their ‘honour’.
Islam brought light into the lives of women. With Islam came honour, respect and dignity for Arab women. Under Islamic law, women gained the right to have property, to vote, to be educated and to be given dowry when married. But not only did the situation physically change, the social attitudes did too. Islam teaches us that having daughters is a blessing, that one must respect the rights of women, that women must be treated with kindness. These are the foundations upon which Islam is built upon - the core aspect of respect. A woman is a human created by Allah, not an object that can be owned and sold.
And so it deeply pains me, and every other Muslim woman, when we see Muslims shifting back to such toxic mentalities. This is not Islam. Period.
A message to my sisters:
Do not let the actions of a few, I promise there are only a few, stop you from becoming a better Muslimah. Do not let their sins dictate how you perceive the Most Loving and the Most Kind Lord. And most importantly, do not believe that this is the true Islam, because it’s not Islam in any way, shape or form.
Educate yourself. Learn about your religion so that not only can you protect your rights, but you can stay firm in the truth. Do not rely on podcast men on social media to tell you about your deen, chances are their version is far from the truth. Learn from authentic sources for your own self and for the sake of Allah. If you are ever gas lighted into thinking something is from Islam, you have your own credible knowledge to fall back on. Do not be ignorant because that is what makes you vulnerable.
There are good men out there and they are not the men that will use Islam as a weapon to fulfill their own desires. When we look for a spouse, one of the conditions is that they must have good deen. I know a lot of women may feel ‘put off’ seeing the ‘religious’ Muslim men on social media in the ‘dawah’ scene.This is your kind and firm reminder that we cannot paint everyone with the same brush. Allah has promised that for “good women are for good men, and good men are for good women” [Quran 24:26].
Islam is the only true liberation for women. Living in the West, it’s easy to find other spaces and ideologies which we feel more ‘comfortable’ in, but I believe that this is simply Shaytan taking you away from the fold of Islam. Please do not let such scandals push you away from Islam, because there is no space for such actions in our religion. You will only find true contentment, salvation and honour in Islam.
Do not be afraid to continue speaking your minds. When you see injustice, speak on it. When you are oppressed, or you see another being oppressed, it is your responsibility to speak on it. If the people who are meant to be holding a person accountable, like those around them, fail to do so, then it’s up to the rest of society to take on that responsibility so that one is able to learn from their wrongdoings, repent, and not do it again.
Allah loves you. In the eyes of the Al Mighty, you are His servant, His slave and His Divine Creation. You have been given the beauty of Islam, do not let some scummy little men with deep mental and emotional issues, take that beauty away from you. Allah is your Protector. He SWT has made your rights very clear, and anyone who ever even thinks about taking them away from you is sinful. Find empowerment and validation in Allah and Islam.
We have a lot of shortcomings in the Muslim community, and enough is enough. Truly, how much more will it take for us to learn? If anything, the rise of the red pill mindset and incel culture is taking over Islamic principles, and is causing a great divide in our ummah.
Discord on such issues often result in a ‘Muslim men vs Muslim women’ spectacle, but it should not be that way. We are created as one ummah, and overcoming such toxic ideologies will only be successful if we work together.
I’ve heard Muslim women speak on how such scandals put them off religious Muslim men, and it’s not a nice thing to hear at all. With such things happening, many women are more wary and conscious of the men from their own communities and it should never be like that. No woman wants to look at men from their own religion and culture with disgust, but it’s easy to feel such strong emotions when some of those men are actively doing such acts, and others watch on the sidelines without condemning the behaviour. Staying silent is also you being complicit. Please read that again.
This change can only begin when Muslim men publicly show that they are in solidarity with their Muslim sisters. This change can only begin when Muslim men internalise their duties and responsibilities to Muslim women in a way that is not condescending. This change can only begin when Muslim men realise that they too are victims of the red pill culture, that in fact this culture of misogyny is stripping away their masculinity rather than enhancing it.
I still have so much more to say, but for now I will leave it here.
May Allah forgive me for anything wrong I may have said. May He SWT guide those in the wrong, and May He SWT protect our ummah from such scandals and keep us united.
atiyahtalks
2024 UK General Election - Thoughts & Analysis
For many, elections are not a show of democracy, with the concept simply being a construct of imperialism to give citizens the inaccurate perception that their voices are heard.
And yes, whilst I agree that the Western form of democracy is at a decline, there are many reasons why I still believe that we SHOULD care about general elections, and why the results of today do prove that electorates voices can be heard.
To make a movement grow into its full potential, every avenue of change must be taken. That includes public action, pressuring through boycotts and divestment, and sanctions - but also the ballot box. Change can and must be made through the parliamentary route as well.
To no surprise, Labour won a landslide victory, with the Conservatives suffering a historic defeat. What should have been a day of celebration, is still very bittersweet for many who believe the Labour party has changed, and not for the better.
However, there are still aspects of this election result that are a remarkable achievement. If you look at individual statistics in specific constituencies, the Pro Palestine movement has sent shock waves through areas that were once Labour safe seats.
victories:
LEICESTER SOUTH:
Shockat Adam (Independent) has beaten Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth by 970 votes.
BLACKBURN:
Adnan Hussein (Independent) beat Labour’s Kate Hollern by a mere 132 votes.
DEWSBURY AND BATLEY:
Iqbal Mohamed (Independent) has beaten Labour’s Heather Iqbal by a magnificent 6,934 votes.
BIRMINGHAM PERRY BARR:
Ayoub Khan (Independent) has beaten Labour’s Khalid Mahmood by 507 votes.
KEY MAJORITIES SLASHED:
BETHNAL GREEN AND STEPNEY:
Labour’s Rushanara Ali has gone from a majority of 37,524 to only 1,689, winning against the Indepedent candidate Ajmal Masroor.
BIRMINGHAM YARDLEY:
Labour’s Jess Phillips now has a majority of only 693, from a previous majority of 12,720, winning against the Worker’s Party candidate Jody McIntyre.
BIRMINGHAM LADYWOOD:
Labour’s Shabana Mahmood has gone from a majority of 28,582 to only 3,400, winning against Independent candidate Akhmed Yakoob.
ILFORD NORTH:
Labour’s Wes Streeting won against prominent British Palestinian activist Leanne Mohamad by a mere 528 votes.
This was achieved by the Muslim community in only six weeks of organising.
WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THIS?
Every vote DOES actually count. The margins by which independents won/lost to Labour were extremely tight. If a few hundred people casted/did not cast their vote - the situations in these constituencies would be very different. If you did not vote, I hope you now understand why your vote could have made a difference.
We have succeeded in sending a message to the Labour Party. Although at the moment they are busy enjoying their landslide victory, it is clear that they have still lost seats to Independent candidates, and that many of their safe seats are now marginal seats due to the power of the Muslim vote. They are fully aware that they are losing their grasp on the Muslim community because of their stance on Palestine.
More needs to be done. This is simply the beginning of a very long route to changing the political system. Many constituencies failed at unseating Labour due to multiple Independent candidates standing. Muslims must become more united.
If this level of change was created in the space of a few months, imagine the magnitude of change that we can see in 5 years from now at the 2029 General Election. But for that to happen, we must stay focused on what unites as an electorate.
This election marked my first time voting. My generation is known to have a strong willingness to make change, but unfortunately that does not always translate in the voter turnout of 18-24 year olds. For me, it’s important that our community raises awareness on the importance of voting, and empower young voters in their ability to have their voice heard in multiple ways, one of which being through the ballot box.
Combine the young generation of voters, with a ‘woke’ and unified Muslim community - the scope for change is huge.
Let us all promise to continue our efforts in mobilising and campaigning for a Britain that actually serves our communities.
atiyahtalks
feminism, the red pill and islam
DISCLAIMER: Everything below is based on personal thoughts, experiences and research
feminism
/ˈfɛmɪnɪz(ə)m/
noun
the advocacy of women's rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes.
As a young woman who advocates for women’s rights, I often get asked whether I am a feminist. The answer to this is- No.
For me, my identity as a Muslim comes before anything else. I advocate for the rights of women according to the boundaries of my faith, something which mainstream feminism rarely allows me to do. According to Islam, and the basic principles of science, men and women are not equal. Although we are all equal in the eyes of our Lord, each gender has their own strengths and weaknesses, their own capabilities and their own roles in this world. Despite our differences, both men and women have the same opportunity to reach heaven- the ultimate goal.
Why do muslim women turn to feminism?
I think the answer to this question is simple.
Allah gave men rights. Allah gave women rights. Unfortunately, we live in a society where women’s God-given rights are not upheld. Muslim women are living in a world where every action of their’s is criticised.
With the growth of the Red pill and Incel culture in Western society, Muslim men are increasingly mistreating women, disrespecting them and forgetting their roles as “caretakers of women” [Quran 4:34]. Muslim men are following and promoting online creators that reek of misogyny and toxic masculinity. Muslim men are leaving behind the best role model that is the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. And the worst thing is, so many young boys have become normalised to using language that is degrading to women, with many simply believing it is okay and ‘not that deep’. Well, I’m telling you now, it’s in fact way deeper than you think.
It angers me that this behaviour is not called out more often. Normalising such ‘influencers’, encouraging their content and supporting them has a much greater harm on the community than some may think, and is in fact a cause of femicide- the murder of women. The objectification of women has seeped through almost every aspect of Western media and entertainment, seen in music, movies and news headlines. But it has not stopped there. The rise of male Muslim ‘influencers’ and the ‘dawah brothers’ is tarnishing Islamic principles of tolerance, respect and dignity. This trend of ‘advising’ sisters by publicly shaming them on social media platforms is not according to the sunnah. Making blanket statements in short videos about supposed gender roles with no reference to the Quran or sunnah is not correct etiquette. Increasingly, these posts are targeting Muslim women, shaming them and in some cases, taking them further away from the fold of Islam. Gendered Islamaphobia is a real thing and Muslim women are victims of it every day, both in and outside of social media.
If these men, the same Muslim men that have been told by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to “treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers”, are constantly demeaning women and stripping them away from their rights, many Muslim women feel as though they have to turn to feminism to get back these rights. In no way am I saying this is correct, but in some ways, who can blame them when this is the culture that is trending on social media.
moving forward
Mainstream feminism is not the solution to Muslim women getting their rights back. Firstly, it fails to represent the needs of women of faith, women of colour and women of lower socio-economic backgrounds, to say the least. As argued by Mikki Kendall in her book ‘Hood Feminism’, mainstream feminism supports a white woman’s fight for an even better position in society, usually at the expense of other women, the forgotten women. Mainstream feminism does not take into account the strengths and challenges associated to one specific gender, as well as the added layers of differences a woman of colour/faith has. If the textbook definition of feminism is ‘equality of the sexes’, as Muslims, we should already know that this is not our goal.
For Muslim women to reattain their divine rights, which should be our goal, the attitude of the Muslim community towards Red pill culture and misogyny needs to change. It it an epidemic that needs to be taken more seriously. The issue has to be publicly spoken about more in Islamic institutions, mosques and youth groups. And most importantly, the behaviour must be called out by both men and women, young boys and girls, whenever they come across it. Simply ignoring the off-hand comments and taking them as a harmless joke is exactly the reason why this language breeds and becomes normalised.
Muslims, both men and women, need to be in spaces that offer knowledge of the rights we have over one another. We must teach and learn about the Prophetic method of treating women, the divine rights that Allah has spoken about in the Quran, in an environment that is safe, understanding and compassionate.
As writer Mariya bint Rehan perfectly wrote for Amaliah:
“What we need to see is Muslim men unequivocally denouncing this movement which is part of a larger, unrelenting course of punishing Muslim women that exists beyond our faith community and appears to have no geographical borders or limits. If Muslim women are the ideological punch bag of world leaders, domestic policy, and the wilderness of internet discourse and its material impact on our homes – what hope do we have of moving forward as a community? Who can muslim women turn to if we are both the cause and victim to our apparently justified abuse?
Muslim men need to be educated on our history, to fully recognise that misogyny is not a Muslim trait, and never has been.
The idea of Muslim women’s rights, based on Islamic tenets and not lies we are being told about our own religion needs to be reestablished amongst Millennial and Gen Z Muslims in an uplifting, non-condescending way, we are not lollipops and we need to jettison the fable like narrative of femininity that infantilises us as less than male believers in the eyes of our Creator.”
Link to full article: https://www.amaliah.com/post/66016/muslim-incel-mincel-red-pill-ideology-islam
This change can only begin when Muslim men publicly show that they are in solidarity with their Muslim sisters. This change can only begin when Muslim men internalise their duties and responsibilities to Muslim women in a way that is not condescending. This change can only begin when Muslim men realise that they too are victims of the Red pill culture, that in fact this culture of misogyny is stripping away their masculinity rather than enhancing it.
Until next time,
atiyahtalks x
remembering mahsa amini
16th September 2023 marks the one year death anniversary of Mahsa Amini, the 22 year old Iranian young woman who was a victim of the ‘morality laws’ in her country.
The words below were written last year, a few days after Mahsa’s passing, but I wanted to re-share it on my new platform because unfortunately, this issue still remains relevant today.
Mahsa Amini, a 22 year old Kurdish woman, died in the city of Tehran after she was taken into custody by the 'morality police' for not wearing her hijab properly. Immediately, she became a symbol of oppression- of women's rights being taken away.
10 days after her death, thousands of people over the world are protesting against the harsh regime in Iran, fighting a "women's revolution."
What do we take from this?
Firstly, Allah (SWT) mentions in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 256:
"There is no compulsion in religion"
Islam does not advocate oppression. Islam does not believe in forcing others. Islam gives everyone, man and woman, the right to free will.
I have to make this clear- the issue is not the hijab. It is never the hijab. When women choose to wear the hijab it is because it is a symbol of their faith. It is a symbol of the love, mercy and compassion of their Lord. It is a symbol of empowerment. It is the crown on their heads.
Those who wear the hijab understand fully that it is a journey, and one that is not easy. The hijab is not something that should be forced upon a woman. Although it is compulsory, like everything, each individual has the right to choose whether they follow that ruling or not.
If the issue is not the hijab, then what is it?
The issue is what it always has been- the stripping away of women's rights.
We live in the 21st century, yet we still live in a patriarchal society. And this is why:
France, Denmark, Austria: banning religious dress
USA and Northern Ireland: banning reproductive freedoms
Afghanistan: young women unable to attend school
Iran: forcing religious dressing on all women
This is not even a list of half the examples of how women's rights are under threat globally.
Women are protesting against their lack of choice, against their lack of freedom, against the patriarchy.
I also wanted to say that if you are an ally for the women in Iran, you have to be an ally for the women who want to wear the hijab but are being forced not to. You cannot be an advocate for something only when it fits your agenda. Both are an example of misogynistic control.The hijab is every woman's choice. She should not be forced to wear it, and not be forced to take it off.
How can you help?
Be an ally: male or female, listen to those who are facing these challenges and make it clear that you support what they are fighting for
Raise awareness: whether it be through social media, talking to people around you, speaking in a school assembly- speak about the issue
Keep up to date with the news: sometimes it can be challenging, but try as often as you can to stay educated about what is going on, ignorance is never the answer
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
"And be kind to your women"
a year later…
Although Mahsa’s death saw the women of Iran engaging in endless protests, recent events relating to women’s rights have proven that this issue remains timeless.
In the past fortnight we have seen France banning abayas in state-schools, followed by Egypt banning their students from wearing the niqab.
It’s heartbreaking to see that so many women are unable to express themselves how they wish, are unable to live their lives according to how they deem fit. Why is it that majority of the time, men in power are dictating what women, whether religious or not, choose to do with their lives? Like I said in the previous post, this is not a matter that singles out Muslim women, although perhaps we are likely to be on the receiving end of it more, and recent laws have targeted Muslim women.The basis of this issue is that women are being stripped away of their freedoms to choose. How does it affect someone if a Muslim woman chooses to wear a niqab or abaya?
Unfortunately, I don’t exactly have a conclusion for this. It angers me and hurts me to see sisters suffering globally just because they are existing. And I truly stand in solidarity with every woman who is being forced into doing something due to restrictive laws.
May The Al-Mighty shower His endless mercy on those who are under difficulty. May He guide us all to the right path. May He increase our understanding and allow us to help those who are facing injustice. May Allah protect our womenfolk and grant them strength during these difficult times.
Aameen
Until next time,
atiyahtalks
flee to allah conference- reflections
As Muslim women, it is not often we find ourselves in positions to be able to hear live from renowned shuyookh and benefit from their company. So, when the opportunity comes, once in a blue moon, we run to it, in hopes that we will learn more about our deen from respected Ulamaa that our brothers are able to benefit from daily.
The Al Bayaan Institute held their third ‘Flee to Allah’ Conference, which I had the honour of attending alhamdulillah. I have taken away so many important lessons from this event, and I thought I would share them with you all, so we can benefit collectively.
Everything that is mentioned below are the reflections I have made combined with the teachings that the Shuyookh and speakers have preached. It is all a reminder to myself first and foremost. May Allah forgive me for my shortcomings.
ustaadh omar hajaj- da’wah within the home
Ustaadh Omar began by mentioning the difference between giving da’wah at home compared to public da’wah. He rightly stated that it is easier in many ways to give da’wah publicly, in situations where people do not always know much about you. On the other hand, da’wah at home can come with much more hardships because those people know you better than anyone else, they know if you are following what you are preaching. To put it simply, da’wah at home comes with challenges, da’wah in public comes with praise.
When speaking about da’wah in the home, the best example we all have is the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. When people wanted to know about his true character, they did not turn to the companions of the Prophet ﷺ, the ones he used to spend his day teaching, rather they turned to his honorable wives. His wives knew him better than the companions.
Da’wah in the home is more important than da’wah in public, it is our duty to take care of our families first. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ started preaching to his family first, with them being some of the first to accept Islam. We must save ourselves first and foremost from the fire, then our families. As the Prophet ﷺ said: “The best of you are those who are the best to their families.”
Within the home, men and women have their respective duties. It is the duty of Muslim men to be ‘Shepherds’ of their families, meaning they have the responsibility to look after, provide for and protect their homes. Whilst Muslim women have the vital roles of making the house into a home. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would teach his wives that they are the “mother of the believers.” He had such love for his wives that he would not leave his house until they were smiling. The wives of the Prophet ﷺ have had a huge impact on the deen- countless hadith, duas, rules of fiqh and politics as we know them today are due to the efforts of them (may peace be upon them all). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ leaned on his wives during times of hardship, showing that sometimes, even the strongest of men need the tender love and comfort of a woman. When his wives made a mistake, the Prophet ﷺ overlooked them, never once laying a finger or raising his voice. He ﷺ was the most perfect husband, the most perfect spouse.
Not only was he the perfect example of how one should be in a marriage, but also was the epitome of perfection when it came to his affection towards his daughters and grandchildren. The Prophet ﷺ consulted his daughters before marrying them to his companions, ensuring they had a say in the matter. He had a great amount of love for Fatima رضي الله عنها that during his last few moments, he said to her that his time will come soon, so she cried. But then, he whispered to her “you will be the first to join me”, and so she laughed- with that being a secret between them. As a grandfather, the Prophet ﷺ would take care of Hassan and Hussein رضي الله عنه, showing them love and affection, even if it was not the ‘norm’ in that society. He was the most perfect example of how one should be with their family.
PIECES OF ADVICE:
The Quran must be a strong part of the household- regular tilaawat, joint khatmahs, tafseer etc.
Daily adhkar- creates protection for the family.
Connecting the house to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى - the idea that even Allah is always watching, instilling taqwa.
Salah- regular 5 times a day, no excuses.
Sadaqah- reminding your family to always be grateful and to give to the less fortunate, give charity regularly.
Create a good environment- good friends, good community, it helps your children stay safe.
Create good role models- for yourself and for your family.
Importance of quality time- spend time with your family that is lighthearted, going for walks, travelling etc.
Guide your family to things that are fulfilling- this is one of the best forms of sadaqah jaariyah. If you want your wife to be a housewife that’s fine and correct, but ensure that she still has a sense of fulfillment in her life. Ustaadh mentioned something interesting about how women do not always tend to want careers for financial gain, rather they are seeking fulfillment that careers tend to provide. For a lot of women, tending to the home is not enough, so help your wife find a passion that is according to the boundaries of Islam that will help keep her fulfilled and content.
Teach your family to be proud of their identity- it’s okay to be different, to look different. It is the duty of Muslim men especially to protect, encourage and defend their Muslim sisters who tend to be more visibly Muslim.
Ustaadh Jamal abdinasir- good character
Firstly, Ustaadh began by mentioning the current heatwave in the UK and what this must remind us of. He stated that the heat we experience in the dunya is 70x more than the heat of Jahannam. When Jahannam takes a breath out, we experience extreme periods of heat, whilst when Jahannam takes a breathe in, we experience extreme cold in this dunya. سبحان الله.
This level of heat must serve as a reminder of two things: the Day of Qiyaamah, and Jahannam itself. On the Day of Qiyaamah, the sun will be 1 mile on top of us, with people drowning in their sweat. The only shade will be that under Allah’s throne, with only 7 groups of people being able to attain this blessing, those are: A just ruler, A youth who grows up in the worship of Allah, A man whose heart is attached to the mosques, Two people who love one another for the sake of Allah, Someone who resists a direct temptation from the opposite gender, A person who is completely selfless in charity, A person who remembers Allah in private and sheds tears in doing so. May Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى make us from amongst these people, Aameen.
As humans, we love the people who we feel have unconditional ihsan for us. But, if we truly internalise Allah’s ihsan, we will have a sweetness in our hearts. We Muslims must ponder over the nuances in the way Allah has created us. For example, how does the hair on our eyelashes stop growing, but the hair on our heads continues to grow? Or the bottom jaw of our mouth is able to move but the top jaw never does? We may think of these things as small, but if we look at the bigger picture we realise that these are blessings of Allah and the perfect way He has created us. Even if we spent a whole lifetime thanking Allah for the blessings He has bestowed upon us, it still would not be enough gratitude. But, if you want to live a life full of happiness in this dunya, you have to live tasting the sweetness of imaan.
Muslims are bound to be tested and faced with different trails throughout our lives. Allah tests those whom He loves the most. Often it may feel as though we are lonely, but a true Muslim may be alone, but will never be lonely because he has Allah and the sweetness of faith.
No matter what stage of our lives we are in, we must remember Allah. If we remember Allah in times of ease, He سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى will remember us in times of hardships.
ustaadh Musa Abuzaghleh- death
Unfortunatley, Ustaadh Musa was not able to make it to the event, but he shared a video explaining his circumstances, which was that sadly a close friend of his had passed. Ustaadh gave us the reminder that we all needed, that death can come to us at any time. None of us know when Allah will take away our soul. As humans it is in our nature to always plan for the future ahead, but we must also have the awareness that we may not live to see those future plans becoming our reality.
When we return back to our Lord, what will matter will be what we have prepared to meet Allah with, not the plans that we had. We should continously pray that Allah grants us a good death and takes away our souls when we are doing righteousness.
“Indeed the death from which you flee, indeed it will meet you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you about what you used to do.” [62:08]
Prince wasim- who is your real brother/sister?
We are all inherited Muslims up until the day we decide to really learn about Allah and our deen from ourselves. The trials that we go through makes one question “who are the real people around me?”
The real people around you are those who in the hardest of times remind you of Allah. Now this does not necessarily mean they are constantly pressuring you by calling our your faults, rather it is the small things they may do that remind you of Allah’s presence. This includes actions such as: saying salaam first, saying Bismillah before eating etc.
The people you surround yourself with are so important. You cannot cure your illness in the same place you caught it- meaning that you cannot stay with people who create bad habits within in. You have to leave the people who do not bring you closer to Allah.
Pick your friends the same way you would pick your spouse- because in essence, it really is that big of a deal.
Every stage of life we grow into requires a different version of ourselves, so it is natural to outgrow things and people. This is even more likely to happen when you are growing into becoming a better Muslim, because you become aware that you have to cut out the people in your life that are hindering your closeness to Allah.
ustaadh abu fatima- emaan
Ustaadh was going to go into depths on emaan on the heart vs emaan on the body, but due to time constraints he just mentioned a short story and what we must take from this.
He mentioned the story of Umar ibn Abdul Aziz and the three conditions he placed in any gathering he held. These conditions were:
Never talk to me about the dunya, it will be a distraction.
Never laugh in my gathering, it will deaden my heart.
Never backbite or slander anyone.
Relating to this, Ustaadh said that we must make these conditions relevant in every gathering we hold, otherwise it will serve against us on the Day of Qiyaamah.
akhi ayman- think beyond yourself
Personally, I feel like Akhi Ayman’s speech mainly catered more to the brothers in the event, speaking about ‘life on the road’ etc, but there were some important reminders that I still took away from his emotional address to us.
He mentioned that as a community, we are neglecting Allah and what is right just to chase the dunya.
One of the things that this deen was built upon was ‘sacrifice’. Sacrificing your happiness for the sake of Allah’s happiness. Yet now, we are prioritsing our happiness in this dunya, neglecting our rights as Muslims, and changing the deen to cater to our needs.
This ummah is failing because we are plagued by jealousy and selfishness. Non Muslims do not need to persecute us anymore, because Muslims are attacking their own. We are only thinking of ourselves and our needs, when as Muslims we are taught to be selfless. As the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “None of you will believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself.”
Akhi Ayman continued by mentioning a verse from the Quran that his late mother (may Allah have mercy on her soul) always reminded him of. It is in Surah Yusuf, when Yaqub عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ went through endless trials and yet he said “I only complain of my grief and suffering to Allah.”
The only companion we have in this world is Allah. The only vision we have in this world is the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The only comfort we have in this world is the words of Allah- the Quran.
He stated that we must all work on these three relationships in order to find contentment:
Your relationship with Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى and all things deen-related.
Your family and the rights they have upon you.
Your relationship with yourself, taking care of your mental health, being disciplined and having a good mindset.
He ended by encouraging us to be good Muslims and be active in our communities so that we can help one another and ‘think beyond ourselves.’ Use Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى to make that change you wish to see in the world.
If you made it to the end, may Allah bless you. I hope you benefited from these reflections as much as I have.
Gatherings such as these truly make me reflect upon how lucky I am to be a Muslim, and may I only grow to become a better one, Aameen.
Until next time,
atiyahtalks x
Top news headline this week
france banning abayas
Education minister, Gabriel Attal, announced the ban of the abaya in state schools stating that “When you walk into a classroom, you shouldn’t be able to identify the pupils’ religion just by looking at them.”
France has been accused of extremist secularism after this new legislation follows follows their previous ban on the hijab, and the burkini in earlier years, as well as other religious symbols such as the Jewish Kippa and the Christian Cross.
Many have questioned the logistics of this new ruling and how it will be enforced, rightly stating that the abaya resembles a maxi full sleeved dress. Attal responded stating that “we will look at the face of the student to determine the religiousness of the dress”, creating an even greater outrage and sparking concerns of fascism.
Many Muslims on social media have gone as far as encouraging a boycott on France due to their extreme secularism. However, many have rebutted with the argument that there is still a population of Muslims in France that cannot be isolated and must be supported. Saeedah Haque, a designer from London bringing modest streetwear clothing announced that to combat France’s new legislation, she will launch an exclusive drop of her latest ‘hoodie abayas’ to France only, claiming that “they can’t ban hoodies.”
What do you think about France’s clear extension of secularism? Are they going too far?
To read more visit:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/28/france-to-ban-girls-from-wearing-abayas-in-state-schools
Rubiales defends inappropriate world cup kiss
Spanish FA President Luis Rubiales faces widespread global criticism after kissing Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso during the awards ceremony following Spain’s 1-0 victory to England at the Women’s World Cup Final.
Rubiales claims that he is being attacked by “false feminism”, and that Hermoso consented to the kiss. This statement was denied by Hermoso in an Instagram Live. Hermoso made it clear that she would not continue playing for the team “while the current leaders remain”, with 80 other players standing by her.
Facing pressures to resign, Rubiales makes a new statement, still denying his inappropriate actions, stating that “the spontaneity and happiness of the historic moment led us to carry out a mutual and consented act, the product of great enthusiasm.”
What makes this worse is not his constant denial of the truth, but more so that such a momentous occasion which should have been celebrated on the news has now been tarnished by Rubiales’ misogynistic behaviour. It has sparked conversations regarding the perception of women in sports and the blatant double standards, with this behaviour never being seen in men’s football.
To read more visit:
https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/news/jennifer-hermoso-full-statement-luis-rubiales-rfef-spain
https://news.sky.com/story/luis-rubiales-under-fire-spanish-fa-president-again-defends-mutual-and-consented-world-cup-final-kiss-12952611
indian teacher asks students to slap a muslim classmate
An ongoing investigation in India is being widely discussed after a viral video shows a teacher encouraging students to slap their Muslim classmates for “not knowing his times tables.” This incident took place in Muzaffarnagar district in northern Uttar Pradesh state, with the disturbing video showing the 7-year old boy anxiously staring at his classmates as they are told to repeatedly slap him. The boy cries with background noises of laughter and further rallying by the teacher.
Allegedly, the teacher stated that “When the mothers of Mohammedan (one who follows Islam) students don’t pay attention to their children’s studies, their performance is ruined.”
The teacher has not yet been charged but the district officials have closed down the school.
This horrific event adds fuel to the already growing fire of clashes between the Muslims and the BJP, due to the ruling party’s nationalist sentiments that have mainly been at the expense of the Muslims in India. According to CNN, a study by economist Deepankar Basu noted a 786% increase in hate crimes against all minorities between 2014 and 2018, following the BJP’s election victory.
To read more visit:
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/28/india/india-muslim-student-slapped-teacher-video-intl-hnk/index.html
taliban placing more restrictions on women
Human Rights groups have condemned the Taliban’s new restrictions on women in Afghanistan. This includes stopping them from visiting one of the country’s most popular national parks, and prohibiting them from going to the UAE on academic scholarships.
Amnesty International criticised the Taliban’s latest restriction on women’s education by stopping them from travelling to Dubai for their university studies. Around 100 women hoped to start a new chapter of their life in Dubai, achieving complete scholarships, but have now had this opportunity snatched away from them.
Laila said their scholarships were their “only hope to go abroad to continue our education”.
This ‘war on women’ continues as the Taliban instated a ban on women visiting Band-e-Amir national park, apparently stating that female visitors were not covering up.
HRW Associate Women’s Rights Director Heather Barr told AFP the decision to ban women was “cruel in a very intentional way”.
Arguably, the Taliban justify their decisions on the basis of Sharia law, even though Islam not only permits, but encourages women to be educated. “Searching for knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim male and Muslim female.”– Hadith of Prophet Mohammed (Pbuh), recorded in Hadith Collection Ibn Majah.
To read more visit:
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/28/rights-groups-condemn-talibans-new-curbs-on-womens-education-movement
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