I’m sorry, my friends, but at this point in my life I do not have the time to live as a muslim the way that I’d like. This includes research, though thankfully not reflection. The upside of lonliness is at least an interesting train of thought now and then.
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about purpose. The purpose of my own life, lifestyle, choices, emotions, these kinds of things. But when it comes to “religion” (perhaps as separate from “spirituality”), that much of what is taught in Islam are guidelines – like the food pyramid or the golden rule -which help give shape to life, but not define it.
This brings some negativity, in my mind, to people who focus their lives around Islam in an obsessive way. At the moment I’m drawing parallels with anorexics. The food pyramid, exercise, eating healthy – all of this is important and hard to maintain, especially in this country. But when the only things that are important to a person are being “healthy” (or what have you), well, something seems out of line. Like someone is focusing on the wrong thing entirely.
But then, what would the right “focus”, or purpose to life be?
Discuss.
Could it be possible that the first part of the purpose might be to discover our unique purpose? If so, then the next part might be to live that purpose.
I don’t know much about Islam, but I’ve seen in other traditions that same effect you mention. Some people focus a lot on the words, form, structure, and religion. Others focus on bringing that wisdom into action through their lives.
It reminds of how some play sports with strict attention to the rules, even at the expense of joy, while others simply play.
“Islam is a complete way of life.” We hear that all the time, yes, but it’s true. Islam, properly practiced, should have an impact on most if not everything you do. But there are different levels of faith/iman. Some people do the bare minimum and that might be accepted from them. But others strive for more depending on what they are hoping to accomplish from life.
I would like to become less and less dependent on this dunya. I want to supress my ego and work for and towards a greater good. To me, following the “food pyramid” of Islam helps me acheive God consciousness which helps me to achieve my goals and happiness in this life.
To those to whom Islam or any other chosen way of life becomes a burden, you must ask, why is it so? What is making it that way? So I understand where you are.
I would start to feel negatively about Islam and then I would start thinking about aspects of Islam in negative analogies (much like ur anorexic example). A personal example of mine would be that when I would feel bad about Islam and just trapped in it, my hijab would start to make me feel like I was a poodle. I felt I looked ridiculous, a big tall white girl trying to be a Muslim! Ha! What an idiot.
But I had to figure out what the root of this feeling was. Was it that I truly didn’t want to be Muslim? Or that Ididn’t want to be hijabi? Or something else?
I have had these lapses of doubt and I think that most people can come out of it stronger and better people. Inshallah that is how it will be with you my dear sis. No matter what side you come out on.
Interesting interpretation, I guess everybody tends to apply themself to other people.
I am not, however “in doubt” of anything. I wasn’t finding fault with Islam, my dear, I was finding fault with muslims. Or at least I suspect it is fault, but it’s hard to say because my own sense of purpose isn’t particularly strong at the moment.
btw, where does the phrase “Islam is a complete way of life” come from? Regardless, of course, that statement just confirms my idea that it is a way of life, not a life unto itself. Do you understand? Yes, Islam will have an impact on everything in your life, just like eating healthy would. But that doesn’t mean it should be the only thing in your life. It seems to me more like Islam is a safeguard and the best guidlines by which to live a life, not something that needs to be acknowledged in everything else you do because it’s just going to be there anyway. It’s inherent.
Oh, and btw, I find it offensive that you still seem to think I’m “slipping” or something ridiculous. Part of the reason I wanted a dialogue with you was so that you could find out where I am, not assume it.
Hmm, did I use the word slipping b/c I didn’t intend it. I think first of all, can you give me an example of what you mean when you are talking about how you don’t like Islam being an obsession and the only thing in ones life. Because I don’t think I understand you.
I thought I understood your point but between the first post and then the reply comment I am confused. I thought u were saying one thing and now another.
I guess I too hastily interpreted “I’m sorry, my friends, but at this point in my life I do not have the time to live as a muslim the way that I’d like. ”
Elaborate on that?
“Slipping” was pretty clearly implied, (although you used the word “lapses”) and you’ve addressed me in this way before. Evidently you consider me to be in some sort of “lapse” period – which then I can only assume is because I’m not doing things in a way that you would approve of? I don’t appreciate being pigeon-holed – I haven’t seen you for ages, how could you make judgements like this?
I already gave an example in the post, but I’ll give another. Something else that’s weirded me out here in LA is people who focus their lives around money. How to make more, save more, and how to spend it. It’s easy to focus your life around this – we all need money to sustain our lives, and it’s smart to know how best to handle it. Likewise, work takes a lot of time and effort, and it’s easy to get wrapped up these kinds of details. But they’re just that in the long term – details. They are the details that help you to live your life and their important, but when you focus on them, your life becomes warped as your focus is in the wrong place.
Do I need to go into anymore detail with this analogy? Haven’t we all seen this somewhere – even if only on some ditzy show like the “Housewives of Orange County” or “Cribs”? Let me know if you need more description about this.
As for not having the time to “live as a muslim the way that I’d like”, this was more of an apology for not doing what I wanted to do on this blog. It looked there was a good amount of interest in the sectarian study I started a while ago, but I haven’t had anywhere near the time or stability to do that kind of research. Likewise, I just haven’t even had time to read, which is important to me. Hence the reference to “research but not reflection.” I can reflect in the car in trafic, when I waiting for whatever, etc. Really putting in the challenging work that I would like to, as a muslim, I haven’t been able to do.
No actually I wouldn’t presume to tell you how to live. And even if you aren’t Muslim like me or Muslim like anyone or at all it’s your business and I like you because you are Audra, not b/c you prescribe to any doctrine or way of living or life that I deem good.
I spoke of lapses of doubt I meant doubt as to where I was going (in my own examples). That was what I meant by saying wherever you come out of thinking of what you want, I hope you are stronger for it. Emphasis on wherever you come out, like whatever decision you make. But since you are not having doubts, but just lack of time this is irrelevant. It’s not what I meant, but it’s not the case here so let’s leave it.
I didn’t need elaboration on the analogy. You were using the analogy to describe something that you believes occurs with Muslims or in Islam. Pls elaborate on THAT, as in specific instances, examples, etc.