Over and over again, I hear about converts (or reverts) to Islam swinging from one end of the pendulum to the other and most of the time, after a while, they land in the middle path somewhere. I think it’s become a natural cycle:
Before Islam (no knowledge, no action):
leading the crazy life
Right after Islam (little knowledge, lots of action):
abandoning the crazy life and strictly admonishing others from keeping it
Years after converting (lots of knowledge, lots of action):
abandoned the crazy life and being more wise in speaking with others about their lives
I recently came across this quote, which sums it up:
When knowledge exceeds action, arrogance prevails. When actions exceed knowledge, innovated matters (bidah) prevail.
And really, it’s true. Right after I converted to Islam and abruptly stopped my bad habits, I started to arrogantly admonish my family members for continuing to do those actions. Eventually, they just got really sick of it, until years down the road, I realized what a big mistake I had made.
I learned two things over the years:
1. Give dawah by my actions and manners, not by admonishing
2. Concentrate on matters of belief and not on fiqh (what actions are allowed and what are not)
Wow your blogs are really interesting brother… subhanAllah.. why do Greeks couple Islam with Turkish invasion… really, they are two very distinct things…
Thanks for the feedback, Shaimaa.
Well, there’s a lot of historical baggage that comes with it. Greeks associate their identity with the country’s independence from 400 years of Ottoman rule and the Ottomans were Muslim who took over vast amount of land around the world.
Until recent years, that’s basically the only interaction Greeks had with Muslims, hence the association.
From which background are you from? Born Muslim?
Assalamu alaikum … İt is great to hear that there are muslims, converted to İslam, from Greece… Honestly i didnt know there are amount of greek muslims even i couldnt thinking that greeks can be muslim. SubhanAllah…. İ have remembered an ayah upon this… “And Allah doth advance in guidance those who seek guidance: and the things that endure, Good Deeds, are best in the sight of thy Lord, as rewards, and best in respect of (their) eventual return.” (Suretu Maryam/76) Allah keep our heart by iman…. But my mind have been tampered with greek muslims’ point of wiev about turkish muslims??? İ wonder the approach of greeks especially having converted to İslam? I would be happy if u enlighten me.
Jazak Allahu bikhayr
sister in İslam…
Wa alaikum assalaam sister! Ma sha Allah, thank you for your post. I am very happy to see that our website is causing awareness.
You asked about the approach we take with Turkish Muslims? We take it as if they are our brothers and sisters in Islam, just the same as Muslims from every culture.
You said, “But my mind have been tampered with greek muslims’ point of wiev about turkish muslims??? ”
How so?
Assalamu alaikum again… İt made me feel happy that u take turks as sister and brother in İslam…
Jazak Allahu bikhayr…
but personally i feel that there is a negative atmosphere in greek side about turks altough something have passed between this two neighbour country.
And in turkish side there is a strong impression that greeks hate turks rather turks think that they are more possitive on improvement relations but thats not our case at least i think so…
What i wondered is what this case means for greek muslims?
The reason of saying ” my mind have been tampered with greek muslims’ point of wiev about turkish muslims” for learning where upon stand greek muslims on that issue?
Ma’asselame
sister in İslam….
Wa alaikum assalaam sister,
If we are talking about non-Muslim Greeks, then yes, I agree there is still massive hostility towards Turks even until now, although, as far as I know, it is much more prevelant amongst our parent’s generation. (Someone, correct me if I am wrong.)
With a huge influx of Muslims from Albania, Pakistan, Middle East etc., there is a paranoia with some non-Muslim Greeks living in Greece against Muslims in general. I think at the end of the day, it’s fear of the unknown and the false propoganda doesn’t help any.
Are you Turkish, sister?
Yes i am a Turkish muslimah hence i persistently asked you about Greek muslims’ attitude for Turks…
İ dont know what exactly is been tought in this two country’s school but its so clear that people have still fear and prejudice
İ recognised that one more time when i started learning greek… people take it as if time wasting but they dont take learning french or german as if time wasting or meaningless struggle. Anways… thats an another profound issue bother me.
İ only know one thing that muslims are brothers and sisters eacother as Allah says in the Qur’an; “The Believers are but a single Brotherhood: so make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers; and fear Allah, that ye may receive Mercy.” (Suretu Hucurat/10)
Jazak Allahu bikhayr
sister in İslam
Yes, I think that what’s being taught in the curriculum about it could have lots to do with it. It’s interesting that other countries also have the same hatred towards Turks (dating back to the Ottoman empire).
Check out the video I just posted to see.
http://greekmuslim.wordpress.com/2008/06/29/hatred-for-turks-breeds-in-other-countries-too/