assalamu alaikum brothers and sisters
well this is another of my threats which i will put in my questions.
Let's face it islam is now view in the world in many ways ( good and bad) with people having this misconseption, have you ever felt discriminated? as in view that you might be "dangerous" or that "you dont belong there">? as a reverted muslim i love wearing my kufi (not sure if its written correctly) i do that because i love to represent my religion,makes me feel good that i am a muslim,but then there comes time when i think that if i might go to a job interview (let;s say that) with my kufi on,can i be rejected due to the fact that i am muslim? or in other situations?
just last week i went to a fair,a big fair on jamaica street (new york ,queens),and it was full of muslim people and it was great many wore things that represents them (as i also did) it felt great,without speaking i crossed looked with some other folks and we shook head (in a polite way of soluting each other),i feel i am getting everyday deeper in this,and i love it.please write your thoughts thank you so much.
May allah be with you.
:wasalamex
Before I answer your question, I want to touch up on some fundamentals of Islam which will be a part of the basis of my reply.
The Arabic word " 'aqeedah" in Islam is the plural of the word of the word " 'aqaa'id", which means to believe in a concept, belief or
something that one accepts as true without any taint of a doubt. It revolves around adherence, certainty and affirmation. Anything that contradicts this is not aqeedah but is only mere speculation in one's heart. This is the total opposite of the English equivalent of the word "faith", which (the word "faith" in English) specifically means to "accept something without proof". This is not the case with the Arabic language and is the total opposite in Arabic.
However, after having the correct 'aqeedah and accepting Islam based upon proofs, it is not really aqeedah that is praised in Qur'an. In Qur'an Allah praises eemaan. And eemaan is the manifestation of your 'aqeedah through the intentions of the heart, speech and actions.
In Islaam, eemaan is described as a good, strong tree that is firmly rooted in good, pure soil (this soil being aqeedah) with its branches reaching up into the sky, bearing abundant fruit and producing its fruit for everyone by the grace of its Lord. Thus eemaan is the tree, 'aqeedah is rooted deeply in the heart and its trunk, branches and fruits are deeds and actions.
So when the reality of aqeedah and eemaan is clear, it should be noted that Muslims don't have a special dress by which they need to represent themselves, as the best dress is taqwa (all of righteousness put together). Allah says in the Qur'an:
O children of ’Adam, We have sent down to you the dress that covers your shame and provides adornment. As for the dress of Taqwa (piety), that is the best. That is one of the signs of Allah, so that they may learn a lesson. (Quran 7:26)
The kufi, thowb and other dresses which Muslim men commonly wear are Arab dresses and not something Islam has specifically pointed out to wear. These clothes don't necessarily make a Muslim more righteous nor do they form the true identity of a Muslim. What is obligatory for you as far as physical appearance is concerned is to grow a beard, keep your trousers above your ankles and (this is not obligatory but a sunnah) to wear beautiful and modest clothing.
What a Muslim must be known for are his actions and speech and not so much the traditional dresses. Nothing will distinguish a Muslim more than having certainty in Allah and acting according to His religion. If one really wants an identity then know that only Allah is truly aware of the belief and intentions in your heart as all of your aqeedah and a part of your eemaan is in the heart. This internal belief coupled with speech and actions is your identy and
nothing else. If this is missing then the outward appearance will not save you from the hell fire nor will it raise you in the eyes of Allah or the people in this life.
As far as your work is concerned, if a Muslim is required to dress professionally for work (without wear tight clothes, trousers kept above the ankles and following all the dressing etiquettes set by Allah) then there is nothing wrong with dressing formally.
You are however required to work as a righteous Muslim. This includes being punctual, working where your earnings do not become haram by working in haram places and to fulfil your job to the best of your ability – all as an Islamic right that Allah has placed upon you. You will be asked on the day of judgement how you earned your money and what you did with it so make sure who you work for and what role you do are all Islamically permissible.
Finally, do not feel lonely because of the bad treatment from the ones whom Allah has not guided. Do not seek their acceptance because these are not the people whom Allah loves. Their acceptance of you will not bring you closer to Allah, increase you in your eemaan or give you a level of security that only Allah can provide.
If you are true to Allah then He will be pleased with you and He will make the creation be pleased with you. This is proven during the life of the Messenger :saws1: who was praised by the polytheists of Makkah for being "as-saadiq al ameen" (The truthful and the honest) among many other traits, even though they fought him and wanted to kill him.
as muslims it is important for us to seek knowledge in the religion so that we can correct misconceptions but also more importantly to make firm our hearts and be closer to Allah.
