Peace to all.
One of the more interesting threads, so far. It mentions the place I live. It mentions struggles, confusion, realisation, outreach, discovery, realities, choices, conflict to name some.
Where to start?hew
I'll start with the topic of Malay in Malaysia..
Without going to too much detail, it is true that the Malay culture was derived from the hindu, at least where I originate. In the 10th century, they were hindus. In the 11th, they converted to islam. The Brits and secularism changed the entire landscape in the country after WW2. The Malays lost a lot. They lost, in the main, islamic laws were replaced by British common law. Second, they lost the economy.
Masuk Melayu was really thing said with certain humour behind it because you are right, Malays = muslims. And for the same people, white man = Christians. Nothing can sway their thoughts otherwise. It's just their culture here.
So, I guess they tried to protect their identity from disappearing altogether with the advent of fashion and everything 'western'.
On the eating habits, there are places and masjids that eat from talam/trays depends. Things are changing here too. There was a time, in the 60's and 70's where drinking was openly accepted. 80's people began to be aware of how the nation had 'strayed'. The 90's and turn of the century saw a 'new' spirit of faith emerge. Much fewer numbers drink now. More attend the mosques, but the Malays now are not the same as the Malays of old. Much has changed.
I read with inspiration the challenges faced by our brothers (and sisters) who made that paradigm shift. It was a momentous step. Earth shattering experience. That is just on the shahada. What, as you all describe, leaving all that you were and into what you are, alone. And that is where you have to start, all over again, with each breath and step henceforth. Words cannot do justice.
My struggle for a while was to differentiate tradition and sunnah. As Ali quite correctly pointed out about the peculiarities of the Malay/islam relationship. People are more aware now than they were back in the 60's and 70's. Alhamdulillah. And I attended a for a while the masjid that homes the tabliiq. Observed and listen to taskirah(?), chatted with them, they smile an awful lot, even when they are explaining, or should be irritated, that I got to know some of them.
One thing reading this thread has made me realise is that Allah tests everyone in His own way, and everyone will get their fair recompense, but it is how we deal with our own trials that determines the form. Are we grateful or ungrateful, do we accept or complain?
Lonely in a crowd people, it must be that your rewards in the hereafter is FAR superior to the rewards I will get if we were to do the same thing side by side. I stayed where I was, you 'hijrah'. It must count for something. Allaahu'alam. Just stay true to your course.
Salaam
One of the more interesting threads, so far. It mentions the place I live. It mentions struggles, confusion, realisation, outreach, discovery, realities, choices, conflict to name some.
Where to start?
hewI'll start with the topic of Malay in Malaysia..
Without going to too much detail, it is true that the Malay culture was derived from the hindu, at least where I originate. In the 10th century, they were hindus. In the 11th, they converted to islam. The Brits and secularism changed the entire landscape in the country after WW2. The Malays lost a lot. They lost, in the main, islamic laws were replaced by British common law. Second, they lost the economy.
Masuk Melayu was really thing said with certain humour behind it because you are right, Malays = muslims. And for the same people, white man = Christians. Nothing can sway their thoughts otherwise. It's just their culture here.
So, I guess they tried to protect their identity from disappearing altogether with the advent of fashion and everything 'western'.On the eating habits, there are places and masjids that eat from talam/trays depends. Things are changing here too. There was a time, in the 60's and 70's where drinking was openly accepted. 80's people began to be aware of how the nation had 'strayed'. The 90's and turn of the century saw a 'new' spirit of faith emerge. Much fewer numbers drink now. More attend the mosques, but the Malays now are not the same as the Malays of old. Much has changed.
I read with inspiration the challenges faced by our brothers (and sisters) who made that paradigm shift. It was a momentous step. Earth shattering experience. That is just on the shahada. What, as you all describe, leaving all that you were and into what you are, alone. And that is where you have to start, all over again, with each breath and step henceforth. Words cannot do justice.
My struggle for a while was to differentiate tradition and sunnah. As Ali quite correctly pointed out about the peculiarities of the Malay/islam relationship. People are more aware now than they were back in the 60's and 70's. Alhamdulillah. And I attended a for a while the masjid that homes the tabliiq. Observed and listen to taskirah(?), chatted with them, they smile an awful lot, even when they are explaining, or should be irritated, that I got to know some of them.
One thing reading this thread has made me realise is that Allah tests everyone in His own way, and everyone will get their fair recompense, but it is how we deal with our own trials that determines the form. Are we grateful or ungrateful, do we accept or complain?
Lonely in a crowd people, it must be that your rewards in the hereafter is FAR superior to the rewards I will get if we were to do the same thing side by side. I stayed where I was, you 'hijrah'. It must count for something. Allaahu'alam. Just stay true to your course.
Salaam
).