Miles to Go Before I sleep....

The most innocent Question related to Religion I ever heard was in my childhood only. And that was “why you are not wearing a Bindi” from my friends. It’s a custom in Hindu religion to wear Bindi, which Muslims are not practicing. I answered to my friends that ‘Because I am a Muslim’. I also didn’t know why Muslim cannot wear Bindi. As young child I satisfied them with much repeated answer.. .’It’s not allowed to us.

Some time I forget to wipe the Kumkum put on my forehead by classmates with tender forehead touch of each other. Even if there was not a very strict atmosphere at home, parents told me to wash it off. Thus the colors of Kumkum disappeared from my forehead.

 I grew up to a young girl and started to wear veil , those days the question I faced was , What’s your cast in Islam, are you Sunni or Mujahid (salafi)..Salafism spread in Kerala through the organization Kerala Nadwathul  Mujahedeen.  I tried to explain to my friends with my limited knowledge, there is no cast or creed or there is no discrimination between people with color of skin. The basement of Islam is only Oneness and socialism in literal meaning. But marks of skepticism still draped with them.  It was a period where a lot of inter- religious hullabaloos was happening in our village. And they brought orators of both parties and made speeches through loudspeakers and even through flyers or leaflets to affirm the truth is with them.  Both parties used enough proof and hadith’s to explain them.  KNM is a social organization which stands against for the social evils like dowry.(Unfortunately that also has two divisions now) And it gave prominent importance for the Girl’s education and raising the social status of women. Then with nurturing thoughts of my young age I influenced to Mujahidin and I thought I am a Mujahid not a Sunni.

The needs of life brought me to the land of Arabia. Here I continued my life with my family. World became more vast in front of me.  During some friendly chit chats my Arabian female colleagues asked me  “ Are you Sunni or Shia?” . Till then Shia was a term for me who were facing attacks by Somewhere in Iraq and Pakistan. I asked myself… Sunni..?? Mujahid..? Shia..?? What I am?? ..Probably I am a Sunni. Because, Sunni means One who follows the footsteps and even smallest life details of  Muhammed (PBUH), or who wish and attempt for that wholeheartedly.  So I am Sunni.. I affirmed myself.

Then My quest was to understand about Shia. I wandered through the Shiites Streets of Oman. I Witnesses Mathem- The Mourning...I saw ‘Ya hussiani’ Banners in Black. I understood Shiaism was a political split among Muslim due to the conflict arose to fix the ancestor Ruler after Muhammad (PBUH). And which split Muslim world into two. Shias don’t accept the first three Caliphs of Rashidun Caliphate. (Khulafa Ur Rashidun – The Rightly guided Caliphs). Abu Backer, Umar and Othman are the first three Caliphs’ of Islamic Ruling. Shia’s believe the fourth Caliph Ali as their Leader. And they love the Holy family of Prophet utmost.(Ahl e Bayth) .  After the Battles of Badr and Uhad they Consider the Battle of Karbala , and do a symbolized mourning named  “mathem’  for the martyrs in the Lunar Month of Muharram. !

But My Inner Soul still not satisfies!  Shia Also has So many sub Divisions. Ismaili, Shiites, and Bohra Community in India are some examples only.

Islam is a way of life- We put it in a box of religion for our own comfort and it calls Humanity to one God. Teach to mankind that there are no dissections between mankind due to their cast or color of skin.  There are So many divisions in this wonderful Teaching?? My search continues…

There was a lady who always insulted and throws trash on holy prophet. But Prophet never cursed her. He had the same calmness in his face always he is wearing. For some days he didn't find the lady on his usual path. Then Prophet walked to that lady’s house to seek her well-being .He found she was sick, He wished for her speedy recovery.  That was a great act of patience and forgiveness!  From where can we find the disciples of that great teacher whose weapon was Compassion and patience??..

His Disciples should be the people who answers for the call of hunger of his neighborhood.. Who keeps his weapon as patience that does not dishonor any other human.

From where can We find such a mankind as HE dream t? Hope we can see the Real Human beings somewhere in our pathways …..

Smiling in your brother’s face is an act of charity. 
So is enjoining good and forbidding evil, 
giving directions to the lost traveller, 
aiding the blind and 
removing obstacles from the path.

(Graded authentic by Ibn Hajar and al-Albani: Hidaayat-ur-Ruwaah, 2/293)” 
― Muhammad (PBUH)