On Being a Muslim in Hindu Territory

First off, let's talk abuot what it means (to me) to be Muslim. TO ME (and literally), the word means 'submitter' or 'servant.' Islam is the religion of servitude. Many people refer to religion and spirituality as ways for humans to deal with the fact that we are not in control of what is happening in our world. There is apparently some non-human force controlling everything around us, and we basically have the choice of how to respond to what comes our way. How we respond creates our future path.

I describe myself as a Muslim because I believe in the Quran, a book that is meant for everyone but that happens (and I think, aptly) to describe believers as Muslims--submitters to this aforementioned force (aka 'God'). However, I think many process their religion intellectually, while I wish to process Islam conceptually. To me, this means that the definition of a Muslim is not a brown person who prays in Arabic five times a day and fasts during Ramadan, but rather a monotheist who remembers God often, is charitable and tries sincerely to humble herself. To continue with the whole conceptualizing Islam theme, rather than a tangible God who we refer to as 'He,' I believe God is more of a force. We can humanize this force all we want, but it is more omniscient and all-encompassing than we can fathom. Islam is a monotheist faith (no trinity like in Christianity, no gods and goddesses as in Hinduism, no interceptors of any kind needed), and it makes sense to me on non-scriptural levels as well that there is only one of these all-powerful forces, not several conflicting or conspiratory ones, and that I don't need to talk to a priest/imam/statue to communicate with it.

On to the title of this blog. When I introduce myself as a Muslim, both at home and abroad, it elicits such a stereotypical response that I almost dislike identifying myself as Muslim. Maybe I should say that I'm a submitter, so people don't react so viscerally. Of course it doesn't matter how people react, at the end of the day (so this whole post is somewhat moot...), but it's interesting to think about.

Some people react to the religious/spiritual beliefs of others with indifference or some level of interest, whether or not they truly understand them. What gets me sometimes is the so-called 'enlightened' people who 1) renounce all religion and 2) simultaneously think that their religious/spiritual beliefs are exempt from judgment. In other words, they Have It All Figured Out. But you? You're the fool who believes in God, heaven and hell, and that being nice will get you somewhere (besides life satisfaction).

Of course, intellectually I can understand why people all over the world, and especially those of South Asian and Middle Eastern descent, have a distinctly anti-Muslim sentiment. Given the history of India, and the recent history of the world, Muslims havent't exactly created a sense of global goodwill. But one must distinguish the fanatics, the power-hungry, the agenda-driven, and the hypocrites. These are found in every organized religion. The solution for 'enlightened people' has been to do away with it all and create a new language in which the words 'God' and 'religion' do not exist. Ok. If we do it that way, I will replace God with 'The Overwhelming Force' and religion with 'way of life' (in fact, the Quran refers to Islam as a 'deen', or a way of life...it never uses the term religion).

My conversation with Dr. Raina the other day (a religion-renouncer and fervent proponent of distinctly non-religious enlightenment) sparked this post. But Delhi is overwhelmingly Hindu, and Islam is a minority...so the entire trip has made me reflect on religion, which is a good thing. As I see Hindus prostrating on the floor in front of gilded idols with painted faces, I think about my own beliefs (I also think when I'm around Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, etc...it all makes you think!). I stretch them, hold them up to the light, see if they fit me right and am still convinced that there is only one God, and this God does not marry, or have kids, or appear as a human being, fight with other gods, or engage in petty affairs.

I agree that organized religion has vastly contributed to the corruption, impurity, and desecration of true faith in a higher power. But where I disagree is in judging those who sincerely persist in their faith in God. Hey, I'm New-Agey too, in the sense that I want to continue to evolve, learn, grow, stretch myself, look inward and outward, and reach an inner sense of zen. This path is how I define happiness. But I find that wholly compatible with my belief that God revealed the Quran to Muhammad for the benefit of us humans as we hobble through life. If we could just read the holy scriptures (yep, all three of em) with common sense, trying our best to start over like babies without all those preconceived notions (whether they're positive or negative), I think we'd all come at least a little bit closer to the Truth.

At the end of the day, I think this sums up what I'd say to people who gently accuse believers of perpetuating the societal destruction that organized religion has caused: Live and let live. If we ALL followed that (even you enlightened ones) I think we'd be a much healthier race.