[Slideshaare] a muslim’s reflection on identity’

Extracted from module:
UNDERSTANDING OF THE DEEN (AL-ISLAM)
Intermediate Islamic (FIQH) course in English
Conducted by Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail
All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2015))
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,
MOST COMPASSIONATE,MOST COMPASSIONATE,
MOST MERCIFUL.MOST MERCIFUL.

Among the most glaring weakness of Muslims being exposed to
contemporary “secular-materialist-liberal” post-modernist era is the
confusion in knowledge and loss of ADAB.
And the topic of ADAB is rarely emphasized today in Muslims’
education, whereas the Western, secular, atheistic, materialistic, profit-
driven motivational model are seen as the norm, etc. the impact upon
human loosing their primordial identity (what as Muslims we understand
as FITwRAH) is indeed critically grave.
Even if Muslims recognize this, their vague understanding of what ADAB
means and entail, need to be corrected.

“ …. it is very much related to the Islamic concept of Education - for
ADAB is recognition and acknowledgement of the Reality, and knowing
of one’s place in the order of things; capable of putting the right thing
in their rightful place, in their rightful manner; rendering just due to
whomsoever has the right, and in our acquisition of rightful things to
be in accordance with the right proportion and under the right
circumstance …. It is very closely related to the Islamic concept of
al-’Adl (the justice)*, the upholding of which leads to TAQWA (the
consciousness of Allah)”
* Including al-QISTw –higher form of justice (tampered with IHSAN)
Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail – course on “Islamic Concept of Adab”Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail – course on “Islamic Concept of Adab”
All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2015)) FROM PREVIOUS LESSON

recognition and acknowledgement of the Reality

and knowing of one’s place in the order of things

 SO, WHO ARE WE REALLY ?
 CAN WE HAVE MULTIPLE IDENTITY ?
 WHAT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING OF ‘IDENTITY’ :
BETWEEN : LIKE THAT OF:
[a] ….. A CHAMELEON; OR
[b] ….. THE BULB OF AN ONION; OR
[c] ….. A HUMAN WEARING COSTUMES
OPEN CLASS DISCUSSION

FURTHER ELUCIDATION OF THEFURTHER ELUCIDATION OF THE
‘‘LIKENESS’LIKENESS’ – (Parable)– (Parable)
IN UNDERSTANDING OF IDENTITYIN UNDERSTANDING OF IDENTITY

ELUCIDATION OF THE ‘LIKENESS’ – (Parable) :
Wikipedia –
“In psychology and sociology, identity is a person's conception and
expression of their own (self-identity) and others' individuality or group
affiliations (such as national identity and cultural identity).”
So by “identity”, it is relative to a person’s (1) conception – of himself;
and (2) how he wish to express or be known.
Yet, his conception of himself may not be the reality, or merely a
superficial cognition, or may even be delusion, concocted by self or peers.
IDENTITY

Thus the effect in the expression of himself (self-identity) to others,
would be relative to those whomever he is addressing to – or witnessing to -
as well as it depends upon his own cognizant of his own self (whether it be
with the real knowledge or otherwise, or perhaps what he may imagine or
regard to be representing himself).
As such, a person in life indeed may have to and project a multifarious
identity depending upon his roles, functions, common background shared
etc. , although he is but one person (NAFS – spiritual cognitive Self).
IDENTITY

IDENTITY
Yet, most of these identities are the inevitable outcome of living and
interacting as we grow – as expected by social convention sometimes
imposed upon us which we conform for the sake of maintaining semblance of
harmony, or for social acceptance, albeit artificially or even begrudgingly –
(like the clothe we wearlike the clothe we wear).
Some identity becomes ‘absorbed’ as part of who we are automatically,
like a reflex. This identity can be formed if adopted over a period of time
without any inner-resistance – whether by customs or social programming or
because of genuine belief, acceptance and nurturing – (like the chameleon).

IDENTITY
All these may explain the dynamics of how multifarious ‘identities’ are
formed in a person. From externally imposed norm, gradually becoming or
growing onto a persons’ ‘identity’ – some artificially worn, while some
other may become manifested as part of a person’s disposition (reflex).
Yet, are these ‘identities’ that which reflect the person’s true self ?
The Islamic perspective of education of man begins by addressing the
ontological – when a Muslim’s identity has to be grounded upon the Faith
(IIMAN) in the Reality (HAQIQAH) of TAUHEED (Attestation to the Absolute
Oneness of Allah) – (like the layers in a bulb of the onion).

IDENTITY
Islam invites man to first acknowledge the Reality in its TAUHEEDIC
message, from whence a Muslim strive to develop a persona or identity,
requiring manifesting its TRUTH as the (SHAHEEDAN) Witness to this Reality.
The essence of TAUHEED also demands him to be Sincere (IKHLASW),
Truthful (SIDQ), Trustworthy (AMANAH) etc. thereby requiring him,
regarding his true self, to always reflect truth, to inculcate and exude noble
disposition (AKHLAQ) as part of his nature, steadfastly consistent in his
belief, practice and character - outwardly (ZAAHIR) and inwardly (BATHIN).

“THE BULB OF AN ONION”
Just like the bulb of onion, we should begin from the core essence of
who we really are, capable of growth as we begin to assume our roles and
functions in life – our identities liken as layers in onion, as we develop.
Nurturing of the bulb can be seen in that it develops layers upon layers
of itself nourished by sunlight and water while submitting to the motherly
embrace of the earth, as it respond to nature .
Perhaps we may learn that for us human too, our life development is
dependent upon Allah’s SWT grace and will , to be continuously sustained
with our responding to the ‘life-giving’ teaching of AD-DEEN-UL-ISLAM .
# [a]

““O you who have believed, O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when respond to Allah and to the Messenger when
he calls you to that which gives you lifehe calls you to that which gives you life. And know that Allah intervenes . And know that Allah intervenes
between a man and his heart and that to Him you will be gathered.”between a man and his heart and that to Him you will be gathered.”
((Qur’an: Anfaal:8: 24Qur’an: Anfaal:8: 24))
# [a]

# [a]

““So direct your face toward the religion (So direct your face toward the religion (DEENDEEN),),
inclining to truth (inclining to truth (HENEEFANHENEEFAN). [Adhere to] the). [Adhere to] the
FIFITwTwRAHRAH of Allah upon which He has createdof Allah upon which He has created
[all] people. No change should there be in the[all] people. No change should there be in the
creation of Allah. That is the correct religion, butcreation of Allah. That is the correct religion, but
most of the people do not know.”most of the people do not know.”
((Qur’an: Rum: 30: 30Qur’an: Rum: 30: 30))
# [a]

Islam as AD-DEEN, guides a Muslim in every aspect of life, and consistent
with its concern of man’s well-being in the Hereafter.
And nurturing us with ADAB, is what our education should be from the
Islamic -TAUHEEDIC paradigm – a single comprehensive development, not a
Secularist-Dualistic system which dichotomize the worldly from the
Hereafter, the material from the spiritual, the outward from the inward etc.
Islam seeks to endow Muslim with beneficial knowledge, skills and
disposition (nature) in his ‘person’ – being genuine inwardly and outwardly.
His character and identity is indeed also his true self – not a mask.
# [a]

Just like the onion growing layers in the earth, developing an outer layer
(skin) which filters and absorbed whatever nutrients thereby increasing its
size inwardly, Islamic teaching adequately prepares a Muslim to interact in
whatever environment – with ADAB. We are to interact and perhaps we
may be tainted from the dirt outwardly as in the skin of the onion yet,
inwardly we remain true to how ‘onion bulb’ (FITWRAH ) should be.
The outer skin of the onion must be alive and be functioning well to keep
out dirt from affecting the inner core. The skin of dead or ‘dysfunctional’
onion bulb can cause disease and rotting to permeate the inner layers.
# [a]

For Muslims, the concept of striving with TAQWA leads to discernment
called FURQAN, which guides him to filter the bad and evil.
# [a]

For Muslims, the concept of striving with TAQWA leads to discernment
called FURQAN, which guides him to filter the bad and evil.
““O you who have attained to faith! If you remain conscious ofO you who have attained to faith! If you remain conscious of
(and fear transgressing against) Allah -(and fear transgressing against) Allah -TAQWATAQWA. He will endow. He will endow
you with a standard (criterion) by which to discern the true fromyou with a standard (criterion) by which to discern the true from
the false (the false (FURQANFURQAN), and will efface your bad deeds, and will), and will efface your bad deeds, and will
forgive you your sins: for Allah is limitless in His great bounty.”forgive you your sins: for Allah is limitless in His great bounty.”
((Qur’an: Anfaal: 8: 29Qur’an: Anfaal: 8: 29))
# [a]

Just like the onion, our outer (superficial) identity or identities
which we may have to assume, may not always define who we truly
and essentially are.
Also, for an onion, where peeling each layers especially to remove
layers of dead or infected outer skins may be required, to ultimately
reveal the true core of an onion, so too is with man’s identity.
# [a]

“A CHAMELEON”
A chameleon has a natural ability to change its appearance by blending
into its surrounding, as a survival mechanism.
In life, humans too would be required to adapt and conform to some
positive outward identity, similar with others as a social convention. Yet,
which suitable identities to be manifested may have to be learnt and
practiced overtime, with experience until it becomes ‘second nature’ like
that of a chameleon. Thus, customs, trends or convention are regimented
social engineering, whence ‘identities’ are usually being forged. It is indeed
scary when such programs are unquestioningly accepted and promoted.
# [b]

“A CHAMELEON”
Unfortunately, most country’s aim and objective policy on national
education usually would be towards producing ‘good citizens’. Yet, what is
meant by ‘good’ is subjective to what its leaders and those with power
may dictate or manipulate to be accepted.
When religion and ethics are ignored, when inherent values in human
are being suppressed or subverted until what is natural in us human can be
changed, then being a ‘good citizen’ may not be the same as producing a
‘good human being’.
# [b]

“A HUMAN WEARING COSTUMES”
Therefore it would be better that all externally imposed identity or
identities to be adopted be first liken like the ‘dress or costume’ - i.e. still
detached from our natural self, worn only for its positive benefits.
Any clothes or costumes are primarily worn to :
[1] Firstly conceal what one is ashamed to reveal – ‘AURAH. Any identity
must respect one’s privacy and the right to preserving one’s honour and
religious principles one holds. Any identity which runs counter to this, only
seek to deny and demean oneself and must be rejected or opposed. Like
costumes, if unsuitable it should be easily taken off and discarded.
# [c]

[2] Secondly, it should be fitting and gives us comfort or protection from
negative elements. One must be aware of any discomfort, and therefore if
forced by circumstance to wear such identity, it must be only as the
exigency (DHARURIYYAH) permits (i.e. temporary).
[3] Thirdly it should grants us dignity – being clean, exuding beauty and
elegance and not blameworthy. Any identity which symbolizes evil,
ungodliness, immorality, enmity etc. is to be shunned whereas identity
which promotes universal value of goodness, justice and well-being for all,
etc. is encouraged by Islam for Muslims to be affiliated to.
# [c]

Although for the purpose of sharing sense of belonging, there may be
clothes worn like ‘uniform’ to forge a common identity, yet if this factor is
rigidly defined – outwardly monolithic, then it is an ‘artificial identity’ and
may even lead to suppression of personal rights of members and stifling
their expression of their inherent differences, creativity and uniqueness.
To feel discomfort under such circumstance is justifiable and natural.
The collective identity we ought to seek is ‘Unity in diversity’ rather than a
‘pretension of unity’ for the sake of propaganda or promoting membership
like being in some cult-like movement’.
# [c]

# [c]

““O mankind, indeed We have created youO mankind, indeed We have created you
from male and female and made you peoplesfrom male and female and made you peoples
and tribes that you may know one another.and tribes that you may know one another.
Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight ofIndeed, the most noble of you in the sight of
Allah is the most righteous (Allah is the most righteous (TAQWATAQWA) of you.) of you.
Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.”Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.”
((Qur’an: Hujurat: 49: 13Qur’an: Hujurat: 49: 13))
# [c]
WALLAAHU-A’-LAM
And Allah Knows All

[Slideshaare] a muslim’s reflection on identity’

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[Slideshaare] a muslim’s reflection on identity’