hypocrisy of men: religion

Closeup of the Saudi flag courtesy of Google

Look around us today and compare it to the Maldives of the past. Sure, you could see more cleavages 10 years ago. Someone who wore a veil was a rarity. Today someone who does not is a minority. So, one can argue that we are more religious. Or are we? Females wear veil but they also wear tight fitting clothes that will show every curve in their body. I am not complaining about seeing it, but this defeat the sole purpose of wearing a veil to cover your body. There are people who wear veil and yet wear skirts that are cut high enough to see their under garments. Once again, it's an arousing sight, but it begs the question of our religious values.

Speaking of values, it brings us to marriages. There are people who believe that young girls should marry. I'll be honest. If everything is said and done on the girl's will, then it's fine. But we can't go and preach saying you should marry at a young age. It leads to nothing but an increase in the divorce rate. Yeah it is better than two unmarried people fornicating. But it doesn't mean marrying young is the solution. There is no way a girl's body is physically ready to give birth or her mind to be mature enough to take care of a family at such a young age, especially when the husband is twice her age. Many people ask about our Prophet (PBUH). But let me say one thing. It was a different time. Those were times when women didn't have any place in society (I am being bluntly honest here). They had no education and no careers as compared to the women of today. Today, the women can look after themselves. They are independent and some even provide for the men. So times are going to change and we have to adapt to it but holding onto our core values.

Most people I know will not think twice knowing a non-Muslim died. Why is that? Being a non-Muslim doesn't make them a bad person. Like the time when Diana died, my Quran teacher told me she would go to hell and that she was an infidel. Who are we to decide where she will go after she dies? The fact is, regardless of her religious beliefs, she was a kind person. I have Muslim friends who are worse human beings than my non-Muslim friends. A person may believe what he wants to believe. It says so in the Quran that no one will be forced in religion. But once you choose Islam, then you are obligated to fulfill the duties and prayers. There are Muslims who kill other Muslims in the name of Jihad. There are Muslims who abuse their wives, rape their children and still call themselves Muslims. I would rather spit on their bodies than mourn for their death. What about all the killings in our society today? If one were to look at it through a critical lens, it would behoove one to superimpose this image on any other part of the western world. The only thing that classifies us as Muslims is our national identity. During the times of Ibrahim (A.S), he invited a non-Muslim over to dinner and the guy bows down to the fire (he worshiped fire). Ibrahim (A.S) got pretty darn angry and showed him to the door. And Allah told Ibrahim (A.S) that Allah dealt with all the shirk he committed his whole life but Ibrahim (A.S) couldn't withstand it even for a minute part of a night. He goes onto fetch the old man. He told the old man that Ibrahim (A.S) himself could have committed a worse sin in the eyes of Allah compared to the sin committed by the old man. So, as I said, who are we to judge others?

We have within us many laws that govern Islam. But how many times did they ever come to defend the victim. The ever increasing cases of child abuse and rape are just ignored. The girl who was raped by four maniacs was the guilty person. Why? Because she did not ask them to stop. Imagine there are four fucking guys holding you and trying to do God-knows-what to you. Will you really be begging them or will you just be hoping they would let you live? Likewise, what about the case of the concubine? The Islamic Ministry was quick to call it a lie. Why in the world did they have to do that? Shouldn't they try to find out the truth? The doctors' reports are there. The wife of our horny bastard agrees to the deed and yet, our religious scholars deny it. What about the husband who abuses his wife? Or rapes her? Yes I said rape. Marriage doesn't mean you can force the woman to have sex. It means you are bound together till death do you part. It says in the Quran (I paraphrase) that men are made as a clothing upon women and that women are made as a clothing upon men. In my opinion, the laws of men are made for their needs and to oppress any opposition. One can argue that it is the woman’s duty to fulfill the desire of the man. Well, there is a saying that if the woman turns away from the needs of her husband, angels will pray woe unto her. Is it the same case if the man is a self proclaimed uncaring asshole? I think not. The woman may have a reason she turns herself away from the man. Likewise, it doesn’t give the man any right to treat his woman like shit either. This is one area, where the laws of men completely fucked up.

The consensus among some of us is that suicide is a mean to Jihad. Since when was suicide allowed in Islam? You can have Al-Usthaaz, Ah-Shaih, Ah-Jaahil to your name and it still wouldn't change the fact that suicide is just wrong. Going to war knowing that you will die is different from going and killing yourself. And not distinguishing women and children is wrong. The Prophet (PBUH) once got very angry when (I think it was a kid) was killed in a battle. So who are we today to go and preach and brainwash innocent kids into killing themselves. And you call yourselves Muslims?

Forgiveness: Islam is supposed to be the religion of peace and harmony. But you put one toe out of line, and your ass will go to the gallows. Not really gallows, but you get the idea. We make one mistake and that person will make us rue our very existence. There is a saying that Allah loves those who repent and those who are clean. I take that means, even if we do something bad, it shouldn't hang over our heads like a mistletoe for the rest of our lives. Don't mistake it for letting pedophiles, rapists, and murderers walk free.

Life after death: I have always talked about the 72 virgins in a lot of my posts. Here is why I say so. Why is that every time they talk of paradise they bring up that topic? Like the lecture given by Sheikh Ilyas the other night, he constantly went on and on about that topic. For me, it seems like using, well for lack of a better word, sex to promote religion. What about all the other things people need? Why not the 72 virgins for the women? I have read many answers given by scholars for this question but I think it's unfair as far as our sisters our concerned.

Questioning our beliefs: We are groomed and brought up to believe that questioning our beliefs is a breach of our fidelity. How come? If we have an honest question about our religion shouldn’t we be able to ask? It would only make things clearer to us. Instead, our parents and teachers alike tell us to watch our mouth and we are left to ignorance. Same can be seen in the case of sex related issues. If a kid asks about something sexual he/she would be scolded and at a time when some adult abuses the kid, he/she will be too afraid to talk about it because for them sex is something dirty and disgusting and they don’t want to be associated to sex even if their father’s good friend abuses them on a daily basis.

Finally, I am not a Saint. I have done bad things too and I regret committing those sins. It's not up to you to judge me nor to punish me. I leave that in thy hands, Allah. Adios...