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“O you who believe! Enter into Islam completely (and wholeheartedly), and do not follow the footsteps of Shaytaan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.”(Qur’an 2:208)
One of the subtle but dangerous trends of our time is that many of us no longer allow the Deen to shape our lives.
Instead, we shape the Deen to fit our lifestyles.We are often eager to organise events, launch initiatives, and support noble causes. At first glance, everything appears “Islamic.”
There are Arabic slogans, Islamic names, reminders of Allah, and perhaps even a nasheed playing in the background. But if we look a little deeper, we find that much of what is taking place is borrowed from modern entertainment culture, with only a light sprinkling of Islam added to make it seem acceptable.
The Deen has become a flavour, not the foundation.We convince ourselves that because the intention is good, the means no longer matter. We believe that mentioning Allah’s name somehow transforms an impermissible act into a permissible one. Music is relabelled as an “Islamic nasheed” because the lyrics contain the name of Allah.
Programmes are held in the name of supporting noble causes such as Palestine, yet many of the activities surrounding them are themselves contrary to the teachings of Islam. We assume that attaching an Islamic label is enough.But is this the way of submission?
If we were genuinely concerned about pleasing Allah, would we not first ask those whom Allah has entrusted with the knowledge of His Deen?
Before organising an event, introducing a new practice, or adopting a new trend, why do we not consult the (truthful) Ulama? Why do we not seek guidance from the Darul Iftaas (on Haqq)? Why are they often the last people we ask or sometimes not asked at all?The answer is uncomfortable, but simple.Many of us fear that the answer will not agree with our desires.We already know what we want to do. We merely seek approval for it. If we suspect that the scholars will advise otherwise, we avoid asking altogether.
Sadly, many have begun to view the Ulama as “old-fashioned,” “outdated,” “too strict,” or “living in the Stone Age.”
Yet these are the very people who have devoted decades of their lives to studying the Qur’an, the Sunnah, the principles of Fiqh, and the legacy of the pious predecessors. Their responsibility is not to make the Deen convenient for us. Their responsibility is to convey it as it is.Islam was never revealed to conform to culture.
Rather, culture is meant to conform to Islam.Allah did not command us to practise those parts of the religion that are comfortable while ignoring those that challenge our desires.
He Ta’alaa commanded us:
“O you who believe! Enter into Islam completely.”(Qur’an 2:208)
Complete submission means allowing revelation(not trends, public opinion, social media, or popular culture)to determine our choices.
Perhaps we should also pause and reflect upon a question that many Muslims ask today:”Why are our du’as not being answered?”
Could it be that while we raise our hands asking Allah for His help, we are reluctant to submit to His commands? We seek victory, blessings, and divine assistance, yet often insist on doing things our own way.Allah’s promise of His aid is attached to obedience, not merely to slogans and emotions.
The need of our time is not for a more “modern” Islam, nor for a more “appealing” Islam.* The need of our time is sincere submission;accepting the guidance of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ even when it goes against our preferences, our upbringing, or the norms of society.
The sweetness of Imaan is not found in reshaping Islam to suit ourselves. It is found in reshaping ourselves to suit Islam.
May Allah grant us the humility to seek guidance before taking action, the sincerity to accept the truth even when it is difficult, and the ability to practise Islam in its entirety, not merely as a flavour added to our lives, but as the very foundation upon which they are built.آمين
