[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 THE FURTHER ELUCIDATION OF THE

‘‘LIKENESS’ LIKENESS’ – (Parable) – (Parable)

IN UNDERSTANDING OF IDENTITY IN 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).All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2015))


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 created of 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, but creation 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 of O 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 from you 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 you O mankind, indeed We have created you

from male and female and made you peoples from 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 of Indeed, 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