Is The Double Life Worth It?
Before You Read: I understand that this message can be overwhelming if you are new to Islam or if you just finding your way back. My intention is not to cause you discomfort. I respect the journey you are on and I pray that Allah grants you ease as you strive for His sake.
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatuLlah wa barakaatuh.
Trust that you're good, striving and thriving.
You may be familiar with the double life. It looks something like this..
If you say that someone is living a double life, you mean that they lead two separate and very different lives, and they appear to be a different person in each- Collins Dictionary
Dee at work, school and an event..
Ameerah at home, mosque and yes! during Ramadan.
But this is beyond your name and whatever comes with bearing it. It is deeper than that. It is the illusion that you can switch the Muslim button on and off based on your environment. I recognize this so well and have had some experience with it too.
I will be honest here, it is convenient and easy especially when showing up as a muslim can bring forth everything, from stares, to endless explanations and the stark realization that you are strange.
But is it worth it?
Even though the double life can seem appealing it is also unrealistic and unsustainable in the long run. The angels have no buttons, neither do they have modes for us, there is nothing like ‘she is at work, she will get a free pass’ or we will stop writing now because she is on vacation, these things simply do not exist.
The Quran tells us that
إِذْ يَتَلَقَّى ٱلْمُتَلَقِّيَانِ عَنِ ٱلْيَمِينِ وَعَنِ ٱلشِّمَالِ قَعِيدٌۭ ١٧ مَّا يَلْفِظُ مِن قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌۭ
As the two recording-angels—˹one˺ sitting to the right, and ˹the other to˺ the left—note ˹everything˺, not a word does a person utter without having a ˹vigilant˺ observer ready ˹to write it down˺.50:17
All our actions are recorded irrespective who you are, where you are or the role you occupy.
What Must We Then Do, Now that we know this?
First all, understand that Islam has everything we need, it really does.
Then, we set our intentions and learn what is required of us as Muslims.
Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ
Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.
Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 224, Grade: Sahih
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Then, we apply this knowledge to our environments.
Have you ever wondered if….
Showing up as a muslim is your Jihad?
Has it ever occurred to you that applying Prophetic leadership to your workplace can be your version of striving?
What if ‘being too muslim-y’ is the key to that peace you so desperately seek?
What if maintaining modesty and establishing boundaries when dealing with the opposite sex is your jihad? What if your success in this is the reason that sexual harassment will reduce in the workplace?
What if your daily Solah is a reason for someone else to feel comfortable praying in our environment that is 1% Muslim?
What if your integrity is the basis for eradicating corruption in your unit?
What if your pride in Islam is what will grant you Jannah?
These are things that you cannot achieve if you are a muslim at Fajr and someone else by noon. These are things that only happen when you embrace who you are and fully appreciate that Allah chose you for this Deen.
Stop running Habibite…
You don’t need to be ashamed or afraid Allah is with you.
He is the One Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days,1 then established Himself on the Throne. He knows whatever goes into the earth and whatever comes out of it, and whatever descends from the sky and whatever ascends into it. And He is with you wherever you are.2 For Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.
Single? Married? Worker? Entrepreneur? Student? This message is for you. I can’t explain how I felt after I watched it but It was somewhere in between happy/inspired/motivated/good/schooled. May Allah bless our Sheikha and keep her on His path.
Our brothers and sisters in Gaza NEED us! They need our donations, Our Duas and our voices. Please pray for them in Tahajjud and every other time when Duas are answered. Please donate, every donation makes a difference. Please create awareness through your platforms and share the links to donate. Please help them . May Allah grant victory to the oppressed, grant Al Jannah Firdaus to those who have passed and grant them ease in all their affairs. Ameen
Till Next Week, Insha Allah
We leave you in Allah’s care,
One of us at Ibadahplug