Introduction
"Are you an Arab, Turk
or Bosnian?" they ask.
"No" we reply.
"Oh, so what, then, is your nationality?"
"Australian" we firmly state.
"Then, what is your ethnic background?"
"Fifth generation Australian, English heritage" we tell them.
And so the conversation goes on with Muslims who express their faith. Islam generally perceived to be alien or belonging to the east, is increasingly becoming the faith of the "West". The increasing numbers of conversions to Islam are rendering Islam an indigenous Australian religion, thereby dissolving the common misnomer of "every Muslim is an Arab, and every Arab a Muslim".
Tragically the events of September 2001in America and the October 2002 Bali
bombings have exacerbated the concept of the great divide between Islam and the
west. However, Islam, perceived to be incompatible with the west - pending an
inevitable clash of civilizations - can no longer been seen in such a
simplistic manner, with Western Muslim reverts demonstrating the compatibility
and universality of Islam.
The proceeding experiences of fellow Australian Muslim reverts could not have
been compiled at a more significant time - a time when Islam is portrayed in the
media as "oppressive" and "violent". The following accounts of Australian
Muslim reverts are critical in building bridges between Muslim communities and
the wider society. This book is pertinent in creating Islamic awareness by
conveying the experiences of Australians who chose to live Islam.
It is worth noting that the term reverts is preferred to that of
converts because of the Islamic concept of fitrah- the natural inclination
of all human beings to the belief of One God. The term fitrah is
described by Yasien Mohamed (1998:3) as, "an inborn natural disposition which
cannot change and which exists in all human beings". Thus, the Islamic concept
of every human being born with an innate belief in One God, thus Muslim, and the
resulting socialisational suppression of this belief, means that upon acceptance
of Islam, people are not converting to it, they are reverting to it.
The Prophet
Muhammad, peace be upon him, stated:
No babe is born but upon
Fitra. It is his parents who make him a Jew or a Christian or a Polytheist. A
person said: Allaah's Messenger, what is your opinion if they were to die before
that (before reaching the age of adolescence when they can distinguish between
right and wrong)? He said: It is Allaah alone Who knows what they would be
doing. Hadith – Muslim.
This Islamic concept of fitrah, of having an innate
belief in One God, further enhances the universality of Islam, demonstrating its
compatibility with all people rather than as a clashing force. It is not
uncommon to find the following stories of Australian Muslim reverts revealing
that Islam merely confirmed what they had already believed. It is the clarity
and simplicity of Islam that have been stated as key factors that have attracted
so many to this faith. To become a Muslim one need only declare the testimony of
faith.
Yasin Dutton (1999:153-154) describes this process, "this two-fold acceptance is enshrined in the double declaration of faith, 'I bear witness that there is no god but God, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God', which when said in front of witnesses, marks the formal entry of someone into the community of Muslims (A fuller definition of this acceptance would include the six elements of belief, namely: belief in Allah, the angels, the divinely revealed books, the prophets, the Last Day and the Decree, both the sweet of it and bitter of it)".
The declaration of faith has seven conditions: (1) knowledge of its meaning, (2) certainty which is to have complete surety of it, (3) exclusively worshipping Allah, (4) truthfulness and (5) love for the Shahadah and pleasure for what it necessitates and, (6) submissive compliance by fulfilling its rights, which are obligatory actions, (7) acceptance, This is achieved by doing what is commanded and avoiding that which is prohibited (Al-Fawzaan, 1998:33).
Dutton (1999:154) states, “..it is presumed that in taking Shahadah the
individual be prepared to live in accordance to what Allah and His Messenger
have decreed in both the Quran - the divine revelation as conveyed by the
Prophet Muhammad and the Sunnah, example of the Prophet, which together form the
basis of Islam and the Shariah (Islamic Law). Although, the declaration of faith
enters one into Islam, required of the Muslim in addition to their faith, is
acting in accordance with its teachings.”
The families, friends and colleagues of Muslim reverts may initially respond with wariness and negativity to the reversion. However, observing positive changes in the behaviour of the individual in some cases leads to not only an acceptance of the individual's decision, but an appreciation of the positive effect and changes that have consequently emerged.
The reasons for reversion vary. A number of reverts have actively sought a
purpose and meaning to life, and looked to religion for answers. Others were
introduced to Islam through contact with Muslims, being influenced and impressed
by their mannerisms, thus leading to their reversion. Significantly, the media
portrayal of Islam as oppressive and violent has sparked an interest among some
of the individuals to investigate Islamic teachings. Finding the contrary of
what is depicted in the media has increased interest, there-by furthering
investigation which has subsequently led individuals to learn about Islam and
adopt it as a way of life.
Within the ensuing stories one will find described the experiences of such
Australian Muslim reverts, whose desire it is to share their experiences and in
their own way to bridge the gap which exists between those who understand, and
those who do not.
Tuba Boz.
References:
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