Living the Muslim life

Alcohol and gambling are becoming a major concern for Muslims in the UK especially the younger generation. Britain boasts of being democratic but is being  democratic always good?, For us Muslims it is not always so. In our days democracy has a new definition, in Iraq it means occupation in the UK it means freedom. Because it’s free and aloud non-Muslims drink, gamble, have Illegal relation ships what’s more they don’t seem to realise what effect this has on them. But what has this got to do with us Muslims. Initially we are not in a Muslim  country therefore we have to be extra vigilant so as not to be influenced by acts of the non  Muslims. Muslims who fall into these traps gain nothing but punishment from god. Muslims who drink forget

their Islamic duties, and those who gamble just go into dept and those who have illegal relation ships end up with an illegitimate child. As you can see there is nothing good to be gained from these deeds. Nevertheless, the reality is that Muslims are facing these problems so how do we surmount them. One way is to keep yourself in the right company because many young Muslims smoke and drink as the result of peer pressure so if you are in the right company you wont be tempted. For the older  generation is a matter of finding the right place to settle by this I mean you should try to live in a Muslim community this way you are less likely to be influenced by the antics of non Muslims and you are constantly reminded of god which means you will be more vigilant.

In the UK there is Halal food so there should be no problems for the Muslim population regarding the issue of food. Think again, you will find that some Muslims don’t know what is Halal food is excluding pork. There many thing which is present in the food we buy which is Haram these include some  E-numbers, flavourings and glycerine. So how come we are not aware of it. It all comes down to that we were not taught properly ,the scholars in the mosques taught us that pork meet is Haram but what about the other substances. To override this problem I think Muslim science teachers should give student lessons on the E-numbers and flavours .To the wider Muslim public leaflets could be handed out giving us insight into what is Haram and what is Halal.From my past experience I now keep with a small leaflet which contains foods which are haram and foods which are halal and I constantly refer to this leaflet whenever I buy a new product.

Jihad is fighting in the way of Allah but unfortunately, this kind of jihad cannot be taken up here. So how can we do jihad without committing an offence or being branded as a terrorist. Well Muslims in the UK and other European countries could do Jihad l-Akbar, fighting against your inner self. This might seem easy but it takes a great deal of determination. Giving  charity is Jihad Al-Akbar because you are fighting against your inner self, you are fighting greed and in a sense you are doing jihad because you are helping the victims of war. When I see the news coverage of suffering and dying Muslims I tip every spare cash I have into the Islamic relief charity boxes, this way even though I know I am not there fighting I know I am making a difference in another way.

The issue of the Islamic dress is a growing concern for Muslims especially those in France as headscarves have been banned in schools .France is clearly setting a standard which it expects other countries to follow, and it might not be long before they follow as the recent court case of Shabina Begum indicates. In the UK headscarves have not been banned but still for some Muslim women it is not easy to wear Scarves and cover themselves this is because it makes them a target and are usually the prime suspects in any attack. And non -Muslim people have the idea that

Muslim women are confined and lonely. Some Muslim school girls don’t wear the scarves because of peer pressure. The solution is simple be proud of it don’t look down when you wearing it engage in activities this way people know and understand you better and might become less of a target and more of an inspiration.