A lot of critics nowadays assert that the reason Muslims are where they are today is due to excessive identification/reliance on faith and in some cases complete disassociation of their national identity. What I mean by this, is instead of identifying a Muslim Empire as a Arab, Turkish or Persian civilization, Muslims identify it as Islamic. Islam as a religion, doesn't put emphasis on nationality, in fact it focuses mostly on faith that can be attained by anyone. However, some see this a problem. Because if Muslims of various national backgrounds identify moreso with Islam rather than their history/achievements behind their background then this causes a identity crisis. What this means is that Muslims don't really know what culture to follow since Islam is indeed a way of life but not a culture. So what happens is that they blend Islam with something like Persian , Turkish, Indonesian and Arab culture as some examples. This shows that Muslims try to implement Islam as a culture when it really isn't, so they follow some traditions pertaining to their nationality but overall they are struggling to have a modern way of life or any sense of belonging to a culture.
Why is this? Because Muhammad(SAW) the Prophet in Islam did not appreciate Arab culture. Arab culture, while they were nomads had an Arab way of life which included consumption of alcohol, dance rituals, pride in their Arab/tribal identity, interest in poetry, polytheism, no belief in after life or following set of laws during this life, etc....Muhammad once he succeeded in delivering the message of Islam eventually banished almost of this. In Islam drinking is not allowed, pre-marital relations with opposite sex is not allowed, listening to music isn't allowed, having too much fun isn't allowed, you need to pray 5 times a day, you shouldn't watch bad tv shows or listen to bad mesages in society(movies). Essentially it is very strict religion, Arabs at that time were content with it because they had simple lifestlye and socalized a lot with each other.
In the modern world though, observing Islam as it is is very difficult not just for Western Muslims but Muslims in the East. Because music, partying, pre-marital relations, movies, etc....have become norms. So what happens is Muslims not sure what to do follow this culture completely, so they are essentially Muslim by name. But the Muslims who try observing Islam have a difficult time, because they can't find people who relate with their interests, not even other Muslims. So these Muslims either begin questioning their faith and God or they become more extreme with their views. And this is why some Muslims are joining ISIS. Because remember the people who compromise ISIS aren't just upset at political status quo in region but more importantly they notice that religion has lost its prominence in the world. And that secularism is the superior way of life, and it is being chosen by all people around world including Muslims. So ISIS realizes Abrahamic religion is in danger and with this insurgency they are trying to restore its prominence by showing that religion can be an alternative and hence they want to prove it by taking over the Middle East. This is why they are resorting to terror attacks such as one we saw in France recently. Because they are very desperate to prove that the way of life according to Abrahamic faiths is not man-made and is compatible with humans.
So we are entering a phase in the world where there is a clash of civilzations not between Muslims and the West, but between Secularism and Strict Abrahamic way of life. So this means many if not most Muslims will be on the side of the West. However this thread wasn't do analyze this clash, or predict how it will ensure. It was to make my point that I don't believe there is such a thing as Islamic civilization, it is simply not a culture and hence it can't survive today without use of force. As all religions(Christianity and Judaism have no prominence anymore because humans prefer Secularism). That doesn't mean I doubt God. I believe in God but I always ask myself what was the purpose of this? Did God really want humanity to choose between him and Secularism? Is this how the world will play off in the coming decades? A war between people who believe religion should dominate and people who want secularism to dominate?
In Islam, Muhammad spoke the words:
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the unbeliever.”
These words make Muhammad even more interesting to me. He is acknowledging that life if following Islam is pretty much a 'prison' and for those that follow secularism it is fun, full of achievements, etc....So does God want us to experience a prison on this earth in order to reap salvation/his reward? And if so until how long? Because indeed I do feel as if I live in a prison where I don't belong obversving Islam.
Why is this? Because Muhammad(SAW) the Prophet in Islam did not appreciate Arab culture. Arab culture, while they were nomads had an Arab way of life which included consumption of alcohol, dance rituals, pride in their Arab/tribal identity, interest in poetry, polytheism, no belief in after life or following set of laws during this life, etc....Muhammad once he succeeded in delivering the message of Islam eventually banished almost of this. In Islam drinking is not allowed, pre-marital relations with opposite sex is not allowed, listening to music isn't allowed, having too much fun isn't allowed, you need to pray 5 times a day, you shouldn't watch bad tv shows or listen to bad mesages in society(movies). Essentially it is very strict religion, Arabs at that time were content with it because they had simple lifestlye and socalized a lot with each other.
In the modern world though, observing Islam as it is is very difficult not just for Western Muslims but Muslims in the East. Because music, partying, pre-marital relations, movies, etc....have become norms. So what happens is Muslims not sure what to do follow this culture completely, so they are essentially Muslim by name. But the Muslims who try observing Islam have a difficult time, because they can't find people who relate with their interests, not even other Muslims. So these Muslims either begin questioning their faith and God or they become more extreme with their views. And this is why some Muslims are joining ISIS. Because remember the people who compromise ISIS aren't just upset at political status quo in region but more importantly they notice that religion has lost its prominence in the world. And that secularism is the superior way of life, and it is being chosen by all people around world including Muslims. So ISIS realizes Abrahamic religion is in danger and with this insurgency they are trying to restore its prominence by showing that religion can be an alternative and hence they want to prove it by taking over the Middle East. This is why they are resorting to terror attacks such as one we saw in France recently. Because they are very desperate to prove that the way of life according to Abrahamic faiths is not man-made and is compatible with humans.
So we are entering a phase in the world where there is a clash of civilzations not between Muslims and the West, but between Secularism and Strict Abrahamic way of life. So this means many if not most Muslims will be on the side of the West. However this thread wasn't do analyze this clash, or predict how it will ensure. It was to make my point that I don't believe there is such a thing as Islamic civilization, it is simply not a culture and hence it can't survive today without use of force. As all religions(Christianity and Judaism have no prominence anymore because humans prefer Secularism). That doesn't mean I doubt God. I believe in God but I always ask myself what was the purpose of this? Did God really want humanity to choose between him and Secularism? Is this how the world will play off in the coming decades? A war between people who believe religion should dominate and people who want secularism to dominate?
In Islam, Muhammad spoke the words:
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the unbeliever.”
These words make Muhammad even more interesting to me. He is acknowledging that life if following Islam is pretty much a 'prison' and for those that follow secularism it is fun, full of achievements, etc....So does God want us to experience a prison on this earth in order to reap salvation/his reward? And if so until how long? Because indeed I do feel as if I live in a prison where I don't belong obversving Islam.