Challenges of Growing up as a Muslim in America, Waresa

The Blessed Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) once said that there will come a time when the struggle to live like a good Muslim will be so hard that it would be like holding a hot coal in your hand. We Muslims are living in that time. It is very challenging for us to live like good Muslims. There are so many problems we have to deal with and so many issues we face in our everyday life; like food, dress code, discrimination, keeping our identity while trying to fit in the American society. These are definitely not easy tasks.

            If you think about it, before eating anything we have to think twice. Is the food halal? Does it have gelatin? . When we go to McDonald’s we can’t just order anything we want. We have a limited option so we are stuck with a fish sandwich. You have to eat the halal food even if it’s not your favorite.

Another challenge for many Muslims is dress code.  For girls it’s wearing the hijab and abiyah. Wearing a hijab and abiyah in an American society can be difficult. Especially when everyone around us is wearing tight unislamic clothing. Sometimes people may discriminate you just because you are wearing the hijab. Sometimes people may tell you to take it off. It is hard to stay on the straight path when everyone is trying to push you off, telling you you’re the wrong path.

However, I think the biggest challenge is trying to keeping our identity and not trying to imitate the disbelievers.  Since we are surrounded by disbelievers we try to act like them. We try to fit in by copycatting their western lifestyle. When we watch TV it is easy for us to get influenced to wear what the disbelievers wear. It is easy for us to try to act and behave like the actors and actresses we see on Disney Channel or Nickelodeon. We sometimes get the thought that the people on TV are “beautiful” and we lose our confidence as a Muslims.  That’s a big problem; we can’t lose our confidence as Muslims.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) warned us about this, 1400 years ago, what we are facing now.

The prophet (S.A.W.) said, "You will surely follow the ways, steps, or traditions of those who came before you, span by span and yard by yard (very closely) even if they entered a lizard's hole you will enter it." The companions asked, "Oh prophet, you mean the Jews and Christians?" so he answered, "Who else!" [Reported by Imam Bukhari]

The second hadith is "He is not one of us, he who imitates others. Do not imitate either the Jews or the Christians." [Reported by ImamsTermithy & Abu-Dawd]

So as you can see growing in America can be quite challenging. There are many tough situations we have to deal with. When we want to stay on the straight path and try to be better Muslims we have to struggle in some way.

Yet, when I realize it, the struggle is a form of worship for us, and everything becomes worth it.

Copyright Muslim and I Know It