Men In Islam

[Anyabwile]

So I decided I will write my essay about the REAL men in Islam, and how being a "real man" in Islam is SO much different from being a "real man" in America.


In America, a "real man" has a big truck, big muscles, big paycheck, and can have as many women as he wants.


How awful.


In Islam, a "real man" greets his brothers warmly with kisses and hugs, respectfully lowers his gaze around women, remains chaste with his wife, supports his family, and encourages them to be good, pious muslims.


How beautiful!

Just to emphasise the point you made above really. In Islam it's nice to see a brother who will greet you with Asalaam Alaikum and a warm hand shake. Sometimes even an embrace, as a revert for me it was strange at first but it's such a nice feeling.


One thing i like is when i'm coming home from work say, in my work clothes and i see a brother who's obviously, and greet him with Assalamu alaikum. His eyes'll light up and a big smile and normally th eresponse is "Oh you're Muslim? Assalamu Alaikum brother!!!" Then we're off talking about me being a revert etc etc. In the African-British community here in the UK amongst the older people, as a young African-British guy you can nod in the direction of the older African-British people and they'll greet you with a smile or a nod back. Kind of a nod of respect, but it doesn't exist much within the younger generation here anymore. But in Islam, no matter what age you are, color, race etc etc, if you're Muslim, then you're Muslim and that's it!


I've been told of an Masjid in my area that don't take to well to reverts who aren't Indian or Pakistani, Kashmiri. Also of course some Muslims would no doubt hold racist views. But are they Muslims? They're certainly not following the words of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) and the words of the Qur'an if they are so...whether to include them or not in this i don't know.


But yeh in summing up i'd say the best thing so far as a Muslim man i've seen in other Muslim men is the brotherhood. My Masjid is a mixture of all races, never seen anything like it. There were brothers almost crying for me when i pronounced my Shahada and i don't even know them. I know the western idea of men smiling at teach other or shaking hands / embracing in a friendly way is considered strange, it was unusual to me at first. But to think that it was strange to me because these fellow men were friendly shows just how twisted growing up in an un Islamic envioronment is. Over here getting drunk is normally as far as any kind of positive interaction between men goes. And for someone who never drank a drop of Alcohol even before he was Muslim, you can see how i was seen as a weirdo. My nickname was "the grandad" amongst people i knew cos i was never interested in going out drinking or clubbing. In Islam and the male community it's the direct opposite, love of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) brings us together as brothers, not love of drink / football or disresepcting women. Even now when i'm offered things for free from brothers it still takes a while to get used to.


Hope this helps