Our Islamic Identity: A Gift to Honor, Love, and Protect

"Identity...about realizing what and who we truly are, and being conscious of it at all times."
"Muslim identity among the spiritual elect has always been about behavior that is a product of God-consciousness (taqwa)..."
Above in quotes from:
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&pagename=Zone-English-Family%2FFYELayout&cid=1231223445470

______________________________________________________________________________
Our Islamic Identity is something to be proud of. Something to honor and to protect. Particularly in Non-Muslim societies, ideologies and beliefs and temptations that are prohibited by Islam lie in wait for the unaware, unsuspecting person who, sometimes, is too late to realize what trap they have walked into until they are a different person and, God Forbid, perhaps have even thrown away their Islamic Identity. But there is a way to be aware, to be ready to defend one's Islamic Identity.
"This defence is knowledge. The Muslim should arm himself with a correct Aqeedah and an awareness of what it means to be Muslim. Any attack, any attempt to subvert or mislead will then be in vain. If the Muslim knows the true nature of this society and if he can see how it is designed to mislead, then he will not fall into its traps. This ability to distinguish from right and wrong and chose right comes from a correct Aqeedah." Taken from: http://www.missionislam.com/knowledge/preserveident.htm

That is how to protect your Islamic Identity. Now, to Honor, Cherish, and Love it, which essentially is fundamental to wanting to protect your Islamic Identity in the first place.

If someone asks you, "Hey, you comin' to prom?" "You gettin' a boyfriend, or girlfriend anytime soon?"
You might say,"Oh, my mom would really get angry if she found out..."
"Uh, I wish I could, really, but I have this other thing to do that night..."
That demonstrates a lack of pride in your religion, and that you have some level of shame existent in your heart of your religion. Li-Mada? Cherra? Why?(BTW, the two words you might not know mean Why? Just in different languages.I had an urge to use 'em.)
Why would you have shame in your religion? The religion that promotes the welfare of humankind, the morals of kindness and generosity so much so you are rewarded by Allah(SWT), for the kind word you speak to the smile you give to the quarter you give to the poor, as long as your Niyyah, your intention, is sincere and pure. The religion that gave the rights to women when they, in the days of Jahilliyah(Ignorance), had none. The religion that makes utter sense, that is the only thing that can give you such a feeling of honor, comfort, and happiness, that sparks that feeling in your heart you can only feel when you think of Allah(SWT), think of your ultimate treasure, Islam. The religion that causes you to feel that same special feeling when you are donating that thousand dollars to Islamic Relief, and thinking of the good deeds you are gaining and not about how you were saving that money for a new T.V.

You know all those convert stories you hear? Those people had to search for Islam, to have it re-enter their hearts, while many of us were born and raised Muslim. And regardless of this blessing, some disregard it and abandon it. 



We come to honor our Islamic Identity as a result of our Taqwa and Love for our Religion. Strive to increase your Taqwa and Eman always, and don't discard the Gift Allah(SWT) has given you, Islam. Live by Islam, for Islam is a way of life. Verily, our Islamic Identity is a treasure that Allah(SWT) has Guided and Blessed us to keep and preserve. Many go astray, their Islamic Identity discarded. Don't be among them.



"This defence is knowledge. The Muslim should arm himself with a correct Aqeedah and an awareness of what it means to be Muslim. Any attack, any attempt to subvert or mislead will then be in vain. If the Muslim knows the true nature of this society and if he can see how it is designed to mislead, then he will not fall into its traps. This ability to distinguish from right and wrong and chose right comes from a correct Aqeedah." Taken from: http://www.missionislam.com/knowledge/preserveident.htm

For much more on Knowledge in Islam: http://writerinislam.blogspot.com/2005/06/seeking-knowledgeseeking-allah.html