For the first time ever, I am ashamed to say I am a Muslim woman... Why?

Question

Because the last thing I want is to be compared to some of the arrogant and 'uppity' people I have found here. I am modest, but apparently not modest enough for some people. I am faithful and obedient to Allah, but apparently not faithful and obedient enough. Swearing my devotion to Allah is apparently overshadowed by little things I do that others feel are condemnable in Islam. I find that to be extremely sad and for the first time ever, I am ashamed to be associated with others who claim to share my faith.

Has anyone else ever felt this way?

Anthony, I love my religion. It's some people I have issue with...

Answer 1

Sister, who cares what they think? Let them. They shouldn't be so judgmental in the first place. Some concentrate so hard on the rituals while forgetting completely about the spirit. As long as you know you are doing right and that your intentions are only to please Allah, then there should be no problem. Be yourself, forget what they say. If we all lived by what everyone else wanted, we wouldn't be living our own lives. Stay strong, for you are so very strong, Terry. And you are valuable. This is a test. You can pass it. Know that I am here for you if you need me.

Answer 2

Yes! I'm a Christian and I am frequently embarassed by the decidedly "un-Christian" things I see and hear and read from other Christians. I'm not sure I would use the term ashamed because that might suggest that I'm somehow responsible for their behavior and neither of us are responsible for the behavior of another person.

Perhaps anger is a better word. I get extremely angry when people suggest that my religion is responsible for heinous acts like the crusades or the holocaust. I can imagine you would be equally angry at the accusations that all Muslims are terrorists. ...but when criticisms (hate) come from our own brothers and sisters, it seems much worse.

Seems like both of our religions have "extremists" who have no problem attacking outsiders AND people who share the same basic faith. You're not modest enough...I've been accused of that (probably for different reasons)...you're not faithful or obedient enough...been there too. I've had Christians tell me that I'm not a "real Christian" because I drank a glass of wine, because I don't wear a dress to church on Sunday (or because I go on Sunday instead of Saturday), because I went out dancing, because I let my son attend a public school and more.

You might try my strategy. If you know that you are modest and faithful and obedient and when you pray, if Allah isn't putting things on your heart that you need to change, you should just ignore those people that say differently.

Answer 3

How come this question didn't show up in my network's Q&A?

ANYWAYS... don't be ashamed to say that u're a Muslim... u should just feel sorry for those arrogant and uppity ppl... cz God hasn't given them the mind n brains that's been given to u :)
this is how I see it :D
I thank God everyday that I was a born Muslim... cz I'm not sure if I could have found the right path in time... but... I see u... n u're a revert... n I adore u for that... cz u found the right path... n that says alot of good about u... :)

Sometimes... I see some Muslim ppl who limit God's powers... saying stuff like how can Imam Madhi (a.s.) be alive after hundreds of years... its not possible...
This person, who says that, is limiting God's power... cz God can do whatever He wishes... n if He wishes to give a very long life to someone... then its a done deal... n if He wishes to hide that person from the world... for a certain amount of time... then again... its possible for Him to do so... cz this is God we're talking about...

Its bcz of limiting God's power that ppl loose faith... that's why some turn away from Islam... or any monotheistic religion...
When u (not u... generally talking) limit God's power... then gods n goddesses would emerge!

Answer 4

Assalamu Alikom,

Sister I apologize on behalf of those who made you feel this way!
And listen, No one ever has the right to judge, no one ever knows what's in your heart, so don't pay much attention to what people say.

Only Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala could judge.

You believe in God, not in People, we all have our own bad habits, even those who keep judging you, I bet they have their shameful deeds that they hide (like everyone else)

You can't be perfect, we all can't, but we all shall do our best to satisfy the Almighty subahanahu, not caring for what people say !

Answer 5

Don't care what the other people did or said to you.

Don't afraid what the other will do to you.
But be afraid of what Allah will don to you if you leave Islam.

Islam began as something strange, and it will become thus again, as it was at the beginning. Blessed, therefore, are the strangers.

You're stranger aren't you? So be happy!!

Answer 6

I haven't felt that way before no. but you shouldn't be ashamed because some people think a whole religion is bad because of a few minority, just be proud of who you are and try not to listen to those who push the innocent down

Answer 7

I left Christianity for the same reasons. (I also started to hate white people, too.) Then I became Muslim. I have never felt ashamed of Islam.

But really, it is not the religions people feel ashamed of, it is the way some people practice and "understand" them. So just relax, religion and faith are between you and GOD alone. He is the only judge.

Hey Ibrahim, I love the rainbow, man!

Answer 8

Fanatics cause more than that.. stay away from them.

Real Muslims shall feel as strangers .. Mohammed صلى الله عليه و سلم said so.

Waatch this Vid.. it'll ease up your heart alot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN4lFNbANPY

Agree with proud Muslimah also...

Answer 9

Honestly, no, I have never really felt that way. I don't like that people will look at ignorant Muslims and then judge me because of the EXTREMELY ignorant ones they have met.

I tend to pity people. I can never be ashamed of being a Muslimah based on the actions of other Muslimahs.

edit: LOL @ speshLbrownies and his comment about white people...it's even extra funny if he is white himself.

Answer 10

As salaamu 'alaikym warahmatullahi wabaraktuh, my sister.

Insha'Allah, please, continue to follow the teachings of the Holy Qur'an and the Sunna Hadith. Let Allah Subhanna wa Ta'ala be your guide so that you will be rightly guided and listen to your heart.

Allah, Subhanna wa Ta'ala will judge us by our intentions so you might live as you truly feel is the correct way to live based on the true teachings of Islam and let Allah, Subhanna wa Ta'ala be your only judge.

I will make duhah for you.

Ma'a sallam.