:: Culture/race vs. Islam ::

Assalam Alaikum,

This is an informative video for reverts, like me, to know about the difference between culture/race and religion~ Especially in a multi-cultural country which I am living in and, how often, Islam is just somehow connected to Malay... 

No offences, but it's just something hard for reverts like me to explain to my family and friends that I am embracing Islam, not changing my race from being a Chinese to Malay~ I want to be Chinese Muslim... That's all, nothing got to do with being Malay~

Anyway, in this video, Sheikh Yasir Qahdi talked about the differentiation between culture and Islam and how he gave suggestions to differentiate them...

In summary, being Muslim, we submit ourselves to Allah(SWT) and we follow the best example of mankind, Prophet Muhammad~ Anything other then those written in the Qur'an or in the Sunnah are opposed, even though the intention might be good~ Allah(SWT) mentioned in the Qur'an...

See you not (O men) that Allah has subjected for you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, and has completed and perfected His Graces upon you, (both) apparent (i.e. Islamic Monotheism, and the lawful pleasures of this world, including health, good looks, etc.) and hidden [i.e. One's Faith in Allah (of Islamic Monotheism) knowledge, wisdom, guidance for doing righteous deeds, and also the pleasures and delights of the Hereafter in Paradise]? Yet of mankind is he who disputes about Allah without knowledge or guidance or a Book giving light! 
(  سورة لقمان  , Luqman, Chapter #31, Verse #20)

Say: "With Allah is the perfect proof and argument, (i.e. the Oneness of Allah, the sending of His Messengers and His Holy Books to mankind); had He so willed, He would indeed have guided you all."
(  سورة الأنعام  , Al-Anaam, Chapter #6, Verse #149)

This is a very good video to make people reflect on their way of worshipping Allah(SWT)... Often, many born Muslim follow what their previous generations do... Well, now that we are more educated and information is so much easily available, there is not excuse for us Muslim, to seek the correct way of performing actions in Islam~

Cultures/races are good really as it brings varieties to mankind... But when it clashes with Islam, it became a problem~

Enjoy the show and take note when Sheikh Yasir Qahdi talked about the well of water which will be available to the believers on the day of judgement~ =D 

W'salam,

Khadijah C.