All Comments (175)

Welcome to the club !

My head is spinning having read this post.

We want Sarfraz! We want Sarfraz!

He made some money writing a book about his experiences of NOT BEING MUSLIM (AND/OR PAKISTANI) ENOUGH....so no more Sarfraz actually!

>I am 32
-f**k!

>Not Muslim Enough
-you journos

>I get it that Anjem Choudar doesn’t view me as a true Muslim
-nor me and most others probably, but no one is begging for his approval - bad choice for example, Missy.

>I am not, and never have been, affiliated with a religious or political movement.
-lisen up Ian Blair, listen up

>socially promiscuous
-you journos are silly, shut up! you must have a thesaurus on your desk or something

>analogy is rocking up to a party sober when everyone else has been drunk for hours.
-then they get you to drive you home the so-and so's. next time I'm charging them £0.20 a mile - EACH!

>Being in the company of non-Muslims is easier and more fun.
-really? and you wonder why you think you're NME? depends on how you define fun...some fun with this lot and some other fun with the other lot know what i mean?! you've just alienated a whole community for being 'boring'. no amount of bigging up shisha can help you now

>It's is not a euphemism for drinking and partying.
-it bloody is...i'm surprised you stopped at those two activities actually

>I don’t want to talk about radicals or community cohesion all the time
-only once a month though, yeah?

I'm not sure who you've appealed to with this post but it seems you've appealed to non-Muslims and had a bash at Muslims...well done, now you're even less MUSLIM!! haha!

Bests,

enLondres- regular islamophobic, sorry Islamophonic, listener and happy QPR fan - the Sun has termed us the richest footy club in the world - yippee! Chelsea watch yer backs

And I guess that is what is important.
Gain notoriety and a hefty paycheck, and pander to both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

She certainly plays to the Muslims on her site.
Every page has the islamic greeting.
There is definitely no mention of her disregard for Muslims on her site, rather the opposite.

She needs to pick a side to be on.
If this post were reproduced on her own site, alot of young Muslims would be quite disenchanted with her.

Nothing quite like religious apartheid!

When reading the article by Riazat Butt I was disturbed by the fact she doesnt seem like a muslim at all. Never mind the not muslim enough for "THEM" finger shes pointing at concerned muslims.
The statement, "i don't like being called sister by people who are not my brothers" says it all pretty much.
The muslim community is under attack 24/7 in western non muslim nation.
Her statement reminds me of those Blacks who cater to the whims of white supremacists and when held accountable for crooked alliances scream, "THE BLACKS SAY IM NOT BLACK ENOUGH."
Its cowardice and escapism.
I am suspicious of one sided stories and it would be interesting to hear the unrepresented OTHER SIDE from those that have experienced Riazat Butt and found her to be less than sincere.

When reading the article by Riazat Butt I was disturbed by the fact she doesnt seem like a muslim at all. Never mind the not muslim enough for "THEM" finger shes pointing at concerned muslims.
The statement, "i don't like being called sister by people who are not my brothers" says it all pretty much.
The muslim community is under attack 24/7 in western non muslim nation.
Her statement reminds me of those Blacks who cater to the whims of white supremacists and when held accountable for crooked alliances scream, "THE BLACKS SAY IM NOT BLACK ENOUGH."
Its cowardice and escapism.
I am suspicious of one sided stories and it would be interesting to hear the unrepresented OTHER SIDE from those that have experienced Riazat Butt and found her to be less than sincere.

When reading the article by Riazat Butt I was disturbed by the fact she doesnt seem like a muslim at all. Never mind the not muslim enough for "THEM" finger shes pointing at concerned muslims.
The statement, "i don't like being called sister by people who are not my brothers" says it all pretty much.
The muslim community is under attack 24/7 in western non muslim nation.
Her statement reminds me of those Blacks who cater to the whims of white supremacists and when held accountable for crooked alliances scream, "THE BLACKS SAY IM NOT BLACK ENOUGH."
Its cowardice and escapism.
I am suspicious of one sided stories and it would be interesting to hear the unrepresented OTHER SIDE from those that have experienced Riazat Butt and found her to be less than sincere.

When reading the article by Riazat Butt I was disturbed by the fact she doesnt seem like a muslim at all. Never mind the not muslim enough for "THEM" finger shes pointing at concerned muslims.
The statement, "i don't like being called sister by people who are not my brothers" says it all pretty much.
The muslim community is under attack 24/7 in western non muslim nation.
Her statement reminds me of those Blacks who cater to the whims of white supremacists and when held accountable for crooked alliances scream, "THE BLACKS SAY IM NOT BLACK ENOUGH."
Its cowardice and escapism.
I am suspicious of one sided stories and it would be interesting to hear the unrepresented OTHER SIDE from those that have experienced Riazat Butt and found her to be less than sincere.

When reading the article by Riazat Butt I was disturbed by the fact she doesnt seem like a muslim at all. Never mind the not muslim enough for "THEM" finger shes pointing at concerned muslims.
The statement, "i don't like being called sister by people who are not my brothers" says it all pretty much.
The muslim community is under attack 24/7 in western non muslim nation.
Her statement reminds me of those Blacks who cater to the whims of white supremacists and when held accountable for crooked alliances scream, "THE BLACKS SAY IM NOT BLACK ENOUGH."
Its cowardice and escapism.
I am suspicious of one sided stories and it would be interesting to hear the unrepresented OTHER SIDE from those that have experienced Riazat Butt and found her to be less than sincere.

When reading the article by Riazat Butt I was disturbed by the fact she doesnt seem like a muslim at all. Never mind the not muslim enough for "THEM" finger shes pointing at concerned muslims.
The statement, "i don't like being called sister by people who are not my brothers" says it all pretty much.
The muslim community is under attack 24/7 in western non muslim nation.
Her statement reminds me of those Blacks who cater to the whims of white supremacists and when held accountable for crooked alliances scream, "THE BLACKS SAY IM NOT BLACK ENOUGH."
Its cowardice and escapism.
I am suspicious of one sided stories and it would be interesting to hear the unrepresented OTHER SIDE from those that have experienced Riazat Butt and found her to be less than sincere.

Peace be upon you Riazat, being Muslim enough is ,

being your self, and respecting the right of others to do the same. Imam Mikal Hammad Shabazz

Dear Ms Butt

Thank you for sharing your personal experience with Islam and how your refusal to equate your practise of the religion with politics or in making other personal choices has been misunderstood. I'm sure there must be millions of other Muslims who would feel the same if they were subjected to the same stringent standards as you seem to have been.

The vast majority of ordinary Muslims in India (my opinion being 100% Indian in origin and being raised there) I'm certain do not politicise Islam, and they live in peace with people of other faiths and make their practise of religion their private business. It could be said for millions of other Muslims in other countries, including those living in Australia.

If it was not for 9/11 and other terrorist attacks in the name of Islam, the non-Islamic world would not even raise the question whether anything written in the Quran could possibly be used/misused to justify such actions.

The world needs to hear more and more from Muslims like you as millions of non-Muslims around the globe have been put on terror alert due to the actions of a few Muslims.

Soja John Thaikattil
Sydney, Australia

Your article was really interested I can tell that you are not racist you seem that you are a very friendly person.

On being a Muslim in the West:

Have unwavering faith in God (no matter whether you call Him Allah or al-Haqq or al-Rahman etc) and do good works.

Pray as many times (or not) as you want, facing in any direction of your choice.

Fast or feast as many days in the year, or not.

Respect the rights of other human beings to follow their own way to God. Be friends with anyone.

Respect the rights of Muslims to leave the faith if they choose without being punished for it.

For women: Follow the spirit of the hijab, which is modesty and chastity in thought, words and actions. The hijab was meant to protect women from the lust filled eyes of men; to protect women from being sexually assaulted. It is possible to dress modestly and behave with chaste intent without covering one's hair and face. It makes no sense to wear a hijab covering the hair and neck like a fashion statement and then wear seductive clothes and behave in seductive ways. When Muslim women in the West set an example of modesty and chastity without a hijab, their less free sisters in other countries can follow, persuading their men to allow for a change in the custom.

No one can judge how much faith you have or not.But maybe it's your character.If you were raised in a non-muslim envorinment,maybe you still show signs of a powerful western influence that is out of sync with Islam.Or is it maybe that you aren't being arab or native enough.Now that's a whole nother cup of tea.Muslim or Arab?Which are you?Seek refuge in Allah and strive to be a better Muslim not closer to the community of Muslims.But most of all,you are Muslim first.That's all you really own anybody.

Asalam Alaikam

Thank you Akhi for your post, as muslims we should have only honest and encouraging words for our muslim sister Riazat and you have proved that. Well, not feeling muslim enough could come from lack of sincerity in your practice or faith in your religion. Recognize that the heart of being a Muslim is within and not what you portray physically on the outside. Consider all of those you encounter who do not wear hijabs and beards, etc., but they live the life of a Muslim through their actions and encounters with people. If your intentions are good and you are striving every day then you are Muslim enough.

Thank you Akhi for your post, as muslims we should have only honest and encouraging words for our muslim sister Riazat and you have proved that. Well, not feeling muslim enough could come from lack of sincerity in your practice or faith in your religion. Recognize that the heart of being a Muslim is within and not what you portray physically on the outside. Consider all of those you encounter who do not wear hijabs and beards, etc., but they live the life of a Muslim through their actions and encounters with people. If your intentions are good and you are striving every day then you are Muslim enough.

"Tim:
Riazat, in the land of the free, America, you can be NME or you can be "not Christian enough," or you can be "not Jewish enough, or "not Italian enough" or "not black enough," or "not Indian enough," or "not Asian enough"... You can be an American. Congratulations and welcome to America the land of "not XYZ enough." Nobody, I mean nobody, has the right to impose their values or their restrictions on you. No one can force you to be "good enough." You are free and that is how God designed you and to live in a country where "not good enough" is the norm is a blessing. Tradition is just tradition in America and as in Fiddler on The Roof, if tradition makes no sense to you, then just ignore tradition. I am thankful for every day of my life because "not being good enough" is to be free.

November 3, 2007 8:53 AM | Report Offensive Comments"

Thank you Tim, I think that statement is worth repeating.

But through it all there is the realm of reality as noted in that famous quote:

"Gators vs. Muslims??? Gators definitely will kill. With Muslims, it depends but with the koran as their operating manual can we trust any of them??????"

I hope the sister reads this thread to see that the IDEA which is Islam is the difference. All these various competing ideas trying to guide Ms. Butt this way or that, to follow someone else's beliefs and ways.

And thus, only the Muslim sister can ascertain whether the concepts which she holds inside are consistent with Islam or not. More importantly, whethere her concepts are those which serve God, or not. And as may be indicated, Capitalist thought (which encompasses secular humanism, democracy, and secularized and modifed Christianity and Judaism to meet Capitalism's ideological parameters) is fundamentally opposed to Islam as an ideology, but is relatively tolerant of Islam as a modified and secularized Christianity type religion: ie. Chrislam.

Ms Butt, please realize that the fence or gray area which you presume you sit is being shone the light of day because this is how God has indicated He will do. And the real IDEA of Islam regarding the person is about the individual and her God. What is your relationship with God? That's what is important. Does God have a "right" to command and prohibit to mankind, to organize mankind's affairs, to present a comprehensive criteria by which mankind can determine his affairs? Is mankind even in need of God's revelation or his Legislation?

I hope the sister reads this thread to see that the IDEA which is Islam is the difference. All these various competing ideas trying to guide Ms. Butt this way or that, to follow someone else's beliefs and ways.

And thus, only the Muslim sister can ascertain whether the concepts which she holds inside are consistent with Islam or not. More importantly, whethere her concepts are those which serve God, or not. And as may be indicated, Capitalist thought (which encompasses secular humanism, democracy, and secularized and modifed Christianity and Judaism to meet Capitalism's ideological parameters) is fundamentally opposed to Islam as an ideology, but is relatively tolerant of Islam as a modified and secularized Christianity type religion: ie. Chrislam.

Ms Butt, please realize that the fence or gray area which you presume you sit is being shone the light of day because this is how God has indicated He will do. And the real IDEA of Islam regarding the person is about the individual and her God. What is your relationship with God? That's what is important. Does God have a "right" to command and prohibit to mankind, to organize mankind's affairs, to present a comprehensive criteria by which mankind can determine his affairs?

Riazat,

I think your problem derives from a fundamental misunderstanding of what "Islam" and "muslim" is. You are already muslim because you were created with that nature. Ignorance, like a thick dross, covers (kaffir) our true nature. A muslim is one who submits to the Creator and Islam is the peace established through that submission. "submission" to the Creator is to act in accordance with the nature in which you were created.

The Quran says of itself "This book...is a guide for those who keep their duty". The Quran is a book of inspiring facts and detailed instructions for establishing peace in your life and on earth.

If you are ever feeling not "not muslim enough", then you have to consider yourself in lieu of what the revealed word of Allah says about Islam and being Muslim and your current state of being.

One makes a grave error comparing his or herself to others because only the mind reveals the true orientation of a person.

beards, hijabs, jalabeyas, covering oneself in long dark sheets, perferring silver to gold, attending halaqahs and masjids, performing prayers publicly, hating "the west", etc... none of these is Islam or righteousness.

Revisit surah al-baqarah.

There is something psychotic about American muslims. But you guys will where that as a badge of honor.

Dear Riazatt:

There is no "perfect muslim", but you know this. For all we know, you are the ideal and the conservatives are wrong. Actually, the conservatives are wrong, so don't be pressured by them, it is your faith as well.

AL-
if any muslim told you who was going to hell or not- or that jews or chriatians are going to hell becuase of their religion-
they dont know islam-

people go to hell for these acts-
In islam, hell is not a place of destruction- but of purging -
people go to hell for these acts-
"The weak who lack power to (avoid evil)"
"The (carefree) who pursue (everything irrespective of the fact that it is good or evil) and who do not have any care for their family or for their wealth".
"Those dishonest whose greed cannot be concealed even in the case of minor things"
"[Those] who betray you. morning and evening, in regard to your family and your property"
"The miser and the liar and those who are in the habit of abusing people and using obscene and foul language"- Muslim 40: 68: 43

Prophet Muhamamd(swa)tells us that those who possess an atom faith shall not enter Jahanannam (Hell)

the qu'ran tells us that people of the book (jews and christians) and those who submit to the will of ALLAH, and are pious- go to heaven.

Only Allah Knows, if a person is genuinely good, becuase only He is present in all inter-relations. Without guidance, we are exposed to too many dangers, that can place a fine balance, between sanity and insanity. Being in a state of Islam, one is submits to the greater Unity, that balances eveything based on the natural laws and justice that create, support and guide the universe, has the chance to rise above their lower selves. Being in a state of Islam, submission, can be conscious and subconscious, but when it is conscious, one has greater control over ones development. The trickling of water in an open brook, trickles best becuase it is clear from fallen debris, and nothing along the route, is blocking the flow of water. - our lives are like that brook, which flows into streams (communities), rivers, (nations), the sea (humanity). All the brooks need to be cleared in order that the life force penetrates all avenues, and vibrates to the laws of nature that keeps us in balance, physically, psychologically, and spiritually.

peace

Riazat, brava on your courage!
Be your beautiful, God-created self.
I like what Bilal Mahmud said.
The only judgment important enough to think about it that of God.

What gall!
Riazat was born into your "town," so she is your neighbor. She didn't ask for citizenship. She's already there. But I wonder if you're a snob--the sort of citizen who puts high gates into your town so that seekers or doubters cannot get through. Only the die-hard fans like you, with megaphones, trying to shout down honest questioning with bigotry and a sense of self-righteousness. Every religion has room for doubters, for questioners, for dissent. Only Islam seeks to balk at this...which makes it seem more like mind control or a cult than a true theology.

What gall!
Riazat was born into your "town," so she is your neighbor. She didn't ask for citizenship. She's already there. But I wonder if you're a snob--the sort of citizen who puts high gates into your town so that seekers or doubters cannot get through. Only the die-hard fans like you, with megaphones, trying to shout down honest questioning with bigotry and a sense of self-righteousness. Every religion has room for doubters, for questioners, for dissent. Only Islam seeks to balk at this...which makes it seem more like mind control or a cult than a true theology.

NME works for me too. I too am a muslim but most muslims that I know consider me NME because I am a lawyer (American) and I am not supposed to be earning a living representing people in a law that is not Sharia. Well, I disagree.

But, I have a bigger problem than you do. I am staring to question whether any of the three biblical religions is actually from a creator (whatever you call him). Here is why. Ask a devote christian, a devote jew and devote muslim what will happen to the other two. The answer is inevitably "the other two will rot in hell" because their religions are not true. Well, that leaves me with at least one billion people (and possibly more than two billion people if it turns out that the jewish guy is the right one) in the world that are lied to. In my mind, each of the three guy is as likely as the other two to be correct. And, if all three are wrong, "Creator have mercy on them." As a lawyer, my tendency is to look for some form of evidence. But I am not having any luck. So, that leaves me confused and NME.

NME works for me too. I too am a muslim but most muslims that I know consider me NME because I am a lawyer (American) and I am not supposed to be earning a living representing people in a law that is not Sharia. Well, I disagree.

But, I have a bigger problem than you do. I am staring to question whether any of the three biblical religions is actually from a creator (whatever you call him). Here is why. Ask a devote christian, a devote jew and devote muslim what will happen to the other two. The answer is inevitably "the other two will rot in hell" because their religions are not true. Well, that leaves me with at least one billion people (and possibly more than two billion people if it turns out that the jewish guy is the right one) in the world that are lied to. In my mind, each of the three guy is as likely as the other two to be correct. And, if all three are wrong, "Creator have mercy on them." As a lawyer, my tendency is to look for some form of evidence. But I am not having any luck. So, that leaves me confused and NME.

Paul,

Note the condition of said "hallucinators" and when they supposedly heard/saw the "pretty wingie talking flying fictional thingie" or God or a "demon of the demented". Ole Mo was in a cave "fasting" for thirty day and thirty nights. Jesus was fasting for "forty days and nights". Abe was about to slit his son's throat after a very long journey. Joseph was sleeping. And the ghost of the crucified Jesus passing through walls? All a bit much and no eye witnesses to attest to any of it. Ever notice that visions ceased when photography and tape recordings were invented. Staring at the Sun besides burning your corneas is also another method of some quick hallucinations. And of course there are always the drug and alcohol benders!!!

And if you want to do some rather safe self-hallucination, simply don't sleep for a 24 hours. Done this a few times working double shifts or during escape and evasion courses in the US Army Hallucinated every time.

Some "pwtfft" history:

Joe Smith had his Moroni.

Jehovah Witnesses have their Jesus /Michael the archangel, the first angelic being created by God;

Mohammed (and his scribes) had his Gabriel (this "tinker bell" got around).

Jesus and his family and "biographers" had Michael, Gabriel, and Satan, the latter being a modern day demon of the demented.

The Abraham-Moses myths had their Angel of Death and other "no-namers" to do their dirty work or other assorted duties.

Contemporary biblical and religious scholars have relegated these "pretty wingie thingies" to the myth pile. We should do the same to include deleting all references to them in our religious operating manuals. Doing this will eliminate the prophet/profit/prophecy status of these founders and put them where they belong as simple humans just like the rest of us.

Some added references to "tinker bells".

"Latter-day Saints also believe that Michael the Archangel was Adam (the first man) when he was mortal, and Gabriel lived on the earth as Noah."
(Apparently hallucinations did not stop with Joe Smith.)

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07049c.htm
"This belief in guardian angels can be traced throughout all antiquity; pagans, like Menander and Plutarch (cf. Euseb., "Praep. Evang.", xii), and Neo-Platonists, like Plotinus, held it. It was also the belief of the Babylonians and Assyrians, as their monuments testify, for a figure of a guardian angel now in the British Museum once decorated an Assyrian palace, and might well serve for a modern representation; while Nabopolassar, father of Nebuchadnezzar the Great, says: "He (Marduk) sent a tutelary deity (cherub) of grace to go at my side; in everything that I did, he made my work to succeed."

Catholic monks and Dark Age theologians also did their share of hallucinating:

"TUBUAS-A member of the group of angels who were removed from the ranks of officially recognized celestial hierarchy in 745 by a council in Rome under Pope Zachary. He was joined by Uriel, Adimus, Sabaoth, Simiel, and Raguel."

And tinker bells go way, way back:

"In Zoroastrianism there are different angel like creatures. For example each person has a guardian angel caled Fravashi. They patronize human being and other creatures and also manifest god’s energy. Also, the Amesha Spentas have often been regarded as angels, but they don't convey messages, but are rather emanations of Ahura Mazda ("Wise Lord", God); they appear in an abstract fashion in the religious thought of Zarathustra and then later (during the Achaemenid period of Zoroastrianism) became personalized, associated with an aspect of the divine creation (fire, plants, water...)."

"The beginnings of the biblical belief in angels must be sought in very early folklore. The gods of the Hittites and Canaanites had their supernatural messengers, and parallels to the Old Testament stories of angels are found in Near Eastern literature. "

"The 'Magic Papyri' contain many spells to secure just such help and protection of angels. From magic traditions arose the concept of the guardian angel. "

For added information see the review at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel

Thank you, MuslimEnough-

Your post illustrates one of the more difficult aspects of strident Islam. Narrow-minded exclusivity. That's not a winning team..

Riazat: Just two questions/comments

1. How is it that an secular (not religious) person gets a job as a religious correspondent?

2. Are Muslims allowed to have any criterion for inclusion? In other words, every defined group has prerequisites for inclusion. In that respect, Muslims are no different for any other group (Christians, Jews, Atheists, Football fans).

It's like you go to the football game and don't stand for the National Anthem, nor do you want cheer for the home team. You want to sit passively and observe, or do anything and everything but attention to the game.

You don't really understand the fervor that the hometown fans have for their team. You sit passively by while the crowd is going wild during the game winning scoring drive.

I am a Muslim. I love my team (Islam). We don't want you booing the hometeam. Just because you were born in this town doesn't make you a fan.

You are certainly entitled to join any other team you so choose. But don't sit next to me at the game and wonder why you're not Muslim enough. It's you who are not cheering not me.

In my mind I'm wondering why you bought a ticket to the game if you don't care about the home team.

riazat - just wanted to let you know you're not alone. there are many educated, single muslim females in the world who don't fit a mold. we practice the essence of islam - knowing and doing the right thing each day, treating people humanely, remembering ALLAH (swt) in the beauty of the world and in the choices we make - but don't look muslim as everybody else, muslims and non-muslims alike, like to believe we should. some of it is ethnic perceptions overshadowing the true unity of islam, some of it is just stupidity.

it's not always easy to strike your own path, but realize that your intentions and actions will ultimately be what is judged. know that there are muslims and nonmuslims who appreciate the person you are. as you said, your faith will always be private. it will also be a part of you - and that is the beauty of islam... it's yours to make of it what you will - nobody else can interfere on what it is to you, how it lifts you, how it shapes you.

believe that alone, practice islam as you feel fit with the people (muslim or nonmuslim) you feel most comfortable with and it will always be what it is meant to be... your lifeline, your compass that in the worst moments of your life, will not steer you wrong.

best wishes always,
from a female cousin or a potential friend in los angeles - whichever you prefer (since you don't want a sister who isn't blood- related, completely understandly - i'm the same way w/"aunties")
in islam

Here are some goodies from Koran and Sahi hadiths for Islamic women.

Quran for Women

2:228, And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable; but men have a degree (of advantage) over them
2:230, So if a husband divorces his wife (irrevocably), He cannot, after that, re-marry her until after she has married another husband and He has divorced her
2:282, and get two witnesses, out of your own men, and if there are not two men, then a man and two women, such as ye choose, for witnesses, so that if one of them errs, the other can remind her.
4:3, Marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.
4:11-12, Allah (thus) directs you as regards your Children’s (Inheritance): to the male, a portion equal to that of two females:
4:34, Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High, Exalted, Great.
53:27, Those who believe not in the Hereafter, name the angels with female names
66:10, Allah sets forth, for an example to the Unbelievers, the wife of Noah and the wife of Lut: they were (respectively) under two of our righteous servants, but they were false to their (husbands), and they profited nothing before Allah on their account, but were told: “Enter ye the Fire along with (others) that enter!”
It is forbidden for a woman to be seen by any man except her husband when she is made up or well-dressed. (TR. P 430)
3. A woman is not a believer if she undertakes a journey which may last three days or longer, unless she is accompanied by her husband, son, father or brother. (TR. P 431 )
4. A woman must veil herself even in the presence of her husband's father, brother and other male relations. (TR. P 432)
5. She is forbidden to spend any money without the permission of her husband, and it includes giving food to the needy or feast to friends. (TR. P 265)
6. A wife is forbidden to perform extra prayers (NAFAL) or observe fasting (other than RAMADAN) without the permission of her husband. (TR. P 300)
7. If prostration were a legitimate act other than to God, woman should have prostrated to her husband. (TR. P 428)
8. If a man is in a mood to have sexual intercourse woman must come immediately even if she is baking bread at a communal oven. (TR. P 428) 9. The marriage of woman to her man is not substantive. It is precarious. For example if the father of the husband orders his son to divorce his wife, he must do so. (TR. P 440)
11. Majority of women would go to hell. (Muslim P 1431)
12. If a woman refuses to come to bed when invited by her husband, she becomes the target of the curses of angles. Exactly the same happens if she deserts her husband's bed. (Bokhari P 93)
13. The women who are ungrateful to their men, are the denizens of hell; it is an act of ingratitude for a woman to say: "I have never seen any good from you." (Bokhari P 96)
14. A woman in many ways is deprived of the possession of her own body. Even her milk belongs to her husband. (Bokhari P 27)

Good luck to you dear person.

To CONCERNED THE CHRISTIAN NOW LIBERATED,
If there was a God, and He decided to speak to His people in a direct way involving any visual image, you would call this a hallucination. If there was a God, why wouldn't he be able to give His people visions-- he would be able to do anything, right? So, your theory that these religious leaders were hallucinating is flawed. . . if there is a God.

To the person who brought up hallucinations,
If there was a God, and He decided to speak to His people in a direct way involving any visual image, you would call this a hallucination. If there was a God, why wouldn't he be able to give His people visions-- he would be able to do anything, right? So, your theory that these religious leaders were hallucinating is flawed. . . if there is a God.

Dear Riazat,

You are in an excellent place on your spiritual journey to begin to discern your divine purpose in life. Once this moves from your head to your heart, you will no longer feel like an outsider, and you will be at peace within yourself.

Riazat Butt is not talking so much about religious identity but about cultural identity. This is a pretty common problem. Whether the group is based on race, ethnicity, religion, culture, or political beliefs, groups tend to develop a specific culture. If you don't conform to the culture, you might feel that you don't fit in, depending on how cliquish the group is. This is exacerbated by the fact that people enjoy condemning others, and they also like to feel like they are part of a group. Put these things together and you have people who enjoy condemning (or at least excluding) others who are not part of their group. You could feel homeless in this way as a pro-life liberal, or as an environmentalist conservative. It can be kind of lonely.

What do you expect? You could be NJE or NCE also (Not Jewish Enough) or (Not Christian Enough) if you belonged to those groups.

To get, you gotta give. Don't be so narcissistic. Get a life and smell the roses. There is a huge conflict going on, and you can't tip toe through the daisies without paying a price. Grow up and do stop whining.

For that matter consider what happened to Anglos who went native in India while they lorded it up there. Just a reference point.

WTF?! I'vbe never heard of Miss Butt but this post is just out and out whining. You won't get much of an identity for anything specific with that attitude. You won't meausure up in many, amny areas because you are an immature simpleton. "...rocking up to a party sober when everyone else has been drunk for hours." Clearly, you've no clue how to get up to speed quickly and immerse yourself within your immediate surroundings if just for the night. If you continue to have an outsider's attitude, congratulations, you'll always be an outsider.

i really liked that post and you its all right although i live in egypt which it totally moslim community but its alot easier when u dont talk much about relegions specially in egypt coz' we have many christians and we live peacfully 100% and why would i can some man or woman all over the ocean a sister or brother hope there are many like you all over the world

i really liked that post and you its all right although i live in egypt which it totally moslim community but its alot easier when u dont talk much about relegions specially in egypt coz' we have many christians and we live peacfully 100% and why would i can some man or woman all over the ocean a sister or brother hope there are many like you all over the world

i really liked that post and you its all right although i live in egypt which it totally moslim community but its alot easier when u dont talk much about relegions specially in egypt coz' we have many christians and we live peacfully 100% and why would i can some man or woman all over the ocean a sister or brother hope there are many like you all over the world

i really liked that post and you its all right although i live in egypt which it totally moslim community but its alot easier when u dont talk much about relegions specially in egypt coz' we have many christians and we live peacfully 100% and why would i can some man or woman all over the ocean a sister or brother hope there are many like you all over the world

My only concern is a person is only know by his or her identity , be the color/creed/religion. I never seen someone written anything based on morality or say honesty, like "association of Honest professional" one can find association of doctors, engineers etc. This is why one gets choosy albeit one cannot stay in between of the two.

We humans often go through this "not being enough" thing because of false categories. I have been accused of not being "hispanic" or latina enough even though I was born in Latin America along with my entire family. (I hate that word latina, it reminds me of morons like jennifer lopez.) I am 38, ambitious, childless and a very proud atheist and also a hispanic with mostly non-hispanic friends for the same reasons you state. I try to do hispanic cultural things but find them incredibly boring and judgemental. Hang in there because you are obviously an awesome person.

As one who was raised a christian I can tell you even I feel left outside of my faith if not my culture here in the U.S. So you are not certainly not alone in those feelings.

Personally, I think folks ought to be allowed to live their lives without worrying about measuring up to false social standards of others.

I feel i have experienced this at times.

My only concern is a person is only know by his or her identity , be the color/creed/religion. I never seen someone written anything based on morality or say honesty, like "association of Honest professional" one can find association of doctors, engineers etc. This is why one gets choosy albeit one cannot stay in between of the two.

what's your point sister?

what's your point sister?

What is your point??

Dear Riazat,
Thank you for an HONEST article. I am a muslim, your age, and I know how you feel. I have pretty much given up trying to find a common bond based on religious identification -- I have come to realize that it is extremely difficult. In America, muslims are an incredibly diverse bunch -- after all this is a religion with a wide geographic spread, and an astonishing array of cultures commingle with the American to shape these individuals. Over time, I have come to see this as a positive thing; I don't identify with any particular religious group, and I don't discriminate in practice against pretty much anyone on that basis -- I will date or befriend non-muslims. I am, however, somewhat surprised that I don't hear, frankly, more of voices like yours, but I suppose such voices would come from people who are comfortable in their environment, and for whom the difficulty of joining the "ummah" as full members, is a puzzle, rather than any kind of an impediment to a fully engaged life in America -- and you seem to be an example. Thanks for writing about this, and do continue to share thoughts about "the puzzle".

hi.about your subject,last week,ı joıned a lecture about fetullah gulen and modern ıslam ın turkey.his ideas is very reasonable.ı suggest you to read his ideas and his actions.ıt ıs a lıght for global peace ı thınk.hawe a nice day.bye.

Sorry to be so blunt, but I think that your main problem is not so much not being a Muslim enough, as it is your lack of self-respect. As an English speaking person, you should have long realized that your name, Butt, needs to be changed not because it is yours, but because it happens to refer to a "private body part"! Did any of your enlightened and "sincere" friends told you this? Probably not: they like it the way it is! But I, a Catholic, try to give you the best possible advice, and that is: drop this name or at least add an extra letter to it! And please, don't hate me for telling as it is!

Sorry to be so blunt, but I think that your main problem is not so much not being a Muslim enough, as it is your lack of self-respect. As an English speaking person, you should have long realized that your name, Butt, needs to be changed not because it is yours, but because it happens to refer to a "private body part"! Did any of your enlightened and "sincere" friends told you this? Probably not: they like it the way it is! But I, a Catholic, try to give you the best possible advice, and that is: drop this name or at least add an extra letter to it! And please, don't hate me for telling as it is!