One on one

Shabnam Mayet (24)

Final year LLB student

As Muslims we are taught that Allah is closer to us than our jugular vein. Our relationship with him is very intense as there is no intermediary between Allah and us. Praying is a one-on-one with God. Constant remembrance of Allah protects us from worshipping modern-day idols like materialism. It also keeps us humble by reminding us that we are all blades of grass in the field of creation and that arrogance is not an option.

In my view all Muslims are born activists because in the Qur’an, Allah ordains us to fight oppression wherever­ we find it. This is not a fight based on race or religion; rather it is an acceptance that as part of humanity we have a duty to speak for those who are not in a position to speak for themselves, even if it means taking a stand against American terrorism or Israel’s Apartheid Wall.

Jihad is by far the most misquoted concept of this century. At its most basic, it means ‘to strive”. It is the constant internal battle to better ourselves and this is a very integral part of human development.

About 1 400 years ago, when the ‘civilised world” was still emerging from the dark ages, Islam had already given women rights and freedoms, which saw them do everything from fighting in battles and inheriting to owning land and businesses. Today patriarchal interpretations of divine law are often passed off as Islamic.

Once, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) was about to ride out to battle, a women approached him and asked him to tell her of this new religion, and he said two things; firstly, obey Allah and, secondly, be kind to all creatures. Islam has taught me that there is both logic and beauty in simplicity.

Amani Ndobeni (23)

Wits University student in computational and applied mathematics (Honours)

The relationship I have with Allah is a sound relationship; it’s more than a mother-and-child relationship; it’s unique. Allah is my instructor. I live my life according to His guidance, which is in the Qur’an. I turn to Him in times of joy, for I know He is never jealous of my success. In fact, He is the one who helps me achieve my goals in life. I always pray to Him for I know he says I am closer to you in prayer than your own jugular vein.

I do not need to be ashamed of Him or concerned if people think I am a terrorist before they even know who I am and what kind of a relationship I have with Allah. I further do not need to worry myself about not ‘fitting in the society” or about me dressing in my hijab, and excluding myself from unnecessarily intermingling with men.

Though people may mock me, I take comfort in the following ayah (verse) in the Qur’an: ‘Be not then faint of Heart and grieve not, for you are bound to rise high if you are believers”[3:139].

My relationship with Allah is the most valuable thing I have, which I can never sell nor throw away, for nothing will ever replace it. Without it I’ll be empty and miserable.

Ferial Moola (23)

Publicist

Growing up with one staunch and one lenient parent in a tightly knit Indian-Muslim community with family members so disparate, from fully covered purdah (veiled) aunties to the permanently inebriated: Muslim, Hindu and Christian, was the best way for me to find my God.

Not fitting in to any of these groups resulted in a beautiful environment of mind chaos — the perfect breeding ground for an enquiring mind. Who am I? Where do I fit in? What do I believe in? This was the start of my path with me and my God. My God is the only constant in my life.

I went to Madrassah for all of nine years and would have continued had I not found the environment stifling and indoctrinating. I always questioned that there was something not right or, at least, not right for me. Why could I, as a young woman, not ask my questions of male religious leaders? Why were books published on the dangers of educating females? Was this what my God wanted, for my brain to be idle and my talents unused?

With university came freedom. Here was a world ripe with everything, the choice was mine. I initially opted for a miniskirt. But what surprised me on that day was how uncomfortable I felt.

I evaded the Muslim Students’ Association for the first months at university. They resembled the community back at home and I wasn’t signing up to be dictated to. But they attained my support with a multimedia presentation on Palestine and Israel. I realised my God does not want there to be borders that exist in society, whether the land issue in Palestine or other religious issues.

Working as a publicist in the arts and entertainment sector — where religious rules, regulation and ideology are tackled, questioned and dismantled — raised questions around religion. I was wearing a scarf to clubs and bars — tied into a neat bun at the back of my head — Afro-Chic style. I was still covered, but I was hiding my identity. Was I wrong to be in a place of ‘sin” or was I wrong to cover up my identity? Either way I figured that my God, My Allah, knows my intention and knows what is in my heart.