I never speak much about faith or religion to anyone unless they specifically ask me. I find it's a personal topic and I'll give my opinion only if asked and not a moment before. Even when I am asked, I try to keep away from the technicalities and areas where I can be wrong, simply because of how delicate a topic it can be for some people.
If anyone is interested, I am Muslim. I practice to the best of my abilities and do what I can and generally try to be a good person. I think at the basis of most, if not all, religion or schools of thought, is how to be a good, decent human being. And sometimes I feel that that ethos gets forgotten in and amongst the differences and the specificity of religion.
I'm quite surprised at myself for even writing this. I've always felt nervous about declaring my religion, not because I'm not proud - I really really am proud of my religion and my beliefs - but because there are always naysayers. Those of differing religions and even those who share my beliefs yet feel that I don't follow it in the way that they would like me to. It's small-mindedness that I get anxious about. I feel confident enough about that post simply because I know that there won't be too many people reading this and those that do are mainly my friends.
I think that the reason that I'm writing this now is because it is Ramadan right now, a holy month for Muslims, where we fast and pray and I always feel more connected spiritually that I do at any other time of the year. I'm fasting as I type this, and I actually like it. Here in the UK, our fasts are about 19 hours long since we fast from sunrise to sunset, and the summer months are obviously longer but all this time, is time that I seem to spend thinking.
I love my faith, but more so than that, I love that I have the capability to have faith and believe in more than just this earth and its surrounding. I like the comfort that I get from it, from praying to simply believing that there is an afterlife for us once we leave this earth. I know that not everyone will agree and I don't really need them to.
That's why I think faith should be personal; I don't need anyone else to agree with me on it, it's my faith and it's my spirit that I'm feeding by practising. I think it's a soulful practice and it makes so many people feel safe and hopeful when the world does its absolute best to leave us feeling empty inside. The world is harsh and unforgiving but my faith in something more allows me to forgive myself and others and I think that is what it is most important for.
It gives us something to value while uniting us to help each other navigate this mess called life. Anyway, that's my rambling of the week done. Feel free to let me know about your faith and the things that make you feel safe.
Until next time, be inspired...
Love, Z
