Rasulullah ﷺ said:

بَدَأَ الْإِسْلَامُ غَرِيبًا، وَسَيَعُودُ غَرِيبًا كَمَا بَدَأَ

"Islam commenced as a strange religion, and it will soon return to being strange as it had initially commenced."

This is something that we Muslims need to understand. Today, many Muslims are trying to make Islam compatible with the western lifestyle. We want a balanced lifestyle whereby we can enjoy our worldly life while still practising Islam. As a result, many aspects of Islam are adjusted to fit modern trends and fashions, even though they may go against the original spirit and purpose of Deen.

For example, our women may wear a Burqa, but it is designed to be attractive and fashionable so that people do not think Muslims are backward, unattractive, or unaware of modern fashion. However, when the Burqa becomes a means of attraction, it defeats the very purpose for which it was prescribed. Such fashionable Burqas often go against the spirit of modesty and concealment that the Burqa is meant to achieve.

We try to compete with non-Muslims in their fields and according to their standards. We want to show that Muslims can be as successful in business, education, and worldly achievements as anyone else. However, the true business of a Muslim is the business of the Aakhirat.

A Sahaabi رضي الله عنه once heard a Hadith regarding the virtue of refunding a customer. Rasulullah ﷺ mentioned that Allah تعالى would grant special mercy and freedom on the Day of Qiyaamah to such a person. After hearing this, the Sahaabi engaged in business, not for worldly profit, but in the hope of practising this noble action. When he eventually had the opportunity to refund a customer, he closed his business, saying, "I was not doing business for the sake of business. I was waiting for the opportunity to gain the reward of the Aakhirat."

This highlights the great difference between Muslims and non-Muslims. Our focus is not the Dunya, but the Aakhirat. Whatever we do should be for the pleasure of Allah تعالى and not merely for worldly results.

In Deen, success is not measured by numbers and achievements. An Ustaad may teach for many years without seeing outstanding results, yet if Allah تعالى is pleased with his efforts, he is successful. Likewise, there were Ambiyaa عليهم السلام at whose hands not a single person accepted Islam, yet they were undoubtedly successful because they fulfilled the command of Allah تعالى.

Today, however, the trend is different. Across the world, Muslims are striving to excel according to western standards. Success is often measured by university degrees, careers, wealth, and worldly accomplishments.

Islam began as something strange, and it will once again become strange. The true Muslim will think differently, live differently, and have different goals from the rest. Regarding such people, Rasulullah ﷺ gave glad tidings and congratulations in advance.

The honour of a Muslim does not lie in imitating others, but in remaining firm upon the path of Deen, seeking the pleasure of Allah تعالى, and preparing for the everlasting life of the Aakhirat.

Hazrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Ishaq Saab (Daamat Barakaatuh)