JazakAllah for such a beautiful write-up. It brought home the importance of a righteous community which can only exist if we all mirror each other and reflect upon ourselves through others actions.
A spiritually nourishing piece, thank you! It truly reaches deep, touching even the smallest corners of the soul, where recognition happens on a sacred level. The inner reflects itself outward through symbols. For me, the hijab has always been that space of safety and serenity, a very simple reminder of inner connection and divine identity. Wherever I go, it allows me to be seen, recognized, and often treated with kindness and respect. It is a moment of gratitude and dignity, while not always easy to carry as the “other,” yet filled with a quiet, beautiful strength, the strength of one who stands out with purpose. It remains something special indeed, recognizable, a gentle reminder for myself first and for those surrounded by the noise of the world.
Human beings have a basic need for connection and as Muslims we too have a need to feel like we belong with those who are like us. I like that you mentioned seeing in other Muslims the potential that we hope for ourselves. The more we feel connected to the visible Muslim community, the more we feel aligned with the possibility of thriving as the idealized version of ourselves, which is in many ways challenging in the West.
When you mentioned the break of routines during traveling, it reminded me that as much as these kinds of circumstances throw us off, these are sometimes what we need to get off the autopilot mode we’ve been used to. When we are jolted from our every day reality, we become more intentional and present in our lives and in worship.
I also think that it’s an important aspect to keep oneself connected to the Muslim community. As you’ve mentioned, prolonged periods of isolation can be potentially detrimental. I would also like to offer that sometimes being in the West, and in non-Muslim community, we as Muslims learn the deen for ourselves out of desperation to know and, seek that closeness, to God. I think solitude offers a space for introspection, so that we don’t merely mirror to others, but rather we embody the idealized version of ourselves in connection to God.
A beautifully written piece and it feels especially relevant as a Muslim woman who wears the hijab. Social media is now filled with 'mosaics' or 'broken mirrors' of influences that we turn to and try to see ourselves in. Especially hijabi influencers who profit off of wearing the hijab or gain the trust of young, impressionable women, only to publicize their de-veiling or the taking off of their hijab or even denounce Islam altogether. This is a touchy subject of course and may Allah swt strengthen our hearts and our will as both women and men in Islam, but I definitely believe that when we, as a community, stop wanting to be visually perceived as Muslim, then we become weaker in our principles and identity. That mirror becomes fogged.
BarakAllah fik for sharing your insights with us! I appreciate you reminding us symbols aren't enough in and of themselves but nevertheless recognizing their tremendous effects. They definitely serve as propaganda tools to otherize—we see it today with the upsurge of N*azi symbols in our day and age. Fascinatingly, the meaning attached to symbols varies considerably: fasci$ts may simply see in it revival of an "ol' social order". Similarly, a kuffyieh may represent both standing against oppression and supporting terrori$m.
Do you think mirroring tends to reinforce one's beliefs? As you mentioned, some may further delude themselves in their concept of self. I worry this may narrow symbols' effects and only serve nominally. I'd love to hear your ideas on how to symbolize true faith creatively so as to have far-reaching—beyond one's group—effects.
WasSalam dear Mylène, great question. Symbols can and are a force of profound evil and indoctrination. They’re not meant to root our faith, which requires reason and scripture (much of it filled with symbols interestingly) Rather it’s meant to reinforce faith because we’re forgetful creatures. Much of the Qur’an’s treatment of “calcified” faith and delusion is through looking through the eye of reason beyond the symbols or customs they’ve grown accustomed to, and considering truth as it is. We must learn to harness their power for faith without losing what anchors it. Hope that helps.
JazakAllah for such a beautiful write-up. It brought home the importance of a righteous community which can only exist if we all mirror each other and reflect upon ourselves through others actions.
A spiritually nourishing piece, thank you! It truly reaches deep, touching even the smallest corners of the soul, where recognition happens on a sacred level. The inner reflects itself outward through symbols. For me, the hijab has always been that space of safety and serenity, a very simple reminder of inner connection and divine identity. Wherever I go, it allows me to be seen, recognized, and often treated with kindness and respect. It is a moment of gratitude and dignity, while not always easy to carry as the “other,” yet filled with a quiet, beautiful strength, the strength of one who stands out with purpose. It remains something special indeed, recognizable, a gentle reminder for myself first and for those surrounded by the noise of the world.
Human beings have a basic need for connection and as Muslims we too have a need to feel like we belong with those who are like us. I like that you mentioned seeing in other Muslims the potential that we hope for ourselves. The more we feel connected to the visible Muslim community, the more we feel aligned with the possibility of thriving as the idealized version of ourselves, which is in many ways challenging in the West.
When you mentioned the break of routines during traveling, it reminded me that as much as these kinds of circumstances throw us off, these are sometimes what we need to get off the autopilot mode we’ve been used to. When we are jolted from our every day reality, we become more intentional and present in our lives and in worship.
I also think that it’s an important aspect to keep oneself connected to the Muslim community. As you’ve mentioned, prolonged periods of isolation can be potentially detrimental. I would also like to offer that sometimes being in the West, and in non-Muslim community, we as Muslims learn the deen for ourselves out of desperation to know and, seek that closeness, to God. I think solitude offers a space for introspection, so that we don’t merely mirror to others, but rather we embody the idealized version of ourselves in connection to God.
A beautifully written piece and it feels especially relevant as a Muslim woman who wears the hijab. Social media is now filled with 'mosaics' or 'broken mirrors' of influences that we turn to and try to see ourselves in. Especially hijabi influencers who profit off of wearing the hijab or gain the trust of young, impressionable women, only to publicize their de-veiling or the taking off of their hijab or even denounce Islam altogether. This is a touchy subject of course and may Allah swt strengthen our hearts and our will as both women and men in Islam, but I definitely believe that when we, as a community, stop wanting to be visually perceived as Muslim, then we become weaker in our principles and identity. That mirror becomes fogged.
love this! am writing on similar themes on my substack - feel free to subscribe if it resonates (asifmajidphd.substack.com)
I think mirrors are great.
BarakAllah fik for sharing your insights with us! I appreciate you reminding us symbols aren't enough in and of themselves but nevertheless recognizing their tremendous effects. They definitely serve as propaganda tools to otherize—we see it today with the upsurge of N*azi symbols in our day and age. Fascinatingly, the meaning attached to symbols varies considerably: fasci$ts may simply see in it revival of an "ol' social order". Similarly, a kuffyieh may represent both standing against oppression and supporting terrori$m.
Do you think mirroring tends to reinforce one's beliefs? As you mentioned, some may further delude themselves in their concept of self. I worry this may narrow symbols' effects and only serve nominally. I'd love to hear your ideas on how to symbolize true faith creatively so as to have far-reaching—beyond one's group—effects.
WasSalam dear Mylène, great question. Symbols can and are a force of profound evil and indoctrination. They’re not meant to root our faith, which requires reason and scripture (much of it filled with symbols interestingly) Rather it’s meant to reinforce faith because we’re forgetful creatures. Much of the Qur’an’s treatment of “calcified” faith and delusion is through looking through the eye of reason beyond the symbols or customs they’ve grown accustomed to, and considering truth as it is. We must learn to harness their power for faith without losing what anchors it. Hope that helps.