Why go half way?

It is quite common for human beings to go half way with something and leave it there. It's easier to do so, and makes u feel as though you atleast tried which in turn makes you 'the person who atleast considered and was better than others because of that'. But we seldom realize that when we go half way & we've achieved something, we are actually lying to ourselves when in fact we haven't achieved anything but only proved to everyone and ourselves that we lack courage in every possible way.

This theory can similarly be applied to how we civilians practice our religion. It is important for us to find out the reason behind these incomplete actions that we embrace. Taking baby steps is one thing, but being content with what is not really enough is not right.

Let me site a few situational examples with conclusions to make this more clear;

1) Baligh sons and daughters are given a sort of compensation on the timings of their fasts. instead of fasting from Fajr till Maghrib, they are allowed to end their fast at Asr -
Conclusion: UNJUSTIFIABLE PAMPERING.

2) People open their eyes wide when you tell them you're planning to eat a ham burger because it is Haraam, but those people themselves listen to music and don't do hijab.
Conclusion: ADAPTATION OF RELIGION TO CONVENIENCE

3) Recognizing the importance of marriage and making sure that the kids get married in their lifetime. But getting them engaged instead of getting through with the Nikah.
Conclusion: IMPROPER ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF LAWS

4) Letting the sons hang out with friends who are male and female, going to clubs to party, taking part in activities such as dancing, singing on stage or college or school programmes, but not letting the girls. Even though its haraam for both.
Conclusion: ISLAMICALLY UNRECOGNISED DOUBLE STANDARDS.

The above examples are few of many situations and stories we come across in our daily life, in each case the parent, or the responsible person has gone half way through applying religion:
Telling kids to fast but not for the specified time.
Showing disagreement and remorse to one haraam, and not to all.
Knowing that nikah is important and wajib in most of the cases and deciding on doing it but not when needed.
Letting sons do what they want, and when the girls want to do the same creating double standards and saying it's Haraam.

When you start something, you HAVE to cont. on it and complete it, you can't possibly support your religion half way just till when you find it convenient. The reason to why we are getting away with this attitude is because everyone around is more or less like that, we happen to surround ourselves with people sharing these convictions and what i like to term 'convenience based beliefs'. If you try to be around people who are not reluctant to practice Nahy Anil Munkar and Amr Bil Ma'ruf you will seldom find yourself in these situations. Rather you will get more polished & be able to practice your religion more righteously and effectively.

There is absolutely nothing to be proud about preaching & practicing a religion only half way. That will get you only half way to heaven and much regret for your negligence. Compare yourself with those you are more pious and religiously strong than you are and learn from them, idolize them try to be them.See how your perception & ideas are going to make you grow into a better muslim a better human being a better sister/brother, and follow only those advices.

There is a sense of security and belonging we human beings get when we restrict ourselves from following all the rules; everything from the beginning till the end.We don't want to sound, appear or be extreme. But the fact is that there is a need for this because we are lacking so far behind with what we have accomplished.We need a drastic change that would make it less painful & less disturbing for our younger generation to follow and improve. So if not for the sake of yourself, keep your convictions & unconditional yet painful love for the people around you aside & change yourself for those innocent young minds that are getting mislead.

Syeda Fatima, 18
(syeda715@hotmail.com)