Its nearly midnight, and having piled up many thoughts from a couple of monologues with other people, with a healthy dose of anime viewing, i feel compelled to write this blog post. I dont know how successful i am going to be in making it meet my high standards of expression, since im tired, but i'll try my best.

What really inspired me to start to write this blog post was the state of islam. The state of islam is a fascinating thing because it varies, to so many extremities according to your geographical region. Granted, some are more severe than others, but as a muslim living within London, the only thing i can talk about about islam in London.

I sit here, writing this blog post, in the face of peaked interest in Islam in London, in the face of Islam channel, in the face of da'wah groups, in the face of hizb-ut-tahrir and islam's spirit in East London. I write this because i am questioning it all. The question that is on my mind is this :

Since when did Islam become so sensationalistic?

Honestly, the different mediums that Islam passes through in London is insulting. Its either screamed out of some angry protestor's megaphone or banner notice, handed out on a leaflet, featured on a polarised BBC news report, or maybe its from that muslim friend you have that just cant shut up about his religion and never ceases to shove it on your face, with an almost complete lack of respect for who you are and what you would like to discuss.

Its mostly the latter i wanted to talk about. (Because the whole self-victimisation is getting pretty old now fellow muslims, please stop blaming the media and buy yourselves a couple of mirrors). The obsession with "da'wah" in the Islamic community. I put that "da'wah" in quote marks because i believe that concept is being taken in an entirely different direction. The Islamic community has essentially reached an assumed chokehold, where they believe that everyone is out to get us, and so steps have to be taken in order "re-establish our image" and to put us back in the good books of the non-muslims and hopefully get some new recruits. *Sarcasm alert* thats funny, the last time i checked, the priority of a muslim is to serve god, and not the "perception of the non muslim masses". /sarcasm

Actions, speak louder than words however. When you see people putting more enthusiasm in "spreading the message" rather than "learning the message" (i am looking in your direction, East London uni students) it gets to a point where one really has to question their priorities.

But let me stop beating around the bush and get serious here.

Why is there so much of a focus on words. There are pretty much, countless da'wah groups whose sole aim is to grab the attention of non muslims by using their tongues, flowery words, and funky leaflets, posters and banners. Has it really sunken that low? Is that the best we can do? Now, the prophet (saw) wasnt exactly an academic. Infact, he was illiterate. Sure, he passed down the words of the Quran (which are renknowned for its poetry and eloquence) but his actual quotes and words, in comparison to the Quran, didnt compare at all. Now the TRUE eloquence of the prophet (saw) was in his life. The Quran came down and said what had to be said, but to "walk the walk" the prophet (saw) was sent.

His LIFE, was a da'wah. Forget anything he said, his actions and character are what made him legendary.

So whats my point?

The Quran's already said all there is to say. The words are all there. They're the best words we've Islam has got. So really, after the Quran, what more can you say? Do you think you can (god forgive me) "compete" with god, and try to reel in people with your gold tongues and poetry? Please.

The people of London, do not have time, to read through leaflets, to attend seminars, to come to circles and meetings. They dont even have the time to learn Arabic and read the Quran (since thats the only way it can really be understood anyway) That might be possible with a few people, but the general consensus is that people are too busy, trying to make a living for themselves, and basically trying to survive. The *only* thing that will catch people's interest is your actions. Your character. How you present yourself. The prophet (saw) is historic proof of this. Because Allah (swt) knew that words alone would not have been enough to suffice for selfish, ignorant humans.

And honestly, if you think you're bursting with knowledge about islam and go on babbling about it to someone who has no frame of reference, you come off as :

1. A Pompous Dick
2. Incredibly hard to relate to.

Islam is not your product, to sell and market, and sensationalise. Do you understand me? Its not your property. It is fundamentally, a way of life, and we pay respects to it, by fullfilling the purpose that it was set out for.

Now just in case if you havent really understood fully what i have tried to say, i apologise, and i will make it simple and blunt.

In my opinion :

1. A da'wah blasting, knowledge brimming, "enthusiastic" muslim will have a harder time trying to inspire people to come to islam.

2. A normal, average human person, who follows the deen, and lives through example, will inspire many people to curiosity because actions mean more. Furthermore, they speak about Islam when asked about it.

So lets stop all the talk about convincing people that "we are not terrorists" and start living your life humbly and respectably. Yes, you are muslim, Yes you were chosen by Allah (swt) but that doesnt give you the right to shove it down other people's throats.

I wrote this post for myself, so frankly, i dont really care what the reaction is. I am writing this because i am fed up.

But you know, even i know, that as much as i like the english language, its still a useless tool in regards to what my true desires are. The language of actions can be understood globally, universally. And perhaps its everyone's first true language. I encourage and invite people to start to speak in this language, because if we dont, we're going to fall into the hole we've dug for ourselves.

And its a question i dont have an answer to.

Yet.
You see, in my humble opinion, what diffrentiates a good blog from a bad blog is when the writer is writing for the sake of self enjoyment. When you take the whole question of writing for an audience and throw it out the window, you can think about your blog more personally, more intimately, because its there for YOU.

So, i've been back after a few months? What kept me waiting? If i had to guess, it was because i had nothing new to say. And if there's one thing i dont like, is the feeling of repeating myself. Sure, i write about the same old bullshit in this blog, but as long as it feels like its something new everytime, thats all that matters.

Next question : What has sparked off this blog post? Good question. The answer is : Change.

Change of year, change of tone and feel. Change in people. Not the same "change" i had discussed months ago, when i say "change" i mean the next step in evolution or shall we say, the next part of the big meal. Its all different and new and stimulating.

Oh, what a shame. Writing this post just made me have a very big brainwave. Im going to have to play around with it for a bit. But i'll be back later. Whenever.