224: 10.1 The Nuance of Gray

A few days ago, I was listening to a podcast by Brother Abdelrahman Murphy. He was talking about how easily we think things in a black or white fashion. Some things that we, as a community might say include, "What is the point of her wearing the hijab if her attitude is so poor?" or "Why bother praying extra sunnah prayers if he doesn't pay zakat?" or "What is the point of learning the Quran if he treats his parents that way?" This way of thinking even extends to how we think of ourselves: "I am not ready to wear modest clothing, there are so many things of myself I have yet to work on first."

The sad thing is that these all or nothing expectations that we put on ourselves and on others are not something that has been placed or mandated by God. He never asked for perfection, and being human, we will never reach perfection. What He does ask from us is effort - to try and inch closer to Him. So if it is starting off with wearing the hijab once a week or going to jamaah prayers on a Friday or even reading the Quran once a month, the point is to start somewhere. And not to let the fear of not reaching perfection deter you from taking the first step.

And do good even if you know you are doing bad - do what you can even if you are doing what you shouldn't. For in the end, good acts will eventually cancel out the bad. Have faith and continue on striving. And to those who deem others not good enough or not holy enough to participate in practices that could bring him or her closer to Him, please realise that you are just being an annoying obstacle to someone else's spiritual journey.