FAITH

Why GenZ Is Losing their Faith in God

Misconceptions about Islam : A GenZ Muslim

The media's portrayal of Muslims ,the misconceptions from outsiders, the divisions within Muslim ummah and seeing random sheikhs associate Islam with outrageous things made it hard to have Iman. There's a huge mismatch between how we were taught Islam and how we perceive the world. Our parents, guardians and teachers were not equipped to teach us Islam in a way that resonated with our reality. Many of us were taught to read and memorize the Quran without understanding its meaning or relevance to our lives, especially for non Arab Muslims where it often felt like mere on a page. The same goes for salah. So when doubt starts to creep in, we question our entire belief system because our entire foundation is weak. As an older GenZ, I began practicing Islam properly. I am constantly learning about our religion , our Creator and what it truly means to be a Muslim. But I've also discovered how much misinformation exist within our community. We don't understand our religion well. So, when people say GenZ is losing Iman, it's not entirely  their fault of our Ummah for failing to understand and teach our religion properly. That being said, GenZ are old enough to do their diligence. Our religion was meant to be studied extensively, do your research well and InshaaAllah  (hopefully) you will be guided. 

The Concept of Hijab:

One of the questions often asked by people is, “Why do Muslim women cover their heads?” The answer lies in understanding the essence of one’s existence as explained in Islam.

 Islam’s enigma of modesty outspreads to all aspects of one’s life, including clothing. Hijab, the head -covering worn by Muslim women, is an outer expression of an inner pledge to worship God. This flyer explores the different magnitudes hijab transports to the lives of women and the accountability men and women share in safeguarding modesty in society. Along the way, it exposes common stereotypes and rejoices the voices of women who practice hijab with superiority.

The Meaning of Hijab in Islam

Muslims believe that their true purpose in life is to worship God according to His commands, as revealed in the holy book of Quran and through the teachings of Muhammad (s.a.w) ,the final prophet of Islam. Worship in Islam is a universal concept  which encourages God-consciousness in every aspect of daily life, from charity and hospitality to prayer and straightforward dealings in business. Modest clothing is an integral aspect of worship in Islam as well. 

Further, many people make the error of thinking that the hijab is a definitive statement of a woman’s religiosity, as if it is a clear indicator of her spiritual commitment. While veiling is a reflection of one’s beliefs, the hijab simultaneously becomes a tangible reminder to the woman herself: to embody the modesty and dignity it represents and to carry one’s self in a way that pleases God. In that sense, the hijab symbolizes a journey of devotion rather than the end-result of piety.

 Simplifications and stereotypes about Islam and Muslims are widespread in today’s society and, by addition, in the minds of many people whose worldview is structured  by the media. Muslim women in hijab are often defamed they are regarded on the one hand as plagued and, on the other, as religious extremists. Due to such misconceptions, unfortunately, the larger society fails to acknowledge and appreciate Muslim women’s courage in standing up to societal customs in their determination to reserve their modesty.

Hijab clearly classifies women as followers of Islam, which can have its disadvantages in a land where misinformation about the (belief) Islam and its supporters abounds. For instance, some Muslim women are differentiated   against   in the workplace while others are emotionally molested through insensitive interpretations. Yet, portraying on inner strength and resolve, Muslim women take these incidents in stride. Their love for God and responsibility of modesty empower them in the face of challenges