How Do You Define Islam?
August 11, 2006 | 17 Rajab 1427
I originally started this post as NYC Trip, August 2006, but instead I wanted to post something a bit deeper. I hope the reason is clear by the end of the post.
Like many other “converts” I’ve spoken with over the years, the people you take shahadah (convert) with hold a special place in your heart. And while you may drift in different directions from the point, you will always carry a connection with them. For me, Naeem is one of those people. Over the years we have grown: spiritually/religiously as well as the type of growth one receives from just plain old “livin’“. Much of my initial understanding of Islam (and therefore practice) was based on what I learned from him. I can think back nostalgically as I used to sit in his basement after maghrib and we would read Maududi and other works like Riyadh as-Saliheen. There’s a very interesting article in Islamica magazine this month that talks about the nostalgia of taking shahadah. Give it a glance. You may find it interesting.
But unlike many other converts my bond with Naeem only increased over the years. Oh, to be sure, we’ve had our disagreements but underlying everything was a commitment to Islam, if I may be so bold, in the spirit of the Sahabah (the Companions of the Prophet). We looked after one another. I suppose in the parlance of our times you could say we had (and still have) each other’s backs. Naeem’s thing was for Allah and my thing was for Allah so with God as our common denominator we’ve been able to stay close despite all of the different experiences we’ve had over the last fourteen years.
Seeing Naeem today was really momentous. It has been quite some time since we’ve been in the same ZIP code. Aside from the usual catching up (which we do on a weekly basis) it was more the comfort that both of us feel by being in the presence of some one who just “gets you”. You can let down your guard and chew the fat. Seeing him has made me realize how much I miss my “crew” from Michigan and how much a part of my Islam they are. How much they inform it.
Enjoy a few picks from the day.
NYC Reunion - 72nd & Columbus Ave
Mosque, 1 Riversie Drive
Big Nicks, NYC
Self Portrait, Big Nicks, NYC
Lunch, Big Nicks, NYC
Big Nicks, NYC
72nd & Amsterdam Ave
