I think the biggest issue is that people will look at any prominent Muslim figure and ascribe to that person the responsibility of being a good role model for Muslims to follow. I know that in life, it's quite impossible to separate the different layers of one's identity and wherever you go, you do carry the badge of representation for each of the communities that you come from, regardless of whether you'd like it or not. And so on that note alone, people should always be on their best behaviour because people will look at you, and think that's how all X people are. Even if that's not true.
But the reality is, as humans, we are not perfect. And just because someone is a Muslim, doesn't mean they are an exemplary Muslim, like how a Muslim should be. And that's fine because your Iman is a journey, there are ups and downs, and you will never be perfect. But as much as possible of course, you should abide by the rules of Islam.
It's a bit hard to shape how outsiders decide who should be the representation of your community but as a community, as Muslims, we can at least decide who is best to represent us. And so we should be discerning enough to acknowledge that so and so is a good activist, but is not a good Muslim role model. And I think it really ties in to the whole idea of keyboard warriors who will comment anything and everything about Islam, criticize scholars when they themselves have no knowledge. We need to decide who we should look to, to learn about Islam. Who has credible opinions on Islam that we can follow. Just because person A is a good activist who happens to be Muslim doesn't mean we should look to them for religious advice. It sounds like common sense but apparently it isn't. It's like people asking their favourite celebrities to make political commentary but artists are artists, not politicians or political experts. Make those people leaders of what they are good at, and don't extend their sphere of influence over into areas they are not experts in.
I think it's just as simple as that. Of course it can also be somewhat problematic to endorse someone for the good they do when at the same time they are actively harming the religious image of Islam. When that happens then I guess you should decide whether the harm they are doing to the Muslim community outweighs the good they do in other aspects. If it does then you should just stop lending them their support and stop giving them their platform.
vaporwave
romaincrisis
2087
titsay
yousharknotpass
