Submission

Many websites about Islam say that the meaning of the word is submission. That is submission to the will of God. Not a bad idea at all, as long as God's will is benevolent. I don't care for this translation though. I would prefer surrender. Surrender includes the notion of giving up the struggle. Submission just means you'll give in...for now. There will come a day when you will stop submitting, but if you surrender...it's all over. No more struggle, no more resistance. Surrendering to the will of God would also imply not trying to force an issue. For example, if someone didn't agree with you, instead of continuing to argue with him, you stop arguing and let your behavior demonstrate the correctness of your position. This distinction between surrender and submission is a very important one in 12 Step programs. Give up the struggle to swim against the current, and flow. Demonstrate, thereby, how easy it is to flow. Okay, so far so good. Of course, 12 Step programs have their submitters too. Far to many for my taste.

Islam is a religion for people who just can't surrender, the best they can do is submit. How can I say that? Well, every moment and decision in life is already chosen for you. There are the 5 prayers a day at a specific time. There are the 5 pillars which are not optional. There is the Hadith to tell you what to do, if you can't find it in the Quran. The Jews are said to be people of the Law. Hey, they ain't got nothin' on the Muslims! I have actually seen legitimate magazine style websites from Saudi Arabia with questions to a sort of Ann Landers of Islam asking how long a man should let his beard grow. It was a serious question and a serious answer. The Islamists (read fanatics) have taken the Hadith instruction not to shave to some unusual lengths. Some never trim their beards. Some will, but still keep it long. According to the Hadith as interpreted by the Muslim Ann Landers, Muhammad said not to shave your beard, but to let it grow the length of "one fist." Now, the question that was asked is this, "Where do I measure the fist from?" Is it from the bottom of my lower lip, or the bottom of my chin? And which way is the fist turned, vertical or horizontal? I'm NOT making this up! It was actually in an advice column in Saudia Arabia! By the way, the answer is that some measure from the bottom of the chin with the fist held vertically. But this counselor suggested that from the bottom of the lip would be fine. Can you imagine someone with such a lack of personal power to ask how long to let his beard grow? If it wasn't an actual question, it would make great satire. Forgive me Father, for I can't stand it! That is unmitigated stupidity! It's not only that either. There are rules about what to eat and what to wear and when to eat and when to give to charity and when to fast and when to do almost anything.

It is no wonder that so many people convert to Islam in prison. The people there have a very rigid schedule set by the warden, and they add to it with one set by God. Many psychologists say that a lack of structure will promote unbridled behavior, feelings of insecurity, and even criminal behavior because the person never learned how limit themselves and to delay gratification. Well, these convicts feel especially remorseful after their sentence, and then they find Islam with all the answers. You don't have to struggle with a decision, just look it up in a couple of books. If you can't find it, then just ask your Imam, he'll tell you what to do. It transforms a very difficult life full of insecurity and uncertainty into one of submission. But, not one of ease. There is no feeling of freedom, no flow, no relaxation. It's always a self questioning as if asking yourself all the time if your following the (right) rules. These folks can't surrender, because it's too scary. It's too insecure. They need submission where they can be told what to do. Now, surely there are Muslims who aren't so dependent. Who do have personal power. But, they sure aren't very visible! All of the government and religious officials seem so scared of offending Islam or God that they just knuckle under to any kind of crazy shit fatwa that some self-proclaimed Muslim authority decrees (read Ayman al-Zawahiri, Sheikh Osama bin Laden, Mullah Omar, Abu Hamza, etc).

That's my rant, and Inshallah some of those fatwas will be canceled.

- posted by Marcos @ 11:01 PM (0) comments