Ever heard of the "average Joe"? Or perhaps you use a different term in your language? We use these terms to refer to a person who we believe embodies the typical or "average" characteristics of a wider population. For example, one could say:
Likewise, the "average muslim" represents the bulk of the muslims in the ummah (أمة – group or community of believers). If you're reading this, you too are very likely, just another average muslim! And if you're not muslim, then think of your muslim friends, neighbours, classmates or colleagues as average muslims.
So what then are the characteristics of the average muslim today? And by extension, what state is the muslim ummah in? Without even answering that in detail here (that will be the topic of another blog post), it's no secret that the average muslim today is far from being representative of the ideal muslim.
We can and need to do much better. Let us be reminded by the Word of God (اللّٰه) [Qur'an 57:16],
Has the time not yet come
for believers to humble their hearts
to the remembrance of God and the Truth that has been revealed,
and not to be like those
who received the Scripture before them,
whose time was extended
but whose hearts became hardened and many of them are rebellious?
We must step-up our game – and that is the core idea behind starting this blog. Just like yourself, I too am just another average muslim but I believe that it is high time we all not only begin to better ourselves but to sincerely and actively look for ways to benefit others. As God tells us [Qur'an 103:1-3],
By the [passage of] time,
Surely humanity is [deep] in loss
Except those who
have faith,
do good,
and urge each other to the truth,
and urge each other to patience.
In sha Allah (إِنْ شَاءَ ٱللَّٰهُ - If God Wills), I will use this blog as a platform for myself and other average muslims to share thoughts, reflections, and ideas on how we can together collectively raise the bar for what it means to be an average muslim. I pray and hope that you find these bite-sized writings relatable and that they inspire you to positive action.
Before you leave this page, I ask you to make sincere dua (دعاء - supplication) for muslims all around the world. If you have found this blog to be of some benefit, please be so kind to share and subscribe to it. Jazāk Allāhu Khayran (جَزَاكَ ٱللَّٰهُ خَيْرًا - May Allah reward you with goodness).
