By Muhammad Haji
I always say œguide us to the right path. So why wouldnt I change? Change means learning to adapt to new things, to switch from dependency and imitation, to independency and authenticity. It is the response of nature, because the whole universe changes. Religion is solid, but opinions change.
Makkah is different from Madinah. The era of the Prophet is different from the era of the Caliphs. Leniency precedes strictness. Invitation precedes intimidation. I prefer to observe myself instead of others, to know my flaws before knowing theirs. The sky changes its clouds. The river changes its water. The ground changes its soil. The sun changes its horizon.
If I stayed the same while everything moves, it means that I will end up alone. I spent three years of solitude. It isolated me from the public effect, granted me freedom and it expanded my simple thoughts, pushed me towards life after being confined. It enabled me to look at the brighter side in people.
When I came out, I found one group that developed violent ideas. I had to be honest towards them, even if it means to lose them. Its acceptable if you want to learn from me, but it is not acceptable if you want me to restrain myself. Because my freedom is priceless, it does not belong to any authority or individual.
I must keep moving on even if I stumbled. I fall but would never stop from rising again. Im proud that my greatest feature is my faith in Allah and my love and trust towards Him. And that I lose all my worries, suffering and pain when I prostrate before Him.
I was following the steps of my sheikhs in forbidding photography, and making an excuse to allow it only for necessity, but I was wondering, œWhy are we using photography to preach if the prophet cursed those who use it?
Now our life has changed, I rarely find one who prohibits photography. No need for further studies because it became a necessity. Scholar should have the courage to open some closed doors, before it gets broken by other people.
Yes I have changed, because if I stayed the same my 25 years old as I was in my 15 years old, it means that I have lost 10 years of my life.***