By Maryam Kehinde Abdulazeez
Image they say is everything. We actually live in a globe where we are judged mostly by our appearances more than anything. A muslim must be mindful of both his or her appearance (physical outlook) and personality (good conduct).
A muslim must dress modestly to please Allah and not the society and it is also mandatory on us that we match our outlook i.e appearance with good character and the fear of Allah because Allah does not look at only our physical outlook but judges us by what is within our heart.
Therefore, our real label/identity is the good character in us and the fear of Allah.
According to Abdurasaq Olayode aka philosopher king, during his weekly program “TALK ISLAM” on Jordan 93.9 FM, defined identity as ” the quality, belief, personality looks and the expression that makes a person.” He equally related identity to ” a sense of self and a sense of worth”.
What then is personal identity? Allah (SWT) defined personal identity in Qur’an 49 ayah 13. He says: “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.”
The personal identity of a Muslim is the good deeds, the good relationship s/he has with the family, neighbors, colleagues, employees etc. Islam rejects all racial, ethnological, tribal, geographical, economic, intellectual, cultural and social segregations and places fear of Allah as the standard for distinction between virtues and vices.
Abdurasaq while talking about Personal Identity stated that there are three types of identity, which are;
1. Individual Identity:- your identity is who you are. This is the identity that shows on your ID card, birth certificate and your family.
2. Social Identity:- this has to do with gender and how the society sees it.
3. Collective Identity:- this is the religiously shared identity( some people would tag a person as a Yoruba Muslim etc).
The real identity is the fear of Allah. You are a Muslim by your good actions and not just the way you dress. Good Character speaks more about you than your dressing or physical appearance.
*TALK ISLAM* is a popular faith-based/conventional radio show on *JORDAN FM 93.9, Abuja.*
It’s a live show aired every Friday from 10am to 11am with your popular presenter,
*OLAYODE ABDURASAQ aka PHILOSOPHER KING* ( a marriage counselor in Abuja, Advertising & public relations expert, Media consultant, TV & Radio Personality).
To book a slot for adverts, announcements that will draw a crowd to your events/organized training or voluntary fisebilillah, call to prayers, etc.
Please call 08028431690
Maryam Kehinde Abdulazeez,
Staff writer, Epistemic Consult Ltd.
