Shared
Way of Life

You know,

when looking around the muslim world,

Islam appears in a vast array of different local cultural expressions,

often seeming quite different.

Yet one thing that would seem to be universal

is the language used to share a recognition of Islam in daily life,

In a world where only a minority of muslims speak Arabic,

there are still Arabic words and phrases

shared and used across the whole ummah,

by which muslims identify with their muslim nature.

One of these is the phrase that begins the Qur'an,

the phrase that begins Fatiha,

the Bismillah,

beginning in the Name of the Fount-of-All-Mercy, the Ever-Merciful,

Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim,

a phrase which appears again before each and every surah bar one.

But muslims use the phrase to begin many more things than the chapters of the Qur'an,

using it at the start of any number of different and familiar actions.

Before words that are to be separated from everyday chatter,

such as when giving a speech

or teaching a class,

the bismillah will be used to change the tone.

But it is also used on so many more mundane occasions,

like starting a car,

or pressing the button in a lift,

and it brings a focus to more rare and possibly dangerous fearful events,

recognising God's presence,

and our need for God's help and care.

Then of course

the phrase is most commonly used before eating or drinking,

remembering that what we are eating and drinking

ultimately comes from God's provision.

And gratitude for that provision is also expressed

during and afterwards by the phrase Al-Hamdulillah,

giving grateful praise to God for what we have been given,

whether that be the food that we eat,

or all the various aspects of our life experience,

not just the good things that we can enjoy,

but also the things that are not so pleasant,

the trials we are sent to learn and grow from.

Al-Hamdullilah

in one brief phrase

voices our gratitude for all that we receive,

saying thank-you to God

for everything in our lives.

Then there is the phrase used to express awe and wonder at God's might and power,

as seen reflected in the world, Allahu Akbar.

Whether it be the fires of a volcano

or a blazing forest,

the moving ground of an earthquake,

the ocean's rolling breakers

or a tsunami sweeping all before it,

it is not enough.

Even the spinning of the earth and heavens

so clearly seen at dawn or sunset,

no matter how vast the forces that are involved,

it is always good to remember that God is Greater.

And of course that power over us

can be noticed in much more minor events,

small pains such as the stubbing of a toe

are also likely to bring out a cry of Allahu Akbar.

These phrases are used by muslims to remember God

in all the aspects of their lives.

Most muslims may not speak Arabic,

but they know these words and phrases,

and they are a public voicing and recognition of God's presence in their lives,

and saying the words out loud is a reminder to those around them

that they are all part of a community that shares a belief in the One God.

That recognition of community is then shared as a greeting of friendship,

that greeting of peace to each other,

Salaamu aleikum,

Peace be upon you,

peace be with you,

may you live in peace,

a statement of what you wish for others around you,

what you wish each other.

Salaamu aleikum,

in the same way that you greet those in the line of muslims

on your right and left to end Sala.