The Muslim Inferiority Complex Epidemic

If I were to tell you right here, right at this moment, that Angelina Jolie or Justin Bieber have just converted to Islam. You’d probably be ecstatic, and happy to know that a celebrity has just accepted a religion which is often hated, and criticized as most Muslims would be. Why is that? Is it that Muslims today look for acceptance from society, or that the level of trauma that many undergo causes them to become people of self-doubt? Is it that we Muslims have a harder time integrating into modern society, or that our arbitrary devout sensitivity has just weakened over time? There is an issue of inferior complexities that is constantly growing in our world today, which impacts the daily lives of Muslims immensely.

This epidemic has not only caused Muslims to be both extremely self-conscious and insecure, but has also led to the becoming of people who continuously ask for acceptance, and attention from society.

Today, the world’s most practiced, and growing religion has a population that is targeted regularly. Although Islam has been growing and spreading for the past years, its population has yet to achieve the same. When looking back on history, the ‘Dark Ages’, or often called the ‘Golden Age’ for Muslims, one will notice that this was a time when Muslims had flourished tremendously with new scientific, and mathematical ideas and inventions. Early Islamic scholars were known around the world for their intellectual strengths. They possessed both knowledge and wealth that not many were familiar with at the time. However, if one observes modern Muslim achievements, very little progress has been made. This lack of progress has resulted in Muslims to seek out acceptance, and respect from others around the world. For example, the Angelina Jolie, and Justin Beiber example, the reason we would be ecstatic would be the very symptom of an inferiority complex. The fact that Angelina Jolie is a celebrity, widely known, respected, and reputed makes her someone who’s acceptance could be deemed as a way for Muslims to be accepted worldwide. Whenever any well-reputed individual completes an act of respect to Muslims, everyone reacts, and Muslims become extremely happy as they feel a sense of self-worth. For example, the time Justin Bieber paused his concert for an Athan; even those who despised this celebrity began to love, and idolize him as an amazing human being. Why is this reaction from Muslims immensely repetitive? Muslims are craving for reverence on a daily basis. There is this constant greed in the hearts of them for acceptance from this world. I know this may sound a little critical of the Muslims, but bare with what I’m saying before making a judgement. The reason behind this inferior complexity is merely trauma. Today, as can be witnessed on TV, and platforms of media, Muslims are exploited not only by others however also by their own leaders. The war in Syria, and the horrendous conditions of Palestine are living examples. These traumas contribute to the inferior complexities because they are what lead to lack of self-esteem, and self-worth. The traumas that haunt Muslims who are under conditions of war, have permanent psychological effects that are passed onto other generations. These effects can further develop into inferior complexities that can spread among the whole Muslim community resulting in repercussions. As someone becomes a victim of war in Afghanistan, other relatives in Canada, and America are equally affected by this event. Trauma is the largest contributor to the inferior complexities of Muslims, although it is not the only. Other factors such as social media also play a vital role in shaping the inferior complexities of Muslims today.

The three greatest inferior complexities of Muslims are:

1. Fear of discrimination, and judgement

2. The idea that Islam cannot meet modern standards, and values

3. Doubts on Prophet Muhammad’s character

Fear of discrimination, and judgement

Isn’t it ironic that when a non Muslim stares at a Muslim, the Muslim feels as if they are being judged, and discriminated? Is this a true fact that every non Muslim (when they stare) are judging and discriminating Muslims? Of course, not, although the built up of this turmoil has made Muslims feel as if everyone around them constantly has eyes on them. It’s not true that every non Muslim judges, or that every Muslim feels judged by the people around him/her. Usually, when an incident like this occurs, a myriad number of Muslims go by the assumption that they are in fact being judged and discriminated against. Yes, there are terrible events around the world specifically targeting Muslims, however it does not lead to the conclusion that all non Muslims support the occurrences of these events. Muslims are united, and they do not define the idea of terrorism for Islam. Yes I’m saying that with no regret.

The idea that Islam cannot meet modern standards, and values

We can see this on our social media posts everyday? Islam supports Jihad, Islam supports killing, and Islam is a religion of terrorism. Although, not everyone has this opinion on Islam, but the minority that do, make Islam seem like a population that provides no freedom, and simply has boundaries. Islam is not a population, Muslims are, and Islam, that’s a way of living. It’s not a black and white book of law, where only the prohibited, and permitted laws are stated. A teacher of mine defined “Islam like a hospital for the sick to heal, not like a court with judges, and criminals”. This one statement in its core, truly shows what Islam is there for, which is to help people, not steal their freedoms or rights. If we all decided to educate ourselves on the principles, and teachings of Islam, we would better be able to respond to the world when someone did judge Islam merely based on its population. This is the same with every religion, the population is never able to define the religion’s principles. Islam is able to meet modern standards, and in fact considers their importance in a way that prepares Muslims for the future, and gives them courage in the present. This inferior complexity can be removed with the simple intention of education. One thing to always remind yourself is that freedom of religion exists in every law, but the right to express one’s religion only exists in some.

Doubts on Prophet Muhammad’s Character

This is one inferior complexity that is on the rise for Muslims in the western world. With the Charlie Hebdo attack, Paris attack, and countless other terrorist acts, the path for Islamophobia has just become easier, and Muslims face difficulty practicing their faith freely in many countries. As critics continue to define Islam by its population, prophet Muhammad’s character is also brought into this criticism. His character has just transformed into a mystery box with assumptions about his life and motives.

When different critics of Islam speak out against the Prophet, Muslims are provoked, and often react negatively. What Muslims have been taught about the prophet Muhammad’s honesty, and loyalty is far different from what critics call him. This is an inferior complexity that convinces the mind of a Muslim to doubt the prophet’s character despite knowing that he was a living example of Islam, and that context is missing from the text in regards to his life. Everything from presenting verses in the Quran (For example the sword verse) to prophet Muhammad’s marriage to Ayesha- all repeating one common theme, doubt. How can Muslims tackle this struggle of doubt? To be honest, it’s really a matter of how much the Muslim community educates itself. Most of the presented doubts on prophet Muhammad’s character, and Islam in general are out of context. There is little to no consideration towards the circumstances/conditions of the past, and so this is the largest factor leading to confusion about Islam. The Muslim community needs to immerse itself towards gaining knowledge so that they are able to respond positively, and respectfully to the critics of Islam, and the prophet because at the end of the day, we’re all ignorant until someone teaches us with a considerate attitude. None of us really understand Islam in its depths, we only know, and it’s time we understand, and show that understanding through actions.

To conclude, there is a struggle in the Muslim community with their identity. Many do not feel comfortable expressing their faith, and it has resulted in a confusion about Islam, and its principles. Muslims are struggling with inferior complexities, and most are a result of the trauma Muslims have undergone, and the lack of respect they have received from the rest of the world. This has led to Muslims feeling inferior to other religions, cultures, and people. The biggest of these complexities are, fear of being discriminated, Islam not being able to meet modern standards, and prophet Muhammad’s character being doubtful. One thing to understand is that most of these complexities are a result of the lack of education in the Muslim community. If Muslims immersed more into education, they would better be able to respond positively to critics with a courageous, yet respectful attitude. This means knowing the context of Islamic texts, and applying Islam’s principles into daily life. We all say Islam encourages honesty, but how many of us don’t lie in a single day? These are questions that need to be asked from every Muslim. We all love Islam’s values, and principles, but what’s the point of scripture if we’re not able to showcase that through action?