For most of us, religion plays a big part in our lives. We easily get protective and defensive when someone speaks adversely about our faith. But does claiming to be a Muslim make one a true Muslim? Can one be a believer just by claiming to be one? What does the word believer mean? Why do we use this word?Faith is not something that is acquired, it's part of our natural composition. Though it may become apparent during the later stages of one's life. This can only occur if it is already inherent in one's nature.What does it mean for faith to become apparent in one's life?Just because you have knowledge of faith and apply the requisites of being a Muslim may not necessarily mean you're a believer. In fact, such a person may be faithless altogether, for actions may well be done despite doubt or denial. Are actions displayed contrary to one's true feelings and beliefs in order to acquiesce with the environment, actions of faith? And what if they are put forth out of courtesy or simply out of vested interests? Rumi says, "Either appear as you are or be what you appear as"...Easier said than done - the consequences of aspiring to this principle could be overwhelming. Only a rare few who truly believe in Allah will dare - those who have nothing to lose! For such people live only for Allah, expecting nothing from anyone. Such people have already abandoned everything others will also inevitably lose in the future...Often we are veiled from the true meaning of a word or a definition simply because we have come to mistake its second hand and often highly superficial meaning with its intended reality. The CALL makes readers question many of the concepts of Islam that we have come to take for granted. A must read for inquisitive minds.
