Islam Is Not a Trend
“A religion with significant spiritual meaning for more than a billion people is greater than any Arabic phrase on a hoodie or a caption on Instagram. Islam is a beautiful religion; it’s not content, it’s the truth. It is worthy of receiving the respect it deserves.”
Walking down the halls of the fourth floor at CSH, everyone always has a question, especially during the month of Ramadan. Being curious about someone else's religion isn’t horrible; however, it’s the way you go about it. People I know tend to be quick to use phrases without understanding that some words should not be misused. They make it seem like us Muslims have to be perfect, and so close to God, but it's not easy when there are a lot of rules and constraints with Islam. If I jokingly lie, they mispronounce something that sounds like astgafullah, and proceed to tell me that Allah doesn’t like liars.
Growing up, being Muslim was horrifying. Kids in elementary school were disrespectful about the hijabs and some would even try to take it off. The constant bullying came with being called names like “African booty scratcher” just because I identified as a Muslim or because I was obsessed with my religion. There are many religions out there that may receive backlash, but it is incredibly hard to come from a religion that’s constantly receiving backlash because of information that is being twisted. People have turned our religion into something that raises terrorists, but they don't know that there is a deeper understanding that comes with the religion. Imagine being 8 years old, and every time you were joking with a friend they would “jokingly” tell you to remove your hijab or they would remove it. This type of incident instilled deep fear into my heart, which made me drift away from the hijab. Some say following the religion is a blessing in disguise due to what outside perspectives have to say. The real issue isn’t about the backlash about Islam; it's about the newer generation turning Islam into a trend.
In today’s world, it seems like everything has become a trend. Social media tells us what’s “poppin” and all of a sudden everyone wants in. One trend that has been going on that caught my attention is much deeper than any clothes or any TikTok sound, it's religion — more specifically, Islam.
We now live in a society where saying “Al-Ham-Dulillah” and “In-Sha-Allah” has become aesthetic. Where people are posting in hijabs for their social media platform without fully understanding the spiritual meaning behind them. Islam is a religion that welcomes everyone, no matter your background, your past, or your ethnicity. But the problem starts when people convert to Islam as a vibe rather than a vow. When it becomes about clout, not commitment.
Lately I've noticed more and more people converting to Islam without really grasping what it means to be a Muslim. So the question is, is it curiosity? A genuine interest? Or is it just a hopping on a trend wave? I am not speaking about this topic to gate-keep Islam, but rather so people can respect and understand it. Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in the world. It gets beautiful the more people are exploring it. But there’s also a line between exploration and exploitation. Posting a verse from the Quran and putting a filter on it without any knowledge of its message reduces the religion rather than honoring it. It might also feel like our faith is being used as a joke for those of us that were born into the religion that practice it sincerely. I have personally witnessed this during Ramadan as I’m walking through school. People will stop me and ask me why I’m not fasting, acting like they are the “Ramadan police.” Sometimes it may come from a genuine place; however, in Islam a man is never supposed to ask a woman why she is not fasting.
Islam is not a trend. It’s a way of life. It’s daily prayer, discipline, reflection, community, and peace. It’s about the submission to god and about striving to be a better person everyday. But when people only see the parts of Islam that are put on Instagram or go viral, they miss the depth. The struggle and the beauty. They disrespect the people who live it. Both young and old, practicing and reverting Muslims are witnessing their religion being admired and misinterpreted at the same time. While some are pleased to see Islam in the public eye, others are angry that the religion's fundamental beliefs are being degraded for entertainment purposes. Some people are drawn to Islam because it makes them feel like they belong or makes them stand out rather than actually researching the religion and understand its core values. Finding a following is not the same as finding faith.
A balance needs to be maintained. Islam encourages curiosity. The process includes learning, making mistakes and asking questions. Learning about Islam feels like you're a baby taking first steps. We may not see it as a bad thing when everyone is converting, but religion loses its sacredness when it turns into a trend where females want to convert because they see fine Muslim men. It is not only misleading but it’s also insulting to use religious terms for influence, wear Islamic symbols out of context, or make religious claims for attention. A religion with significant spiritual meaning for more than a billion people is greater than any Arabic phrase on a hoodie or a caption on Instagram. Islam is a beautiful religion; it’s not content, it’s the truth. It is worthy of receiving the respect it deserves.
Islam is ultimately not a trend. It isn’t a catchphrase to use online, a cultural look to play dress up, or a temporary persona to adopt when it suits you. Peace, submission and an unbreakable devotion to god. Islam goes beyond what is shown in viral films and social media snippets. It is the silent power of a mother offering prayers before the sun rises, it’s a young man’s discipline to get up for fajr (prayer at 5:00) while no one else is around. It’s the Muslim’s determination in praying, fasting, and trying to live a meaningful life in a chaotic world. For those of us who were born into Islam, it hurts to see people treat the religion in certain ways. Having to constantly defend it, explain it, or correct something that someone said gets frustrating. Yes, many people are drawn to Islam and that’s the beautiful thing, but intention matters.
Islam welcomes anyone with a sincere heart, regardless of past mistakes. So here’s the truth: faith is not fashion. Saying “In-Sha-Allah” is not a trend, it’s a reminder that our lives are in God’s hands. Saying “Al-Ham-Dulillah” means gratitude for whatever happens in life. Those words carry weight. They are not meant to be tossed around for laughs and jokes.
Before you call yourself a Muslim, ask yourself if you really understand what you’re stepping into. Do you want to learn, grow, and commit? Or are you just riding the wave? Islam is not a moment. It’s not temporary. It’s not a phase you outgrow. It’s a lifetime, a journey, a truth.