Muslims ain't terrorists
Muslims ain't pedophiles
Muslims don't enslave women
Muslims ain't regressive
Muslims ain't troublesome
...
And the list goes on endlessly

Due to the prevalence of unwanted and dastard occurrences involving Muslims and/or Muslim lands, we hear each of the above-listed phrases, every other day.

It's a cycle; the incident occurs, the media is filled with those phrases and after a while, we move on until the next occurrence.

We don't have to keep echoing Muslims ain't terrorists et al, the world is tired of hearing that. In fact, it is foolhardy repeating same thing over and over and expecting a change. When a thing is repeated too often, it looses it's meaning - in fact "Muslims are not terrorists" no longer catches attention, it's become one of those things.


With the cycle on an "auto-repeat" and the next only a matter of moments away, here's a wake up call. Let's change the narrative to who we really are

Allah says
“You are the best nation produced for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah...” (Al-Imran: 110).

We are the best, are we living like the best should?
We forbid evil and do good, isn't this the exact opposite of what we do?


As an individual Muslim, how have you been portraying Islam? In your family; in your neighborhood; in your classroom; in your workplace and organisation; amidst your peers?
Are you rightly "repping" Islam?


Haven't we all heard of the distinctive characteristics of the early Muslims? They were reported in history books to be truthful, highly disciplined, and tolerant. Are we in anyway similar in this context? Your character is the easiest way you can call to the way of Allah even without you making additional efforts.

We are the truthful ones and should remain truthful and just at all times, even if against our relatives. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 42:
"And mix not truth with falsehood, nor conceal the truth while you know (it)"

Also, Didn't Allah talk about the consequences of speaking a lie and giving false testimonies in the verses of Surah Noor (Chapter 24)?


I'm tired of hearing Muslims ain't this and that, let's show them who we really are. We have to pay the price, and right now it's definitely above what we are not; it's about showing who we are, it's about living like ideal Muslims and it begins with you and me.

It's high time we changed the narrative from WHO WE ARE NOT, to WE ARE.


AbdulAfeez Irekeola