بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu Alaikum.

Living in two worlds.

That’s how many Muslims feel with regards to practicing Islam.

They go to the masjid and Islamic classes. Whilst they are there, there is no free mixing with the opposite gender, the hijabs are on, the phones are on silent so that the musical tones cannot be heard and of course, people talk about halal topics.

Then they leave and go back home. Sadly, many Muslims enter a different world at this time. This world is full of music and movies, as well as free mixing with the opposite gender (for many, without the hijab on), wasting time on useless activities and not safeguarding one’s tongue at all. Yes, the person might pray, fast, recite Quran and go for Umrah, but Islam does not permeate their entire life. It only comes into the picture at dedicated times of the day or year and then disappears. So, if you were to see this person in the masjid and outside, you would see two different people.

This problem becomes even more pronounced in Ramadan. Many people are so good whilst fasting, only to revert to the “other side” right after breaking the fast. Others continue to be good even after breaking the fast, only to go back to what they were right after the moon of Eid has been sighted.

Sadly, they might fall into the category of people mentioned in the following hadeeth:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ رُبَّ صَائِمٍ لَيْسَ لَهُ مِنْ صِيَامِهِ إِلاَّ الْجُوعُ وَرُبَّ قَائِمٍ لَيْسَ لَهُ مِنْ قِيَامِهِ إِلاَّ السَّهَرُ ‏

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “There are people who fast and get nothing from their fast except hunger, and there are those who pray and get nothing from their prayer but a sleepless night.” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 1690. Graded “hasan sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani]

Now, the purpose of this post is NOT to blame or shame, rather it is to understand why this problem exists and what can be done to solve it.

Before I delve into the problem, I should clarify two things.

First, we need to understand that nobody is perfect and that everyone makes mistakes.

عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏:‏  كُلُّ بَنِي آدَمَ خَطَّاءٌ وَخَيْرُ الْخَطَّائِينَ التَّوَّابُونَ 

It was narrated from Anas (radiallahu anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Every son of Adam commits sin, and the best of those who commit sin are those who repent.’”  [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 4251. Graded “hasan” (good) by Al-Albani.]

So nobody should assume that they are the only sinful ones because all the children of Adam commit sins to some degree. The differentiating factor between the righteous and not so righteous is actually the amount of sinning and also the amount of repenting. The righteous one would sin less and repent more, whereas the not so righteous one would sin more and repent less.

Possible reasons for this problem and the solutions for each

So what are the reasons for living in two worlds? From my observation, I would say there are a number of issues:

1. Hypocrisy

Some people live two lives because that is exactly what they want. It does not trouble them. On the contrary, some of them revel in this behaviour. This is hypocrisy.

By hypocrisy, I am referring to the major type where a person outwardly displays Islam and inwardly conceals disbelief. There might be others who are not full-blown hypocrites but are also are not troubled by living two lives due to their low iman (belief).

This post is not geared towards them, rather it is for those who are troubled by living two lives and want to change. It is also directed to those who do not realise that it is not okay to live in two worlds.

However, this problem also has a solution – sincere repentance to Allah.

إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِي الدَّرْكِ الْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ وَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيرًا

إِلَّا الَّذِينَ تَابُوا وَأَصْلَحُوا وَاعْتَصَمُوا بِاللَّهِ وَأَخْلَصُوا دِينَهُمْ لِلَّهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ مَعَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۖ وَسَوْفَ يُؤْتِ اللَّهُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

مَّا يَفْعَلُ اللَّهُ بِعَذَابِكُمْ إِن شَكَرْتُمْ وَآمَنتُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ شَاكِرًا عَلِيمًا ‎

Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire – and never will you find for them a helper –Except for those who repent, correct themselves, hold fast to Allah, and are sincere in their religion for Allah, for those will be with the believers. And Allah is going to give the believers a great reward. What would Allah do with your punishment if you are grateful and believe? And ever is Allah Appreciative and Knowing. [Surah An-Nisaa (4) : 145 – 147]

When one feels stricken by some form of hypocrisy, they should strive to be sincere and ask Allah to grant them sincerity.

2. Low iman (belief)

Many Muslims really want to live Islamic lives but they cannot seem to get around to doing it. Perhaps there is a sin that they are committing that is stopping them from moving forward.

The solution to this problem  is repenting to Allah, doing lots of dua (supplication) to Him and also increasing in good deeds step by step. Good deeds raise one’s iman which in turn makes one want to do more good deeds.

One should try to improve even if slowly, and not be content with living in two worlds.

3. Not realising that Islam has to permeate every aspect of one’s life 

Many Muslims do not realise that Islam needs to permeate every aspect of their lives. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) taught us what we need to know in various aspects of life including hygiene, financial affairs, marriage and divorce, matters pertaining to society, etc. Basically, every aspect of our lives needs to be in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah as much as possible.

Many people just don’t understand this which is why some are actually ashamed to apply Islam in every aspect of their lives! They just don’t realise that the teachings of Islam are comprehensive and can be applied in any time and place.

Compare their attitude to that of Salman Al-Farisi (radiallahu anhu) who was so proud of Islamic teachings even when being mocked by the disbelievers.

عَنْ سَلْمَانَ، قَالَ قَالَ لَهُ بَعْضُ الْمُشْرِكِينَ وَهُمْ يَسْتَهْزِئُونَ بِهِ إِنِّي أَرَى صَاحِبَكُمْ يُعَلِّمُكُمْ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ حَتَّى الْخِرَاءَةِ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَجَلْ أَمَرَنَا أَنْ لاَ نَسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةَ وَأَنْ لاَ نَسْتَنْجِيَ بِأَيْمَانِنَا وَلاَ نَكْتَفِيَ بِدُونِ ثَلاَثَةِ أَحْجَارٍ لَيْسَ فِيهَا رَجِيعٌ وَلاَ عَظْمٌ ‏

Salman (radiallahu anhu) said that one of the idolaters said to him, while they were making fun of him: “I see that your companion (the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)) is teaching you everything, even how to relieve yourselves?” He said: “Yes indeed. He has ordered us not to face the Qiblah (prayer direction) nor to clean ourselves with our right hands, and not to be content with anything less than three stones, which are not to include any excrement or bones.” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 316. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

Instead of cowering in shame (which is what some Muslims would have done in a similar situation), he basically explained the fiqh (jurisprudence) of defecation to the disbeliever.

Now, what’s the solution for this problem? Learning Islam properly and being serious about it. Aqeedah (creed) must be learnt first and then fiqh (jurisprudence) and then the other sciences.

When a person properly studies Islam properly and then applies its teachings, their life changes dramatically and their iman (faith increases). Why? Because they understand the purpose of life – to worship Allah alone.

They also understand that worship  is not just limited to prayer and fasting – rather any good deed, whether inwardly or outwardly, is considered worship. This is how the righteous ones live a life a worship. They also go to work, raise children, do grocery shopping, exercise, sleep and drink coffee – just like everybody else –  but they intend these actions as worship.

One also needs to realise that practicing Islam properly transforms a person. This is what happened to the Companions of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).

4. Separating Islam and the rest of one’s life

Many Muslims believe that Islam has a certain place in their lives separate from the rest of their activities. Perhaps this is due to being influenced by the way many non-Muslims view religion. These non-Muslims believe religion has its place and also view that religion and state need to be separate, which of course is wrong.

The solution to this problem is understanding that Islam is a complete way of life.

We do not separate religion and other activities, rather we live life according to our Islamic beliefs because our religion is complete. Why should we practice a lesser way of life when Allah has blessed us with a better way of life??

If a person finds it hard to practice Islam in the place that they are living in, then they are obliged to migrate to a place where they are free to practice properly.

5. Believing that iman (faith) is only in the heart

A lot of Muslim think that iman (belief) is in the heart and that one’s actions don’t really matter as long as one’s heart is clean. This belief was taken from a deviant sect of earlier times known as the Murjiah and it goes against the correct creed which states that iman increases with good actions and decreases with evil actions.

Due to this incorrect belief, many Muslims continue to do sinful things because they truly believe that their heart is in the right place. The reality is that if that had truly been the case, their limbs would have acted in accordance with the Shariah (Islamic law), not against it.

Here’s an earlier article of mine which discusses this issue in great detail. Please do take some time out to read it. I think it will really open your eyes.

The solution to this problem is understanding the correct concept of Iman. When a person realises that it not enough to point to one’s heart, they will work on their limbs.

6. Having a low opinion of oneself

Many Muslims live in two worlds because they have a very low opinion of themselves. They don’t really believe that they can get better or perhaps they see it as too much of a struggle. They might also believe that they are too sinful to be a better Muslim.

Well, Allah has asked us to repent to Him no matter how sinful we are.

قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَ‌فُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّ‌حْمَةِ اللَّـهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يَغْفِرُ‌ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ‌ الرَّ‌حِيمُ

وَأَنِيبُوا إِلَىٰ رَ‌بِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا لَهُ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُ‌ونَ

Say: “O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And turn in repentance and in obedience with true Faith (Islamic Monotheism) to your Lord and submit to Him, (in Islam), before the torment comes upon you, then you will not be helped.” [Surah Az-Zumar (39) : 53-54]

Nobody should think that they are too lowly too change. Allah is Most Merciful so everyone needs to strive to attain His Mercy. One needs to always have hope in Allah.

The solution to this problem is reading about the stories of those who repented. Here’s a series I wrote years ago on my old blog on making a fresh start. It’s an explanation of the story of the murderer who killed 99 people and then wanted to repent.

Here’s another article on my older blog about giving yourself a chance. Well worth a read.

For those who want to get better but are not sure how, here’s a simple article I wrote years ago (with diagrams) that explains how to go about improving.

7. Being too worried about what others will think

Many Muslims lead two lives because they are too worried about what others will think if they become “too religious”.

This is truly a weakness with regards to knowing Allah and His rights over us. We need to be worried about being answerable to Him, not created beings like us.

And also, ultimately what harm can those people inflict on us? Can they put us in the Hellfire? No! So we need to fear Allah, not His creation.

إِنَّمَا ذَٰلِكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوْلِيَاءَهُ فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

It is only ٍSatan (the devil) that suggests to you the fear of his Auliyaa [supporters and friends], so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers. [Surah Aal-Imran (3) : 175]

The solution to this problem is increasing in fear of Allah by reading about the description of Hell.

8. Not bothering to strive under the pretext that “All Muslims will eventually enter Paradise”

Many Muslims believe that because anyone with an atom’s belief of iman will eventually enter Paradise, they can be lax about their Islam. This is not true.

Rather one should understand the reality. Many people keep practicing Islam less and less until they leave Islam in totality. Some of these people were misguided at the time of their death.

Another issue is remembering that a very sinful Muslim might get punished in this world, then in the grave, then on the Last Day, then for a time in the Hellfire before they eventually enter Paradise. Who would want to go through all this? Also, they will get a lower level in Paradise, not at the top. Shouldn’t all of us strive for the topmost level of Paradise?

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَبِرَسُولِهِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلاَةَ وَصَامَ رَمَضَانَ، كَانَ حَقًّا عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُدْخِلَهُ الْجَنَّةَ جَاهَدَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ، أَوْ جَلَسَ فِي أَرْضِهِ الَّتِي وُلِدَ فِيهَا ‏‏‏.‏ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَفَلاَ نُبَشِّرُ النَّاسَ‏.‏ قَالَ :‏ إِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ مِائَةَ دَرَجَةٍ أَعَدَّهَا اللَّهُ لِلْمُجَاهِدِينَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ، مَا بَيْنَ الدَّرَجَتَيْنِ كَمَا بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ، فَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُ اللَّهَ فَاسْأَلُوهُ الْفِرْدَوْسَ، فَإِنَّهُ أَوْسَطُ الْجَنَّةِ وَأَعْلَى الْجَنَّةِ، أُرَاهُ فَوْقَهُ عَرْشُ الرَّحْمَنِ، وَمِنْهُ تَفَجَّرُ أَنْهَارُ الْجَنَّةِ ‏‏‏.‏ قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ فُلَيْحٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ :‏ وَفَوْقَهُ عَرْشُ الرَّحْمَنِ ‏

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger, offer prayer perfectly and fasts the month of Ramadan, will rightfully be granted Paradise by Allah, no matter whether he fights in Allah’s Cause or remains in the land where he is born.” The people said, “O Allah’s Messenger ! Shall we acquaint the people with the is good news?” He said, “Paradise has one-hundred grades which Allah has reserved for the Mujahideen who fight in His Cause, and the distance between each of two grades is like the distance between the Heaven and the Earth. So, when you ask Allah (for something), ask for Al-Firdaus which is the best and highest part of Paradise.” (i.e. The sub-narrator added, “I think the Prophet also said, ‘Above it (i.e. Al-Firdaus) is the throne of Ar-Rahman (the Beneficent i.e. Allah), and from it originate the rivers of Paradise.”) [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Hadeeth No. 48]

The solution to this problem is learning about the Hereafter and the punishments therein.

Final Words

So, these might be the reason people live in two worlds. There could be other reasons as well. The important thing is to learn about Islam and strive to apply it. We need to be sincere to Allah and strive for the highest level of Paradise.

For those of you who suffer from this issue, make the intention this Ramadan that you will continue doing the good deeds that you are doing in this month, after this month ends. I think you will see a big change in yourself.

May Allah make us of those who live a fully Islamic life for His sake.

Note: After finishing this article, I found out that there is a book with almost the same title (that has “worlds” in plural instead of singular like in my title). I did not copy his idea, rather I have been wanting to write this post since my greatest month blogging days but never got around to it.

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