Kippah/Topi
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Peace
I agree with SwedenMajidah. Even verses of the Quran on the wall is the same thing, to remind you of God. However I must note that the sky should not be taken as a dwelling of God, obviously. People make reference to heaven as a domain of God. God is everywhere and not restricted to a place.
I personally like looking at trees, animals, the environment, etc. to remind me of God. I remember watching a video from a convert to Sunni I believe and he talked about how his life changed in that he sees God everywhere. The flower and the bee. Its a great process and reminds you of God. Also the bus and how it is made up of parts, and then further to atoms, which all came from God.
I believe that your idea is not idolatrous, but it can turn that way if we area not careful. Its like how many Muslims pray towards the Kaaba. They need to be mindful not to pray TO the Kaaba, which it seems a lot of them forget during Hajj.
Peace
I completely agree, animals, trees, and much of the environment acts as a reminder for me as well, I just mentioned the sky because it is something beautiful that doesn't really interact with you. For example, if you see a squirrel on the road you might take extra remembrance, but you might also put focus on trying to avoid hitting it, whereas the sky is always there, above you, being awesome. You don't have to worry about daily interactions with it that might cause your mind to stray.
A similar note about the bus, and the bee, they act as further reminders, but your interaction with them doesn't necessitate remembrance, whereas a necklace or special hat that you might keep with you specifically to remember through will constantly and always remind you of the same thing. Another example would be the car with all its parts, and it's wondrous complexity and ingenuity can act as a clear reminder, but can you say that every time you realize the existence of cars or interact with them, you always remember God? I can imagine myself being much more focused on driving and other such daily tasks. The same can be said for many other aspects of one's environment.
I think an object such as a kippah can act as a great tool for living a good life, just like the Qur'an, as long as the correct philosophical base is accepted. I don't wear kippah or anything, but I can imagine if I did, I would never invest anything especially special into it. After all, it's just one other part of my environment that helps remind me of the glory of GD. Is this making any sense?Peace
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I completely agree, animals, trees, and much of the environment acts as a reminder for me as well, I just mentioned the sky because it is something beautiful that doesn't really interact with you. For example, if you see a squirrel on the road you might take extra remembrance, but you might also put focus on trying to avoid hitting it, whereas the sky is always there, above you, being awesome. You don't have to worry about daily interactions with it that might cause your mind to stray.
A similar note about the bus, and the bee, they act as further reminders, but your interaction with them doesn't necessitate remembrance, whereas a necklace or special hat that you might keep with you specifically to remember through will constantly and always remind you of the same thing. Another example would be the car with all its parts, and it's wondrous complexity and ingenuity can act as a clear reminder, but can you say that every time you realize the existence of cars or interact with them, you always remember God? I can imagine myself being much more focused on driving and other such daily tasks. The same can be said for many other aspects of one's environment.
I think an object such as a kippah can act as a great tool for living a good life, just like the Qur'an, as long as the correct philosophical base is accepted. I don't wear kippah or anything, but I can imagine if I did, I would never invest anything especially special into it. After all, it's just one other part of my environment that helps remind me of the glory of GD. Is this making any sense?Peace
I agree. About the car issue, thats true too. We are too distracted to remember such things. I think we should train our minds to be ever reminding about God. Again, I dont see anything wrong with your necklace idea, its the same as Kaaba and ayat on the wall. Its just easier IMO to succumb to idolatry in general, due to the fact that it has an significant importance. Its the same with Quran. Im not saying that you would do it, I was speaking in a general sense.
What kind of necklace were you planning on using? One with a Quran? Crescent Moon? Just curious, but why do you spell God as GD? Is that a Jewish tradition that you follow to show more respect?
Peace
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I agree. About the car issue, thats true too. We are too distracted to remember such things. I think we should train our minds to be ever reminding about God.
I agree, training our minds should be a kind of regular practice I think. I hope that this idea might help me regulate a constance remembrance.
Again, I dont see anything wrong with your necklace idea, its the same as Kaaba and ayat on the wall. Its just easier IMO to succumb to idolatry in general, due to the fact that it has an significant importance. Its the same with Quran. Im not saying that you would do it, I was speaking in a general sense.
I see, and agree.
What kind of necklace were you planning on using? One with a Quran? Crescent Moon? Just curious, but why do you spell God as GD? Is that a Jewish tradition that you follow to show more respect?
I'm still unsure about the whole issue, I think I'm going to try bringing an object such as those discussed with me for a few days and see if it helps my focus and memory. I don't really have any necklaces lying around, and can't think of any that would be especially helpful. I think perhaps I'll just go with a kind of hat or something.
As an answer about Jewish tradition, I'd say a hesitant "Yes." I've been looking more into Orthodox Judaism practices that might enhance my belief and employment of Qur'anic principles, but while keeping in mind that which is discouraged and prohibited in The Qur'an.I appreciate your input and hope we can all find the best way for ourselves to serve God.
Peace -
Peace
I have a metal necklace that has Allah written in Arabic. It was printed on a rectangular metal with some special printer to where the words is sort of like a hologram. I havent used it yet, and not sure if I ever will. But thats an option for a type of necklace if you are looking for one. Its just a matter of finding someone that does it since its a special machine. Cost me $20 and had to wait like 10 minutes.
I used to do the same thing as you since I liked that idea, thats how I knew where you got it from. I think its a bit similar to writting Allahs name on a piece of paper. My Sunni and Shia friends told me when I first came to Islam that I needed to burn it, since I guess its disrespectful to leave Allahs name written down and just throw it away. Sometimes I wonder whether they are stuck more on this tradition then God Him/Her/Itself, since they were more worldy then Muslim. If it enhances your iman, thats great.
Peace
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Peace,
It's some kind of funny that some old rules or traditions stay tune even if you have left them long time ago.
Really I cannot imagine myself of carry the name of Allah on a necklace, because it would feel like, I'm only human and who am I to have such responsibility to carry my Creator's name around my neck!?
Think if I'm in the toilet and doing my needs -[ and oh no I cannot do it, wear His name in dirty places. Because it's so deeply rooted in my mind that such an act is wrong, terrible wrong and out of respect.
Peace Majidah
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Peace
Peace,
It's some kind of funny that some old rules or traditions stay tune even if you have left them long time ago.
Really I cannot imagine myself of carry the name of Allah on a necklace, because it would feel like, I'm only human and who am I to have such responsibility to carry my Creator's name around my neck!?
Think if I'm in the toilet and doing my needs -[ and oh no I cannot do it, wear His name in dirty places. Because it's so deeply rooted in my mind that such an act is wrong, terrible wrong and out of respect.
Peace Majidah
I have heard of this from my Sunni friend. Not only that, but anything relating to God.
Peace
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Peace,
It's some kind of funny that some old rules or traditions stay tune even if you have left them long time ago.
Really I cannot imagine myself of carry the name of Allah on a necklace, because it would feel like, I'm only human and who am I to have such responsibility to carry my Creator's name around my neck!?
Think if I'm in the toilet and doing my needs -[ and oh no I cannot do it, wear His name in dirty places. Because it's so deeply rooted in my mind that such an act is wrong, terrible wrong and out of respect.
Peace Majidah
Funny thing. I have the most profound thoughts while on the pot.
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I completely agree, animals, trees, and much of the environment acts as a reminder for me as well, I just mentioned the sky because it is something beautiful that doesn't really interact with you. For example, if you see a squirrel on the road you might take extra remembrance, but you might also put focus on trying to avoid hitting it, whereas the sky is always there, above you, being awesome. You don't have to worry about daily interactions with it that might cause your mind to stray.
A similar note about the bus, and the bee, they act as further reminders, but your interaction with them doesn't necessitate remembrance, whereas a necklace or special hat that you might keep with you specifically to remember through will constantly and always remind you of the same thing. Another example would be the car with all its parts, and it's wondrous complexity and ingenuity can act as a clear reminder, but can you say that every time you realize the existence of cars or interact with them, you always remember God? I can imagine myself being much more focused on driving and other such daily tasks. The same can be said for many other aspects of one's environment.
I think an object such as a kippah can act as a great tool for living a good life, just like the Qur'an, as long as the correct philosophical base is accepted. I don't wear kippah or anything, but I can imagine if I did, I would never invest anything especially special into it. After all, it's just one other part of my environment that helps remind me of the glory of GD. Is this making any sense?Peace
Jono,
Great post. I completely agree with your analysis. There is nothing that I can think of in the Qur'an that condemns this. We are commanded to remember our Creator. As you pointed out, we use various tools each day in order to effectuate that remembrance (Dhikr). Whether it be an animal, an idea, or an inanimate object such as a hat, it is all part of our "environment" as you put it. Nothing wrong with that.
Of course there is a difference between a) something giving you that Dhikr, and b) thinking an object is required for your salvation, etc.
But you made it clear that you already know that.
Peace.