The problematic issue of social status amongst Muslims in Western countries.

Discussion

I am noticing more and more Muslims in the west sacrificing deen in the name of social status. My family is unfortunately, is one of the main examples I see of this. Recently my dad has been trying to push me to purchase property. Now this is strange because we always knew that unless we pay cash, the interest on mortgages was haram. So when I asked him about this he stated that some Imams are saying it is permissible. Now if he left it at that, I would have just disagreed and moved on. But he then went on to say something along the lines of that "we will never get ahead if we keep on renting and we need to build wealth unless we want to forever be an underclass". Now if this was an isolated incident I would not have been all that concerned but then I recently learned about some details regarding my younger brother's wedding. Now it was an extravagant wedding. But I had initially though it was all or mostly paid for without debt. Turns out my parents and brother went into a lot of debt to facilitate it. A lot of this being credit card debt, which has high interest. Which unlike mortgages, no imam believes is permissible. But this was essentially done in the name of brining our family better status within our community(My brother admitted he was pressured into the whole marriage).

Now this is just my own family. Outside of that I've known a sister that stopped wearing a hijab because they don't want to deal with any prejudice or stigma. I've known brothers that work in industries directly involved with haram things like alcohol and interest because of money/career status. Or others that go to jobs that will now allow them to make prayers or pray on time. This is all in the name of keeping status or wealth.

I am not saying I am perfect in this regard , but I am noticing more and more Muslims in the west under the belief that you can have good dean and sacrifice nothing. Be liked by everyone. Earn money in whichever way you have to to keep up with the jones. Only pray or fast when it is not inconvenient...etc

Wasn't the whole purpose of the deen that you sacrifice a certain amount of status in the dunya for riches in the akhirah?

There is a hadith that states :

"This world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever.”"

Imam Muslim in Sahih Muslim (2956), Imam al-Tirmidzi in his Jami' (2324) and Imam Ibn Majah in his Sunan (4113)

So what do you guys think, Are you noticing this too?

Posted Jun 3, 2025, 7:42 AM UTC

30
Loading comments…