As we near the end of school days, and many 1st generation Muslims (and some 2nd generation ones) head back to visit their families, I can't help but wonder and even be repeatedly bothered by the phrase "back home."  Not to be a hypocrite, I have to admit that I have said it too.  But believe me, it's no more than a habit.  I'm not sure that's the case for many others, however.

Here's what bothers me about that phrase, and why I think it should not be said ... <more>
We immigrated to this land escaping several harsh realities from where we came.  That's the thing though. We either escaped corruption, persecution, economic and/or financial crisis or the inability to practice our religion.  In many cases, it's all of the above.  It's this final point that leaves me puzzled.  Despite that many of the countries we left are "Muslim countries," the amount of hypocrisy, double standards and corruption alone prevented us from making a decent living, supporting our families, protecting our land, etc.  I don't know about others, but in the Arabic World, there's a huge influence from TV programming, smoking adults (and some children) and a whole lot of other channels that one cannot fight.  Why, you ask?  How do you fight something that's government supported/sanctioned/lobbied?  Especially if such governments are corrupt?  While that corruption alone raises the question of just how Islamic one's country of origin is and/or might be, let's take a closer look at some basic social and economic issues to illustrate the point:

Let's take a look at smoking, shall we.  It could be argued that it's haraam (forbidden). But the very population that hates having it, depends on it.  And I'm not talking about addiction.  Instead, I'm talking about the need to keep oneself from stressing out over a high unemployment rate, the inability to provide for one's family and even get married.  For some, it's a diet plan.  One cannot afford food, so they smoke to curb the appetite.  While the latter reasons aren't common, the sad truth is that they exist.  Let's ponder a bit on why they exist.  It is no surprise that the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region is going through turmoil in recent days.  Smoking is just not cutting it.

You know me and tangents.  So to bring this back to the point ... It is those and many other reasons that we escape our countries of origin —Our motherlands. Most, if not all God-fearing-Muslims who live abroad (but especially in the States) will rush to attest that we have a better opportunity to practice Islam here than where we came from.  Keep that in mind for a few minutes.

When Muslims immigrate into a country, they are accepting certain terms.  In the case of the United States (like others), they're accepting to abide by its laws.  Muslims need to recognize that this is a contract.  A contract that we Muslims, islamically speaking, cannot violate as long as it does not conflict with Islam and/or Islamic teachings.  Notice here that I didn't say "...as long as it does not conflict with culture" or "heritage" or anything of the sort.  This contract is binding without swearing, signing or witnesses.  That is correct!  Nothing is required, just like many sites that tell you that by using their site/product/service you are consenting to their terms & conditions —Without the explicit need to "accept" them with a checkbox or button.  On a relevant topic, many Muslims need to familiarize themselves with basic concepts; particularly those concepts relating to lying and false testimony.  For example, did you know that when Muslims answer a question, they must do so according to the intention of the one asking and not their own?  In other words, you cannot manipulate the answer to benefit you or anyone else.  If you're going to answer, you must do so according to the intention of the person asking as best as you know it.  Anything else is either lying, false testimony or both.  And Muslims know how serious those sins are.  Ultimately, it's between you and God.  No lawyer needs to restate the question or manipulate you into the correct answer.  All you need is to follow the basics of Islam.  And yes, that applies to your inter-spouse communication as well. Now tuck that away for a few minutes as well.  I'll get back to it in due time.

So now you live here, under your own accord, and you have been here for a decade if not longer —For many, they've lived here longer than they have lived anywhere else.  By now, at minimum, your immediate family is here (wife & kids).  You are making a good living.  And more importantly than all else, you can practice your religion freely.  Here's the best part ... Part of practicing your religion is your ability to stand up for what's right and forbid what's wrong.  Part of your religion is to help the poor.  Part of your religion is to protect the weak.  Part of your religion is voicing your concerns against corruption.  Part of your religion is erecting institutions of worship, schools, women & orphan shelters, etc. You can do those here.  But those and many others are instant red flags that could easily throw you in one of many opaque prisons in your motherland.  But again, may be not.  Which begs the question, so why are you here?  Why aren't you back there?

Aah, opportunity.  But opportunity for what? And how come you don't have this so called "opportunity" where you came from?  Don't get me wrong.  If you are here because you are capitalizing on the riches of this land, including its economy, to make a few bucks and head back to where the same dollar is worth a lot more in your motherland, then that's OK.  But that makes you a traveler ... not a resident.  That makes you temporary, not permanent.  Again, that's OK as long as you are being truthful.  Not lying.  Not falsely testifying.  As long as you are honoring that contract you chose to accept on your own (I told you I'd get back to that).  As a traveler or a passer-by, you are not entitled to much more than the generosity expected by a guest.  Guests don't stay for years.  And even as a guest, you're still obligated to follow the rules of those you are visiting.  You cannot, for example, insist on driving the way you do in your motherland without regard to how things are done here.  On a side note, my avid readers know that I will happily cut you off

The problem here is the state of mind.  If you think of yourself as a guest, regardless of the duration of your stay, then you're not likely to participate in the building blocks of any community; much less of the country.  In other words, you're not likely to participate in building Mosques, schools, shelters, etc.  And are just as likely to not participate in the affairs of the land —Whether that be social, economic, political or otherwise.  What you are really being, at minimum, is selfish.  Not caring about anything but yourself is inevitably reflected in all your dealings.  From not mowing your lawn (after all it's a temporary residence), to not volunteering to help the needy, to your mannerisms with non-Muslims, and for many, with Muslims too.  Unfortunately, these and other things, are reflected on all Muslims.  Not just you.  This is more important & relevant, and ultimately an issue, in a non-Muslim land like the United States.  Your selfish actions are now portraying an image that is making it hard for the rest of us who are abiding by Islam and respecting the contract we willingly accepted.  Here's the kicker in all of this:  Your selfish actions are not Islamic at all.  Your treatment of your community, whether you chose to accept it as that or not, is a sin.  Islam talks about how important it is to treat our neighbors well throughout its teachings.  It could even be argued that your selfish actions are haraam —Because you are now participating in the opposite of Da'wa —The invitation of non-Muslims to Islam.

So when you say you're going "back home" do you know what that means?  Do you really?  If "back home" is really back home, then we are all happy to bid you farewell.  But while you are here, please step it up.  Be a good Muslim and represent the true Islam; not your cultural baggage or upbringing.  Don't mistreat your host —The people, the land, all of it.

Before I conclude, and as I've mentioned above, I too once used to say "back home."  But it was a habit.  One I still catch myself saying, unfortunately.  While visiting "back home" one time, I quickly realized (and remembered) why I'm not living there any more, and that I missed and couldn't wait to be home —back in the States.