"Who are you?"

A Muslim walks into a mosque and is greeted by another Muslim; an example of 2 different greetings: Who are you? Who is your family? Do you come here often? That's odd, I've never seen you here. So, are you fasting today?

Hi, how are you? My name is Ayman. Nice to see you here. Welcome. Haven't seen each other in quite some time. Would you like to join me for breakfast tonight?

Arrogance. Pride. It comes in many shapes, sizes, and forms. Many of us have been or are guilty of this. The first step is to recognize the symptom in order to come up with a solution. Pride is so prevalent in the Muslim community that this article is going to touch on the subject very lightly.

Muslims like to compare themselves amongst each other. They gossip and ask intrusive questions, like in the first statement. By doing this they lose fact of the most important issue that we are all Muslims and we need act like a united community.

When greeted, a fellow Muslim should be in the most comfortable situation that is possible, and be able to experience the most possible warmness and hospitality from a fellow Muslim. Not only that, but it must be genuine. We are intelligent beings and can sense negative vibes and arrogance. Who are you to say that you are better than the next? If someone is not fasting, there may be unlimited reasons why. They do not need to justify their reasons to you, only to GOD.

Many Muslims today are so consumed by such petty things, that they are overseeing the greater aspect of the world and busying themselves with who is good and who is bad. Our actions speak it all. Let me give another example to clarify.

Muslim A and B are walking down the street and they see Muslim C.

All parties involved know each other, but Muslim A and B heard from someone that C has been up to some "bad" things. As they cross each other down the street, C says hello, and A and B reluctantly respond. If C did not initiate a hello, neither A nor B would have, and everyone would have passed each other in silence.

What place do A and B have in passing judgment on their fellow Muslim and out casting that person out of their social bubble. Unfortunately, there are many Muslims that believe they are more righteous than the next. They ask questions as in the first statement to see whether someone is a 'good' Muslim or not.

Our job is not to figure whether we are more righteous than the next. Judgment is for GOD alone. If you find yourself in a situation where you believe a fellow Muslim may be partaking in some wrong actions, instead of ignoring the person and talking behind their back, talk to them and welcome them. Become their friend. Even if you may not be in a situation to speak to them concerning their wrong, welcoming them is always better than pushing them away. Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) did not even treat his  enemies  in such a manner.

Many Muslims are scared to show up at Mosques because of such behaviors. Many Muslims lose any motivation or fear showing up at Muslim functions and meetings because of the arrogance of the people who may be there, whether it is presented jokingly or not. This ideology of classifying Muslims into 'good' or 'bad' AND incorporating it in our behaviors towards our brothers and sisters must stop immediately. Let us strengthen our community, not segregate it. Let us drop the fakeness of our personalities inherited by our cultures. If our brothers and sisters cannot come to us for support and strength, who will they go to?

Allah warns us in the Q'uran about the arrogance and pride that led Iblis to his downfall. Do not take for qualities in yourself that which the enemy of God possesses. Arrogance and Pride are characteristics of evil and Iblis. Remember the warning given to us by Allah: "We made The Satans friends (only) to those without Faith" (Quran 6:27)