We must resist the temptation to fit Islamic concepts, practices and teachings into the mold of our own experiences with modern life.
We come from different backgrounds and the understanding of many of us about Islam is often skewed and flawed.
Also. there are times, when our own ideas -- it is all part of Hawaa -- have a more powerful hold on our imagination than the ideas that Islam presents.
And it is not always easy, nor is it a quick process, to break that hold.
I know from my own personal experience.
For, at times it has taken me years and even decades to come out of the specific dumps and bayous and quicksands of my own personal training, education, culture and background.
And overcome my own biases and preconceived ideas and notions.
And subordinate them to Qur'an and Hadith and recast them all into a proper, accurate and authentic Islamic mold.
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