As we have mentioned before, our group will discuss the issue of unIslamic expressions, both verbally and sign that are used by Muslims English speakers. Example of unislamic expressions are, "Oh My Gosh!" , "Touch wood", "Break a leg", "This is my Bible" "Finger cross" and "whatever floats your boat". Meanwhile, the example of unislamic sign expressions is the satanic hand signal which clearly shows why it is unIslamic.
Before that, it is important to start this discussions by giving the definition of our subject matter, that is expressions.
In spoken communication, expressions that are used is called idiomatic expressions. An idiomatic expressions are common phrases or sayings whose meanings cannot be understood by the individual words or elements.
Idiomatic expressions are also non-standard speech, slang or dialect that are natural to native speakers of a language. An example that can be used is "finger cross".
Now, what is meant by unIslamic expressions in this topic?
UnIslamic expressions that is under our topic is both verbally and sign expressions from native English culture that is inappropriate to be used by Muslim English speaker as it is not in line with the teaching and culture in Islam. By knowing the origin of the words used in an expressions, we may know whether an expression is proper to be used or not.
An example of unIslamic expression is "This book is my Bible".
This expression is clearly improper for Muslim English speaker to use as an expression because the use of 'Bible' in it. This expression must have been created by Christians as the use of Bible is commonly for the follower of Christ. Muslims read, follow and believe in Al-Qur'an, not Bible. So, if one Muslim utters this expression, although to express his general book such as a novel, it is improper and unislamic. This expressions can be islamized by replacing the Bible with another noun, yet, still grab it's meaning. For example, "This book is my lover/food".
Another example is the expression of "whatever floats your boat".
This expression usually means to express whatever pleases you. However, it is important to know that the term used in this expression refers to the clitoris, as a boat and the female genitalia. This expression thus, is highly sensualised. So, this expression should not be used and articulated by Muslim English speaker.
The examples above are improper for Muslim English speaker to use. However, it is important to mention that not all expressions spoken by native English speaker are not good for Muslims to apply in their conversation.
It is impossible to islamize a language that was historically used by Christians in the old age. It is also impossible to correct their use of expressions for it is not our native language.
What a Muslim English speaker can and should do is to be aware of the origin of the words or elements that are used in the expressions. We need to think wether it reflects our personality as a good Muslimor not when uttering an expression.
Importantly, we already have expressions that are good to be used by Muslims all over the world and can be understood instantly. For example, InsyaAllah, Alhamdulillah, MasyaAllah and so on.
Allah (s.w.t) says in the Holy Qur'an:
وَقُل لِّعِبَادِي يَقُولُواْ الَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَنزَغُ بَيْنَهُمْ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ كَانَ لِلإِنْسَانِ عَدُوًّا مُّبِينًا (53)اسراء
And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy.
Brief introduction to the unislamic expressions. More should be included to demonstrate your group's effort in researching the issues at hand.
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