Mortgages

For many Muslims, they adopt a similar philosophy when deciding whether or not to buy a home with the help of an interest-bearing mortgage.

Dede Redwan, a married mother of two young children, said she and her husband debated whether or not to take out a mortgage when they purchased their first home. She said she understands the Islamic prohibition against paying interest but feels her life and choices would be limited if she adhered to that principle.

“Here in the United States (If you avoid interest or a mortgage) you’ll end up living under a rock,” she said.

Raza said, at this point in his life where he has no children to house, it’s easy to avoid dealing in interest.

“If you have kids, you really need a house, so I can understand why you would (get a mortgage) because it’s a struggle to find a situation without interest. But just because a mortgage is easy doesn’t mean that it’s halal.”

For others, the issue of using a mortgage becomes tricky even after they’ve made a decision. After years of renting, Joyce Hancock – a convert of 10 years – and her husband decided to use Islamic financing to purchase a home. However, two years later the couple sold the home after Hancock’s husband said he thought the mortgage wasn’t truly interest-free. He convinced her to sell and rent a home instead.

Even now she questions the wisdom of the decision. “I thought we were doing the right thing with the Islamic financing,” Hancock said. “But my husband said they were charging us interest but not calling it interest.”

Allegiance

Other Muslims take issue with saying the United States Pledge of Allegiance or joining the military of a non-Muslim country.

Raza said he believes Muslims should avoid joining American armed forces lest they find themselves fighting against their Muslim brothers and sisters. However, Syed had a different take.

“If someone really wants to join the army I don’t hold anything against them,” he said, adding he feels this way even if that person ends up going to war against a Muslim nation.

“The way I look at it is you’re serving your country and you’re fighting for people back home who need help.”

It’s clear that American Muslims face challenges in many areas of their lives when trying to live Islamically, or even figuring out what that means. It’s inevitable that Muslims, with different values, different needs, and different interpretations of what is right and wrong, will make different choices.

For Syed, he said he puts deen [faith] before dunya [life] and lets the rest fall into place.

“Islam works with the society, whether you’re with your friends, at work or at home,” he said. “You should just be normal and be yourself, but keep in mind that, as a Muslim, you have obligations and some restrictions on your actions.”

Raza agreed. “The Islamic right and wrong is what it has to come down to.”