Assalaamu 'alaykum,
Allah subhaana wata'aala has created us all, be we Circassians or a
member of all the other diverse peoples of the world. We should neither
be proud nor ashamed of our ethnicity but content with that which Allah
has chosen for us. Our ethnicity will have no bearing on whether we enter
paradise or hell -- we will stand or fall based on our beliefs and
actions and of course, the Grace and Mercy of Allah. You have no doubt
heard much of the Adyghe Khabza, the unwritten code of conduct of the
Adyghe. What rules and regulations are actually part of the Adyghe
Khabza? When and with whom did it originate? Perhaps long ago it started
with a Prophet that came to the Adyghe but, be that as it may, the seal of
the Prophets is Muhammed sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam, and the Khabza that
Allah commands all people to follow is Islam. I am first and foremost a
Muslim and all that which does not fit into an Islamic framework, I
reject. Does that mean I can not also be a Circassian? No, of course
not. What makes an individual a Circassian? One or more of the following
are the customary answers to such a question: the paternal lineage, the
language, and the traditions of a person. I would add that these three
factors merely represent an aspect of one's identity but not the core. For
me and all those who obey Allah and His Messenger, the essence of who we
are is defined by Islam. As far as ethnicity is concerned, does holding
strongly to Islam change a person's paternal lineage? Does Islam forbid
Adyghebza, the Circassian language? Of the three factors underlying
ethnicity, only the traditions and customs of a people will be modified so
that they conform to Allah's Law. Do we become any less Circassian by
making Islam our Khabza? No, we do not -- I would even say that by
becoming closer to He who made us Adyghe, we become ideal Adyghes. As
long as an Adyghe continues to be false to himself or herself, he or she
will fall short of really knowing what an Adyghe should be -- how can any
of us be true to ourselves unless we are true to our Creator?
Wassalaam,
Your Muslim and Circassian brother,
Jawad Tsay
P.S. I find it odd that many of those who claim to be so proud of being
Circassian can not even speak the language. I do not blame them for
not being able to do so but I would like them, in addition to those who
actually do speak the language, to hesitate before allowing themselves to
swell with pride. The language is by far more important than the Adyghe
Khabza. Much of the Adyghe Khabza can be found in the traditions and
customs of other peoples. In particular, all that is beautiful about the
Adyghe Khabza is accepted by Islam, if not already a part of it, and much
more besides. Adyghebza, the Circassian language, that which is truly
unique about us, we are allowing to fade away while we boast of being
Circassian. Does it not seem ridiculous to you?
In regards to pride, I would like to part by quoting the following hadith
qudsi, found in Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, and Ahmad with sound chains of
authority, where Allah subhaana wata'aala says, "Pride is my cloak and
greatness My robe and he who competes with Me in respect of either of them
I shall cast into Hell-fire". It would do us all well to humble ourselves
for we truly are nothing compared to our Lord and Creator.
