You are a secular Muslim.
You are a cultural or secular Muslim. You might identify yourself with the Muslim community, but like Kareem Abdul Jabbar, you have no problems with beer commercials. Islam provides you with more of a social setting or community than a set of religious beliefs. You may live by many of the basic principles of Islam, but you do not necessarily choose to attribute them to Islam. You are probably not too comfortable with many of the social restrictions often associated with Muslim organizations or societies.

Discuss your Muslim identity with other secular Muslims.

Read stories of interest to you:

Thinking Like the Universe: How the Sufis integrate the egoic and cosmic levels of reality

A Return to Exile: Being barred from one's homeland may be a defining Muslim experience

Is Louis Farrakhan Going Mainstream?: 'Age and circumstance change everything'

Mixing the Sacred: The work of Pakistani sculptor Amin Gulgee combines elements of Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism

Book & Music Reviews:

Islam, Christianity, and African Identity by Sulayman S. Nyang

Muslim Women: Crafting a North American Identity by Shahnaz Khan

Night Song by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

You are a spiritual seeker.
Ibn Battuta traveled the Muslim world looking for answers. Like this famous traveler, you are also looking for answers and have also found yourself wandering through the world of Islam. The spiritual realm of Islam particularly appeals to you. You probably toy with the idea of Sufism and may enjoy reading mystic poets such as Rumi or Hafez. For you, Islam is a state of being that leads to your ultimate connection to God through your submission to Him. Although Islam often guides you on many practical questions, you are more likely than not looking to connect to God and others on a more spiritual level. Many of the social regulations or rules of Islam may seem daunting and unnecessary. You continue to have questions, as well as faith.

Discuss your Muslim identity with other spiritual seekers.

Read stories of interest to you:

My Journey to Islam: An African-American man traces the odyssey that led him to Islam

Ole to Allah: Inside New York's Latino Muslim community

Talking to Strangers: A pilgrim seeking conversation encounters the Muslim community of Dayton, Ohio

Zakat on the Rise: The third of Islam's five pillars is at the root of Islam's burgeoning mosques, community centers, and schools

Book & Music Reviews:

The Illustrated Rumi by Jalalu'ddin Rumi

Road to Madinah, Dawud Wharnsby Ali

Zubeidaa, A.R. Rahman


You are a progressive Muslim.
You are a devout believer in God, and Islam is your direct path to Him. You understand Islam mainly through your intellect. You probably interpret Islam historically and might believe that ijtihad should be reopened. You have probably gone through years of questioning to come to the understanding of Islam that you have now. You might receive criticism for what are perceived as your open views.

Discuss your Muslim identity with other progressive Muslims.

Read stories of interest to you:

Apartheid for Women: Are Muslim men willing to redress the situation for women?

Muslims & Politics: Muslims are expected to become important players in American politics

Have Qur'an, Will Travel: A young Meccan reciter makes his way in America

Is There a Spiritual Solution for Depression?: A Muslim perspective

Book Reviews:

No God but God: Egypt and the Triumph of Islam by Geneive Abdo

A Short History of Islam
by Karen Armstrong

You are a traditional Muslim.
You are steadfast in your religion. The Qur'an plays a role in your daily life as a Muslim. You also look to the sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) as a way to determine how to live your life. You are constantly aware of your religious beliefs and are likely to spend time thinking of the larger Muslim Ummah and how to create more unity within it.

Discuss your Muslim identity with other traditional Muslims.

Read stories of interest to you:

Demystifying Muslim Justice: A Muslim view of capital punishment

A Holy City of Islam: To say Jerusalem is unimportant to Muslims is to ignore Islam's sense of being the culmination of the Abrahamic tradition

Zakat on the Rise: The third of Islam's five pillars is at the root of Islam's burgeoning mosques, community centers, and schools

Book Reviews:

No God but God: Egypt and the Triumph of Islam by Geneive Abdo

A Short History of Islam
by Karen Armstrong