The Ghanaian Minaret

Accra: Mufti Ismail ibn Musa Menk, the Grand Mufti of the Zimbabwean Muslim community, says people can only feel liberated from physical insecurities when they embrace how Allah has created them.

He said though it was okay to apply “little enhancers,” such as make-up, to look better, it was wrong for people to become enhancer dependent to feel beautiful and confident about themselves.

He observed that the feeling of inferiority breeds no peace, and as such, Muslims must see themselves as equals in the sight of Allah.

“The day you are truly liberated is when you love yourself exactly how Allah made you.

“Love yourself the way you are. Your hair was chosen for you. Your complexion, your skin, your nose, your eyes—love it! That is when you will achieve peace,” he said at the maiden edition of the Peace and Unity Convention on Saturday.

The theme for the event was “Pathway to Thriving: Embracing Uncertainty and Igniting Growth.”

The Zimbabwean cleric who was speaking on the topic of finding peace said it does not matter how one looks as long as the person recognizes his physical shortcoming as a test from Allah.

He called on Muslims to also be content with what Allah has bestowed on them in order to guarantee a peaceful heart.

Mufti Menk said attaining peace in this world and the hereafter is possible if Muslims shun hypocrisy and hatred, enjoin good without expecting reciprocity, have hope in Allah’s mercy, and are welcoming to trials attributable to Allah.

He also said a peaceful life could be disturbed if one inclines to the whispering of Shaytan (the devil).

“You might think it is glamorous; it is lovely. Let’s go and intoxicate ourselves. We will gamble for a while, we will party, and we will have all these beautiful girls and whatever it may be. It will disturb your peace, whether you like it or not,” he said.