Assalamualaikum, who are you?
I apologise if that question scared you, but it is one we have all heard, countless of times before.
The identity of a human being is determined by their characteristics and what makes them, them. At least, that is what it is generally defined as. I do not believe in there being a single definition of identity. I also do not believe in there being a wrong definition of identity.
Just as our human characteristics differ, our grasp and understanding of ourselves do so as well. A lot of the time, our identities are defined based on our genders, and with the way humans have advanced, it would not be a surprise for someone to identify as a mango. I think you identify as whatever you want, as long as you believe it.
The question; ‘Who am I?’ has been one that I have struggled with all my life. I have never known how to answer it. It might be because I do not actually know who I am, or the sheer fact that there are a thousand and one answers, yet I have never been told which is actually correct.
It might be because as we grow, our brains evolve and our identities follow, or it could simply be that our identities are a never ending, never changing, yet always growing phenomenon. You are who you believe you are in the moment you are asked that question.
There is no right answer, and it is not fair that we are expected to define who we are with inconsequential words that will never be enough. Your identity is something that you will probably not fully understand, even in ten years, but it is also everything that defines you. From the way you look, to the things you say.
Our identities are somethings that transform as the clock ticks away and it will continue to do so, even when we are nothing but an empty space beneath the earth.
Our identities are also influenced by the people we keep around us, and the choices we make every day. Just this morning, I was a cook. I strongly believe that the person I am cannot be put into mere words, not in English or other tongues. I also think that people should not always be defined by their outward appearance, (at least not all the time)
In all seriousness, I value my identity because it is not stagnant. I love the idea because it shows me just how much I can change, and will change. The concept of identity is closely similar to the verse from the Quran “This too shall pass.”, in my opinion. The verse is telling us that whatever situation you find yourself in, it will most definitely become but a memory, just as your identity will not be the same thing tomorrow. It will pass, and you will become a better version of yourself.
I used to think that my identity is something that I cannot control, but I have grown out of that headspace. Nobody should be allowed to tell you who you are, because they simply do not know enough.
Most of the time, we struggle with putting words to the person we are, how can someone else do it for us? How can someone, who has not lived in this body, and has not worked with this brain, even begin to put a label to it? It is simply not done. My identity is all that I am, all that I have been, and all that I will be, and it is everything to me.
I identify as me, and you should identify as yourself. Because our identities will change, but the only unchangeable denominator is us. I will not look the same, I will not do the same things, I will not eat the same things, but I will be the same person I have always been.
We may not always look the same, but our fingerprints will never change, just like our DNA. We are people with evolving identities, and we will always identify as ourselves.
You just have to love the familiarity. The next time you’re asked who you are, it’s okay to take your time and say you don’t know it.
Jum’uah Mubarak.
