A commenter politely chided me in a recent post, asking how I am any different from the whiny complaining Ummah that I chose to whine and complain about. He asked how I would address this problem and so I felt it worthy to respond with what I thought would be an ideal approach.
In this blog, I have purposely avoided preaching absolute solutions to our problems as I believe such recourse would oversimplify the complex issues – for simple solutions to complex problems reflect a gross misunderstanding of the problem.
I'm not convinced that there is any single perfect solution or movement or ideology. Although I may have chosen a path I believe is most optimal to pleasing Allah (swt) and realizing the purpose of Islam, I'm not arrogant enough to believe that it is THE path.
Therefore, my sincere advice to anyone and everyone who is willing to listen is to educate yourself, formulate personal convictions, and WORK tirelessly towards realizing those convictions.
I would rather see someone take up political activism (a route with which I am not convinced) and dedicate his/her life towards those beliefs than see someone intellectually convinced by my personal arguments, but do nothing for that effort.
There is simply too much lethargy in our Ummah. We have perfected the useless art of argumentative discussions and counterproductive polemics. We have become experts at tearing apart other ideologies and lambasting differing viewpoints.
But we have nothing to show for it.
So whether its committing to social work at the local soup-kitchen or spending 40 days with the Tablighi Jamaat or teaching Islam to new converts or organizing weekly Dhikr sessions, I say just do it.
Act upon your convictions.
I support all forms of upright, sincere action, regardless of whichever affiliations or denominations they may be aligned with. We need to live our convictions. We need to breathe our convictions, every day, every moment, be they political, theological, spiritual, or social.
Final Note: Those of you who may counter that all my efforts are directed towards my family, I say get a life. Everyone has a family and everyone is committed to their well-being. That doesn't preclude real activists from acting upon their convictions.
Same goes for those losers who try to convince themselves that their 100-hour work weeks are for the sake of Allah as the money they are earning is needed by the community for its advancement. Puh-lease! In reality, these folks have made their careers into their lords.
Sadly, we seem to have also perfected the art of self-delusional cognitive dissonance.
WAW
2 days ago
10 comments:
In response to your final note: Aren't you one of those who is dedicating his efforts to his family's well-being? As you have mentioned in your previous posts, you were much more of an activist while in the United States as compared to your current status in Saudi. You also mentioned that you are staying there, and you convinced your wife to stay, solely for your kids' sake. What do you think?
WA
In my post on "Dumbing Us Down" thats part of what you addressed here. (I have a feeling you're spying on me) I noticed you mentioned something about getting over the victimization mentality in response to my comment. You are right.
I worry that people will see what we are blogging about and be disheartened if we never ever discuss solutions at any level.
Now that I know you are staying there, lets make sure we keep in touch. I also have family in KSA. A lot.
AA dear brother
JAK for responding. I am one of those guys who believe in political activism. :)
However, before that, as far as I can figure, one needs to reform himself. One shall never be satisfied- but the tangible things in the five pillars- prayers, zakat, fasting and hajj should be achieved. Then one needs to work on his/her family then community. Only after that one is ready to take up politics. Because by then he has a substantial loyalty among some people.
Whatever one's approach is (in this I strongly agree) the action thing is real. We need to spend less time talking and walk the talk.
We shall overcome- one day.
Insh'Allah.
(btw, did you talk to 'Ulema about the holy nights issue?)
AA- Anon,
Yes, I am trying to dedicate my efforts towards my family, but not because I have taken that as a shortcut out of/replacement for activism.
The mindset I was referring to with my last note was of those people who have no sense of social work/activism and simply justify their lethargy by using the family as an excuse. I hope and pray that I'm not in that category.
The path that I believe that Allah (swt) has chosen for me *at this time* is that of realizing Ihsan and working towards the Qalbun Saleem (Sound Heart).
My years of masjid activism were carried out at the expense of this vital first step, IMO.
My choice of staying in Saudi has been primarily beneficial for the kids, but I have also taken advantage of the lack of distractions (read activism) to work on self-evaluation and reform.
Thank you for the questions...
AA- Charles,
Thanks for the comments.
"(I have a feeling you're spying on me)"
Not spying bro...I'm openly guilty of reading your blog. Love it! :-)
"I worry that people will see what we are blogging about and be disheartened if we never ever discuss solutions at any level."
Have I really come off that way in my blog? I try not to simply complain, but offer solutions - the most effective of which is to return to Allah and look inwards (and I REALLY believe that, not just giving it lip service).
"Now that I know you are staying there, lets make sure we keep in touch. I also have family in KSA. A lot."
Small world, Masha'Allah. Family in Riyadh?
AA- Isha'(is that a nickname?)
Thanks for your comments. WRT the Holy Nights issue, Yursil summed up my stance perfectly. These issues which have been differed upon for centuries will not be resolved all of a sudden.
Let each and every person do their personal study and decide what they wish to follow and then leave them be.
Why is that so wrong?
salaam
yes, as we went along in the discussion, i realized that this is a deeply disputed matter.
i will commit to neither side. i would rather take the safest path. i remember a hadith which urges us to give up that which is doubtful for that which is not doubted.
but i can see any reason why i should hate somebody else for these things- things about which even the scholars are not sure.
disagreement is said to be a Mercy from our Lord. let it not divide us.
Wa'Salam
-Isha' aka Manas Shaikh
(Isha' is my blogger screenname)
asalaam alaikum br. naeem, how could you say this? "I'm not convinced that there is any single perfect solution or movement or ideology. Although I may have chosen a path I believe is most optimal to pleasing Allah (swt) and realizing the purpose of Islam, I'm not arrogant enough to believe that it is THE path."
How many times do we hear Islam is perfect but Muslims are not? What is factual to one, is an opinion to another I get this, but a Muslim knows that Islam is THE path,and even though others may see it as whack-well its because they have not been guided towards it. It may sound judgemental or even arrogant, but the truth is the truth. Its what Allah established for humanity from the time of Adam, alayhee salam..and Muslims need to be grateful for having Islam be their path, because it is the path for all of humanity..its just that Muslims are the ones who choose to live it. alhamdulilah. the proof is in the Quran and Sunnah, and if others who are not Muslim do not want to consider these sources than that is their choice..we are who are for Allah and not them. We aren't the chosen ones, we are the ones that choose Islam and Allah facilitates it through His Mercy..
br. naeem, sorry if i got off topic here a bit, but to be a practicing Muslim is a thing on everyone's shoulders-not just the ones who actually are. just my thoughts, Allah Knows Best..may Allah guide us all..
AA- Suhaa,
"how could you say this?"
I'm sorry, but I think you misunderstood. In no way am I peddling the perennialist thought (all religions lead to God). The various movements and ideologies I was referring to were the ones *within* Islam, such as Sufi, Salafi, Tablighi, Ikhwani, Hanafi, Deobandi, etc.
Sorry for the mixup.
asalaam alaikum warahmat Allah wabarakatu br. naeem..
you are right, i totally misunderstood your point.at first i thought this didn't sound like your writings-because i tend to agree with most of them. jazakAllah kheir for the clarification..and sorry if i jumped to conclusions without letting it all sink in first..
may Allah always bless you and your family with strong eman.
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