The New York Times has a very profound piece on Sh. Yasir Qadhi (here is his response to the NYTimes piece). I found the article very telling because of the way the writer is able to communicate the internal struggles of an American Muslim leader in navigating the murky waters of 21st century Islam in a politically charged America.
While there are many points worthy of addressing, I would like to focus on the Jihad issue, not because it is a core Islamic principle or a major concern for Muslims worldwide, but because it was used to demonstrate the difficulties Sh. Yasir is facing. It’s clear from the article that he is struggling to tread a fine line. And sadly, I think his lot will be of someone attempting to simultaneously sit on two stools only to fall flat on the floor.
His sincerity I do not doubt. His rejection of the pseudo-salafi movement is proof enough for me. I am simply weary of any efforts, and this includes the sincere efforts of his contemporaries, such as Imam Zaid Shakir, to appease American sensitivities while remaining faithful to our deen.
In their efforts to find this hallowed middle ground, are they leading American Islam through a ‘maturation’ process that will leave it emaciated, a hollow skeleton of its original teachings? Will we conveniently cast aside the teachings that find little resonance in modern-day Western life? I speak not of polygamy or wearing the niqab or growing a beard, but of the more substantial, macro issues such as Islamic governance or an economic model based on the Quran and Sunnah or the concept of Prophetic Jihad.
I find Western society, with all its declarations of human rights, deviously lulling for the modern-day Muslim. It will definitely award him the freedom to behold to his faith and practice all the personal rituals required of him - admittedly, moreso than most any Muslim nation in the world. But are personal rituals all that the Quran and Sunnah ask of us?
While I realize that Muslims across most of the Muslim world are incapable of voicing their thoughts on how to fully practice their faith, the issue with Islam in America is that too many Muslims have convinced themselves that they are being afforded the freedom to comprehensively practice their deen.
And that simply is not the case, as Sh. Yasir illustrates in quite a convincing fashion.
The fact that he has a legitimate reluctance in discussing the "J-word" demonstrates a lack of freedom of religion and speech. A police state isn’t the only way to quash these freedoms. An ignorant public in combination with pandering politicians and a willing media are equally as effective.
How many generations will it take to so completely water down basic Islamic teachings, such as Jihad, that they will become historical footnotes, kept alive in old dusty books in old dusty libraries?
Indeed, most of the Muslim world lags behind the Western world when it comes to basic rights, but at least there is no pretense of freedom. Muslims realize they are not free to practice their religion in the manner the Prophet (saw) and His companions did. And so, Muslims are biding their time, keeping alive the vision of a holistic implementation of Islam, waiting for the opportune time wherein such steps can be taken in a manner befitting the authentic teachings of the Prophet (saw).
Can the same be said of Muslims living in the West, where the latest manifestation of American Islam is pointing us towards a horizon where certain topics are simply eliminated from religious discourse? Scholars aren’t merely stating that these contentious issues are better left unaddressed – the trend is clearly headed towards a steady state where such issues are simply removed from the American Muslim conscious.
While Sh. Yasir may be struggling to walk this tightrope, I seriously fear that his future progeny may not even be given this opportunity.
WAW
4 days ago
8 comments:
Assalaam Alaikum brother Naeem,
"While I realize that Muslims across most of the Muslim world are incapable of voicing their thoughts on how to fully practice their faith, the issue with Islam in America is that too many Muslims have convinced themselves that they are being afforded the freedom to comprehensively practice their deen.
I completely agree with the above. MashaAllah, I appreciate your eloquent analysis on what the future of Islam in America may slowly become as based on both articles.
As a young Muslim, I too fear that in this process of finding a middle ground for Islam in America we may be compromising our faith to such an extent that it may lead to a 'reformation' as we know it. And if not that, then certainly as you mentioned, the steady removal of central tenants such as Jihad that need to be addressed and discussed.
What's more disturbing is to see these changes taking place in front of my own eyes.
Salaams,
Very well put piece, mashaAllah. You do some really thoughtful writing. And your blog is going into my RSS reader! Hope to see more insightful stuff in the future inshaAllah!
--
ctwayfarer
Assalaamu alaikum :)
You hit the nail on the head, Br. Naeem! Whenever we talk about our 'freedom' to practice our deen in the US it usually revolves around, like you said, wearing hijab/niqab, having a beard, etc. But we NEVER talk about the most serious issues of riba, jihad, massih-ud-dajjal, etc.
It totally reminds me of some of Imran Hosein's lectures when he asks, "When was the last time you heard the imams talk about masih-ud-dajjal?" But really one can ask that about a lot of important subjects. Its really telling that I had to go look up riba and what constitutes as riba by myself, after being a convert of a few years, because NO ONE ever talked about it in a khutbah to my recollection.
AA-
@Sara, Thanks for the comment. I actually didn't delve too deeply into this common misconception that our deen is primarily made up of personal rituals. If this trend continues, I fear our fate will be similar to that of the modern-day religious people, who feel it appropriate to keep religion in the home.
@CTwayfarer, appreciate the kind words.
@Convert_chica, nice to meet another Sh. Imran junkie! :-) I can't get enough of that man!
Assalaam Alaikum,
Perhaps the following comment may fall into a different category of discussion, but upon reading Convert Chica's reflection I feel compelled to add that I cannot agree more. My father conveyed to me recently that a brother in our community delivered a khutbah on the fitan of Masih Ad-Dajjal, only to be told that the subject isn't relevant.
If we cannot speak openly about such issues without being chastised even in our own communities, then where else can we afford the freedom to do so? As has been already said, Islam is far more comprehensive than simply consisting of outward rituals.
Assalaamualaikum,
In my opinion, the concept of "freedom of speech" doesn't exist. Free speech is only "free" (and accepted) when it advocates and serves the purposes of the ruling party. In many ways, "Democracy" and "free speech" in the same sentence is an oxymoron... because while the concept of democracy is good in theory, it hardly ever measures up in practice. But thats another long story...
" I am convinced that the catastrophically oppressive system of interest-based banking would not have bound countless struggling families by the economic shackles that have enslaved them to their financial masters."
-- there is no free lunch , so unless this shariat everyone claims is the heavenly one ..t hat has yet to established and practised correctly anywhere inthe world ( a pipe dream) here my 2 cents on islamic banking...Islamic economic institutions claim to operate on the basis of “zero interest.” However, the fundamental practice of charging interest (e.g., charging a premium on the principal amount of the loan, for the time value of the loaned money) is not truly eliminated in Islamic banking, but is merely relabeled and disguised using various legal tricks. usury is disguised by inventing documents that appear on the surface as sales documents, but that are actually interest-bearing loans.
I'm much more for cash only :-) if you have cash saved buy a house of not rent .... same for all goods.. i do believe the buddists have got it right...
Assalamu alaikum,
Nice to see some new posts from you! May Allah keep us all steadfast upon the DEEN and help us to one day re-establish it completely in life Amin.
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