(Revised Version)
Volume 8, August 2009
St. Louis, Missouri
Editor: Hajji. Mohamed Ziauddin
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST BENEFICENT AND THE MOST MERCIFUL
The Ummah has been passive for too long in terms of not being frank and upfront with the extremist elements. Such passivity and silence had sent a wrong message to the extremist Muslims and further reinforced their distorted belief that they had the backing and support from the global Ummah.
On a positive note, we are now seeing that various Muslims and Islamic organizations are standing up to fight against such injustice perpetrated by extremist elements who advocate killing innocents falsely claiming that they are doing it in the name of Islam. In the process they are creating more hardship to the ordinary Muslim on the streets be it, Abdul or Fatima.
In Egypt, a new brand of young Muslims from a new generation are speaking up against terrorism and are successfully able to interpret the Holy Quran to represent peace, love and harmony among mankind. Below are two additional global examples.
Inshallah, the momentum for the global Muslims to assert that Holy Quran is a guide and masterpiece to guide humanity towards PEACE rather than BLOODSHED as portrayed by the extremists is already ON.
It would be good if Islamic Centers consider posting on their notice board a ZERO TOLERANCE to violence in the context of the Ummah’s opposition to killing innocents, regardless of what the cause is and to provide internet, phone and provider resources that could be utilized on issues pertaining to conflict resolution and ways to assist a particular oppressed individual or group or nation.
Anyone who strongly feels on a particular issue, should do so either by volunteer work to help towards the cause of such issue or exercise their strong commitment by using their checkbooks to sponsor an orphan or family on a year to year basis or to donate to other educational, social service related causes et.c. for that particular oppressed group or nation. Muslims worldwide are more than able to come up with hundreds of better suggestions than to respond by death and destruction in their intent to assist the distressed Muslims worldwide. ANYTHING IS WORTHY OF CONSIDERATION EXCEPT VIOLENCE TO SELF AND OTHERS THROUGH SUICIDE BOMBING.
The extremists had also unnecessarily dragged the peace loving Tabligh Jamaat in their actions. Because many of the Tabligh Jamaat members tend to wear traditional Islamic clothing along with sporting an untrimmed beard, they became visible targets of many western governments.
We know that in the United States, the government sent out secret agents in the form of Muslim converts who joined and infiltrated the tabligh jamaat and reported back to the government that the tabligh jamaat are NOT involved in any “cells” or “terrorist group”. Not surprisingly the US government had LIFTED THE BAN on tabligh jamaat’s activities.
HERE AGAIN THE ABSENCE OF ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE LEADS TO MISUNDERSTANDINGS AND SUSPICIONS. For example, one of the principles of tabligh jamaat before they go out on DAWAA work is NOT TO TALK ABOUT POLITICS. This fact is not known to many non-Muslims. One of the tabligh jamaat's basic principles is to avoid violence at all possible costs and in reality , they are one of the most disciplined and peace loving groups in the world. In summary, even such a peace loving Islamic group had come under the government’s radar screen for scrutiny, because of the horrific acts of the extremist group.
Misinterpreting the gems of Holy Quran not only apply to violence but also on women in some contexts. Below are two examples of Muslim organizations condemning terrorism in India and the United States and the last part of this issue has an example of how the gems of Islam were twisted to inadvertently create more hardship and difficulty for our Muslim sisters.
In as much as we stood up against misinterpretation regarding terrorism, we need to stand up against similar misinterpretation regarding women because trying to voluntarily crush half of Ummah’s (female) productive potential is like voluntarily diminishing half of Ummah’s human resources covering various aspects.
EXAMPLE: I
INDIA: Feb 25, 2008, DEOBAND (Uttar Pradesh, India): (Yahoo News)
OUTCOME OF CONFERENCE ON TERRORISM ORGANIZED BY DARUL ULOOM – Deoband.
Darul Uloom was established in Deoband, in late 19th century and remains a renowned religious and academic Center of Islamic thought and practice. In the sub-continent, it remains the largest institution for the dissemination and propagation of Islamic teachings and the biggest headspring of education for Islamic sciences. Followers of Deoband School practice Orthodox Sunni Islam. Deoband produced some renowned Muslim Scholars who resisted British rule in India, which ended with independence and the partition of the subcontinent in 1947.
“On the one hand terrorism should be condemned and on the other hand those who make accusations against the whole (Muslim) community should be countered because if the actual accused is not caught, then some innocent would get hanged. This will be our loss. ALL OF US BELONGING TO THE SAME (MUSLIM) COMMUNITY SHOULD COME TOGETHER TO FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM AND MILITANCY,” said Maulana Mahmood Madni, General Secretary, Jamiat Ulmea-i-Hind, who was participating in a debate on terrorism and other Islam-centric issues organized by the Darul-Uloom in Deoband.
PARTICIPANTS:
Ulema (Muslim Scholars) from six thousand Madrasas (religious schools) were participating in the debate called by the LEGENDARY SCHOOL OF ISLAMIC LEARNING IN ASIA. Apart from representatives of Madarasas, the other participants are Ahl-e-Hadith, Jama’at-e-Islami and Shi’ah schools of thought and the heads, delegates of their Madrasas and the Rectors (Sajjada Nashins) of the Dargahs of Ajmer Sharif and Kichhauchha Sharif. Further the heads and representatives of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, Milli Council and the Darul Uloom Deoband’s Old Boys Association had also participated in above Conference.
Above organizers stated that they wanted that the DARUL ULOOM to take the initiative in stating that ISLAM DOES NOT SANCTION TERRORISM AND THAT DEOBANDIS DO NOT BELIEVE IN IT EITHER”.
‘WE WANT TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE TO ENTIRE WORLD THAT MUSLIMS AND ISLAM HAVE NO LINKS WITH TERRORISM. AND WE WANT TO GIVE THIS MESSAGE TO THE CENTRE THAT IF ANY MUSLIM IS ARRESTED IN ANY TERROR ACTIVITY THEN HE SHOULD BE TREATED JUST AS A CRIMINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE LINKED WITH ISLAM TO DEFAME MUSLIMS,” said Maulana Aadil Siddiquie, spokesperson, Darul Uloom, Deoband. The organizers of above conference REITERATED ITS DETERMINATION TO PROMOTE PEACE, NATIONAL SOLIDARITY AND BROTHERHOOD IN THE COUNTRY.
EXAMPLE: 2
UNITED STATES:
If you want to know details regarding the Muslim voices against extremism and terrorism, go to THE AMERICAN MUSLIM website at www.theamericanmuslim.org and you will find a series of article collections in the topic of MUSLIM VOICES AGAINST EXTREMISM AND TERRORISM, Muslims Denounce Terrorism, Quran and Hadith against extremism, Fatwas, Statements by Organizations, Statements and Articles by Individuals, A few quotes, THE MUSLIM MAJORITY WHO DON’T GET PUBLICITY, Muslims and Arabs in the U.S. Military, Selective Hearing of Muslim Voices Against Extremism, Sunni-Shia Unity Resources as well as many more collections on specific subjects including Resources for Responding to Claims against Islam and Muslims, and documentation of ISLAMOPHOBIA – Polls, Statistics, and surveys, alarming statements by year, incidents at mosques, incidents and hate crimes, media and propaganda et.c. If you want to keep up with Islam in America and topics of interest to Muslims in America and the West, above is the site to visit.
Below is an excellent note by the Founding Editor of THE AMERICAN MUSLIM (TAM).
“One of the most common statements made by non-Muslims is “Where are the Muslim Voices?”. We want our fellow Americans to know that the Muslim Voices are there, but they are being drowned out in the dim from those who see a clash of civilizations as inevitable. American Muslims know that extremists and terrorists don’t represent Islam, but our fellow non-Muslim Americans do not. The millions of Muslims in the US are indeed trying to communicate their disgust and opposition to extremism and to clearly differentiate between Islam and the actions of some Muslims. Our scholars have spoken out loudly and clearly, as have our national Muslim organizations, community leaders, and ordinary Muslims and still we are asked,” Where are the Muslim Voices”? We need to get our message out in every way possible until we are heard”.—Sheila Musaji, Founding Editor, Sheikh Mohamed Nur Abdullah, Religious Advisor. THE AMERICAN MUSLIM- Journal of Islamic Thought.
WOMEN:
MISUSE OF THE GEMS OF ISLAM:
Ban on women driving cars - “based on ISLAM or based on one’s TWISTING THE FACTS FROM ISLAM AS WE PERCEIVE IT”? You be the judge and decide for yourself as to what is truly the TRUTH.
This is what Majlis-Ul-Ulema from South Africa had to say about DRIVING AND WOMEN in their book “THE PIOUS WIFE” Page: 26-27.
(Reprinted word for word).
“Undoubtedly, for Muslim women to drive cars is contrary to the spirit and teaching of the Quran and Sunnah. The Quran Shareef commands Muslims females: “And remain within your homes and make not a display (of yourselves) like the display of the (time) of jaahiliyyah”.
The Quran and Ahadith place restrictions upon the emergence of females from the home. Islam exhorts and commands its female adherents to conceal themselves; hence Rasulullah said,” Woman is aurah” (i.e. to be concealed). When she emerges (into the public), shaitaan casts surreptitious glances (evil glances) at her.” Islam emphasizes Purdah – concealment – for women but western culture in a variety of ways and means (of which women driving cars is one) emphasis “self-expression” i.e. exhibitions of jaahiliyyah. Islam lays stress upon modesty and shame. (Hayya) whereas driving destroys the hayaa of women.
By means of driving, woman places herself in the forefront of exhibition. She barters away her hayaa by aping the ways and mannerisms of males in the driving seat. Her place is not in the driving seat to wander around, putting herself up for public gaze and display. Her place is the home – to live in dignity, respect, hayaa and honor. The greater her self-exhibition, the greater the destruction she brings to her natural modesty. And about this hayaa, Rasulullah said: “Hayaa is a branch of Imaan”. It is virtually impossible for a woman who drives, to observe the Islamic laws of Hijaab. Even if she is a bit conscious of Islamic Purdah restrictions, her constant projection and exhibition which driving entails corrodes her hayaa and reduces her to utter shamelessness. She then qualifies for the Quranic description of “tabarruje jaahilyyah” (exhibitions of the times of ignorance).
The argument advances in favor of women driving are all fictitious and designed to appease the lowly nafs of man. Those women who are observant of the Divine restrictions and prohibitions – those women who remain within the confines of Islamic Hijab will, Insha’Allah not be confronted with the fictitious ‘emergencies” and exigencies imagined and sometimes confronted by the women of exhibition. Those who have Trust (Tawakkul) in Allah Ta’ala will be well cared for”.
(ED NOTE: Dear Brothers From Majlis-Ul-Ulema, Thanks for spending your valuable time to write on above issue as part of your book “THE PIOUS WIFE”. With all due respects to you and appreciation for your eloquent language, I have some questions with regard to the manner in which the gems of Islam were wrongly interpreted and blended in your above note. I believe that I am not a loner walking in the wild on this issue and I suspect there are millions of Muslims worldwide who probably would be more inclined to raise similar questions as I raised on above note.
We all must try our best to avoid criticizing each other. Therefore while I appreciate your good intentions to contribute a guide for Muslim women, I am afraid that your advice may harm our sisters more than benefit them. Anything that would hurt our brothers or sisters would be a pain for us and therefore, we need to make a good faith attempt to address and if possible correct it to the best of our ability. Let above note from the brothers of Majlis-Ul-Ulema and the below note from the writer through this platform of newsletter be placed in THE MARKETPLACE OF IDEAS and let the UMMAH be the judge.
I say above because, many Muslims in the 21st Century have a very low tolerance for difference of opinion. The moment they differ, they immediately give the other a LABEL. For example, “He is a munafiqeen” (hypocrite). What is important today is the right of every single Muslim to assertively express his or her ideas. The Ummah should be tolerant enough at least to hear what one has to say. We can always analyze or discuss our response once we know the opinion of the individual. We should avoid making quick judgments based on stereotypes. For example, “Oh, after all, she is just a woman, from what she said, you know where she is coming from”.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
It is in such context mentioned above, that the important aspect of ISLAMIC PSYCHOLOGY steps in. Brothers of Majlis-Ul-Ulema, I believe your world view is totally disconnected from the present realities and your thinking is still anchored to history. In your world view, there are no “emergencies” and if any, they are “fictitious”. In your world view, all one has to do is trust in Allah and everything will be taken care of.
In your world view, a husband can never die before his wife, therefore the question of whether the wife would live independently and may need independent transportation would never arise. Your world view is free of emergencies, domestic violence and in a nutshell, no existence of single parent families, and that all household families are headed by a husband who takes care of hundred percent of the family’s finances and transportation needs. Although husband has gone to job in the morning and returns in evening, somehow transportation is arranged to pick and drop the children from school, husband does hundred percent of shopping using his vehicle and there is no need for wife to help with shopping if husband is busy and is unable to shop.
There are no broken families; there is not a single opportunity that may arise where the wife may need a car to commute. Husband will be in the best of health all the time and never be admitted at a hospital therefore there is no need for her to drive and visit the husband, OR there is guaranteed public transportation available between the wife’s home and the hospital.
This is ONE of many examples where good practicing, sincere, honest Muslims inadvertently distort Islam and not only create additional stressors in the life of the Muslim woman by depriving her of a basic transportational need that ALLAH has gifted to humanity, but also decreasing the potential productivity by fifty percent of the UMMAH thereby by default retard the optimal output from the global UMMAH. In simple words, we believe that their distorted world view has done MORE HARM than good for the UMMAH.
For example, in the real world, once a Muslim husband dies or divorces from his wife, how much more hardship will the wife have to undergone to become economically independent. Being in home and raising children all her life, she probably may have very limited income, how is she going to improve her educational standard, get a job with no prior job experience and how is she going to support herself and her children ?
WE BELIEVE THAT NO MUSLIM SHOULD PREACH ISLAM IN A WAY THAT DEPRIVES ONE OF THEIR BASIC RIGHTS AND IN THE LONG RUN LEADS TO INCREASED MULTIPLE STRESSORS. Instead we need to spread the golden message of Islam in a way that maximizes our ability not only to practice ISLAM in our personal lives but also to be a productive and contributing member, not only to our immediate family, but to the local community and society at large.
Even at the present time, although a Saudi woman is allowed to drive a plane, she is not allowed to drive a car. (There is currently at least one Saudi female pilot). Needless to say, below is an example of a step that was taken backward by abusing the gems of ISLAM i.e for women not to drive a car and thereby creating hardship for half of the Saudi Ummah. GOOD NEWS IS THAT SAUDI ARABIA HAS FINALLY DECIDED ON A PLAN TO LIFT ABOVE BAN AND IS WORKING TO IMPLEMENT ABOVE PROMISE VERY SOON. But who is going to compensate the thousands of Saudi women for all the hardships they had to face all along? NONE. WHO IS TO BLAME FOR THEIR HARDSHIPS?
On the other side, we are not advocating forgetting our Islamic roots and being obsessed with the contemporary times which symbolically is a combination of good and bad. THAT’S WHY ISLAM HAS STRONGLY ADVOCATED FOR US TO SEEK KNOWLEDGE, WHICH BY DEFAULT IS A POWERFUL TOOL TO ENABLE US TO DIFFERENTIATE FROM THE RIGHT AND WRONG AND PICK ONLY THE RIGHT.
INSTEAD WHAT WE ARE REALLY ADVOCATING is building a foundation on Islam but integrating it with the positives of the contemporary times. Needless to say blindly focusing on the contemporary times will equally destroy us, we need to gain KNOWLEDGE about the contemporary times and inshallah, with Allah’s guidance and blessings pick the appropriate positive contemporary KNOWLEDGE and combine it with the gems of ISLAM.
DISCLAIMER: We strongly believe that ISLAM is a religion of tolerance and it applies to tolerance to accept divergent and extreme points of view. Whether you want to send a supportive e-mail or angrily worded hate mail, we not only welcome and respect your opinion but would defend at any costs for your RIGHT to express it. TO US, THIS REPRESENTS ISLAMIC VALUE OF “TOLERANCE” IN ACTION AND NOT JUST IN WORDS OR FROM OUR SPEECHES.
As usual, feel free to e-mail us at info@mehrunyusuficds.com.
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