Sunday, March 14, 2010

Hurtmongers



So, we all know about the different Muslim groups (Zaytuna, AlMaghrib, Bayinnah, ICNA, ISNA, etc.). As it is we have enough divisions as it is, yet people still drive the Shia-Sunni split and further perpetuate lies, misinformation, slander, defamation, etc. about the other group. My question to them is: Why are you wasting your breathe and energy? Fine, let’s say for simplicity sake the “other” is wrong/stupid or even way off. But honestly at the end of the day what have you accomplished by saying they are kuffar, liars, etc.? So be it, let them be. Only Allah guides people's hearts, you can tell them all you want/advise them and educate them, but at the end of the day Allah guides whom He wills.

The Prophet SAW said:

"Let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day either speak good or keep silent, and let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day be generous to his neighbor, and let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day be generous to his guest."
(Bukhari/Muslim)

Let’s look at the first portion of this hadith, it says (as we all know the golden rule, if you have nothing good to say keep silent). Likewise if we are bashing one another and calling the other “kuffar” or “liar”, etc. is that REALLY doing ANY good? I’m not saying there are not deviant groups out there, but seriously this sectarian hatred amongst Shia and Sunni Muslims has to stop and fine hate each others’ guts but live peacefully…this is America for Godsake, let’s be civilized. Why spew hatred? It’s doing nothing to add any benefit to the ummah or benefit to Muslims. Use that same energy to educate non-Muslims about Islam, educate the youth, improve your own spiritual state---BE PRODUCTIVE WITH YOUR TIME!

We’re so bent on superfluous issues that really have no benefit to us at all. We’re talking about Shia-Sunni theological differences when we don’t’ even know our own deen. Why delve into fiqh, when you don’t even know how to pray? Why do we think we’re experts on theology when we don’t even know the foundation of Islam? Let’s not pretend to be shuyukh or theologians on these issues, because at the end of the day we’re just normal practicing Muslims. However, this lack of knowledge should horrify us and encourage us to pursue Islamic knowledge. Get to know your deen and if there are groups/individuals/actions taking place out there refer to a scholar and consult him/her. It’s not our duty as layman Muslims to issue fatwas on others. Rather, if you really want to help these groups or people out, then go with the intention that you love them for the sake of Allah and would like to advise them. If your intention is otherwise, keep silent.


... 'Abd Allah reported that the Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, said, "A believer is not a fault-finder and is not abusive, obscene, or course."(Bukhari's Book of Manners #313, Ahmad, Ibn Hibban, and Hakim)


“A believer is never a person who scoffs at others, calls them names, or utters vulgar and obscene phrases” (Tirmidhi)

Why not spend time in purifying our spiritual states, learning more about Islam and the Seerah? Stop wasting time pointing out other peoples’ flaws, bad deeds, etc. and improve yourself. Yes there are certain things we must point out but, let’s not become the Haraam Police or the Fatwa Factories and spew out hateful comments about other groups. At the end of the day those divisions and groups will remain, yet you need to be smart about how you approach those groups and provide them guidance. First and foremost you need to check your intention, is it to put someone down or is it truly to guide those people to the Straight Path? Are you sitting spewing out hateful speech just to slander someone and make them look stupid or do you truly believe in guiding that individual or group of people. Check your intention.

In the Quran it says:

O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former, nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it, to insult ones brother after having Faith (i.e. to call your Muslim brother (a faithful believer) as: "O sinner", or "O wicked", etc.). And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Zalimoon (wrong-doers, etc.).
(49:11)

Thus let’s not slander one another, it really provides you no benefit and only brings bad deeds upon your scale. Let us follow the sunnah of the Prophet SAW:

"The Muslim is one from whose tongue and hand other Muslims are safe. The emigrant is one who abandons those things God has prohibited" (Al-Bukhari)

Let’s stop hurting one another…..there’s enough pain as it is in the world inflicted on Muslims, why inflict more on ourselves?

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

"You're completely bonkers, but let me tell you a secret; all the best people are."
-Alice in Wonderland

i LOVE this quote..

...it's so true..
those people who question social norms, enjoy learning and new and different experiences..and who just don't follow the herd...even if respected, are looked at as socially awkward or some kind of weird or different...

Recently some french Muslims came to the US and I got to spend some time with them...
they told me how in France there is this general dislike towards religion and religious people.
All religious people, regardless of which faith, are seen as backwards, superstitious...i guess somewhat insane, people.

They liked how here in the US we generally have a 'You do your thing and I'll do my thing' mentality..
one of the students said "That's all we want; if only we had just that!"

Thanks America for letting me be my own kind of socially awkward!
:)



Some Random thing I wrote years ago just because I had a green pen I really liked in
my hand...I'm sure everyone understands what I mean...

Dear people...
I am completely insane...100%.
...you probably are too, but are not willing to admit it..
..we all get mad so often...isn't getting mad the same as going mad?
The british are in denial, but they are slowly catching up...
...the noises are coming back...they're forcing me to think...
until my next lapse into reality...
goodbye
-SA