• Increase font size
  • Default font size
  • Decrease font size
  • default color
  • green color
  • red color
IN DEFENSE OF THE MUSLIM UMMAH PDF Print E-mail
User Rating: / 35
PoorBest 
Editor's Desk - Opinion
Written by El-Hajj Mauri' Saalakhan   
Saturday, 02 January 2010 01:08
In Response to Attacks on Sheikh Anwar Al-Awlaki
In last month's edition of The Muslim Link, an article titled "Spokespersons Busy in Fort Hood Aftermath" (November 20, 2009) raised some serious concerns for this writer. The article quoted Imam Johari Abdul Malik, Imam Yahya Hendi and Asra Nomani in ways that required a response - both in the interest of balance and justice.

The focus of the article centered around the controversies generated by Sheikh Anwar al-Awlaki's response to the Fort Hood tragedy. In brief, Sheikh Awlaki praised the shootings and considered them justified because America was at war in Muslim lands and the victims were American soldiers on the verge of being deployed.

The purpose of this article is not to debate that argument, per se, but to examine the response to Awlaki's argument from a number of well known figures in the Muslim American community. In the opinion of many, including this writer, these very public reactions went too far in condemnation of Awlaki, and served little to clarify Islam's position on one of the major issues of the day (war and peace).

In preparing my own response, I was reminded of an essay that I wrote years ago titled "Five Mistakes of U.S. Policymakers in the Muslim World." The article was published in the March 1999 edition of The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. (For those who possess a copy of my book titled Islam & Terrorism: Myth vs. Reality, it is also republished there beginning on page 11.)

Under Mistake #5 one finds the following cautionary note to America's political establishment: "Our major organizations and mainstream leaders serve an important function and are appreciated for what they do. However, they are not always the people you should be listening to; for they will sometimes tell you what you want to hear, and not what you need to hear."

We witnessed this tendency in the immediate aftermath of the Fort Hood tragedy, and again immediately following the controversy surrounding the five young Washington area Muslims now being interrogated in Pakistan (i.e. the Muslim establishment telling America's political establishment what it wants to hear.)

My friend and brother in Islam, Johari Abdul Malik, was quoted as saying "something changed" in Sheikh Anwar al-Awlaki since his tenure ended as resident imam at Dar Al-Hijrah. Of course something changed! Awlaki, like the rest of us, witnessed a very costly American-instigated war in the Muslim world, and he himself was victimized by 18 months of political imprisonment (and probably torture) in the process.

When Awlaki argued that Nidal's assault was justified because the victims were soldiers about to be deployed into the theater of battle, and "America was the one who first brought the battle to Muslim countries," a more thoughtful response should have come from Muslim leaders in America, as opposed to the blanket denunciations that ensued.

Some of the comments of Yahya Hendi - who serves as resident imam at the Islamic Society of Frederick (MD), and chaplain at both the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda (MD) and Georgetown University in Washington, DC - were way over the top, in terms of Islamic credibility. He and others who echoed the same mantra missed a unique opportunity to correctly educate the public on a very sensitive, hot-button issue.

When asked, for example, if there was a conflict between being a Muslim and being deployed to fight other Muslims?

HENDI: You know, overall most of the soldiers we have, Muslim soldiers in the US military, are loyal Americans and have joined the military, again, to defeat terrorism, to defeat extremism. After all, on September 11 we were attacked, and Islam gives Muslims and America the right to defend itself against terrorism and, therefore, Muslims should be proud, and are proud, of their service in the US military.

Of no consequence to Imam Hendi, perhaps, is a verse in Al-Qur'an that reads: "Never should a believer kill a believer... If a man kill a believer intentionally his recompense is Hell, to abide therein forever; and the wrath and the curse of ALLAH are upon him, and a dreadful penalty is prepared for him." (S. 4: 92-93)

There is a hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) which is also highly relevant to this issue. It reads as follows: "He who is killed under the banner of a man who is blind (to the cause for which he is fighting), who gets flared up with family pride and fights for his tribe - is not from my Ummah. And whosoever from my followers attacks my followers (indiscriminately), killing the righteous and the wicked among them, sparing not even those who are staunch in faith, and fulfilling not his promise made with those who have been given a pledge of security - he has nothing to do with me, and I have nothing to do with him." (Sahih Muslim, Volume 3)

When journalist Bob Abernathy raised the following question with Hendi - "There's a concept, if I understand it correctly, within Islam called the Ummah, which is a sense of intense brotherhood with all other Muslims. Now does that conflict with having to go into Afghanistan?" - Hendi's response on this question was just as flawed and disingenuous.

HENDI: Actually, no. If I love my brother and when my brother does something wrong, Islam requires me to stop him from his wrongdoing. You know, Prophet Muhammad-and in the Koran we are told that we have to enjoin good and forbid evil. What happened on September 11 and the aftermath of that terrorism, extremism...what is happening in Pakistan, suicide bombing, and in Afghanistan, is against the teachings of Islam, and Muslims are required to join any military in self-defense and to defeat terrorism.

Asra Nomani was also quoted in The Muslim Link as follows:

"It's critical that we ditch the concept of the "ummah" with a capital "U" and recognize that we are an "ummah" with a small "u," meaning our religious identity doesn't have to supersede other loyalties and identities. This attempt to push an "Ummah" is the politics of ideologues of puritanical Islam who want to mollify dissent. Sadly, too many moderates have bought into it." ("Inside the Gunman's Mosque", The Daily Beast, 11/9/2009)

In response, I once again return to the 1999 essay ("Five Mistakes of U.S. Policymakers in the Muslim World"), to an observation made in the summary conclusion:

"Sincere Muslims in every corner of the globe are threaded together by an ideology which is consciously or unconsciously imbedded within the very fiber of their being. No matter how uneducated, unsophisticated, or illiterate the Muslim you happen to meet - and conversely, no matter how educated, sophisticated or westernized the Muslim you happen to meet - there is always this instinctual awareness of being part of a global family, a global community with an accountability to God. This is something that the U.S., and its respective allies, would do well to consider.

"No nation can indiscriminately bomb, maim and kill innocent Muslims without the pain, grief and anguish being felt on some level by Muslims the world over. No matter how many disclaimers are issued - 'This is not to be taken as an attack on Islam or all Muslims' (or as President Obama recently stated, "America is not at war with Islam") - the ACTIONS are going to be seen for what they are, and the impact is going to be felt!"

This is the message that should be conveyed to the establishment by the Muslim community's "spokespersons" in America. If it were, both we (the North American branch of the Muslim Ummah) and America would be in a much healthier state.

On a final note, I return to a highly counterproductive remark attributed to Imam Johari in the same edition of The Muslim Link:

"In other interviews, Abdul-Malik advocated that the Muslim community create a list of speakers parents should be wary of, adding Al-Awlaki to the list. Al-Awlaki's Seerah (biography of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him) lectures are among the top sellers among English speaking Muslims worldwide."

In a number of e-mails, blogs and online chats, I've noted a growing number of young Muslims now debating the value of Awlaki's past and present intellectual output, and whether or not they should retain his products. Such debates remind me of just how little Islamic understanding there is among Muslim American youth - despite all of the Seerah conferences, "deen intensives," etc. And this does not reflect well on "Muslim scholars" in America.

Johari's suggestion has other ominous implications, however. This writer knows how it feels to be shut out of certain places because of the perception that he's too militant, too controversial, or too "political" - and how counterproductive this is to Muslim-American development and self-defense.

A number of Muslim organizations are talking about producing a website and other mechanisms by which Muslim youth will be able to access scholars who might mitigate radical tendencies. Who will these "scholars" be? The same ones who say it's alright for Muslims to join the military and go overseas to fight and kill fellow Muslims? Or the "scholars" who argue that the only politics suitable for the masajid are flag waving enterprises approved of by the state? If so, such initiatives are doomed before they even begin! Our youth must be able to respect the advocates of "moderation."

May God help us.

 

El-Hajj Mauri' Saalakhan serves as Director of Operations for The Peace And Justice Foundation. He can be reached at (301) 762-9162 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Comments (21)
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | Anonymous

    What about all the millions of innocent muslims that are being attacked and killed by the government under the so called blanket of "democracy" and going after the "terrorrists". The billions of dollars that is filtrating to the jews to unjustly committing genocide. where is the 72 excuses for your muslim brother. where is the justice in getting the true story from both parties prior to making statements . do really know the truth of what really actually happened or is all muslims guilty until proven innocent. where is the HAQQ? Where is the islamic brotherhood before taking sides with the kufar? may allah guide us to the truth and for ALL of us to follow the quran and authentic hadith.

    • 6
    • 2
    ReplyQuote
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | yousry abdelmohty  - muslimonearth

    assalam alikum, most of so call muslim"s leader does not represent any muslims but certain political group which does not even apply islam ,no one ever choose them but their own org, for their own agenda,islam is clear about all the issues,read, qura,sunnah and find the right answer for all the issues not ignorant fake leaders and hypocrite false muslims,we choice the right leaders throw their way of life to apply islam not to mislead others,,, thanks, salam.

    • 2
    • 0
    ReplyQuote
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | Muslimah

    Asalaamualaikum,
    I am glad to see that someone has the courage and decency to clarify and defend, Al-Awlaki. Far from saying what Al-Awlaki and Nidal Hassan did was right or wrong it is important to provide proper context. Salaakhan did just that providing sourced verses and sunnah, rather than opinion.
    I am tired of Muslim leaders who come with their hats in their hands and try to placate the masses. I understand the need to sooth people so that the majority of the Muslims who are peaceful, and law abiding do not face the same fate of the Japanese during WW2, or continuous suspicion and persecution. On the other hand I equate much of the talk to the shucking and jiving done by slaves who tried to appease their masters. These Imams and experts need to decide what master they are going to serve is it Allah Subhanawatallah or America and other western nations?

    • 8
    • 0
    ReplyQuote
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | gina  - out of touch

    If the concern here is for the youth, many if not most youth that are growing up in this generation are becoming alienated from "American Islam", but not finding the Islam from their parent's countries any easier to identify with. Very few Muslim youth are interested in scholars, or research. These three scholars are simply articulating what many of the next generation are feeling/thinking, and it behooves the community to be aware of them lest more Muslim youth become non-practicing because they can't align their beliefs with their leaders.

    Mistake 5: Sometimes our leaders actually say what we've been thinking but previous leaders were UNABLE to express.

    Muslims were attacked in this country, britain and elsewhere just as much as non-Muslims were. The 911 attacks didn't attack just non-Muslims. While they may have had a purpose, muslims were "Collateral Damage" Where is the outrage against this?

    Muslims are not part of one big happy family. Iraq attacks Iran, Iraq attacks Kuwait, there are many more examples of muslims themselves killing their brothers. This concept of Ummah is practically overrated.

    • 2
    • 7
    ReplyQuote
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | Quadir Kareemullah  - Reform our lives

    Bismillahirrahmanirraheem

    Assalam Alaikum Respected Brothers & Sisters,

    Muslims would be better off if they ignored these political issues. Let us focus on the core problem, which is majority of us have not brought 100% Islam in our lives. We must all strive to believe with certanity in Kalima "Laa Ilaaha Illlallah" that there is no God except ALLAH. No nation, idealogy, military power, person etc. has power except ALLAH. We must follow the way of Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam, the best human being in the entire universe and the most beloved of ALLAH. We claim that we love Allah and His Rasool most, but our actions witness something else. We need to make Salaat the top priority in our lives, strive for concentration and devotion in Salaat. We all know Salaat is the first thing that will accounted for on the Day of Judgement, so let us change our lives to reflect this fact. We need to gain beneficial knowledge that will help us obey ALLAH and remember Him all the time. Let us learn, memorize and recite the Duas during daily activities such as eating, sleeping, driving etc. This will help us bring concentration in our Salaat, create a connection with ALLAH and make us depend on ALLAH in every small and big aspect of life. If we do not know Duas, we can atleast say Bismillah for eg. Bismillah before sitting, Bismillah when standing etc. Any activity done without remembrance of ALLAH has no benefit. If ALLAH is our helper, then nothing can harm us. We need to work hard to bring Sincerity in our intentions and deeds. Any good we do, do it ONLY for the sake of ALLAH. One famous scholar said "The last thing to come and first thing to go is Ikhlaas (Sincerity)". Correct our intentions before, during and after a deed, and make istigfar. We also need to fulfill the rights of our muslims brothers and sisters, starting with our families. For our rights, we ask only ALLAH. Contrary to what non-muslims claim, Islam spread through the great character of Sahaba Radiallaho-Anho and later generations. But muslims lost this, and we are not only concerned about our rights but also trampling on others rights because of our love for this world. Our current character is NOT enough, we need to emulate the best character Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam and Sahaba Radiallahu Anhu. Through our character, ALLAH will bring non-muslims into Islam. If non-muslims are NOT accepting Islam now, it is because our character and way of life and dealings is no better or worse than theirs. We need to ponder over this. Last but not least, we need to strive in the path of ALLAH and remind our brothers and sisters who are lost and disconnected with ALLAH. Remind them about the greatness of ALLAH and His innumerable favors and our purpose in life. This world is a "House of Deeds", so we need to accumulate as many good deeds as possible for our Hereafter. Sahaba Radiallahu Anhu had all these qualities. We cannot get these qualities by sitting at home and being engrossed in our work lives and families. We need to make arrangements and take time out to learn this great Deen of ALLAH. To achieve great results, sacrifice is required. By the will of ALLAH, no nation became great, no businessman became wealthy, no scientist made discoveries without sacrifice of their lives and families. Sahaba Radiallahu Anhu made the greatest sacrifices by leaving their families and going in the path of ALLAH to deliver the message of Islam. Alhamdulillah, through such sacrifices, ALLAH made muslims. Now it is our turn. Let us strive to reform our lives and remind our brothers and sisters. When all muslims bring 100% deen in their lives, ALLAH will bring victory to muslims, peace and security will spread and non-muslims will enter Islam in crowds similar to the conquest of Makkah. Remember that victory and all good that we seek is in the hands of ALLAH, and not in any other means. Let us obey ALLAH and His Rasool Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Sallam to achieve success in this world and the Hereafter.

    Jazakallah Khair

    • 2
    • 0
    ReplyQuote
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | Fuad Kamal  - baseless assumptions

    A lot of folks, including the author, are assuming that Anwar actually said any of those things. They make this assumption based on a blog that bears his name. It has been pointed out that the writing style on this blog is strangely different from Anwar's previously known writing style. I am curious whether anyone has seen any hard evidence linking to blog to Anwar, who's whereabouts are completely unknown. When what the public media reports to the general public is already so suspect, why would everyone flock to give credit to this, for all purposes, completely anonymous internet blog.

    A more in depth discussion of this can be found on Omer Mozaffar's blog:
    http://mozaffar.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/regarding-al-awlaki-and-his-alleged-transformation/

    • 2
    • 1
    ReplyQuote
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | peace  - change your minhaj

    We need to go back to the Quran and Sunnah in the way of understanding of the Salaf = the Sahaabah, the one after them and the one after them. The prophet sws said" the best of people are my generation then the generation after me then the one after.
    These are the only people we can take from them, these are the people who understand the Quran and Sunnah , they learned it directly from our prophet sws and from the companons and from the ones who met these companions. There is a scholar who said "take from the one who are dead not from the ones who are living". Many Scholars or Sheikhs and imam we follow today are not upon the right minhaj, the way of the prophet or the 3 guided generations after him. Many follow their desirs, doesn't bring proves from Authentic Hadiths or from the Quran. How can a man like "Hasan attack his own soldiers while he has a pledge with them" ?How can somebody give him a fatwa that it is allowed to kill them even if he has a pledge with them? where is the proves? This is the real question that have to be answered before talking about the Killings.
    Since there is no proves from braking one's pledge, then the one who gave the fatwa and the one who went into action are really farway from the real teachings of Islam

    • 1
    • 1
    ReplyQuote
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | Z. Abdullah  - Speaking the truth

    Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakartou, My Respected Brother Salakhan,

    May Allah (SWT) reward you for standing foward in word and deed against falsehood. This is the obligation of all Muslims and especially Believers who have covenanted with Allah (SWT) through our Prophet Ibrahim (as) and the practices of Muhammad (saws).

    That being said, it would behoove the Ummah (notice the capital U) to take heed of the words from Allah (SWT) in these matters and apply them in these times of such great fitna against this Deen. I believe every Muslim who believes in Allah (SWT) and follows our Beloved Prophet (saws) should stand against this onslaught that is being waged against Imam Awlaki, because he represents one of many leaders that are being attacked (as Allah promised) because they are speaking the truth; indeed enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil. The system of Targut has been angered and terrorized by Allah (SWT) not by His servants, and barring their ability to defeat Allah, they will attack His servants -- just like they did/do Muhammad (saws) and the followers of Muhammad in the generations past. These messages from those who use Allah's words and the Prophet's teachings to admonish and warn the communities should be taken as strengthening for us to resolve and be firm on the path of Allah for success in both of the worlds. Ameen. I pray that Imam Awlaki can receive these messages and know that he will not be one of those leaders who stood up...lived and died without the support of those who love Allah (SWT) and His Prophet (saws). Indeed there are those who are with all of you who struggle and fight and die for the pleasure of Allah.

    • 5
    • 0
    ReplyQuote
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | sabah

    jazakumullahu khair br,salahkhan for speaking up the truth

    • 2
    • 0
    ReplyQuote
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | A.J.  - Killing Muslims

    In light of the verses about Muslims killing other Muslims, I wonder about the lack of condemnations of those involved in weekly attacks against fellow Muslims in Pakistan that have taken hundreds of lives in the past few weeks. If the blood of a Muslim is sacred why do Muslims only condemn the taking of it when it is by non-Muslims?

    • 5
    • 0
    ReplyQuote
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | Linda G. Richard  - Jazak'Allah Khair Mauri

    As salaamun alaykum,

    I appreciate what you have said about Sheikh Anwar. I am shocked at the division amongst the Ummah ever since the Fort Hood incident. I think suddenly all of us were forced to take a position. I think we all had to choose whether to follow Allah subhanu wa ta'ala or whether to join the Muslim apologists out there. Naturally we would choose to follow Allah. Or so I thought.

    I'm a revert - and only for a few years. I think I've been fortunate to be unschooled in the many different "schools of thought" out there. My focus is on what I read in the Qur'an and the Sunnah. I think truth is easy to recognize. It's pure, untarnished. I guess I've been around long enough - to be able to discern it well enough, over half a decade.

    So how anyone can convince themselves that they should take a position that supports those very people who are murdering and oppressing Muslim countries -- how does one justify that? How complicated can it possibly be?

    I watched this from the beginning. I remember it quite clearly. Since I run a website focused on the detainees, I know exactly how the media works. I can almost predict it anymore, sadly. The second that Imam Anwar was mentioned in connection to the Fort Hood incident - I could see it. I knew that the media was going to attempt to crucify him.

    What I didn't expect was part of the Ummah joining right in. That was shocking, and very disturbing. How "nationalism" trumps love for Allah and for our brothers and sisters - I do not know. I do not want to know.

    I do know one thing. I refuse to be someone who is afraid to speak out. I refuse to worry more about being targeted for some ridiculous charge for speaking the truth. I'm in a fairly safe position, though, being a grandmother and really no danger to anyone.

    You, however, continue to speak out publicly, loudly, and you always defend our brothers and sisters, even when others refuse to join you. I've seen it over and over again. I admire you very much, Brother. Jazak'Allah Khair, may Allah protect you, and our brothers and sisters in bondage to this very day.

    Fi amanillah,
    Your Sister
    Linda

    • 2
    • 0
    ReplyQuote
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | Gin Baba  - Fact Finder

    It is important to know who are the participants in any such Islamic discussion. Mrs. Asra N. happened to be a product and under the influence of a "free" thyself from the code of relegion. Her past reflects that and an unmarried mother of a child reflects her moral code. She has been disowned by her own parents, who reside in Morgan Town, WV. Do we need to publish or promote such a woman in imbibing the knowledge and faith of Islam? Can we have a screening and filtering mechanism before the "writer" sends in venomous, unholy and misleading comments, please!

    • 0
    • 4
    ReplyQuote
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | Muslimahfrvr  - Belief

    Assalamu Alaikoom Warahmatullahi Wabarakatu,
    As Muslims we must remember to watch what we say and what we do in all matters. Allah (SWT) is the best of planners and we all need to take heed and get back to the basics which is following Quran and Sunnah. We as an Ummah must return to our Salah. If we truly believe that there is a Yawm Alqiyyama, we will be standing before Allah (SWT), and the first thing that will be accounted for is the prayer we most certainly must return to the prayer. If you don't pray you are not a practicing muslim. If we as individuals are practicing Islam the correct way; when issues like "terrorism" come up we will know the proper response as Muslims to every situation. If we don't know the proper response we should stay silent, make Du'a, and make sure that we are following Islam properly less we make a wrong statement that we will be held accountable for.
    May Allah (SWT) forgive you and I for any mistakes we have made and grant us good in this life and the hereafter and may we attain Jannatul Firdos Ameen.

    • 0
    • 0
    ReplyQuote
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | Enver Masud  - Imam Hendi I challenge you to defend your position

    Re Imam Hendi's remarks on 9/11, they are indefensible. The 9/11 Commission Report has been thoroughly debunked. If you doubt this examine the [http://www.twf.org]evidence[/url] carefully. Hundreds of American [http://patriotsquestion911.com/]patriots[/url] — engineers, intel and military personell, etc. — question this report. Muslims — specially Muslim leaders — who have the most to lose, have a higher duty to examine the facts.

    • 0
    • 0
    ReplyQuote
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | Mauri' Saalakhan  - Feedback on responses

    Assalaamu Alaikum (Greetings of Peace) to All respondents.

    I truly appreciate the feedback that this politically charged, yet much needed, commentary has received. To add to the dialogue, I want to take a few moments to respond to a number of issues raised on this blog.

    The points made (by Anonymous) on the right of all to a presumption of innocence, and the large number of Muslims in different parts of the world who are being attacked and killed, are very important reminders to us all.

    The quality of Muslim leadership (a point raised by Br. Yousry), and the very important question of which "master" do we serve (raised by Muslimah) are also issues that warrant deep reflection.

    Gina's points regarding the alienation that many young Muslims (from immigrant families) are experiencing, and their disaffection with the pressures they're feeling from both worlds, is an issue that warrants its own extensive commentary. (It's one that I plan to address in the coming days, insha'Allah.) For now, I will agree with part of her assertion: Muslims aren't one big happy family.

    I have to respectfully disagree with my Br. Quadir's assertion that Muslims would be better off if they ignored political issues. Islam is a deen - an all encompassing system of life and living which includes the "political." If we truly endeavor to emulate the character and minhaj of the Prophet (saaw), we cannot ignore this reality. That said, the recommendation that we improve our salat and family relations is indeed important.

    To Fuad, I note that there are reliable sources for most of the controversial remarks attributed to Sheikh Anwar. The question is, how do we give our brother (who is well known in the community for his good work) the benefit of the doubt (with regard to his intentions), and respond to the controversies surrounding him in the best way possible?

    I must also respectfully disagree with the respondent who argued that the way forward is to go back to the ways and understandings of the Salaf (may ALLAH be pleased with the sincere among them). The scholar who said, "Take from the ones who are dead, not from the ones who are living," is wrong in my humble opinion.

    Our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) reportedly said in his Last Sermon to the Ummah: "All those who listen to me [directly] shall pass my words to others, and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly."

    The door to ijtihad (deductive reasoning on the basis of both revealed and authenticated sources) should NEVER be closed. Every generation has a collective obligation to realize this fact and act accordingly.

    As to the question of how any Muslim can make a pledge with a non-Muslim (individual or institution), and then go back on that pledge; I remind the respondent who raised this rhetorical question (and myself), of what our Prophet (pbuh) said on a related matter: "No obedience is due created things which involves disobedience to The Creator."

    I encourage A.J. to go back and re-read the hadith provided in the article (which begins with: "He who is killed under the banner of a man who is blind to the cause for which he is fighting..."), in response to the concern expressed about the lack of "condemnation" of Muslims who kill other Muslims.

    Like Linda, I too am a revert to Islam. I believe this provides a certain amount of immunity against much of the culture-based jahilliyah that permeates most of the Muslim world today. I agree with Linda's assertion that one does not have to be a "scholar" to be a good, conscious and effective Muslim - because "truth is easy to recognize."

    I also think that the personal attack on Asra Nomani was a bit unfair. From what I know of this sister and her situation, her parents have NOT disowned her. But even if they did, what benefit would this afford us in the challenge of ideas?

    We all make mistakes in life. Our niyah should be to learn from those mistakes and not repeat them. Another equally important challenge is being open to hearing the arguments of those who disagree with us; and meeting the challenge with less emotion, and more fact-based reason.

    And I truly love the nasiha of the respondent who said: "If we don't know the proper response we should stay silent and make du'a. (Some of our "leaders" would do well to take this to heart.)

    Finally, my brother Enver Masud's challenge to Imam Hendi is another that many (if not most) of our leaders should take to heart. Committed Muslims need to read and reflect deeply over the wealth of fact-based information already produced by the 9/11 Truth Movement (of which Enver Masud is a valued contributing member).

    The September 11th conspiracy trancends the Muslim community. Much of what has been disseminated by mainstream media has been proven FALSE; and much is still being covered up. Given the extent to which this tragedy has been manipulated and used against the interests of Muslims (globally), we should be in the forefront of trying to find out what happened and why - instead of repeatedly parroting the party line, or avoiding the issue altogether.

    That's all I have to say at this time. Let's keep the dialogue going. Ma'asalaam.

    • 1
    • 0
    ReplyQuote
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | Imam Warith-Deen Umar  - Tricks of ad dajjal

    Dear brother I\'m glad you seperated yourself from [the other community leaders]. [They] certainly are endangering themselves.They need to prove that Imam Al Awlaki said the things this government has accused him of. And even if he did say things, so what. Whatever happened to freedom of speech here. The KKK says kill all Blacks and jews. Do we send fighter jets and predator drones to kill them. These so-called Muslim leaders and\"leading\" Muslim organizations should remain silent or openly accept being used by the enemies of Islam.

    • 0
    • 0
    ReplyQuote
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | Muslim Brother  - El-Hajj Mauri' Saalakhan- Walks a different path

    Assalamu Alaykum Brothers and Sisters,

    Unfortunately, I do not have much time to write a concise statement but I want to quickly say that I too had similar views as soon as I read the Ft. Hood > Al-Awaki link and for that matter every single lik to the global enterprise commemorate AQAP. (Al-Qaida in the Arabic Peninsula). It was another series of disappointments from the aforementioned Brothers who spoke on the "behalf" of whom? Mauri has some great insight on various subjects but it nothing really surprised me of the varied reactions. One only had to refer back to the Quran and Sunnah. It would be a change if the major media would ever get the proper point of view. But do they ever? Wikipedia entries for Al-Awlaki and other significant Muslim individuals all read the same say. It would be nice for those Muslim Link readers who manage blogs to post links back to this article. Never forget that Allah (WSWT) is the best of planners and no matter how hard anyone in this world tries His plan is final.

    • 1
    • 0
    ReplyQuote
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | K  - Finally

    As-Salāmu `Alaykum السلام عليكم
    You can tell just how important this issue is from the number of responses. I think a lot of Muslims with positions as Imams and representatives of Islamic organizations feel this need to distance themselves from anything that the MEDIA perceives as radical. What about the perspective that terrorism is wrong AND the war in Afghanistan is wrong? What Awlaki says resonates with a lot of people because it makes sense. How can you obliterate a nation (Iraq) support apartheid (Palestine) and invade a country (Afghanistan) and not expect Muslims to feel threatened? Or, why isn't the CIA vilified in the same manner as "terrorists?" After all, they operated "rendition" operations where they kidnapped, tortured and sometimes killed people. Or, how can we trust many of the scholars when they work for/with governments we know to be corrupt (Egypt, etc.)? This double-standard is what Awalki addresses. The conditions for jihad and the conduct for jihad are specific and one could debate whether Awalki has crossed the line in what he has said (many scholars disagree specifically with his guidelines for jihad). However, disagreeing with some of his interpretations does not mean that the sentiment of what he says is correct. Beyond that, terrorism is terrorism, whether you call it Operation Cast Lead, Operation Rendition or Breslan or Al-Qaeda.

    • 1
    • 0
    ReplyQuote
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | K  - Pefect ARTICLE.

    As-Salāmu `Alaykum السلام عليكم
    Thank you very much El-Hajj Mauri' Saalakhan, for writing this article - and writing it in a way that encourages discussion. I can say that MANY of us were waiting for someone to come out and say SOMETHING about Awalki. By attacking Awalki and using a guilt-by-association tactic they (US government) has again distracted citizens from the real issues. You raise the point that we don't have to agree with everything Awalki says but we should pay attention to what he says.
    Thank you so much for writing this article. I hope it finds wide distribution. This was a perfectly balanced piece of journalism and is one of the best articles I have read on current events, period, in any periodical. I will share it with my non Muslim friends because you deconstructed the big issue so well I don't think one has to be a Muslim to have this make perfect sense and to understand the emotions behind the issue. This is high caliber writing.
    I have yet to read a solid, objective article like on Awalki anywhere. You tend to find propaganda-like support or you find clumsy condemnation.
    Please continue to write El-Hajj Mauri Saalakhan!

    • 0
    • 0
    ReplyQuote
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | concernedmuslim  - Thank you brother El Hajj for much needed voice

    Asalamu Alaykum Brother El-Hajj,

    I would like to voice my appreciation for your opinion piece in the muslim link titled "In defense of the muslim ummah." I believe you highlighted a major flaw in the american muslim leaders dangerous reactions after the fort hood event. I agree with you that there should have been a better response by the sheikhs and imams than the usual condemnation and even takfeer of our muslim brothers. The sheikhs are allegedly trying to protect the muslims in america at the expense of foregoing loyalty to Allah and the muslim Ummah.

    I was particularly disgusted with Yahya Hendi's response because he tried to please the media and the kuffar rather than trying to ease the tension. Yahya Hendi says "you know, overall most of the soldiers we have, Muslim soldiers in the US military, are loyal Americans and have joined the military, again, to defeat terrorism, to defeat extremism....You know, Prophet Muhammad—and in the Koran we are told that we have to enjoin good and forbid evil. What happened on September 11 and the aftermath of that terrorism, extremism, what is happening in Pakistan, suicide bombing, and in Afghanistan is against the teachings of Islam, and Muslims are required to join any military in self-defense and to defeat terrorism.." Since when is a muslim allowed to join a kuffar army to kill his brother and sister? Where is his condemnation of the air strike in afghanistan that killed at least 10 children about a week ago? What happened to the loyalty to Allah and the Prohet Muhammed(SAW)?

    Lastly but not the least Allah says "O ye who believe! Whoso of you becometh a renegade from his religion, (know that in his stead) Allah will bring a people whom He loveth and who love Him, humble toward believers, stern toward disbelievers, striving in the way of Allah, and fearing not the blame of any blamer. Such is the grace of Allah which He giveth unto whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing. " 5:54

    So, let the blamers blame..

    Asalamu Alaykum warahmatullah wabarkatu.

    • 0
    • 0
    ReplyQuote
  • Y-m-d H:i:s | concernedmuslim  - part2

    I'm also disappointed at imam Johari boosting about having "20,000 muslim soldiers in the american military." These leaders either need to understand how to respond to events like this without losing loyalty to the muslim ummah or just step aside. Although I appreciate our community leaders service, at the sametime I'm commanded by the Prophet(SAW) to advice them when they are wrong.

    • 0
    • 0
    ReplyQuote
Write comment
Your Contact Details:
Comment:
[b] [i] [u] [url] [quote] [code] [img]   
Security
Please input the anti-spam code that you can read in the image.
< Prev   Next >
 
Banner

Login

Poll

How much would you pay for the print edition of TML ?
 

POLL

Where do you get your TML newspaper from?