Choices for Muslims in the West
Arshad
Gamiet/Royal Holloway University of London/ 12th October 2001
“As-salámu 'alaikum wa rahmatul láhi wa barakátuh!” [Wait for adhán]
“A-úthu
billáhi minash shaytánir rajeem.
Bismilláhir rahmánir raheem.
Al hamdu lillahi, nahmaduhu
wanasta’eenahu, wanastagh-firuhu, wanatoobu ilayhi, wana’oothu Billaahi min
shuroori an-fusinaa, wamin sayyi aati a’maalinaa.
May- Yahdillahu fa huwal muhtad, wa may-
yudlill falan tajida lahu waliyan murshida.
Wa ash-hadu an Laa ilaaha ill-Alláh,
wahdahoo laa shareeka lah,
wa ash-hadu, anna Muhammadan ‘abduhoo
warasooluh”
My Dear
Brothers and Sisters in Islám,
Our Khutbah
today concerns our relations with people of other faiths. This topic has become
especially important, given the delicate and dangerous situation that we Muslims
find ourselves in, these days. Our modern world has brought together people of
diverse cultures into a global village, and we Muslims in the West have to make
some crucial choices about our relationship with our neighbours in the wider
community.
In Britain
today, there are some 2 million, some say 3 million Muslims in a total
population of about 60 million. That's about 4 or 5%. We are a small community
in terms of numbers. However, we are not the first Muslims to face the challenge
of living as a minority in a western secular environment.
In the 17th
Century, in Southeast Asia, the Dutch colonisers of Java and Sumatra sent their
political exiles to the Cape of Good Hope. These exiles established the first
Muslim presence in Southern Africa. This community, which numbers about 3% of
the total, is now just over 300 years old. It is probably the oldest and most
experienced Muslim minority in the western world.
Let us also
remember that Nabi Muhammad [sws] was the leader of the first Muslim minority in
a very hostile tribal society. The Quraish of Makka were bitterly opposed to
Islam, they persecuted Muslims quite severely, and there was a real danger that
Islam could have been wiped out completely. As a precaution, therefore, Nabi
Muhammad sws sent a small delegation to Abyssinia...They became the 1st Muslim
minority in a friendly Christian society. It was here that a wise, just
and tolerant King, welcomed them and guaranteed their safety.
Over the past
half-century, labour shortages in Britain and Europe has brought large Muslim
immigration. Turks came to Germany, Algerians and Moroccans to France and
Pakistanis and others to Britain. Added to this, there has been a steady flow of
students and professional Muslims seeking to advance their careers as well as
political asylum seekers who have fallen out of favour with their own
governments. While Europe and North America benefit from this inflow of skilled
human resources from Muslim countries, the new communities have to face some
difficult choices: Many of them are not familiar with western ways. Often their
arrival is not welcomed. How should they respond?
Muslims
coming to the West have generally chosen one of 3 options:
assimilation
isolation or
selective interaction.
1. Assimilation:
Those who
choose to assimilate, usually suffer from a massive inferiority complex. They
abandon their own identity, they imitate the culture of the host community in
every possible way. They feel ashamed of who they are and where they have come
from. They deny their origins and they try to be little brown Englishmen or
Little brown Europeans.
2: Isolation:
The
second group, who have chosen isolation, are horrified with what they see has
become of the first group. They do not want to disappear in the cultural melting
pot. They want to preserve their Islamic identity, which they often confuse with
their cultural and ethnic identity. Further, they think the best way to protect
Islám, and their Muslim identity, is to have no contact, or minimal contact,
with their non-Muslim neighbours.
This fear of
these isolationists is understandable, but it cannot be a solution. Islám
cannot be hidden away like some precious relic in a museum. It was never
intended to be a religion of the ghetto, And, Islám is not a religion only for
"ethnic minorities." It is a religion for all mankind, for all times
and places.
3: Selective Interaction:
The third
group has chosen the middle way, of selective interaction. They believe that,
Muslims can and should freely associate with people of other faiths, or of no
faith, as the case may be. They feel at ease with their neighbours, at home, at
work and leisure, so that they can cultivate a friendship that benefits both
sides. This group seeks to adapt to western society by absorbing good influences
and avoiding bad influence. Also, this group feels that their interaction allows
Muslims to generate an Islamic influence on our neighbours and fellow citizens.
What
is the correct choice for us?
In
Sura Al Anbiyyaah[21:127] The Holy Qur’án, describes the mission
of our Nabi MUHAMMAD, salallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, in
these words:
Bismillarhir
Rahmanir Raheem
Clearly,
Islam was never intended for any one race or group. Islam is for all
mankind, for all time, and in all places. It is our duty as Muslims to share it
with others. But how do we do this? How do
we show others the beauty of faith? How do we convince them that Islam has the
best solutions to the problems of our time?
Let us
take our clues from our own history. If Nabi Muhammad had confined his attention
to Muslims only, Islam would not have grown as it did. Our Holy Prophet
Muhammad, sws, started his mission and continued it to the end of his life, by
preaching, teaching and setting an excellent personal example, to his friends
and enemies, to Muslims and others alike,
"Verily in the Messenger of Allah, we have the finest of
examples".
There was
no contradiction in what he said and what he did. Both word and deed were of the
same substance. In fact, the deed was the word made visible.
In the
same way, for us, the best da'wah is to set a shining personal example, which
others will want to follow. Debates and discussions have their place, but even
there, we must be careful. So easily debates become mere intellectual
gymnastics, a contest to see who is cleverest with words. Or, like political
debates, it can lead to heated argument, rising tempers, abusive behaviour and
causing offence and injury.
Some
over-zealous Muslims forget this, in their eagerness to convert others to Islam
and to earn Thawaab for
themselves. As Muslims, we must at all times observe the Islamic ethics of
debate. How should we discuss
religion with people of other faiths?
Sura An-Nahl, sets this out elequently in verse 125:
“Ud-‘u ilaa sabeeli Rabbika bil hikmati,
wal mow’idatil hasanah…”
" and invite to the path
of your Lord, using wisdom and beautiful preaching."
We
can read books and observe preachers and we can learn how to
master beautiful preaching, but how and where do we find wisdom?
The Longmans Dictionary of the English Language defines wisdom as:
"accumulated philosophic or scientific learning, the thoughtful application
of learning; good sense; judgement."
It seems
that wisdom is not something you can develop quickly or easily. True Wisdom
comes, as a gift, from Allah, and is the culmination of a long process of
seeking Knowledge, developing understanding. and seeking Allah's help and
guidance. Should Allah find us worthy and sincere, he may grant us Wisdom.
"Using wisdom" in preaching Islam means, being truthful, sincere and
patient. Allah does not expect us to perform wonders. He only holds us
accountable for our intention and our effort, not for the results. The results
are entirely in Allah's domain, and on His timescale, not ours. We often become
impatient to see the results of our work, when we should entrust it to Allah.
People
have come to Islam in the most unexpected ways. It is often not our planned and
deliberate efforts that will bring anyone to Islam. We must simply carry on
setting a good example. It is Allah who works through us, if he deems our
efforts fit for His Plan.
Sura Al Baqara, v212 says:"Allah guides whom he wills, to the
straight path."
Once a
Jew was having a disagreement with one of the Sahaaba. "Our prophet, Nabi
Musa, was a greater prophet than your Muhammad," he said. The Companion
replied, "No, Muhammad is the last and greatest of all prophets." The
two carried on the argument until they came to Rasoolullah. Then the Companion
said, O Rasoolullah, this man says that Nabi Musa, was greater than you!"
Without hesitation, Nabi Muhammad added, "AND Nabi Ebrahim!" The Jew was delighted to hear this,
saying to the Sahaaba, "Can you see,I told
you! Your prophet wouldn't lie!" Later, when the Jew had left, the Sahaaba
turned to Nabi Muhammad, saying he was puzzled by this answer. Rasoolullah
explained that there was no need to hurt the Jew's feelings and high esteem with
which he regarded Nabi Musa. In due course, this same Jew became a very devout
Muslim.
“Alhamdu
lillahi Rabbil ‘Aalameen. Was-salaatu was-salaamu alaa Khairil mursaleen.
Muhammadin-nabeey-yil Ummiy-yee, wa-‘alaa aalihee, wasah-bihee, aj-ma’een.
Ammaa
ba’ad:
Innalláha
wa malaaikata yusallúna alan nabi. Yá ay yuhal latheena ámanu sallú alayhi
wasalli mú tas leema. Allahumma salli alá Muhammad, wa ala áli Muhammad, kama
salayta ala Ibrahim, wa ala ali Ibrahim. Allahumma barik ala Muhammad, wa alaa
áli Muhammad, kama barakta ala Ibrahim, wa ala ali ibrahim. Fil ála meen,
innaka hameedun majeed.”
Dear Brothers
and Sisters in Islám,
We should
not be shy or embarrassed when people of other faiths ask us about our religion.
Let us invite them to our homes. Let us tell them about Islam and our way of
life. This is so much more important now that Islám and Muslims are in the
spotlight of world attention. Some of us may feel uncertain or embarrassed to
discuss Islám with others. Maybe we lack confidence because we feel we don’t
know enough.
How do we
cultivate the confidence to speak to them about our faith and beliefs? This
comes from knowledge and understanding. Fear and insecurity are caused by
ignorance, . We need knowledge and understanding to build confidence and, if it
pleases Allah, we may even acquire wisdom. The best way to improve our knowledge
of Islam is to go directly to the source, and to study it with our family.
If we
think of reading the whole Quran, it seems a difficult task. However, it becomes
very easy, if we decide to read just a few verses every day, and to do this regularly.
Just try this little exercise. Each night after Magrib or Eisha prayers, spend
10 minutes with your family, and take it in turns to read a few verses from the
Quran, to discuss its meaning, and how it relates to your life today. Make this
a daily habit. You will be amazed to see what little effort this takes, and how
big are the benefits. Your children will ask questions and make comments that
will surprise you. Within a short time you will see how the Quran becomes a part
of your life, how verses you've read and discussed, come to mind in different
situations. Without realising it, you and your family will grow in knowledge,
understanding, confidence, and most importantly, you will strengthen your Imán.
This is all part of our duty as Muslims, to seek knowledge, to better ourselves
and become more effective instruments of Allah's plan. We are urged to seek
knowledge from the cradle to the grave, and to seek knowledge, even unto China.
As we grow in
knowledge about our faith, so our fear and insecurity will disappear. As we grow
more confident, so we become better equipped to deal with the many challenges of
living in a multi-faith environment. We will become less concerned and less
fearful about how this western society might damage our imán. Indeed, we will
discover that our growing imán can
produce change and even improve western society.
Let us pray to
Allah, subhanallahu ta'ala, to awaken within us, the desire to improve
ourselves, and to serve Islam better, the desire to move forward and become more
effective Muslims. O Allah, help us in our efforts to seek knowledge,
understanding and Wisdom, so that we can serve You, and seek Your pleasure. Help
us, O Alláh, to live as true and worthy examples for those who are not yet
Muslim. Let the light of Islam shine through us, through our behaviour, as a
beacon for those who are still lost in darkness. O Allah, let us, our children
and all future generations of Muslims increase in number and quality. And,
despite the terrible events of these past few weeks, that have damaged the good
name of Islám, let Islám grow and prosper. Help us to do our duty, so that Islám
can make its greatest conquest, not by physical force, but by winning the hearts
and minds of all who love truth, beauty and justice.
Ameen.
Aqeemus salaah!