False Choices: Are you British, European, American or Muslim?

“As-salámu ‘alaikum wa rahmatul láhi wa barakátuh!”

“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 tajidaa lahu waliyan murshida. Wa ash-hadu an Laa ilaaha ill-Alláh, wahdahoo laa shareeka lah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhoo warasooluh”

All Praise is due to Alláh, We praise Him and we seek help from Him. We ask forgiveness from Him. We repent to Him; and we seek refuge in Him from our own evils and our own bad deeds. Anyone who is guided by Alláh, he is indeed guided; and anyone who has been left astray, will find no one to guide him. I bear witness that there is no god but Alláh, the Only One without any partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad, sws, is His servant, and His messenger.

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem! Ya Ay-yuhal-latheena ‘aamanut taqul-laaha, haqqa tuqaatihee wala tamu tun-na, il-la wa antum Muslimoon.”

O You who believe, – Fear Allah, as He should be feared, and die not except as Muslims.

Ya Ay-yuhal-latheena ‘aamanut taqul-laaha, wa qooloo qawlan sadeedaa. Yuslih-lakum a’maalakum wa yaghfir lakum thunoobakum, wamay yu-til-laaha warasoolah, faqad faaza fawzan atheemaa.”

O You who believe, – Be aware of Allah, and speak a straightforward word. He will forgive your sins and repair your deeds. And whoever takes Allah and His Prophet as a guide, has already achieved a mighty victory.

In the opening verse of Sura An-Nisaa’, Allah says:

O mankind! Show reverence towards your Guardian-Lord Who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, his mate and from the two of them scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;― Be conscious of Allah, through Whom ye demand your mutual (rights) and (show reverence towards) the wombs (that bore you): for surely, Allah ever watches over you.`

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Muslims in Britain are often asked, “Do you consider yourself British or Muslim?” In other parts of Europe, the question is, are you European or Muslim? And, across the Atlantic, “Are you American or Muslim, Canadian or Muslim?” And so on. The question presupposes that one’s identity and one’s loyalty can only fit into one category. It also betrays the questioner’s anxiety as to where we Muslims belong. Before we hasten to answer this question, we need to examine its assumptions critically. It’s and either/or question, and it assumes that being Muslim and being British or French or German or American/Canadian/Australian are mutually exclusive identities. It’s like asking, are you a husband, or a father, or a son? Obviously, one can be all these, without any conflict or contradictions. The question itself is absurd. So, don’t answer this question as if you accept its wrong assumptions. The simple truth is that one can be a good Muslim and be a loyal British citizen, or European or American citizen without any problems.

The problem arises when we define our meanings narrowly and exclusively.

What exactly does it mean to be British, or whatever?

If one defines ‘British’ as being white, Anglo-Saxon and Protestant [W.A.S.P. for short] then clearly we brown skinned colonial cousins won’t ever fit that description. It’s racially and religiously exclusive. Who is ‘British’ has to be redefined. It must include all those who may have been born elsewhere but who have made Britain their home and who are entitled to a British passport. Being British is someone who strives to promote the wellbeing of everyone who lives in this country, and who is sensitive to the needs of people beyond our shores, someone who believes that ‘fair play’ applies not only to cricket but to life generally This is a more inclusive and acceptable definition of British-ness. We Muslims can certainly accept this definition and strive to fulfil it, because we find in it a resonance with our own Islamic ethos.

To be a Muslim is to be a follower of a universal faith, to believe in One God and to believe in all His prophets. ‘Muslim’ is not a national identity. It’s a belief identity. A Muslim can be Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Egyptian by birth, British by nationality and at the same time be an obedient son, a loving father, a devoted husband as well as a helpful neighbour and a loyal and upright citizen. One can be all this at the same time, with absolutely no contradictions. The contradictions only exist in someone else’s mind.

“O mankind, I have created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may know and respect one another and not despise one another…”[Sura Hujuraat ch 49 verse13]

To know and to respect other people of different cultures, languages and ethnicity is a moral and spiritual imperative, decreed by Allah. Knowing and respecting the diversity of Allah’s creation is something we must share with others. We must teach them and reassure them that diversity should not become a source of fear and loathing, but a source of wonder and admiration. It is one of the Ayaat, one of the Signs of Allah.

We must understand that in these fast-changing times, people feel uncertain and insecure about their own national identity. Some are no longer sure if they are British, English, Scottish, Welsh or European. What comes first? Does it really matter? Aren’t we first human beings, homo sapiens? Bani Adam? KhaleefatullAh?..trustees and custodians of planet Earth? We Muslims must understand this, and we must reassure our friends and neighbours in the wider community that they have nothing to fear from our presence in their midst. We have to do this by earning their respect and trust. By doing so, we will simply be following the “uswatul hasanah,” the grand exemplar, the perfect role-model of Prophet Muhammad (sws).

Let’s not forget that even before he was called upon by Allah to fulfil the most honoured role as “khaataman-nabiy-yeen,” the Last of the Prophets, he had, in the first 40 years of his life earned the title of “Al-ameen,” The Trustworthy.

Let us then work hard to earn that same reputation amongst our friends and neighbours in the wider community. We must always be truthful and trustworthy. Let us follow our beloved Prophet Muhammad (sws)’s example. There’s no quick fix here. It’s a long and serious process, a lifestyle and lifetime commitment. It will take lots of hard work over many years. But this is what it means to be a true Muslim. We who worship the Lord of Mercy and who follow the Mercy to all the Nations,

(Wa ma arsal naaka illa Rahmatal lil ‘aalameen)

We will have to show others the beauty of Islam, bit by bit, day by day, through our practical living example, through big and small acts of kindness, generosity and mercy. We will have to join others in improving our neighbourhoods, reducing crime, drug abuse and social exclusion. Every Muslim must be involved in at least one activity that promotes social cohesion, human welfare and good citizenship. It’s a long road ahead, but this is what Allah has decreed for us, and at the end of this road, inshAllah, awaits the Ridwaan, the Good Pleasure of our Lord.

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, kama barakta ala Ibrahim, wa ala ali ibrahim. Fil ála meen, innaka hameedun majeed.

Second Khutbah:

Sub’ hanallahi wal hamdu lillah, wala hawla wala quwwata illah billah yu althi yual theem

Glory to Allah!  Praise to Allah! There is no power and no strength except from Allah!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We’ve all heard about Islamic Relief. It’s one of the biggest Muslim charities, helping anyone in need, all over the world. How many of us actually know how this big international charity began?

During Ramadan I attended an Iftar dinner hosted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. I heard Dr Hani Al Banna, the founder and CEO, tell us how it started 25 years ago. It was in Cairo, Egypt, where his young nephew came to him and said, “Uncle, here’s my pocket money. I don’t really need anything for myself. Please use it to help the poor people.” He handed over one  Egyptian Pound [about 20p]. Dr Al Banna was deeply moved by this young boy’s generosity, giving his whole week’s pocket money to the poor. So he started Islamic Relief with that sum,  just 20p. Today it’s an international relief agency that raises millions to provide help and support to the poorest and most vulnerable people on earth.

Let us take this as an example. Even the smallest good deed, driven by love and gratitude to Allah, can be magnified a million times over. Allah’s mercy and blessings are limitless. Sura Al Baqara reminds us of a grain of corn that sprouts seven ears, each carrying a hundred grains. Allah multiplies His rewards many times over. We should never take Allah’s loving mercy for granted.

Let us reflect on Allah’s living and loving generosity towards us. Let us show Him our gratitude, by serving His most vulnerable servants.

Brothers and sisters, to conclude our khutbah

InnaAllaha, Yamuru bil adel, wal ihsaan, wa eetaa-i zil qurba; wa yanha anil fuhshaa-i, wal munkari walbaghi; ya-idzukhum lallakum tathak-karoon. (Sura 16:90),

“Surely Allah commands justice, good deeds and generosity to others and to relatives; and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, so that you may be reminded.”

Fadth kuroonee adth kurkum, wash kuroolee walaa tak furoon [2:152].

“and remember Me: I will remember you. Be grateful to Me, and do not reject faith.”

wala thikrul-Laahi akbar, Wal-Laahu ya’lamu maa tasna’oon.” [29:45].

“and without doubt, Remembrance of Allah is the Greatest Thing in life, and Allah knows the deeds that you do.”

Ameen.                   Aqeemus salaah!