Interview with Shaykh Yusuf Islahi
Interview With Shaykh Islahi
By Hena Zuberi
Muslim Matters, 21 October 2013
I recently had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing the Indian scholar,
Shaykh Yusuf Islahi, after his lecture at the Islamic Center of Maryland
over a cup of very sweet tea. In a gray sherwani, with a Jinnah cap on his
head, he spoke to me with a grace that only comes with age and knowledge.
Maulana Islahi is a prominent writer and orator. He is one of the leaders
of <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
and the Markazi Majlis-e-Shura (Central Advisory Council). He is also the
chief patron of Project WhyIslam of the
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Circle of North America and founder of a girls’ orphanage,
“Jamea-tus-Salihaat” in Rampur, India.
Shaykh Islahi was on his annual tour of the United States. I have tried my
best to remain as faithful to his Urdu in my translation as possible. Here
is his message of optimism and hope for the Muslims in America.
What are your views on Islam in America and where it is headed?
The connection to Islam is spreading very quickly in the United States, as
well as the rest of the world.
The work that Muslims have done in this country notwithstanding, Allāh’s
(God’s) blessings and mercy is more at play here. Allāh is creating the
pathways to facilitate the growth of Islam. Some issues apparently appear as
if they will be detrimental in the path of Islam, but even these setbacks
become new conduits. They increase the yearning and curiosity of the people,
with the grace of Allāh. There are a lot of instances of this. My
observation has been that the people of this land are of virtuous
dispositions and seekers of goodness. Putting aside the government’s
actions, the regular folks of the land are good people and easily accept the
Truth.
Note that I didn’t say that Muslims are not doing the work in Allāh’s way,
but that the results are not based on their work and are the blessings of
Allāh (SWT). In the past 60 years, the best thing Muslims have done is make
conscientious efforts to keep their progeny connected with the religion.
They have made this effort for their eternal lives and for the betterment of
the country they call home. These efforts are there but more effort is
needed. The people of this land, because they are essentially good people,
are willing to give the freedom to Muslims to work for the benefit of this
land and are happy with the results. Muslims should make use of these
freedoms.
What advice would you give to the Muslim living in the USA, especially on
how to aid the invitation to Islam?
Da‘wah (inviting people to Islam) is not just a speech or a discussion, but
an effort in the society for justice and truth, exemplifying Islam in all
affairs and striving for goodness. Inshā’Allāh (God willing), that work will
be blessed. Make yourselves ambassadors for the religion, an example of
Islam, and get educated. Make sure that the religion of peace and justice is
left as a legacy for the next generation. My advice is to inculcate the
longing in the next generation to protect that legacy and do justice to
their deen.
Another thing is that Muslims have to let go of the culture from India,
Pakistan, Bangladesh or wherever they came from and be good to women and
give them the opportunities to learn the faith. If women learn the deen (the
religion of Islam), every house will be a school of faith and every home
will be a beacon of the light of Islam. Then, in my opinion, it will be
impossible for anyone to extinguish or dim that light. To quote an Urdu
idiom: Ghouls don’t enter populated homes.
What role do American-Muslims play towards the rest of the Muslim world?
There are so many opportunities in this country. There is a lot of
abundance here: of money, of goods, of a cordial environment, of competence.
Make use of these opportunities for the sake of your religion. An essence of
the religion is to give with abundance.
Send money overseas where it is needed on humanitarian grounds. Wherever
and whenever you can, do good; don’t wait for a catastrophe. If you see a
lack of education or health, use your connections and wealth for the benefit
of mankind.
What role do American-Muslims play in American society?
Get involved in local politics and make efforts to stand for justice when
you see any injustice in the world. Work for moral excellence and virtue and
do whatever you can in your capacity in whichever segment of society or
profession you are in.
As you travel around the country, what are the biggest challenges that you
see the American-Muslims face?
There is no country in the world that does not have challenges. There are
huge challenges, even in Muslim countries. The challenges are, firstly, due
to the system of living, daily routine there is no barakah (blessings) in
life, especially in time. Everyone is constantly busy. Make a conscious
effort and seriously think about the fact that we cannot just live our lives
without any purpose. Live your life with purpose, so your voice remains in
this land and that American–Muslim names are written down in the history of
this land as forces of goodness.
We hear that the people are leaving the masājid in the USA, or only fill up
during Ramadan, what is your opinion?
I do not agree with this opinion, that masājid (mosques) are not connected
or are not full. The state of the masjid is better here, than for example
in India or Pakistan. Even if the masājid are filled during Ramadan and not
during the rest of the year it is not particular to the US; that is a
disease everywhere. Another way to look at it is to be happy that they are
filled during Ramadan, as it is a month of barakah. Allāh’s program is set
and Ramadan and other special occasions show us that we are a live ummah.
You can see this in the large numbers of youth, who stay up all night
worshipping Allāh. Then this notion that the youth or next generation is not
attached to the masjid, this is not true. You will see this if you take a
tour of the nation. Everywhere I went, I saw the youth sitting for itikaf
(seclusion in the mosques). In every place 75 percent of the participants
were youth. There were not just boys but young girls doing Qiyam (standing
up for the night prayers) and participating in activities in the masjid.
Don’t be pessimistic, have good expectations of the new generation; don’t
lose hope in them.
What are your views on the upheavals in the ummah (the international Muslim
community)?
We have awakened. We want to live according to the faith. As we awaken, so
does Shaytan (the devil). Secondly, as the Ummah matures and comes closer
to Islam, the enemies of Islam plot to make the ummah weaker. And thirdly
remember that, the Prophet (SAW) said that this Ummah of mine is especially
blessed by Allāh (SWT). This ummah will not be given a collective punishment
in the aakhirah (we will be judged individually); we will suffer through
them here on this Earth. Allāh will send new trials, catastrophes, and
murder will be common. As we suffer through all of this, we can rejoice in
the fact that, as an ummah, collectively we will not be punished in the
eternal life.
I can honestly say hearing his wise words soothed the negativity about our
communities that we are constantly exposed to.
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