08.17.06
Muslim Activism
When we strike out to do something good for the community or the Ummah, especially if it involves public involvement (ie. rallies, talks, meetings, etc) people tend to hesitate. This is because we have fear in our hearts. We can get involved and be passionate and at the same time be rational about it. We need rationality, with determination and faith to be truly successful. We cannot let all of the Islamophobic pressures get to us and ultimately lead us to be ashamed of labeling ourselves Muslim. And with the same token, we cannot let the extremist and the pseudo-Salafi pressures lead us to detest and hate the religion of al-Islam (or make us into “progressives”).
As Muslims, activism is a very integral part of our faith. Allah has commanded us to spread the message of peace and justice by any means permissible to us. We need to uphold the message and defend it at all costs. It is incumbent on every one of us. We need to be firm and confident on our beliefs and stances.
For Allah (swt) has said in Quran(chapter 4, verse 135),
O ye who believe! Be ye staunch in justice, witnesses for Allah, even though it be against yourselves or (your) parents or (your) kindred, whether (the case be of) a rich man or a poor man, for Allah is nearer unto both (them ye are). So follow not passion lest ye lapse (from truth) and if ye lapse or fall away, then lo! Allah is ever Informed of what ye do.
We cannot discriminate in regards to whom we speak out against. And if you think you can, remember that Allah is the best of planners and he very well knows what you are upto. What is wrong is wrong, regardless of who supports it. However, depending on whom we are dealing with, the means we use to approach them with will be different. We need not to put forth our personal agenda(s), but the agenda of the Qur’an and Sunnah.
We need to dig deep into our hearts and find ourselves. Once we find ourselves, we will be leaning towards His path. Once we find ourself, we will be fearless. True freedom is liberation from the worldly matters and enslavement towards Allah (swt) and His path.
irving Said:
August 17, 2006 at 6:24 pm
May Allah bless you for the truth of your words. How can we worship al-Haqq, if we are not honest with ourselves and each other, if we do not speak the truth against injustice. Allah knows every lie you tell, even the small ones that you tell just because you don’t want to be bothered with a long explanation. Even the ones on your tax forms, or to your boss or wife or husband, or parent. They add up to a heavy weight around your neck. The Sufis believe that you cannot travel the path to the Truth, until the truth is within you completely.
Ya Haqq!
amel Said:
August 19, 2006 at 7:47 am
mashallah
Munzareen Said:
August 26, 2006 at 7:13 pm
You know.. you’re very right. Often nowadays, Muslims are afraid to speak out. They feel like they will be alienated or arrested or picture any crazy scenario and they believe it.
But this is not what we are supposed to do. We are not cowards. We should speak out for what is right regardless of who is committing the wrong. If it is a Muslim it is STILL our duty to speak out (while also not spreading rumors of sin). If it’s a non-Muslim we should speak out in even larger numbers.
Besides our need for a voice being a political necessity, it is a religious obligation. Kafir doesn’t just mean disbeliever. It means truth concealer. What good are we doing if we are concealing the truth?
May Allah guide us.
naqvia Said:
August 26, 2006 at 10:18 pm
Munzareen,
Awesome point…
“Besides our need for a voice being a political necessity, it is a religious obligation. Kafir doesn’t just mean disbeliever. It means truth concealer. What good are we doing if we are concealing the truth?”
MashaAllah!