Sunday, March 25, 2012

What would Muhammad Do?: Muslim Brotherhood/Sisterhood

In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful

All praise is due to Allah, the source of all guidance.

Islamic Center of Windermere: Finally, we have found a few locations. There is a huge rental space available, but it will cost $27,000 per month. There is a land available, which will cost around $1.5 million. Please share your thoughts on how to proceed? If anyone wants to see the property, please contact me.

"Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided." (Quran 16:25)

On April 4, I wrote a blog about two groups of Muslims that met 100 feet from each other, but were 100 miles apart. One was lead by an American convert Imam, and the other by an Indian born Imam. I saw the opportunity for the community to connect these groups, because they needed each other. Finally, these groups met and coordinated a few events recently with success. Immigrant Muslims hosting, the host country Muslims, and both groups are engaged in sincere and serious dialogue.

As a member of both groups, I see the further opportunities, and possibilities to raise the stakes even higher, and create more real bond that will benefit the community. Following are some of my suggestions in that regard.

- Immigrant Muslims should enroll in the yahoo group that is setup for new Muslims, so they are engaged with them in real time.

- New Muslims should attend the events hosted in the Jammah Masjid, and subscribe to Masjid mailing list.

- Instead of reading the speeches from the paper during bi-monthly picnics, create an interactive sessions where open discussions takes place.

- Immigrant Muslims should reach out to the new Muslims at the individual level, and have at least one same gender contact consistently.

- Islam is practical religion, so some practical solutions need to be setup like jobs program, or health clinic etc.

A final advice is to not put too much emphasis on who is a new Muslim and who is an immigrant Muslim, because we all are Muslims, and there shouldn't be groups of any kind. When Muhammad ibn Abdullah (PBUH) created bonds between Muslims in Medina, he did not do that to maintain the distinction, but to remove the distinction. For example, he chose Ali as his brother, and not anyone from Medina, because it is not an alliance between new Muslims and immigrant Muslims, but a brotherhood among all Muslims. Think about that. Don't look for a new Muslim to teach Arabic, but teach each other, if you don't know.

We need to assimilate and make the new Muslims our paternal brothers and sisters, and invite them to our weddings, dinner party, call them when they have a baby, argue with them, love them. People who attend Jammah Masjid should attend the events hosted by Imam Sykes. Pot luck, faith club, food drive etc. People who attend Imam Sykes class should attend hadith class at 8 Am on Sunday.

Be practical, as Islam is a practical religion. We should not take a photo with a poor naked baby and return to our air-conditioned limo to head to our home. Take the baby home or find him some clothes and check up on him at a regular basis. May be find a job for the father. I hope what I say here makes sense. Don't donate a fish, but teach someone to fish, so they can feed themselves.

This is what Muhammad (PBUH)  would do. He would never use the terms new Muslims and Immigrant Muslim, except when necessary. So, lets do our next event in the parking lot of Jammah Masjid, and make it practical. Allah has shown mercy upon us and guided us to this point, so let us take the next step.

JazakAllah Khairin

A well wisher.
AbuArman Jumani

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Promiscuous Relationship

In the Name of Allah,

All the praise is due to Allah, the perfectly knowledgeable

This is a recent story of an affair that lasted for one night.

Zaytuna:    "Salam Orlando"

Orlando:   "Wasalam. Do I know you?"

Zaytuna:    "No, not yet", replies with a smile, "I am from California, and travelling around the USA for a reason".

Orlando:    "Nice to meet you. So what is the reason that brings you here"

Zaytuna:     "Well...I am building a new home in Berkeley, California, and it requires $7 million to buy the building I really like. I am travelling around the USA to collect money for it."

Orlando:     "We are also trying to fix the whole in our back wall in our home. Alright, so you are asking for funds. Let me see, how much do I have here". Orlando takes out his wallet.

Zaytuna:      "Oh no! no! God no! I am not asking for a charity like this on the street. I would like to take you out for a dinner, and then we can talk about this". Orlando blushes.

Orlando:      "Oh...So when is this dinner?"

Zaytuna:      "Lets do it on Saturday. How is that?"

Orlando:     "Can we eat at my house? My wife name is Masjid, and she would love to meet you, and my kid Mago would love to hear the stories of California."

Zaytuna:      "Oh no silly. We can't do dinners with Masjid. We will meet at a nice place where Masjid is not close by. It will be more comfortable and less distracting"

Orlando:      Replies confusingly. "Alright, See you on Saturday"

Zaytuna:      "And, please bring your checkbook"

Meeting takes place on Saturday in an up class ballroom.

Zaytuna:    "Salam, Welcome Orlando"

Orlando:    "Wasalam, Wow! this is a nice place. This is much fancier then my home with Masjid"

Zaytuna:     "Yes, it creates the right environment"

A few minutes later.

Zaytuna:     "Look. This is the picture of my sons Hamza, and Zaid"

Orlando:     "Oh! I am very impressed with them"

Zaytuna:      "Listen! I need at least a $1 million dollar tonight from you."

Orlando:     "That is a lot. We just met. I don't even know why you are building the house, and who will be living there."

After a few sweet speeches from Zaytuna later.

Orlando:     "Sure. I will write you a check for $400,000, as thats all I have in the bank."

Zaytuna:     "Alright, that will do."

Next Morning.

Masjid:     "My dear husband, my only dress was torn today. Can you please write me a check for $40, so I can buy a modest dress? Also where did you go last night. I was waiting for you on Isha."

Mago:       "Papa, you promised to buy me the books for the school today."

Tear rolls down Orlando's eyes, and his head sinks in his hands. What has he done. Gave away so much money in one night to someone who he met only once, and never to see again. Here his family was not even included in the decision.

May Allah helps Orlando to spent in the right place, and provide us a single leader who can look after our best interest.

And Allah knows best.

JazakAllah Khairin

A well wisher of Orlando
AbuArman Jumani