The Lebanon
Fitnah-How we can Cope with
You may wonder why this article is entitled as such, as the Arabic term fitnah
generally denotes negative connotations. In order to best describe the latest
situation in Lebanon,
frankly I could not find a better word, and here's why:
Linguistically, the term fitnah refers to the process of removing impurities
from a gold nugget by exposing it to a steady fire. The impurities gradually
drip away leaving bright pure gold in your hand. Hence, the more intense and
enduring the fitnah process, the more pure the gold attained.
In Islamic parlance, a fitnah is a (suddenly appearing) element in our
circumstances that causes one to lay bare our inner reality in terms of faith.
In the absence of an alternative means or measure to judge faith (Iman), the
social significance of fitan (pl.) in the Ummah can never be ignored. A fitnah
provides us clues that reflect the other's spiritual status (along with
our own) and thus enables us to part and classify 'real gold' from
the 'impurities' around us.
Three Categories of Muslims
Whenever Muslims or Islam take a hit, the Muslim community anywhere divides in
terms of Iman into three major categories, as it did in the Prophet's
time.
The first are those who are genuinely troubled and hurt by the situation, and
as a result, seek ways with their wealth, lives and prayers to engage the
fitnah at its root. They devote themselves entirely for Islamic causes. Islam
to them is a divinely ordained ethical and legal source of human guidance for
all waking hours. One feels their heart-felt acceptance of Muhammed as the
imitable spirit of truth – a veritable giant among the pygmies of
history; of the Quran as the sole manual for global salvation. If there is one
word that characterizes this lot, it is sincerity (ikhlaas). They are the cream
of this Ummah and consequently, of the entire humanity. The socially permeating
blessing of the existence of this tiny group insures us all against imminent
Divine wrath and retribution.
The second category (largest in numbers) is of those who couldn't care
less for a crisis and are rightly called 'cattle' in the
Qur'an. To them, their jobs, livelihood, families, vacations, promotions,
popular TV shows, trendy consumer items etc. matter most in life. Nothing
should spoil their base gratifications or cause them undue effort or
disturbance on account of Deen. At most, a passing remark on the carnage of
Muslims at a casual discussion among friends over tea or at lunch breaks is as
far as their participation will go. They hardly fulfill the obligations of Deen
and don't much care to either. Their Islam is a collection of fragmented
teachings awkwardly fused with cultural notions (of their country of origin)
and contemporary secular ethos.
One finds them at Friday prayers (if they ever go), drop a twonie in the
donation box, and chat with friends outside under a tree shade. These include a
large mass of everyday Muslims who in general have made an economic hijrah to
the West and now pursue their lives and lead their progeny along the same
spirit. If there is one word that characterizes this group, it is heedlessness
(ghaflah).
The third and the last category comprises of those who prance around at times
of crisis as eminent community and religious spokespeople delivering emotional
speeches and tall media statements. They deliver far less. In fact most are
crafty opportunists who see any Muslim crisis under spotlight as a God-sent
opportunity to further a personal agenda i.e. to project themselves upon the
community as being in the middle of the action. One may be taken in by their
appearance (meticulously geared to make impressions of sanctity and/or
authority on a naive crowd) but investigate their record for serious
community-work and you will find token services. Their deep-rooted obsession
for recognition often comes with higher-than-thou status consciousness which
they keenly maintain; in public however they constantly harp the strings of
unity, equality and brotherhood. Because of the need of some sort of a social
platform for their work, one often finds them in mosques, in the political
arena and community-based organizations and comprise of university academics,
community activists and representatives, Imams and Sufi sages of our
community. It is this 'leadership' that is hurting us locally
and globally more than any external element. The word that best describes this
group is hypocrisy (nifaaq).
The Global Malaise
The global situation of Muslims is sadly not much different. Let us look at the
refuse that poured out of some mouths at high places in the wake of this
crisis. At the start of the Israeli aggression, the Arab leaders clicked
their heels and jointly rushed for 'an emergency meeting' only to
come out with a senseless, ridiculous announcement of "There is no peace
process". One wonders whether the Saudi foreign minister, Saud al-Faisal,
would have still called Hizbollah's actions "unexpected,
inappropriate and irresponsible" had his own sisters been in Israeli
jails for over 20 years instead of the Lebanese women-prisoners or, might I
guess, there is a bit of confessional competition at work? Perhaps Mr.
al-Faisal can show us in the coming days what an appropriate and a responsible
action should be in view of the loss of one pleasure resort off the list this
summer.
Also deplorable is our Prime Minister Mr. Harper's shameless description
of Israeli terrorism as "measured". One wonders what
"measured" action causes the displacement of 1,000,000 people,
cold-blooded murder of hundreds (one-third of the killed are kids), massive
destruction to airports, bridges, homes, hospitals, roads – even
targeting fleeing civilians, all in an attempt to free two soldiers? If
it is indeed "measured" then why send 6 chartered ships, along the
efforts of a dozen other countries, to 'rescue' fleeing
Canadians?
The truth of the matter is Israel
does not want to kill Arabs; it wants to humiliate them and it succeeds every
time. It wants to break their will and debase them in acquiescing submission
under the garb of self-defence. So the world witnesses a relatively small,
ill-equipped Islamic group refusing to fit that role and challenging a mighty
nuclear power in battle. As far as recognition is concerned, all Muslims
recognize Israel
fully - as a bloody symbol of tyranny, misappropriation and injustice spanning
three generations. They feel its dagger-shaped existence on the map plunged
deep into the heart of the Arab world as a painful symbol of oppression as well
as of their own inability, ineffectuality and humiliation.
How We can Cope
How will Muslims at home react to the Lebanon crisis (or to many
like-crises to come)? There will be lots of public rallies, honking cars, fiery
statements, media relays, protest marches etc – all to melt to nothing at
the end of the day. In a month it will all be forgotten. The real problem is
that we Muslims have not built a proper community in the West to be of any
consequence. We are a people in disarray represented mostly by opportunistic
hypocrites who speak of community interests yet work silently towards personal
ones. (Muslim figures in the Parliament mean nothing to us unless we as a
community are able to exercise leverage on them to dutifully work for our
interests)
The change must start with our mosques and existing Islamic centers. These are
the places we regularly visit, wherein we mutually interact and develop a sense
of community. Unfortunately the leadership of these institutions is far from
satisfactory. I have discovered with time that the principle of 'putting
the right person for the job' is one principle that has granted the
United States world hegemony and respect, yet sadly this principle is most
blatently ignored during internal elections or Imam appointments in most
Islamic institutions. The present considerations for mosque leadership lies in
one's ability to recite the Quran melodiously and by observing the
'proper' look; for community based organizations it is emotional
rhetoric delivered at various Islamic events. How can we expect vibrant
representation and community guidance when it is we who place unfit characters
on the community platform? Do you think for a moment that if we had had strong
visionary representation - well coordinated and rooted – the world would
have taken us as frivilously as it does now? I don't think so.
We must take command of our mosques and Islamic organizations. We must become
active in the institutions we have built and now run with our resources –
and it must start by taking a surgical account of the present leadership with
the aim to replace it if required. For example, measure your curent Islamic
leadership against the following criteria.
1. Communication. We need a person on the podium
who can communicate effectively and fluently to his own congregation, a group
of supporters and the larger society. He must not only have command over the
verbal language of the land, but more importantly, the cultural language as
well. (Describing good wives as 'obedient' or
'cooperative'in public forum can provoke starkly different reactions).
Many Imams address the crowd in their native tongues with an utter disregard
towards the anglophones; many a community leaders are so heavy-accented that it
is a near-impossible to understand them. This has got to stop.
2. Organization. How are the organizational
skills of your community leader? Can he motivate and organize his congregation
or supporters coherently towards a project or cause? More importantly, the need
of the hour is the ability to form liason between different organizations and
mosques towards mutually held objectives. At the present time, we have
'ghetto-ization' of Islamic institutions whose 'rulers'
view each other as rival competitors. I remember that during the Tsunami
disaster, the relief work initiative jointly undertaken by several mosques and
Islamic institutions at the behest of the Islamic Foundation was so
ill-coordinated (as were the meetings) that some relief supplies ended up piled
in excess of others in sheer neglect of what was needed on the ground. Much
wasn't even received from the donors.
3. Management Skills. The world is changing by
the minute. We need leadership that has solid management training. How to
conduct meetings, discussions, chart agendas, organize follow-up meetings,
resolve conflicts are matters which require learning and update. We must ask
why our community meetings usually go haywire. Professorship in engineering or
salesmanship at a car dealership does not grant by default sound management
skills.
4. Media Projection. This can be a sub-category
under Communication, however in our context, it deserves singular attention.
The larger society will receive us in accordance with our image they see on the
screen. Right now too many leaders propelled by their visible hunger for media
exposure jump to find a spot under camera. The impact of the overall message is
skewed, mushy and confusing. Here's a hint: Several organizations can
pool their resources to hire a properly trained journalist paid to serve
community interests under a clearly defined agenda. Most 'leaders'
should simply refrain from taking the mic. They look pathetic.
5. Approachability and Accountability. How approachable are your local mosque Imams and community representatives? Generally our 'leaders' are impossible to get hold of in person, by phone or email. Most inhabit a world of their own. They need to be replaced with those that merge in the crowd yet at the same time hold an 'aerial' view of the community. Similarly, there is no accountability process at our centres and mosques. Where do the funds come from and where do they go? I suspect most are mismanaged or subtly misappropriated. Your dollar is a vote that keeps an institution alive and functioning, so vote for transparent organizations by funding them instead. Leadership that shys from giving account of the funds it receives from public is like wolf in sheeps clothing.
6. Knowledge of Deen and Society. Both are
equally important. Sole knowledge of Deen serves nothing more than a historical
curiosity; sole knowledge of the society sweeps one away by the waves of trendy
notions and popular ideas of the day. Many 'leaders' have said some
outragoeus things in public simply due to a faulty understanding of Islam (the
fashionable call of the day is putting women up on the minbar and scoffing at
the Sunnah). On the other hand, let us stop importing Imams from
God-knows-where-istans and nurture home-grown religious leadership that knows
us and the issues facing us locally, regionally and globally.
7. Devotion towards Islam. Alas, without this all
social activism is mere deceit and loss. Because our leadership exhibits weak
devotion for Islamic causes, this attitude trickles right down to the common
man. The Islamic spirit exists in all of us, even non-Muslims, but it must be
nurtured like a sapling until it assumes the shape of a towering oak tree
through constant reflection upon the Quranic message. The Quran is
shifaa' (medecine) for corrupted souls, a stable anchor in confusing
times and a Mercy from our Creator. Let us visit it daily with sincere
intentions in our mosques and centers. We urgently need figures that make Quran
relevant to our world.
You may wonder as to how you can remember all of this? The first letter
taken from each of the above terms forms
C.O.M.M.A.N.D.
Comminication
Organization
Management skills
Media image
Approachability and Accountability
(k)Nowledge of Deen and Society
Devotion towards Islam
Taking command; this is the central theme of this article. No one will come and
revamp our leadership save us. Unless we rise to the occasion and take matters
into our own hands and choose 'the right person for the role' in
our community affairs, circulating petitions, erecting lavish Islamic centers
and more mosques, holding one-day rallies etc. are worthless endeavors.
More importantly, who is to say that the crises we see on the media befalling
other Muslims would not visit us in turn if we choose to stay wrapped up in bed
with our eyes closed.
Author Sheharyar Shaikh is the President of North American Muslim
Foundation. He is specializing in contemporary Islamic thought and modernity
Courtesy: NAMF [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
--
G. Waleed Kavalec
-------------------------
"Stop throwing the Constitution in my face,
it's just a g*ddamned piece of paper!"
-- George W. Bush, November 2005. __._,_.___
***************************************************************************
{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.} (Holy Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all." [Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recommended:
http://www.ikhwanweb.com
http://www.islamonline.net
http://www.islam-guide.com
http://www.prophetmuhammadforall.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
All views expressed herein belong to the individuals concerned and do not in any way reflect the official views of IslamCity unless sanctioned or approved otherwise.
If your mailbox clogged with mails from IslamCity, you may wish to get a daily digest of emails by logging-on to http://www.yahoogroups.com to change your mail delivery settings or email the moderators at [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the title "change to daily digest".
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
- Visit your group "islamcity" on the web.
- To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
- Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
__,_._,___
