Imam – Writer – Thinker :: Fostering Community & Islamic Literacy
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In this episode, I clarifyy some points in my article, The Unrecognizable Islam of Reza Aslan, about the boundaries of belief and asks some important questions for our community to consider.
Sources
1. The Unrecognizable Islam of Reza Aslan.
2. Mu’min and Kafir – Negotiating Shared Space.
3. The Trouble With Muslim Pundits Today – Part 1 and Part 2.
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The following are some audio clips from conversations we have at Middle Ground Muslim Center often after our Understanding Islam class.
“We all want our du’ah answered.”
مَا مِنْ دَاعٍ يَدْعُو إِلاَّ كَانَ بَيْنَ إِحْدَى ثَلاَثٍ إِمَّا أَنْ يُسْتَجَابَ لَهُ وَإِمَّا أَنْ يُدَّخَرَ لَهُ وَإِمَّا أَنْ يُكَفَّرَ عَنْهُ
Yahya related to me from Malik that Zayd ibn Aslam used to say, “No one makes du’ah without one of three things happening: either it is answered, it is stored up for him, or wrong actions are atoned for by it”. [al-Muwatta’]
The concerns of converts. How to reconcile ultimate justice?
وَنَضَعُ المَوازينَ القِسطَ لِيَومِ القِيامَةِ فَلا تُظلَمُ نَفسٌ شَيئًا ۖ وَإِن كانَ مِثقالَ حَبَّةٍ مِن خَردَلٍ أَتَينا بِها ۗ وَكَفىٰ بِنا حاسِبينَ
“We will set up the Just Balance on the Day of Rising and no self will be wronged in any way. Even if it is no more than the weight of a grain of mustard-seed, We will produce it. We are sufficient as a Reckoner.” Qur’an, 21: 47
The concerns of converts. How to reconcile ultimate justice?
لا يكن تأخر العطاء مع الإلحاح في الدعاء موجبا ليأسك، فهو ضمن لك الإجابة فيما يختاره لك لا فيما تختاره لنفسك
“If, in spite of persistent supplication (du’ah), there is delay in the timing of the Gift, do not allow yourself to despair, for He has guaranteed you a response in what He chooses for you—not in what you choose for yourself—at the time He desires, not the time you desire.” Ibn ‘Ata’Allah, al-Hikam #6
“Hypocrisy, or the perception of hypocrisy, will fully undermine the confidence of a Muslim child in the choice of Islam.”
Further reading: “The Impact of Liberalism, Secularism and Atheism On The American Mosque” from ALIM.