Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barkatuh,
مُّحَمَّدٌ۬ رَّسُولُ ٱللَّهِۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ مَعَهُ ۥۤ أَشِدَّآءُ عَلَى ٱلۡكُفَّارِ رُحَمَآءُ بَيۡنَہُمۡۖ
[48:29] Muhammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) is the messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are hard on the disbelievers, compassionate among themselves...
Since I don’t follow most of the happenings on facebook or twitter mostly due to lack of time many of our brothers have forwarded me some links to view and respond to, Insha’Alah.
First and foremost I would like to remind everyone of this Ayah of the Qur’aan.
يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ شُہَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَۚ إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَاۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْۚ وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا
[4:135] O you who believe, be upholders of justice - witnesses for Allah, even though against (the interest of) your selves or the parents, and the kinsmen. One may be rich or poor, Allah is better caretaker of both. So do not follow desires, lest you should swerve. If you twist or avoid (the evidence), then, Allah is all-aware of what you do.
Read the original article, the blog from a few days ago and this piece in its entirety .
Before I begin I must mention a coincidence which is that my family has told me that Sister Yasmin and her husband visited them recently and when I come home (USA) I should meet her and her husband. Alhumdolillah, I am very happy for our Sister and wish her and her husband the best of success in this world and the next (Ameen) and Insha’Allah looking forward to my Sister’s delightful baked chicken to share with the happy couple.
Shaykh (Dr) Akram Nadwi (HA) has given me Ijazah so I make dua for his long life and for British Muslims to fruitfully benefit from him (Ameen).
My background and affliliation!
I don’t live in Dewsbury so I have no idea what is happening on the ground there. Never been to a Darul-uloom so can’t be part of “Indian/Pakistani Ulama-click” whatever it is. I am not connected to any Shaykh or any Shaykh or Tareeqa so can’t be a “backwards Sufi”, whatever that is.
I am permanently banned from Sunniforum so also not part of the “Extremist Deobandi or Mutant Deobandi” group; in fact my disowning by Sunniforum speaks volume about “my Deoandi’ness”.
There are Brothers & Sisters up and down the country, across Europe and USA who know me personally and also online and would testify to my views on Islamic education (towards women) and the importance which I attach to it.
None of the Deobandi Ulamah in Britain have given a specific Fatwa about my actions however it is true that from the and the blog Deobandees have become aware of Yasmin Mogahed (Mujahid) and Al-Buruj. Many Ulamah were consulted back in December and even now about the general nature of our respected Sister’s programs and their reservations noted but summarised and conveyed in the writing of Shaykh Mohammad Daniel (HA).
All of the above is written simply to sate that majority of the objections on facebook and twitter about me and my intentions are way off the mark. In fact a well known British Muslim who posted comments in support of our respected Sister Yasmin Mogahed (Mujahid) on facebook emailed to say about the stereotype which is being thrust on me to say:
“Even negating that from you is an insult...”
- I do refer to Ulamah of Deoband (for Islamic guidance and support) and like to be in their company and it that is problematic to people then so be it!
- I also make Taqleed of the Hanafi Madhab and it that is problematic to people then so be it!
Let’s now get down to the business.
Disrespect of a Muslim Sister or Shaykh (Dr) Akram Nadwi (HA) or Al-Buruj?
The article has been on my site since December and I challenge anyone to point out any insults or derogatory remarks towards our respected Yasmin Mogahed (Mjahid), Br Zaydul-Islam, Al-Buruj or Shaykh (Dr) Akram Nadwi (HA). Here is the blog from a few days ago, same challenge!
Figments of imagination in people’s mind can’t be monitored. If they have a specific problem with the wording of the South African Fatwa take it up with the appropriate person, link is given for you to click. Contrast this with the our respected Sister Yasmin Mogahed (Mjahid)’s facebook response to the article:
Islam came to liberate us--not to become a weapon we use to bully others. Perhaps those who feel compelled to publicly condemn female speakers, and even use specific names, may benefit from Shaykh Akram Nadawi's 50+ volume series on nearly 9000 Muslim women teachers of our tradition who taught both men and women--most without niqab.
I will let the users read the entire article and the blog and then decide as to who is courteous and professional.
Hatred towards Sisters and their Islamic education?
I would dignify this with a response! Let many across USA, UK, Europe, India, and Pakistan and across the world be my witness on the day of judgement in front of Allah (SWT), I won’t publicise my deeds for cheap facebook popularity.
إِنۡ أَجۡرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱللَّهِۖ
[10:72]...My reward is with none except Allah, and I have been commanded to be among those who submit.
Brother Zayd’s Reaction?
I received irate phone calls from Brother Zayd after the original article stating that the article was disrespectful , contained nonfactual information and non-Academic. I repeatedly asked for the following:
- Which lines/sections are not facts?
- Which lines/sections are disrespectful either towards our respected Sister Yasmin Mogahed (Mjahid) or Al-Buruj?
- Would be like to respond so it can be posted directly below the article?
All of the above was rebuffed and instead he demanded my address and the Scholars who were consulted for this. Shaykh Mohammad Daniel (HA) was summarily dismissed as Shaykh (Dr) Akram Nadwi (HA) was in support of this.
I then posed two questions:
- Am I obliged to follow Shaykh (Dr) Akram Nadwi (HA)?
- Do I not have the right to disagree and voice my opinion?
The phone call ended with the statement towards me “Either way this will be sorted!”
Right after the blog I received the following text message on the phone. I have taken the time to paint over the phone number and the time of the message so whoever exposes it does so without my consent, permission and approval.
Then someone started chatting to me on what’s app about my criticising of Al-Buruj so I asked them to call me directly. When no one called I actually called and spoke to a brother from London. Apparently, Br Br Zaydul-Islam has deemed it acceptable to pass my numbers to others for them to text and call me.
I asked the brother if it was Islamically acceptable and polite for my number to be passed to someone, the brother refused to comment.
I was called by Muhammad (London) in the middle of the work yesterday. I politely asked if he didn’t have minutes I could call him back instead and upon request I rang back. Brother refused to be drawn into the discussion about the text message or the fact that my phone number has been passed to him and wouldn’t comment as he deemed it an unnecessary discussion.
I informed him of my discussion with Br Zayd earlier and also posed the same two questions:
- Am I obliged to follow Shaykh (Dr) Akram Nadwi (HA)?
- Do I not have the right to disagree and voice my opinion?
There was silence on the phone and then I was told that he is busy so can’t continue the discussion. Please bear in mind that I was called at work so I stepped out of my office to take the call and then rang the brother back.
I will let the readers ask Br Zayd:
- Did he offer to remove and apologise for any offending remarks in the article?
- Did he offer to publish your response in the same piece?
- Do you know who sent him the SMS?
- Do you know who Muhammad (London) is and did you pass my phone number to him?
It is Haram to spy and illegal to record phone conversations but let the readers contact Br Zayd directly and confirm.
Reaction towards a Dewsbury Scholar:
He has over 30+ threatening emails in his inbox claiming to know where he lives and what he does! I have only met him once in my life years ago briefly and only got his mobile number today. His crime? He investigated the background of Sister Yasmin Mogahed (Mujahid) and informed British Muslims to stay away.
Let the readers decide if it’s courteous and professional to react towards a Scholar in this manner.
Multiple web-sites hacked:
Central-Mosque.com has been running for a decade and today was the first time it was hacked and taken down. Corodoba Academy Forum has been hacked and still down.
Let the readers decide if it’s courteous and professional to do so.
Why has a South African Mufti given a Fatwa on a British Issue?
Why not? Recently (supposedly) two Muslim girls of Pakistani origin got “married” in Manchester so what should a South African (or any other Scholar) do? Keep quiet or fly to Manchester (or London) or wherever they live meet them, interview and then issue a Fatwa condemning Homosexuality?
Sister Yasmin Mogahed (Mujahid)’s programs are all over youtube and anyone can search and watch. You don’t need to be based in Britain or USA to comment on them and the apprehensions being expressed by the South African Mufti have nothing to do with Johannesburg or London or Karachi.
There is no such restriction in Islam that a person needs to be locally based to enjoin good and forbid evil, at all!
Despite all of the above, all those protesting seem to have ignored the following words of Shaykh (Mufti) Zakaria Makada (HA):
...However, if the Ulama and the pious of that area attest to the piety of a specific woman, then after adopting all measures in terms of purdah, they may allow her to address a group of women in private...
What’s the issue with Yasmin Mogahed (Mujahid)?
Clearly articulated previously and comments responded to. Instead of acknowledging a difference of opinion or responding Academically our Sister said:
Islam came to liberate us--not to become a weapon we use to bully others. Perhaps those who feel compelled to publicly condemn female speakers, and even use specific names, may benefit from Shaykh Akram Nadawi's 50+ volume series on nearly 9000 Muslim women teachers of our tradition who taught both men and women--most without niqab.
The issue is with her approach and not the specific event at Dewsbury and it is my duty to inform Muslims.
Nothing else needs to be said on the subject so let’s divert our attention to those who are backing our Sister:
Scholars backing Sister Yasmin Mogahed (Mujahid) on facebook and twitter:
I love our scholars and respect them but here are some comments about them and their positions with regards to Hijab and its rulings:
-
Shaykh (Dr) Akram Nadwi (HA): Some of the views of my teacher Shaykh (Dr) Akram Nadwi (HA) are presented below which other Scholars disagree with. In FOSIS Winter 2011 conference our dear respected and honourable Shaykh (HA) stated the following matters (those short on time can listen from 14:59 onwards):
- Niqab is a Pre-Islamic Arab (noble) culture of men and women to prevent their faces from being soiled in hot/humid weather and has no Islamic basis
- In Islamic History Na-Mehram (strange) Hadeeth Scholars men and women sat together and gave Hadeeth lectures to mixed gatherings without Niqab or barrier
- Since Imam Shaf’ae (RA) allowed women to travel without Mahram in the company of other pious women (some with Mahram) a Muslim woman has the permission to take the easiest Fiqh opinion and apply it to travel within the West due to safety and security
- Shaykh (Dr) Akram Nadwi (HA) also permits taking out Interest based Mortgages in line with Shaykh Yusuf Qaradawi (RA) for personal accommodation and it is well known (not in the video, above).
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Imam Tahir Anwar: Our dear beloved and respected Shaykh is a teacher at Zaytuna Institute and here are some of the positions of the institute on mixed gatherings and of our dear beloved and respected Shaykh Hamza Yusuf (HA)
- Shaykh Hamza Yusuf: In Medina there were women walking around bare breasted! This is a historical fact. There were uncovered women in Medina because the slaves were not allowed to cover! So Muslims should get out of this obsession with women! It’s a sickness in our own hearts. Just lower your gaze! We’re living in a society where people are walking around naked and we’re worried about a girl not wearing a scarf on her head…
- Zaytuna College & Gender Interaction: Some background reading on this blog would be of benefit
- Shaykh Haris Hamaam (HA) & Shaykh Uwais Namazi (HA): I discussed the matter with Shaykh Haris Hamaam (HA) months ago and emailed Shaykh Uwais Namazi (HA) for the first time yesterday. I am not very knowledgeable so I have offered for both of them to sit down with Shaykh Haitham Al-Hadaad (HA) and discuss this issue and we will take Shaykh (HA)’s opinion onboard. Shaykh Haris Hamaam (HA)’s track record for disagreeing with Modernism and American Islam is well known on IA, facebook & twitter and I would offer a conjecture that he backs the Dewsbury women only event (in isolation) but not free mixing while I don’t know Shaykh Uwais Namazi (HA) enough to comment.
In short, the Scholars that I have consulted disagree with Sister Yasmin Mogahed (Mujahid)’s methods, free mixing and style of delivery and also some of the opinions of Scholars who have backed her. She is my Sister in Islam and the Scholars (who back her) are my teachers. Nevertheless, I have a responsibility to voice my disagreement and warn the Muslims to stay away from what I deem to be a danger for their Eemaan (faith).
As far as women dawah is concerned then the issue of emphasising the Sunnah has nothing to do with being a Deobandi or a South African, here are two examples of successful women in Dawah from two separate backgrounds who are well knows:
- Sr Fatima Barkatllah (Non-Deobandi) from Britain
- Sr Humera Ahmed (Deobandi) from USA
Both are well known for Dawah amongst our Sisters, both wear the veil and are able to interact and provide guidance to our Sisters.
In conclusion, I can only say that if what you have just read about the people involved, their actions and their opinions cast doubt in your mind then follow the words of Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassalam):
“Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt.” [Tirmidhi)]
If you have carefully read the original article, the blog from a few days ago and this piece in its entirety and find anything insulting towards any of those whom I disagree with DO point it out. We believe in disagreement but not hostility.
But if despite doubts you turn away simply because you have preconceived notions about me or Deobandees or South African Ulamah then it is between you and Allah (SWT). It is most certainly, nothing personal!
Jazakullah Khairun
P.S: This is a quick braindump so readers are requested to inform me of the errors and mistakes therein.