On the Response to Umar Lee on Sh Hamza Yusuf

BismillahirRahmanirRahim,

There's been an interesting discussion started by Umar Lee entitled "Rand Institute Muslims," in reference to the American think-tank that outlined a strategy on how to make Islam "more civil and democratic." (http://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/2005/MR1716.pdf_)

It's beginning to cause a stir (http://ginnysthoughts.wordpress.com/2009/01/17/rim-rand-institute-muslims-%C2%AB-umar-lee/), which is bordering on the personal.

One detailed response to the Umar Lee post, already broadcasted by Deenport.com, has come from Indigo Jo (http://www.blogistan.co.uk/blog/mt.php/2009/01/18/response_to_umar_lee_on_shaikh) , where he describes his motivations to respond:

"I have shied away from "debating" Umar over his ramblings about "masculinity" the last couple of years, but when I see these same attitudes paired with slander of scholars, I cannot continue to keep quiet."

It is good that people are not choosing silence anymore, in light of ongoing events.

This is my original comment on Indigo Jo's response, which he has not yet published:

BismillahirRahmanirRahim,

An interesting topic, with perhaps more issues raised than can be handled in one blogpost.

While Umar Lee may have gone overboard in casting Hamza Yusuf as the king of 'RAND Muslims,' I think he raises some valid issues.

It's important for Muslims to remember, that any leader we have in these times is not above questioning. There are traditions from Rasulullah that warn about leaders in the end of times appearing to be knowledgeable, but in reality are `asaghir ("little ones") who are the worst hypocrits.

These are real prophecies, not to be dismissed or overlooked while we consult our Maliki and Shafi'i manuals of fiqh on obscure matters. We should ask ourselves why the stalwarts among the `ulema are deemphasizing these aspects of the deen, in favor of efforts to canonize and bring an ecclesiastical framework to Islamic knowledge.

The reason why this should be a cause for concern, and a vital discussion for us, lies in the nature of leadership itself. For example, Malcolm X may not have been a scholar or faqih, but he led by his example in standing up for the truth, even when it was bitter and politically inconvenient. And his efforts, galvanized many Muslims in America against obvious injustices. The authorities feared his agitations would bring about an uprising, and he was assassinated while speaking the truth to power. Many still remember his example today, and became Muslim through him.

There is historical precedent for this kind of an uprising against injustice - from Salahuddin Ayubi (ra). And many others who we may come to know, once we truly learn about our history.

Your response to Umar Lee, while methodical and in my opinion, with good adab (manners), has a kind of finality to it, that smacks of the Salafi/Wahabi refutations. I feel this should not be about defending Hamza Yusuf, despite our love for what he's done. It should raise further questions.

It was from Hamza Yusuf that I learned, that Imam Shafi'i (ra) used to make a du'a before engaging in debate, that Allah place the truth on the opponent's tongue, so that he would be able to accept it.

We should respect Umar Lee's opinions, and not sweep our dirty laundry under the carpet in the name of 'defending our scholars.'

Reflections on `Ashura

BismillahirRahmanirRahim,

Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him and his father) that he was asked about fasting the Day of `Ashura [10th of Muharram]. He said, I did not see the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) fast a day while more avid to seek its virtue than this day, meaning the Day of `Ashura . [Bukhari (2006), and Muslim (1132)].

Tirmidhi relates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said to a man, If you want to fast a month after Ramadan, then fast Muharram, for it has a day in which Allah forgave an entire people, and He turns to others in repentance in. [Tirmidhi (841)]

It amazes me how, when I've made paltry efforts to remind people about Muharram and `Ashura, many Muslims aren't sure how to react to it.

Before taking bayat with my sheykh, I too was heedless. Sure, I'd know "objectively" that Muharram was one of the holy months mentioned by Allah , that Ashura is its 10th day and it is Sunnat to fast on it and a day before or after.

These facts I gathered on Muharram and `Ashura from SunniPath, Zaytuna and other sources online, swirled around in my mind, albeit incoherently. I sort of knew that it'd be good to do these things, but actually performing them was a minor jihad!

Perhaps an obstacle that taints the spirit of `Ashura for most Sunni Muslims, is what it has become associated with. The ignorant and baseless practices that some of our ummah perform in the name of commemorating Imam Husayn's sacrifice, in effect, have given a bad name to this holy Day (radhi Allahu anhu).

I saw this blemish in action, when chatting with a close friend online. No matter how much I told him that celebrating Muharram and `Ashura was very much a part of our traditions, he wanted nothing to do with it. His "exemplar" was the Saudi-Wahhabi paradigm, of which he is gradually weaning off from, insha'Allah Rahman.

According to our sheykh, Tuesday was yaum-e-Ashura. I made intention to hold firmly to the fast, and I hope Allah will accept whatever I did good in it. Alhamdulillah, I made it to the dergah safe, having broken my fast on the road trip upstate.

After some zikr, we had an energetic hadra, masha'Allah. In our holding each other's hands, forming a circle and exclaiming loud remembrances of our Lord, it felt as though the remnants of our evil selves were being stomped on. The sheykh and his chosen murids were leading us all the way. But no matter how exalted we may have momentarily felt, our feet were firm on the ground, thanks to our sheykh.


Then we had sohbet, where Sheykh offered us all some tea, and a special dessert (picture and caption taken from someone more devoted than myself - Yasin, of hakkani.wordpress.com):

Our sheykh also told us about the momentous events that occured in history on the day of `Ashura. It is the day on which the ship of Noah (as) landed on top of a mountain. On the tenth day, Ashura, we prepare the delicious desert Aşure in keeping with the Ottoman tradition. The sweet is also known as Noah’s Pudding and is made with dried fruit and beans. The story goes: when Noah’s ship settled on the top of the mountain, the surviving believers gathered the remaining rations and prepared them into Ashure.

It is also known that Moses (as) fasted on this day to commemorate Allah saving him and his people, and drowned Pharoah and his people.

One of the murids asked sheykh what the greater wisdom was behind the sacrifice of Imam Husayn (ra), knowing that he was plunging himself to certain death. Our sheykh was measured in his response, as if not wanting to say so much, and then stated that it was destiny. Sheykh mentioned that some older companions of holy Prophet - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallim - advised him not to go. Even Imam Hasan (ra) did the same. But Imam Husayn (ra) chose to go inspite of all this. Our sheykh said that there are higher stations for Imam Husayn (ra) because of it.

We were also told about lost Sunnats of Ashura, including giving in charity, rubbing the head of an orphan in kindness and to take care of orphans, to wear kohl/surmak (?) on the eye.

Being here in dergah in the midst of all this, alhamdulillah, made it feel like a holy Day was upon us. If Allah forgave an entire people on this day, I pray that He forgave me of my many evils and sins.