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Friday, January 1, 2010

[MahdiUniteMuslims] KHUTBAH : INTERFAITH MEETINGS: THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER

 

THE STREET MIMBAR

JUM'AH KHUTBAH (1 January 2010)

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It is in such a manner that We make plain Our signs so that the course of the

Criminals may become clear.

Bismillah Ar-Rahmaan Ar-Raheem.

Alhumdulillah. Peace and blessings on Muhammad (sallalahu alaihi wa sallam), his Noble Companions and Family.

Brothers and sisters, committed Muslims…

 

Audio on http://www.islamiccenterdc.com/khutbassermons.htm (12-25-2009)

INTERFAITH MEETINGS: THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER

(Last week saw) an occasion/celebration/holiday for those who, (in one sense/definition or another), say that they are Christians and today is Al Jum'ah i.e. the congregational day of taqwa pertaining to those who declare that they are Muslims. We, Muslims, had and still have a difficulty in relating to those who say that "they are Christians." Most of this difficulty is attributed to what is called theological issues. With the Qur'an and the Prophet as our guidance and guidelines, let us state that we do have a very serious theological issue that separates, in matters of concepts and rituals, Muslims from Christians. All Muslims believe and are convinced that Allah is One. He is not a plural/dual; He cannot be divided, extracted or multiplied. All of these other concepts that swirl around the definition of deity are alien to the conviction and iman of Muslims. On the other hand, those who say that "they are Christians" are in their own selves, (or at least in a Church sense), convinced that God, (and there are many definitions, but skipping those definitions), is a trinity. This to Muslims is an obvious false statement attributed to the One God. God is not a trinity. God is not one in three and He is not three in one. This issue is very clear and it should be very obvious to all who are either Muslims or Christians. The ayaat in the Qur'an that define the Muslim belief, conviction, concept and persuasion is summed up in a short Surah that we all know. This short surah that probably most of the Muslims memorised because it is short and is repeated many times has been called Surah Qul huwa Allahu Ahad or Surah Al Ikhlas or Surah At Tawhid and it has about twenty other different descriptions/titles and this pretty much describes and details our conviction and loyalty to Allah, the One, the Singular, the Unique, the Indivisible. On the other hand, there are those Christians who say that "God is a trinity" and the Qur'an explains this to us. We don't need their explanations because they don't have one and they are not consistent in explaining what they mean by what they say. Allah says regarding this statement of theirs

Those who say that Allah is a third of three are in denial of Allah… (Surah Al-Ma'idah verse 73)

Allah also commenting, (as it were), on their false statement pertaining to Allah

… what they are saying is a fantastic fallacy that comes out of their mouth… (Surah Al Kahf verse 5)

So, at this level of things, we, Muslims, are going to have to come to terms with ourselves because anyone should know there are those Muslims who want to blur the lines between Muslims and Christians (by saying) "Oh, we are all of the Abrahamic religion. We all are monotheists. We should have interfaith meetings and get togethers and these types of things." There is a difference between identifying the differences that we have and moving forward on one hand and those who want to blur the differences and make believe we all belong to the same history and future- which is not accurate/truthful. So as far as freedom in belief, after we, Muslims, knowing that there is this serious theological divide between us and those who are involved in Trinitarian and recognising that these differences do exist, there shouldn't be any bad, much less any hostile, feelings between Muslims and Christians because of theological and incompatible definitions. There should be no bad/hostile feelings- this is our, Muslims, understanding of Allah and His Prophet; but then it doesn't stop here. There is a continuation to this. Those who have adopted a Trinitarian belief and religion i.e. those who say "that they are Christians" don't stop at issues of theology; they proceed into plans, programs and orientations that become deadly against Muslims- here is where we begin to have our initiation of our irreconcilable feelings between those who are Muslims and those who are Christians. It is not because of beliefs/creed/"religions." No! Part of our responsibility of submitting to Allah is to guarantee- to those who differ with us and attribute this difference to their understanding of, (what they call), scripture i.e. the New Testament and the Old Testament- the freedom to believe and to enjoy the consequences of that belief even though we know it is wrong; but that doesn't mean that we agree with their political character. We tolerate/guarantee the freedom for their theological character but that doesn't extend to have us look the other way or rubber stamp the political programs that come out of what is called the Judeo/Christian context. Here is where we begin to have our difficulties with them. The problem with today's Muslims is that some of them- especially those who appear to be very/fanatically religious- want us to take issue with and argue/verbally confront Christians or Jews because of their theology. This is not an Islamic character. We don't do that. We point out, and if the circumstances and chemistry permits, we explain to them these theological differences. Once that is done there shouldn't be any bad feelings on our side, (and we can speak for ourselves), and there shouldn't be any bad feelings on their side. But the fact of the matter is that they generate governments and regimes that rationalise their invasions, occupations, massacres, ethnic cleansing and genocide of Muslims. This is where we, (if we understand Allah and His Prophet), say "we know our differences but we don't tolerate the extensions of these differences into the military policies" that have become a matter of silence; (generally speaking), Churches and Synagogues are silent when they see their own brethren i.e. people belonging to their own faith circle involved in, (for example), placing hundreds of military bases in Islamic territories of the world. The issue becomes for us, (as maturing Muslims), (a matter of) what is the relationship between their theology and their politics? This is the area that has to be investigated and understood. Is there an issue between their theological doctrines and tenets on one side and their political strategies and orientation on the other side? If we truly had, (what is called), interfaith/acumenical meetings, this is the issue that should be placed on the table, fair and square. Tell us in a civilised and courteous manner how far does their theology go in explaining/rationalising/contributing to war machines that belong to their Judeo-Christian context. Please tell us, we want to know?! But this is an area (that) not even Muslims themselves bring to the discussion table to have others speak their mind. These are People of the Cloth; they're supposed to be Priests, Pastors, Rabbis and Bishops; they are people who are supposed to say the truth and if they are not able to say the truth, (then) to remain silent (and) not bring into an interfaith discussion session false statements. This is the issue as far as theology is concerned. We grant them that some of them may even have inside themselves a tendency to understand the Islamic position, and this is acknowledged by Allah's words

… and you will most certainly find the most closest of them, (meaning of the Judeo/Christians) to the committed Muslims are those who say we are Christians… (Surah Maa'ida verse 85)

Why?

… because you will find among them priests and monks who don't show an air of arrogance or they don't exude hubris. (Surah Maa'ida verse 85)

They are humble and down to earth. This is a fact that Allah states pertaining to their religious character, but Muslims, don't confuse this matter and say "we want to extend this and include their political and official characters and personalities." Don't do that! This is not what Allah is saying. Our thanks and gratitude are due because He enlightens us in this area in which we need guidance in. What does He say pertaining to their political character? He says

The ultimate desire of many of them- the Judeo Christians along with the Mushriks- is to have you revert from your iman to kufr… (Surah Al Baqarah verse 109)

What does He say also pertaining to their political character?

And the political Yahud (not the theological one) and the political Nasara (not the theological one) are not doing to be satisfied with you (O Prophet and you O followers of the Prophet) until you are enlisted in their political creed… (Surah Al Baqarah verse 120)

At that time yes. They will smile in your face. They will accept you into their circles you become part of them. This is exactly what is happening in today's world. The theological and the political are confused. Even when Allah is speaking to us and the Prophet is explaining to us, we still confuse the issues. We still consider a person who occupies the highest office in a particular country, who goes to the Church or Synagogue and who may be doing their religious obligation or rituals as they are supposed to be doing them (a Christian or Jew). But what is that? In the course of the week- a few hours and it's all over! And what are we supposed to do when the rest of the week in its hundreds of hours are spent in the political character of that person? What are we supposed to do when Allah is telling us this is the theological description of these people and these are the political descriptions of these people? We are going to say "oh, we are going to just look at their theological description in the Qur'an and the Sunnah and not look at their political description and definition there in?"

… Are you committed to some of this divine writ and then you are in denial of other parts of this divine writ? (Surah Al Baqarah verse 85)

This is a character and a feature that does not belong to committed Muslims. This was said pertaining to those who say that "they are followers of Musa (alaihi as salaam)" and those who carry the Israeli burden of history.

 

Today, we have superpowers/hegemonic powers, (this is not said in exaggeration or hyperbole, these are facts). These hegemonic powers and superpowers are bleeding the Muslims. You (can) pick your continent/region in the world and you will find such superpowers there bombing, shelling, killing, massacring Muslims in the thousands/tens of thousands/hundreds of thousands depending on the locale of the world that you are looking at. Can this be attributed to their theological origins? Muslims, if you have the courage and the opportunity to sit/speak to them, ask them this question. After you listen to their answers, you will discover that Allah gave you the answer this, if only you were listening. He says in many ayaat in the Qur'an; you can go back and choose the ayah that you want. Many of these ayaat are mentioned in Surah Al Baqarah, Aal Imran, An Nisa' Al Maa'ida, Al Bara'ah and many surahs in the Qur'an and you will find Allah says

Indeed those who deny Allah's power and authority from those who are supposed to belong to scripture or who belong to scripture…

Meaning in today's words the Jews and the Christians. So there is a dynamic within Judaism and Christianity, and if we wanted to be true to ourselves we may say this has also extended into the Islamic domain. Something set in that's not supposed to be there, and that is kufr. This is one of these words nowadays that is being tossed around among Muslims. There are Muslims going around and saying "other Muslims are kafirs." Ask them "why are other Muslims kafirs?" And they will refer to a theological issue. Remember, when we are speaking about Muslims on one side and Jews and Christians on the other side, we find that two words interplay in this relationship: the word shirk and the word kufr. Some of this, (if we were to read closely Allah's guiding words), we can trace the policies of war and economic goals to some of their religious books, not all of it. Allah is divulging this information to us

Indeed those who deny Allah's power and authority from those who are supposed to belong to scripture or who belong to scripture…

So there is a dynamic/fact of life within the Judeo-Christian history and contemporary events in which we have Evangelicals- who are ardent and zealous supporters of Zionism. Investigate (and) ask yourself "where do they get this ardour for Zionism?" and they will take you back to Holy text, to the Bible itself. Is this true of all Christians? It is not. So we have a task. We are responsible to be accurate. We said in previous khutbahs

Avoid Allah as Power and Authority and say/express what is accurate/right. (Surah Al Ahzaab verse 70)

We have a responsibility here of being factual and precise when we look at this hodge-pogde of Judeo-Christian beliefs, sects, offshoots, denominations and trends. We can't lump them all as theological or political, but after our scrutiny of who they are, we will find out that the majority of them in fact and in practice are supportive of their political character that has strayed away from the Old Testament, the New Testament and scripture altogether. That's the majority of them; but that doesn't mean that if the majority of them are like that, that we lump those who are true to their convictions with them. There are still among them people who are in pursuit of the truth and these theological issues should not/never cause us to stumble when we are approaching them if we have the clear mind and the clean heart that belongs to us when we belong to Allah and His Prophet.

 

Brothers and sisters, Ayyuha Al Mu'mineen…

What we also have in the course of the couple of days or so is a tragic event that took place in our own history and geography and in our own selves. This tragic and moving event we, in a sense, (whatever background we come from), have not been able to present in a way that speaks to common sense to the common man who may belong to any creed or background. What we are obviously referring to is Karbala'. First of all, this was not a difference between a couple of individuals. The way many of us recall this event is we compact it into a couple of words: Imam Al Hussein (radi Allahu anhu wa alaihi as salaam) verses Yazid. Then, some of us just forget about it there and some of us take it from there into an emotional realm. Both these approaches have victimised this occasion. Al Imam Al Hussein spent a lifetime in which he witnessed in an active sense… He wasn't watching. This wasn't a scholar who was confined to a corner in a Masjid, Hawzah or an educational institution. He was out in the field experiencing the forces and tendencies which we call today political, military and ideological. There were real stirrings in these circles in his time. He was a young man when the internal Islamic difference expressed itself at Waq'ad Al Jamal. He was an active, concerned and involved person when the internal differences of Muslims took them to Siffin. He was also robust and very much engaged when another internal battle occurred at An Nahrawaan. Many people just skip all of this and only see Karbala'. They don't see the feeders that pronounced Karbala'. Besides, it was his, (we're putting this in today's language), political consciousness that had him make the ultimate sacrifice. If it wasn't for that political consciousness, there wouldn't have been a Karbala'. If his attitude was pessimistic or passive, he would have just had his circle of students and preached for a saviour to come in the distant future as many of his conscientious, (give them the benefit of the doubt), followers do. They sit around, they have these study circles and they spend a lifetime in these study circles; they don't attend wars, are not engaged/involved/out in the field or haven't bled and then they come and pontificate about Karbala'. (It's) as if they are in Ivory Towers somewhere. Al Imam Al Hussein wasn't in an Ivory Tower. (Being that Christmas and Karbala' are in the span of the same couple of days), what do we have in common between those who say that "they are Christians" and have their own opinion about Isa (alaihi as salaam) and those who say that "they are Muslim Shi'is" and have their own opinion about Al Imam Al Hussein? We have what set in, in centuries. This was not a development of a few hours or days. This was a development of historical centuries. We have a quietest attitude that has consumed those who adore and admire Jesus all the way up to a deity- they're waiting for his return. "Where is the Prince of peace. We need him." they say. Juxtapose that with those who say that "they are Shi'is" and have taken Al Imam Al Hussein as their guiding light. What do they say: "we are waiting for Al Imam Al Mahdi." These are common attitudes that come from being, (we know that this is going to sound damaging to some traditional minds), quiet, passive and waiting for relief is a defeatist attitude that has marked ever since then, the triumph of anti-Godly administrations, be they the Romans or the Umawis.  Now, we are living with those consequences and still we haven't had the spark that can bring hundreds of millions of people out of this quiescent state of mind (so that they) will be able to point their finger with knowledge and conviction, a struggle and a sacrifice and truth to these deviant powers. This is where we are. Enough said…

 

This khutbah was presented by Imam Muhammed Asi on the occasion of Jum'ah on 25 December 2009 on the sidewalk of Embassy Road in Washington D.C. The Imam previously led the daily and Jum'ah prayers inside the Masjid. His speeches were revolutionary and thought provoking, and eventually irritated and threatened the Middle-East Ambassadors who control the Masjid. Finally, the Imam, his family, and other Muslims faithful to the course of Islam were forced out, into the streets. This khutbah originates from the sidewalk across the street from the Islamic Center, currently under seige.


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