Why Debate When We Have the Qur’an and Sunnah to Lead Us?
Washington Post shares another article about Muslims, “In U.S. mosques, a debate over English” by Associated Press Rachel Zoll . What’s most disappointing about this article isthat main stream media is highlighting some of our biggest flaws as a Muslim ummah (community): We are unorganized, petty, uncompromising, and frighteningly uneducated in our own deen (way of life, or religion).
My dear brothers and sisters, in our very own book–The Qur’an states
It is He Who has sent down to you (Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him) the book (this Qur’an). In it are Verses that are entirely clear, they are the foundations of the book [and those are the Verses of Al-Ahkam (commandments), Al-Fara'id (obligatory duties) and Al-Hudud (legal laws for the punishment of thieves, adulterers)]; and others not entirely clear. So as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation (from the truth) they follow that which is not entirely clear thereof, seeking Al-Fitnah (polytheism and trials), and seeking for its hidden meanings, but none knows its hidden meanings save Allah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: “We believe in it; the whole of it (clear and unclear Verses) are from our Lord.” And none receive admonition except men of understanding. (Tafsir At-Tabari).
(Surah Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #7)
- By debating which language an Imam should use in the masjid (house of worship), we are creating al-fitnah (trials, problems, harmful issues, and conflict) amongst ourselves and to others. We need to follow the Qur’an, as shown here:
And this is a blessed book (the Qur’an) which We have sent down, so follow it and fear Allah (i.e. do not disobey His Orders), that you may receive mercy (i.e. be saved from the torment of Hell).
(Surah Al-Anaam, Chapter #6, Verse #155)
- Regarding this unnecessary debate, our glorious Qur’an states:
And We sent not a Messenger except with the language of his people, in order that he might make (the Message) clear for them. Then Allah misleads whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. (Surah Ibraaheem, Chapter #14, Verse #4)
Subhanallah, Glory be to God, in this fatwa regarding using another language besides Arabic in our khutbah, the sheikh shares,
And the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded Zayd ibn Thaabit to learn the language of the Jews so that he might send letters to them in their language and establish proof against them, and so that he might read their letters when they were sent, and explain to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) what they said. And when the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) attacked the Romans and Persians, they did not fight them until they had called them to Islam by means of interpreters. When they conquered the foreign countries they called the people to Allaah in Arabic and commanded the people to learn it. Whoever among them did not know Arabic, they called him in his own language and made him understand what was meant in the language that he did understand. Thus proof was established. Undoubtedly this is the only way, especially at the end of time when Islam is like a stranger and every people is clinging to its own language. There is a very real need for translation now, and the daa’iyah cannot convey his message without it.
The khateeb should do that which best suits the interests of the people he is addressing. If the best is to give the khutbah part by part, in Arabic and then translated, then he should do that. If the best is to translate the entire khutbah, after giving the khutbah (in Arabic) or after the prayer, then he should do that. And Allaah knows best.
Another disheartening part of this article is how the khateeb did not show his knowledge of these verses in the Qu’ran, Sunnah or fatwa to support his decision to use both Arabic and English in his khutbah. With all due respect to Imam Hassan al-Qazwini, May Allah be pleased with his efforts, accept his good deeds and reward him, Ameen; if all Imams simply used these known facts, the debate would end.
To end the article by sharing that other Muslims think he’s “too Americanized” and “We have to be realistic”, he (a religious leader) is showing lack of knowledge. Meanwhile, opening the doors for non-Muslims (and Muslims like me) to find this needless debate laughable. The solution to this problem is a no-brainer, even to my little girls who witnessed khutbahs in dozen of European languages before.
We must stop using the excuse that “our” issues are significant to our own time, location and circumstances here in the U.S., especially since more than 70% of all the Muslims in the world are not Arabs.
We must stand with a forceful voice that this is time to return to the fundamentals of our religion by following the Qur’an and Sunnah; regardless where we live, where we come from, or where we’re going!
Since we live in such a tumultuous time right now; we need to trust our scholars as they debate areas that are not entirely clear, and leave the rest to Allah, as He knows best.
So, let’s stand together on issues that already have answers; such as speaking English in American masjids, and move on.
We’re always curious what you have to share, so please comment kindly below.
Yoplait Kids Strong and Happy Drawing Contest
5 Minutes for Mom blog is running their very first Drawing Contest, “Strong and Happy” sponsored by Yoplait Kids. The deadline is Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 3:00pm EST. So, you still have time to grab your favorite drawing utensils (i.e, crayons, colored pencils, markers) and post your kids’ pictures up for a chance to win $1000 or $300 in educational classes, sports or supplies! Perfect for us homeschoolers.
We were very excited that Yoplait Kids is the sponsor on this contest, because our family loves Yoplait yogurt! While, we haven’t tried Yoplait Kids yet, this contest have our girls eagerly waiting for our next grocery run so we can check them out.
Without further ado, our daughter’s creative entries are pasted below.
When I asked my 8 year old, “What do you think of when you’re thinking of being ‘Strong and Happy’ because you just had some Yoplait yogurt?” She immediately thought of showing off her muscles after finishing her daily dose of Yoplait yogurt. “Can you draw that?”, I asked. “Ohhh, yeah!”, she replied.
In her favorite new dress, here’s our family’s entry:
When I asked my 6 year old, “What do you think of when you’re thinking of being ‘Strong and Happy’?” She said, “Amo Mahmoud lifting me in the straight up in the air!…Oh, Oh, and I’ll hold Yoplait too!”
After tripping around the dining room as we posed and tried to figure out how to draw her idea, here it is:
While in the excitement of discussing her younger sister’s creative ideas, my 9 year old said, “I think of having a strong deen (way of life in Islam)…that makes me ’strong and happy’”. So, I asked, “how would you draw that?” We all agreed, “learning and teaching the Qur’an!” Masha’Allah, God has willed. She opted not to draw it because she felt that no one would understand. She didn’t want to elaborate when I tried to convince her that it was a great & unique idea, and ideal for our American Muslim Mom blog…but, she wouldn’t share anymore and went to the other room to hide her new idea.
Pasted below is her “Strong and Happy Yoplait moment”:
Since I wanted to join the fun, I decided to draw and color our great idea.
Below is the American Muslim Mom and her daughters happily learning and reading the Qur’an to keep us strong in this dunya (life) and the ahkira (Hereafter), inshaAllah, God willing.
So, what makes you and your little ones feel “Strong and Happy”? Please share your thoughts below, or enter the contest yourself: Click here for the rules.
Get Drawing and Win $1000:
Since Yoplait Kids is a tasty yogurt snack with 25% less sugar and calcium and Vitamin D in every serving – have your little ones draw a picture showing themselves as the happy and strong kids that Yoplait Kids can help them become!
We are sponsoring the “Strong and Happy” Drawing Contest, and offering an exciting prize courtesy of Yoplait Kids for our winning artwork: $1,000 to use towards classes (including sports) and/or education material for the child(ren).
We will also award a prize to our second place drawing: $300.00 to use toward classes (including sports) and/or educational material for the child(ren).
Siwak/Miswak: The Natural Mouth Freshener
Subhanallah (Glory be to Allah_! Our special guest, the Blessed Ramadan, is here. Here comes another opportunity for us all to revitalize our weak souls; an opportunity for us all to honor this guest of ours who comes only once in a year.
Staying healthy with an odorless mouth can be a challenge for most of us. The two common symptoms that are experienced during fasting are weakness and dry mouth. We feel weak and weary because our bodies have been deprived of food and fluid for many hours. So, what happens next? Our mouths become dry and emanate bad breath because of the presence of some bacteria which, as by-products, give out sulphides and ammonia which are the main causes of bad breath. So, how do we move up the scale by staying healthier and stronger while in the fasting mood? Well, let’s take a look at the benefits of siwak for our mouths and our bodies.
Benefits of siwak/miswak when used in moderation:
It polishes the teeth, prevents plaque, perfumes the breath, strengthens the gingival, clears the phlegm and the sight and prevents cavities. It also preserves the health of the stomach, clears the voice, helps the digestion process, helps make the speech clear and encourages one to recite the Qur’an, remember Allaah and pray. Siwak also fights sleepiness, pleases the Lord, delights the angels and increase the number of the good deeds (culled from “Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet,” page 280-282).
Al Bukhari narrated that the Prophet, salla llahu alayhe was salaam, said: “Siwak cleans the mouth and pleases the Lord.”
That does not mean that you should avoid using toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. The use of siwak is just a reminder for us all because of its immense benefits and more so, we would be upholding the sunnah of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad,salla llaahu alayhe was salaam.
In the Sahihain, it is narrated that the Prophet, salla llaahu alayhe was salam said: “If it was not for the fact that my nation would not be able to bear it, I would have ordered them to use siwak before every prayer.”
May Allaah give us all the ability to practice the sunnah accordingly, amin. May He bless this Ramadhan for us with tremendous rewards here and in the afterlife, and may He keep our mouths moist with the effects of the siwak, the natural mouth freshner while remembering Him at all times, Amin!
By Maryam Funmilayo
Jazaka Allahu Khayrun Sister Maryam, we appreciate your thorough and detailed article. We knew some of the benefits, but didn’t realize all the hidden blessings, subhanallah.
So, have you ever used a siwak/miswak before? Which word do you use? How did you feel the first time you used it? Remember the unique taste? Please share your experiences below. We love miswak, and we don’t have them often enough; but we’re trying hard this past year. Subhanallah, we just stocked up specifically for Ramadan, and enjoyed biting off the tips yesterday 
