Local Muslim Community
Fixing your local Muslim Community
March 20, 2009
Too often do we see our local Muslim Community leaders/speakers/members spreading either Baatil or talking about issues which are not relevant/which are not that important in the Khutbah. For many of us, we bite our lips. For some of us, our lips are already bitten off and we are working on our nails. This is because the content of the Khutbaat are either so horrible or irrelevant that it makes you want to get up after Jum’ah and tell the crowd the reality. Unfortunately, many of us hold it in and it builds up stress. So every time we attend Jum’ah at the same Masjid (for however many years), we hold in all this frustration and sometimes anger to the point that it hurts or makes us sick when the Khateeb stands up to start the Khutbah. This is an unfortunate reality of the Ummah today in the West. So here we would like to discuss how to direct this anger/frustration into constructive community building. Before we analyze this, we would like to mention an important point regarding Hijrah: As long as you haven’t left the Country for Hijrah, then your obligation is to command the good and eradicate the evil; this is your mission for the local Muslim communities. You must do your best to clean up the deviants, inform the ignorants, and instill spirit in those who are lifeless, bi idhnillaah. Don’t ever entertain the idea that since you will be making Hijrah, you don’t have any obligation to the local Ummah. Never entertain this because the Mujaahideen need us to do our part, and that is to shape the worldview of the Muslims and have them prepared for the worst.
Here are a few points to consider on how to “fix” your local Muslim Community:
1. For the Khateebs, try to get the Email Address/Phone Number (get both if you can) of each one that gets a chance to speak. It could be that this individual will return another day to give a Khutbah. So you want him to be preaching the right things and the beneficial things. For some Masaajid, you don’t have to worry about this since they have a fixed Imaam. So all you have to do is to keep a good contact with the Imaam.
After you get the contact information of the Khateeb, then don’t forget to store it on your computer (or other devices) when you get home. Perhaps make a new category that includes all the Khateeb’s. If the Khateeb made a good Khutbah, then send a quick Email to him, thanking him, and showing your appreciation. In addition, you can tell him one or two pointers so that he could become better next time. If you happen to already know this Khateeb, then you can start emailing him about important issues that need to be addressed in Jum’ah. Try to get a conversation going back and forth. For example, for the Khateeb at my (SK) local Masjid, I told him that many of the Muslims don’t pray properly: some pray too fast, some don’t keep the line straight, some make noise, some are looking around, and so on. In addition, I told him to address the issue of Khushu and how to gain this in Salah, the Ahkaam of Salaah as well as the perfection of Wudu. So after some quick conversing, he agreed.
Don’t forget that the strongest weapon of the Muslims is the Minbar (pulpit). If used correctly, it can bring an end to the domination of the Kuffaar and Munaafiqeen, bi idhnillaah.
2. Realize the audience. This is something every Khateeb should do before giving a Khutbah. He has to scan his audience. If he sees many brothers who are beardless, then we have a crowd that needs to be taught the importance of the Sunnah as well as loving it. If he sees many brothers in the audience that are part of a particular group (such as Tableeghi Jama’at), then we have a crowd that needs to be taught ‘Ilm regarding Kufr bit-Taaghoot, its implications and rulings.
Furthermore, if you have a crowd that is weak, then I suggest that you don’t dive deep into Jihaadee related subjects. It’s totally up to you, but from experience, it doesn’t benefit the people too much because their mindset is very secular and Westernized so it’s very difficult for them to understand you. But this doesn’t apply to every Masjid; you’ll be surprised to see that some Muslims who aren’t that practicing will become practicing just because you talked about Jihaad (and talking about Jihaad instills the love for the Deen in the hearts, if Allah wills).
At the end of the Khutbah, you should mention small tidbits that are related to the Mujaahideen around the world because in almost every crowd, there are those who need to know what’s really happening on the ground; and when they hear the good news, it increases their Imaan.
So the point is to try your best in hitting every chord and note.
3. Do your best in attending the Masjid everyday. At least once a day, such as ‘Isha. If not, then at least 4 times a week. This will not only help your Imaan, but it will help you understand who are those that are making the Masjid active so that you can work with them slowly but surely.
4. Do not be hesitant to make announcements after the Salah regarding major issues affecting the Ummah. For instance, when the Lal Masjid incident occurred, you could just quickly remind the brothers and sisters to make du’aa for the Muslims and (if you wish) to make du’aa against Musharraf and his slaves.
Why do this?
For 2 reasons:
(1) Because it creates an atmosphere of discussion, and
(2) It creates and strengthens the Islaamic culture and identity of the Muslims.
5. When you see evil, you must fear Allah Ta’aala more than fearing the words, deeds and thoughts of the people; your obligation as a Muslim is to change the evil into good with your hands. So when you see a brother smoking, don’t ignore him. Politely approach him and ask him after giving Salams, “you know that smoking is Haraam?” And this will create discussion – something which this Ummah is dying for in most local communities. In some cases, the brother will benefit and be happy that you – the Muslim – is commanding the good and forbidding the evil. And in some cases, the brother will be upset – even though you took all precautions in not offending him – and he will not benefit. Remember to keep your cool. After all, we want to change the Ummah. If you don’t have evidence that smoking is Haraam, for example, then you can go home that night and study the issue so that the next time you see that person, you can establish the proofs.
Also, don’t be afraid of the person’s age or race. Some brothers chicken out when it comes to correcting their elders. This is not an excuse to ignore an aspect of worship (i.e., amr bil ma’roof…).
From experience of mines and others, Walahi, it increases our Imaan and makes our day beautiful when we ”create” this Islaamic culture by commanding the good and eradicating the evil. Doing this obligation purifies your community. And whenever we or others find ourselves ignoring this obligation, then our Imaan decreases and our day is not as beautiful. Allah Ta’aala puts Baraka (blessing) in your day when you worship Him the best you can.
6. If you have a few friends, then create a youth group or Halaqah after Salah in the Masjid. In order to avoid any unnecessary clash, ask permission from those who demand it (if they demand that you ask permission). In these Halaqaat, you can do tons of activities such as studying Qur’aanic Tafseer, practicing Tajweed, memorizing Qur’aan, reading the ahadeeth with commentary, learning Arabic, discussing political issues affecting the Ummah, discussing Fataawa of the ‘Ulema and so on.
7. Start discussing with other Muslims who are apparently practicing and pious, issues that are affecting the Ummah. Discuss with them the solution to our problems. One thing to keep in mind is that you don’t want to completely condemn all the Muslim Groups (except the deviants who don’t benefit the Ummah in any way). For instance, people quickly condemn Tableeghi Jama’at because of their ignorance and turn a blind eye to their Da’wah efforts – efforts which have no comparison to any other Muslim Group. So the way to understand these groups in the proper context is to realize that all of these valid Muslim groups are merely institutions like the institutions we would have under a Caliphate. There would be the institution of Relief Work, the institution of Da’wah, the institution of finance, the institution of military and so on, all under a single umbrella. Although it appears that we are all different groups with different goals (and in some cases, different ‘Aqeedah), in reality, we are like one gigantic group that is working for one major goal: the domination of Islaam. Even if some groups don’t say it, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t helping the Ummah in any way. Don’t harbor the mindset that the Mujaahideen don’t need their Ummah. The Mujaahideen are a part of us and came from within us; if it wasn’t for the Ummah, there wouldn’t be a single Mujaahid. So they need us just as much as we need them. We need to bridge this gap. But of course, the Mujaahideen, when you compare them to all the other efforts of the Muslims, are at the frontlines of establishing the domination of Islaam and they are the best product of this Ummah.
Also, don’t get the impression that I am saying that we should unite with the Shi’as and whatnot. Absolutely not. We must unite upon ‘Aqeedah. However, what I am simply stating above is not exactly complete unity and is not exactly complete separation. We cannot have complete unity with CAIR for instance, because of their ’Aqeedah. But we can benefit from CAIR’s efforts in helping those Muslims that are in need. That doesn’t mean I am going to associate myself with CAIR. In fact, if I see a CAIR member or representative, I would do my best in repairing his dodgy ‘Aqeedah (which is absent of Al-Wala’ wal Baraa’ah). But all I am saying is that the way we look at all these movements, we should look at them from the angle of the bigger picture: all of these groups, in one way or another, is helping the Ummah move forward, even though some of these groups are making some aspects of the Ummah move backwards.
Therefore, whenever you advise or discuss with a member of some group, keep this in mind. Don’t turn him off by condemning him immediately; rather, make da’wah to him, clear his mind, and broaden his scope.
In some cases though, condemnation is completely fine, and in some cases, it is obligatory. That’s for another subject though.
8. If the Khateeb or speaker says something which is Kufr, then correct him immediately. If it’s a Khateeb, then do it after the Salah is over; stand up and tell the people so that they don’t leave Jum’ah thinking that what the Khateeb said is correct. If it’s a speaker giving some lecture, then correct him immediately. Depending on the severity of the mistake or sin, you will be able to determine how you should correct the person. If it’s a small issue – like if the Khateeb said such-and-such hadeeth regarding du’aa is Saheeh even though you know it’s Hassan – then kindly correct him after the Salah, in private (or in a low tone). But if it’s a major issue – like if the Khateeb said to join the Kaafir Army to fight the Muslims – then you must correct him in front of everyone and you must make sure that everyone can hear your words. If you let the Muslims walk away from the Masjid thinking that fighting the Muslims is Halaal, then it can be a sin on your part for staying quiet. Allah turned Bani Israa’eel into Apes and Swine’s. The ones who were turned Swine’s were those who committed the sin and the ones who were turned into apes were the ones who saw others commit the sin, but stayed quiet (i.e., didn’t do anything). So treat this as a major issue.
The Muslims today have this misconception that if anyone corrects another Muslim in public, he is doing wrong or sinning. There is no evidence for such a thing. In fact, doing such a thing shows the amount of love and sincerity this person has for his Deen. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (radiyallahu ‘anhu) was corrected publicly by a woman! And he admitted his mistake in front of everyone. So who are the Shuyookh and Khateeb’s today compared to ‘Umar?
Make sure that you know what you want to say when correcting the person, especially in public. It’s always best to use aayaat and ahadeeth to support your words. Some Muslims will not bother asking you anything after you publicly corrected the speaker, so using the Qur’aan and Sunnah leaves an impression upon them that what you are saying is more authentic and correct.
Hopefully, at least one of these points will benefit and help you in fixing your local Muslim community. There are other points, but to sum them all up, one can simply say: Ittaqillaah and fulfill your obligations. This Ummah is in a pathetic state and it is up to each one of us to fix it. When you make Hijrah inshaa’Allaah, you must remember one thing: you are leaving an Ummah to go another part of the Ummah. So leave your local Ummah with advising and correcting them, and enter your new local Ummah with the same. It is possible that there will be those from the Ummah that will stand as an obstacle to you. Fulfilling your obligations as a Muslim can and will split the Community in half; it is possible that the Munaafiqeen will stick their heads up and reveal themselves to you. So have Sabr and never stop your ‘Ibaadah of the One who deserves ‘Ibaadah.
Finally, as a last piece of advice, increase your ‘Ilm, purify your intention, and perfect your morals (i.e., character) daily. Not only will it benefit you in the hereafter greatly, but it will benefit others inshaa’Allaah.
Wallahu Ta’aala ‘Alam.
