Last February I attended the two-and-half days Almaghrib Institute
Seminar organized by MCA at San Jose along with Wali Bhai and Hasinur.
The presenter was none other than my favorite Sheykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi and the subject was No Doubt - God, Religion Politics in the Modern World.
I was so engaged in it that I felt like the presentation finished in
two-and-half minutes despite the fact that we were there from 10 AM to 8
PM the whole weekend. His speech was so enthusiastic and the content so
relevant to us, American Muslims - that I could not have hoped for
anything better.
There were 5 main areas that this seminar focused on.
First, The Quest for Real Islam. Here Sheykh Yasir covered the major Muslim sects including Kharijites, Mu'tazila, Zaydis, Twelver Shi'sm, Isma'ilism and Sunni Islam and what are the differences or controversies among their theologies. He touched on Hadith of '73', the common grounds of all Muslims and the need for Circles of Cooperation.
Second, Faith and Reason. Here Sheykh gave us history of Atheism, new atheist movement, primary arguments of western theists, Quranic arguments, the role of intellect in Islam, Fitra, Darwin's Theory of Evolution. No reason to deny theory of evolution as long as we can reconcile the exception for Adam (aws).
Third, Islam and the Other. This module focused on how we deal with Non-Muslims living as a minority group in the west. He clarified several important dogmas that was very comforting. Yes, as long as you remember a few points - there is no problem mixing and co-existing with non-Muslims and yet live by a proud pious Muslim identity.
Fourth, Modernity and Islam. In my opinion this is the most enthusiastic content of the whole seminar. Here Dr. Yasir covered in details topics like 3 waves of Feminism, Gender Roles in Islam, Gay/Lesbians (LGBTQ), Liberalism. He gave a beautiful analogy of 4 major responses of Muslim communities when it came in touch with modern world. You can get the gyst of it from the below lecture.
- a group of Muslims leave Islam because they can't reconcile Quran and Sunnah in the modern context and they become Ex-Muslims.
- a traditional group who hold even more firmly to the existing Islamic rules without allowing any minor changes even in trivial practices
- a reforming group who are ready to make some adjustments with the changed contexts in the modern world without oversepping Quran and Sunnah in any way
- a progressive group who are ready to change the religion of Islam and most of its rules without any hesitance
I consider myself in the reformist group in this respect. I see Dr.Yasir started his life as part of the second group (traditional) but slowly has gained better understanding of our religion and contemporary world and have moved to the reformist group.
Fifth, Divine Law and Modern Governance. In this last module we came to know that the idea of nation state and citizenship is relatively very recent in human history. Sheykh Yasir discussed the advantage and disadvantage of Nation-state vs Tribes vs Ummah. He talked about the validity of living in a non-Muslim land as a minority Muslim community. The bottom line is we should be living here a Proud Muslim American.
You may also find some of the topics of this seminar covered here.
There were 5 main areas that this seminar focused on.
First, The Quest for Real Islam. Here Sheykh Yasir covered the major Muslim sects including Kharijites, Mu'tazila, Zaydis, Twelver Shi'sm, Isma'ilism and Sunni Islam and what are the differences or controversies among their theologies. He touched on Hadith of '73', the common grounds of all Muslims and the need for Circles of Cooperation.
Second, Faith and Reason. Here Sheykh gave us history of Atheism, new atheist movement, primary arguments of western theists, Quranic arguments, the role of intellect in Islam, Fitra, Darwin's Theory of Evolution. No reason to deny theory of evolution as long as we can reconcile the exception for Adam (aws).
Third, Islam and the Other. This module focused on how we deal with Non-Muslims living as a minority group in the west. He clarified several important dogmas that was very comforting. Yes, as long as you remember a few points - there is no problem mixing and co-existing with non-Muslims and yet live by a proud pious Muslim identity.
Fourth, Modernity and Islam. In my opinion this is the most enthusiastic content of the whole seminar. Here Dr. Yasir covered in details topics like 3 waves of Feminism, Gender Roles in Islam, Gay/Lesbians (LGBTQ), Liberalism. He gave a beautiful analogy of 4 major responses of Muslim communities when it came in touch with modern world. You can get the gyst of it from the below lecture.
- a group of Muslims leave Islam because they can't reconcile Quran and Sunnah in the modern context and they become Ex-Muslims.
- a traditional group who hold even more firmly to the existing Islamic rules without allowing any minor changes even in trivial practices
- a reforming group who are ready to make some adjustments with the changed contexts in the modern world without oversepping Quran and Sunnah in any way
- a progressive group who are ready to change the religion of Islam and most of its rules without any hesitance
I consider myself in the reformist group in this respect. I see Dr.Yasir started his life as part of the second group (traditional) but slowly has gained better understanding of our religion and contemporary world and have moved to the reformist group.
Fifth, Divine Law and Modern Governance. In this last module we came to know that the idea of nation state and citizenship is relatively very recent in human history. Sheykh Yasir discussed the advantage and disadvantage of Nation-state vs Tribes vs Ummah. He talked about the validity of living in a non-Muslim land as a minority Muslim community. The bottom line is we should be living here a Proud Muslim American.
You may also find some of the topics of this seminar covered here.
From Dr Yasir Qadhi on the Hadith of "Sectarianism":
ReplyDeleteI have discussed the Hadith of the 73 Sects. Until today, it’s misinterpretation is a source of division, hate and intolerance in our communities.
If you aren’t already privy to it, this Hadith presents the concept that our Ummah is divided into 73 sects and that only 1 is saved from Hellfire.
You can access Module 1 right now when you enroll for No Doubt today.
I’d like to share some points I teach in these video lessons regarding this Hadith.
1. The Prophet ﷺ specifically said, “My Ummah will split into 73 sects.”
The key words here are “my Ummah”! The Prophet ﷺ has established a relationship with each of these groups by including them in his Ummah. So indeed they are Muslims and are entitled to their rights upon us as fellow Muslims - rights such as praying their janazah, visiting their sick, sending them salam, and so on.
2. It is problematic to think that 72 out of 73 sects is the vast majority of the Ummah and that the 1 saved sect is a minority. This is a wrong understanding!
In fact, the 72 groups put together are a very small minority of our massive Ummah. We are blessed that at least 85% of our Ummah agree on the fundamentals, so much so that the average Muslim is blissfully unaware of these extremely rare groups.
3. It is also problematic to believe that these 72 groups are all doomed to Jahannam. Here’s why:
It is only befitting that Allah’s promises of reward are fulfilled.
It is befitting that Allah’s threats of punishment are forgiven as He wills.
Perhaps, some of these groups will come on the Day of Judgement and because of their ignorance due to whatever circumstance, Allah will forgive them.
4. Islam is not just a list of beliefs. On the Day of Judgement, we will be asked not only about our belief system, but also about our worship and rituals, and especially about our manners and dealings with the people.
Perhaps someone’s beliefs were incorrect, but they come on the Day of Judgement with a heavy set of good deeds that will far outweigh their incorrect beliefs.
And perhaps, someone with correct beliefs will come on the Day of Judgement but they have hurt someone or fell short on their worship.
May Allah guide us to the straight path full of good deeds
- Dr. Yasir Qadhi