Detain Injustice, Not Our Fathers
Contributor:
Coverage:
Creator: Muhammad Alshareef
Date:
Description:
Format: text
Identifier: http://www.khutbah.com/en/soc_issue/fathers.php
Language: en
Publisher:
Relation:
Rights:
Source:
Subject: islamization
Title: Detain Injustice, Not Our Fathers
Created on: Tue Jan 29 11:05:11 -0500 2008
Updated on: Tue Jan 29 11:05:11 -0500 2008
Version: 1
Abstract: ... ed of the 'T word.' We would defend and support each other until some dubious person accused one of our Muslim brothers of the 'T word.' Then, we abandoned that person as if he had just been diagnosed with the plague. And thus began the very ancient strategy of 'divide and conquer'. Reflection One: Go to Fir’own! Allah ta’ala tells us in the Qur’an: Go, both you and your brother, with My signs and do not slacken in My remembrance / Go, both of you, to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed (Taha 20/42-43). Musa alayhis salaam, after many trials (his salvation from the baby murders, his upbringing in the home of Pharaoh, his mother being the only one able to nurse him, the killing of the Egyptian man) had now found asylum in Madyan. He was married to a most righteous wife, his father-in-law was one of the most blessed father-in-law one could have, and life had returned to normal. When he was told of his mission to save Banee Israa’eel, why didn’t Musa alayhis salaam just say, "Why do I have to go? It’s not my problem." Why didn’t he say, "I should not be associated with them." Why didn’t he say, "So long as I close my window shades, the evil of Pharaoh will go away." All the gifts of Musa alayhis salaam were given by Allah, and they were all a test. Allah was preparing Musa alayhis salaam for the return to champion the cause of Banee Israa’eel. As Allah ta’ala says in the verse right before this: And I produced you for Myself! Meaning, Allah had already selected Musa alayhis salaam and made him strong in body and character according to the requirements of the mission. And so I reflect: So many of us have been saved from the trials that are afflicting our brothers in this country and abroad. It is not acceptable for us to say, "It’s not my problem." No. With all our talents, voices, and unity, we must stand up to champion the cause of anyone who is detained unjustly. Let injustice be detained, not our Muslim brothers and fathers! Reflection Two: Placing Trust in Allah Allah tells us how Musa alayhis salaam reacted when given the mission. He reacted by making du’a for the tools he would need in order to fulfill this responsibility. He said: My Lord, expand (i.e. relax) for me my breast (with assurance) / And ease for me my task / And untie the knot from my tongue / So that they may understand my speech / And appoint for me a minister (i.e. assistant) from my family - / Haroon, my brother / Increase through him my strength / And let him share my task. And so I reflect: In times of trial, how often is it that we forget to turn to Allah in sincere and constant du’a? We remind each other of making du’a – true – but in reality, how consistent are we in praying for justice and praying for the tools we need to be victorious? The more we focus in our du’a, the more determined and focused we shall be in driving towards victory. Reflection Three: Media Distortion of the Truth When Musa alayhis sallam made his plea to Pharaoh to release Banee Israa’eel, Pharaoh argued with him. He argued about the oneness of Allah and he argued about their forefathers. None of this moved Pharaoh and he laid bare his version of Musa’s mission. He (Pharaoh) said" Oh Musa, have you come to us to drive us out of our lands with your magic? What? Is that what Musa alayhis sallam was there for? Notice that Musa alayhis sallam was not given a chance to counter the accusation before Pharaoh pronounced: Then we will surely bring you magic like it, so make between us and you an appointment, which we will not fail to keep and neither will you, in a place assigned. And so I reflect: In this war of words, it is not about lies – it is about half-truths and the spinning of the truth. Whoever makes the media their source of ultimate truth has indeed failed in their estimation. They have misled themselves long before others mislead them. Allah demands from us to seek out the truth and to question our sources. Prepare yourselves with third-party knowledge and challenge the false interpretations. Reflection Four: The Game of Fear In the days of my father’s detainment, I was surprised to learn of so many cases of others whose families confided in me. "Don’t tell anyone," it would begin, "but such and such and such and such family member of ours were detained." "Why have you not gone public," I would ask. Some answers would be: Fear of angering those governments, fear of community shame, and fear of public condemnation. It was just fear upon fear upon fear. In the story of Mus... [Full Article...]
