By Dr. Aslam Abdullah
Speaking at a Muslim public forum recently, a prominent Muslim American leader advised Muslims never to criticize fellow Muslims. In the same breath, he criticized Muslims who criticize fellow Muslims. That summarizes the ostrich-like behavior that Muslim leaders and intellectuals, in general, have displayed in the Americas and elsewhere. Be critical of everyone else but not Muslims or those belonging to my organization, tribe, party, or school of thought. Burying one’s head in the sand and not looking at the reality in its eyes are not supported by the Quran or the teaching of the Prophet.
Muslims are quick to criticize everyone except themselves. When anyone breaks this culture of silence, hell breaks loose, and allegations start flying. It was in 2001 when the Taliban asked non-Muslims to wear special badges to identify them, a discriminator directive. I published an article on MSNBC and declared that as a gesture of defiance, I would wear the badge identifying with non-Muslims. I knew it was a symbolic gesture, and the Taliban would not even notice this protest. But I wanted to make the point that these practices demean human beings and have no place in our world. That evening, I received a phone call asking me to join a conference call with some of the community’s elders. They chastised me for being critical of the Taliban and asked me to withdraw my article from the website. I did not. I paid the price as they shunned me from their conferences and mosques and declared me a persona non grata in their Muslim circles. I never regretted my decision. Later on, those who were critical of my stand also joined the anti-Taliban bandwagon.
My opinion originated in the Quranic dictate, a book that I regard my guide
The book that is the manifesto of Muslims clearly states:
O YOU who have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in upholding equity, bearing witness to the truth for God, even though it is against your own or your parents and kinsfolk. Whether the person concerned be rich or poor, God’s claim takes precedence over [the claims of] either of them. Do not, then, follow your desires, lest you swerve from justice: for if you distort [the truth], behold, God, is indeed aware of all that you do.” (4:135)
The Prophet, in a famous statement, admonishes the believers to take a stand against objectionable matters. “Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith.” [Muslim]
Human beings are fallible, including scholars and leaders. The Quran and the Prophet propose a check and balance method to ensure the accuracy and validity of an opinion. People should discuss their affairs openly and fearlessly.
Critiquing an idea is not putting down its promoter. It is the only way to recognize one’s humility and humanity. Only the divine guidance and Prophetic actions are sacrosanct. The divine guidance is available in the Quran the Prophet’s activities are reflections of the advice. Any statement or action attributed to the proplet, not in conformity with the Quran, is false. A prophet cannot betray the message he is responsible for relaying and live.
In the Quran, we find several instances where God and his messengers were critical of people and institutions. In chapter 80, the Quran reprimands the practice of ignoring people because of their personal or physical defects. In several statements, the Prophet is critical of his companions who take an extreme position in observing the faith.
Islam encourages open debates and discussions. A scholar or leader may make a mistake. An open discussion about an opinion or on a condition prevailing in the community minimizes the chances of errors.
Unfortunately, Muslims have abandoned these Quranic directives and have convinced them that to question or debate is a deviation from the faith. People look down upon those critiquing or questioning. It prevents people from having an objective understanding of their reality. We would learn to navigate only through debate and discussion and challenging our status quo in our troubled times.
We should not shy away from discussing everything and anything. Those Muslims who are raising genuine issues are not the enemies of Islam and Muslims. Questioning may cause discomfort to many, but it would ultimately lead to a better understanding of the situation. Let us hope that differences of opinion or critiquing the style of leadership leads us to a better future.
for mr black
i actually love muslims and Islam. i am very gratefol for muslims as me and my family worked for them. my hate comments are only because j am paid some bucks by sangha. I am a baggar and I ned money so i comment shit sorry muslims really sorry.
i am a millionaire.so is my beautiful danish wife
stop insane attacks kallu,
you have lost your mind.not surpriseing fanatic bigots, filled by hate.frankly i detest islam. and most fanatic muslims
i advocate a devided india. you muslims should get a pure islamic state.nothing to do do with hindus.
and a 100 percent hindu state. ,includeing all except muslims .we thought problems were solved with muslims in 1947.naive gandhi, nehru refused to accept the fanatic mindset of indian muslims,
What “insane attacks” goo bhakt? I always post under “Mr.black.” Stop lying. You’re blacker then my shoe. You’re a delusional RSS IT monkey. Let’s get it straight :
1) You’re NOT a millionaire. You’re a sanghi beggar who would sell his own mother for a dollar.
2) You don’t have a Danish wife. You’re too ugly even for Indian women. Apni shakal dekhi heh? Stop day dreaming bhangi lol
3) The fact you support dividing India proves that you’re an anti-national. There can never be a 100% religious based state anywhere in the world, your retarded cow worshipper. Muslims are part of India, that will remain the case always. If you don’t like it. feel free to get lost.In fact lets kick out all Hindus from Muslim countries so you can all drink gau mutr together.
Hinduism is filth for ugly delusional bigoted criminal pagans. It is reason why India can never progress. RSS and its hindu extremists and terrorists will have to be exterminated to save India.
Once a Muslim asked Osho Rajneesh that you spoke on Gita, Bible, Japji Sahab, Dhammapada but why not on Quran. Osho replied – Do you want me to get killed so soon. Quran is full of garbage
Who the fuck this osho is ?
shows your ignorance.
for you everything is mullah, mullah,allah allah, subhan allah,bismillah.
Denmark ka Andh-bhakt chaatukaar street-sweeper.
China ka naam sunke hi chaddi geeli!
He’s not in Denmark, he’s high on cow urine in some UP Gau shalla.
Who cares what that monkey worshipper thought, you RSS toilet stain? Osho was a typical Hindu godman…a fraud and criminal. Thats why the Americans threw his smelly ass in jail and then kicked him back to India..where he died like a dog. Hinduism is trash, and produces nothing but criminality and hatred.
It’s not true he also spoke on Quran he said Quran is diamond but it Quran should be updated
Once I asked a Dalit leader how come he does not read the Ramayana. He said I do not want to be killed by the followers of Ram. If Ram could kill a Dalit, what is the guarantee that his followers would spare me?
usual muslim bufoon- get up in the morning- after namaz find something to attack hindus.
bufoon. just find anything to attack hindus
@lulli aka Hindu gutter rat,
I’ve lost count of the number of hindu extremists I’ve beaten up over the years.
You act tough online but in reality are weak pathetic smelly limp wristed cowards who can only fight in large groups against one person.
Unlike Hindus, Muslims don’t pick fights, but know how to end them.
Understand, Hindu cow worshipping clown?
Yes, knowledgeable Muslims need to be critical of all stupid and kaafiri and andh-bhakti and Manuwadi racist practices which have crept into Indian Muslim culture…
Deen is from the divinely-protected Prophet Mohammed peace be upon him; stupid culture is from Kurdoglu firqaparast chaatukaar Moulvis!
If Muslims have to win, we have to change our customs, our approach and our leaders too if they do not perform!