Mohammed Faqih – Interfaith
AI: Summary ©
The importance of definition and understanding the concept of "immediate interfaith activity" in achieving global goals such as peace, economy, and social services is emphasized. It is crucial for everyone to be mindful of others' actions and intentions. Consistent treatment of groups and individuals is crucial for everyone to be aware of the rules and principles of their respective communities. Consciousness and guidance in the treatment of groups and individuals is also emphasized. The importance of affirming the Prophet's statement that Islam is a extension and the revived Islam is the extension of Islam, and avoiding joint activities and programs in public spaces is emphasized. The speaker emphasizes the importance of learning and following the principles of Islam to achieve success in public life.
AI: Summary ©
hamdulillah salatu salam ala rasulillah salam it was al hamdu Lillah
Allahu Allah Allah Muhammad an avocado Sudan below me while he was watching weather related comments later on him and he brought him over to Mohammed in Africa with me while he was working with reactive Allah Ibrahim Ibrahim nicomedia Majeed
Alemany slo kalamunda
moussaka Bella
he was certainly Emory melissani od
alumni alumni Manzano. And finally malim, Tena
Jana melody and SME
alumni
were involved in the waters of machinima.
It's good to be back here in New York again under the law.
Although I'm considering changing my signature on the forums,
I'll tell you why later, inshallah.
I'm just considering it, I may not have to do that.
But being back here in the home of the Giants
feels good.
Today, I want to talk about a very important and specific subject.
The title that you were given is rules regarding interaction.
While preaching Islam to non Muslims, there is another title for it.
Right?
interfaith
okay. And this is based on I'm going to be sharing with you a summary of a workshop or a conference that I attended. This conference was meant for
students of knowledge scholars, Imams, and people who are involved teachers and educators involved in the field of Dawa
and it was held in Sacramento last year.
It was organized by
assembly of Muslim jurists in America.
Secretary of that organization is our chef Dr. salasar we have Hola Hola.
Just off the top of my
mind, I can recall that the presence of
chef Dr. Walid bin Idris minniti havilah la.
Chef, Walid bassoon he was president. Dr. Hartman Hodge was there.
Chef Rahim dermally Dr. Monica, and many other people were present.
And also a guest as a guest speaker came Dr. Jamal Badawi to be part of that.
And after many discussions, very scholarly, very healthy, very
inspiring discussions and debates.
And going back and forth.
About which, by the way, Dr. Jamal, by the way, and I'm just I'm trying to basically be as accurate as possible in my translation of what he said, Dr. Zhivago. He said, this is the first time I see. Or one of the, one of the few times that I saw people have knowledge of, you know, high caliber, people of knowledge coming together debating about issues, debating about issues with a smile on their face. And then after that, go Hold hands and just walk have lunch together.
And so which was very
positive, I'm gonna
play again, because we don't have time, I would like I would have to go real quick through the whole, I mean, the points again, this is a summary of the Declaration and I'm just going to share it with you and inshallah, we'll open the floor for discussion. If we don't get to everything.
Maybe later, when we have the q&a session or the or the open forum sessions, maybe inshallah, you will be able to ask, and the other shoe who will also have the chance to weigh in with their experience in their opinions.
Is this fixed? No. Is someone working on this?
working on it, okay.
Let me know.
And again, because we don't have time, I won't I won't do my famous massage therapy.
I won't have time for it. I see that many of you need it. So maybe because we don't have time. Maybe you know, while you're sitting inshallah, you can stretch or extend the
A hand, put it on the shoulder of the person next to you, just like this. Let me demonstrate and show you just do this. Go to the person next to you put your hand on my other shoulder. No, no, but it goes both ways now, and just just just yeah, give that person next to you like a nice massage right there. Help maybe the circulation of the blood and chalazia. Alright, gently, nicely, buckle up. Like, and while you're getting massaged, make sure that you will pray for the person. And you pray for me.
By
entering interfaith dialogue and interfaith activities, right, you have interfaith, you have interfaith
meetings that involve representatives of various religious groups.
Those kind of activities, could take different shapes in different forms, could have different objectives. And based on that, our definition of what an interfaith activity is, may vary from one person to another. So it is indeed a general term. So we have to be very specific in order for us to understand
what the Sharia law says about it.
Right, because when, when it comes to people, when it when it comes to people and their attitude towards those kind of activities and programs, you have two extremes, one extreme that says, not only will I suffer a lot,
you know, we can't be part of this whatsoever in any way or fashion. And they might even end up taking a very passive, not only passive
position, but might even, you know, condemn anyone that takes part of this. On the other hand, you have another extreme that basically, might end up causing damage, as they intend to bring some good. So it's very important for us to define what we mean by it and see what the shutdown says.
The definition the various definitions that were given, are based on the objective.
And there are many objectives, number one,
if it is meant
that
it is a challenge or a platform
for calling others to the worship of Allah, the Almighty,
I eat our right, placing evidence before his servants
stablishing the proof clarifying the truth for those who seek guidance
and defending Islam against the assaults of people who are aggressive or stubborn or might have
an anti Islam agenda. This would be a praiseworthy effort. And may Allah Subhana, Allah bless such a date.
So this is that this is what that was all about.
If that's what it means,
well, someone might say, No, we have a different objective. Well, if the objective is number two,
if this is if this means or interfaith activity or program means to you to announce the truth to the nations that are not aware of Islam, propagate Islam and presented to them
and bring this lab to circles
where it is denied.
Maybe remove any obstacles
from people and clear some misconceptions about Islam.
enabling people to decide for themselves
where they want their after. By removing those obstacles, in their ways, could be psychological it could be,
then this is also a good cause.
And this is praiseworthy.
Now, someone might say Wait,
I have a third objective. And that objective may be an attempt, an attempt to bring peaceful
coexistence between people of different religions,
sparing lives.
calming arrest,
enabling people to move about in peace,
empowering the cause of truth, so that the message may be delivered.
This is also praiseworthy.
And there is nothing wrong with it.
From an Islamic point of view,
the fourth objective that could be presented maybe that none of the above, but rather to come together
in a way that will help us achieve global welfare.
common to all humanity, help us achieve certain things in areas
of economy and social services, combating some of those social ills that threaten.
And I'll give you an example. I come from Southern California. Now this gang violence is getting out of control.
Gang riders.
I'm not a gangster myself,
but I can understand the gang mentality.
Right. And it's getting out of control.
Overall, 120,000
members, that's a whole army. In Southern California, there's over 120,000 members of gangs
you need a whole you need an army to come in
bring some some order, right.
So, if we suppose that religious groups
or faith based communities come together to deal with this issue,
would this be something that
will be questioned islamically or rejected? Obviously not.
And it is accepted. In fact, it may be necessary
for people to take active role.
Now, these four objectives that I mentioned, or four definitions are all valid, and Muslim communities, their leadership, and individuals who are qualified, should pursue those.
Now, if what is meant
is to synchronize all faiths together, merge them,
melt them all into one thing. Every time I say, when you merge you purge, right? If that's what it means, if what it meant is to make religions lose their characteristics, and melt them all into one creed,
and reality, you're not bringing you're not unifying religions, and creeds. In fact, you're just creating further division by introducing another religion. So anytime you bring two religions, and he tried to mix them together, you're not bringing unity, but rather producing a third religion.
Right?
causing the division to be even deeper.
And this is, of course, considered by all religions, to be an outrageous offense
and considered to be
an act of heresy. Right.
And it will not serve
the cause any of those causes that we mentioned before.
And such an act is obviously rejected by all parties.
Now, when we have those meetings, or those events, there are certain principles that we need to remember and I'll just go through them. First of all, we have to remember it and understand that this is
a scholarly endeavor.
And I put emphasis on this issue, that these kind of discussions and these kind of dialogues and these kind of activities
are meant to take place in academic circles,
following certain principles, and they're not meant for the masses or for a common person to be part of it.
Right, unless they are they have specific tasks or they have specific
let's say specific
areas where they are called to be part of
the discussions themselves,
are supposed to be kept within those academic circles.
It is necessary also to affirm that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam did not bring a brand new religion.
Islam is the extension
and it's the revived
the revived creed of a sudden ammonium Allah is set up and Moosa in Ramadan and he set up and Ibrahim alayhis salam,
and new
Islam is the revived
faith that Allah subhana wa tada sent
From the time of Adam all the way till the last day,
it is also important to point out
that
the basic one of the basic rules and principles is when conveying the message of Islam, the person doing so,
must be very clear and must have knowledge,
wisdom and insight
by Dr. Baker will Hekmati one more eloquent person,
a person who is debating or having a dialogue or discussion,
right, must remember that he
or she are representing the entire Ummah, they're speaking on behalf of the Muslims, and this ummah,
is made of a wide spectrum of believers.
So one has to remember that
they also should remember, and should be well versed
in the Sharia
so that they would not restrict something that was not restricted by the Sharia, or make Hello, or Hello, I'm Helen, make what is unlawful, lawful and what is lawful, not lawful.
So we have to remember that as well.
Another point to be remembered, is what I taught in my class rules of engagement, if you remember, kindness and fairness,
kindness and fairness and if how many people attended that class?
I can't see. So there's no point of view Raise your hands. Okay. How many people attended that class? Many, right? How many people remember everything that was said in that class? Let me ask here.
When treating people when we said when you deal with people, in your treatment of other people, I mentioned two very important
principles, what are they?
I just said them.
You will not listening.
kindness
and fairness or justice.
The bottom line is fairness
to all and the problem is some of them set the example and that so that his companions and many of the scholars now fairness, objectivity, justice, right.
You want to take it to a higher level than kindness and kindness, as I said before, has no limits.
In our debates, a loss of habitat says certain Angkor Wat Surah 29 verse 46. When I switch it to anarchy, Tabby illegibility here, lllt Nevada momento.
And then at the end of the verse, while I talk obaku, I'm in LA, Villa de la,
la La, la, la La, La Ilaha Illa, who Kumar has,
that do not debate or have,
you know, a discussion
with the people of the book, except with that which is the best, and the best of manners except those
who do wrong.
Now,
the correct opinion, by the way, regarding this verse is that this verse was not abrogated. And that this verse is a moral converse
of this verse is a definitive verse and this rule still stands, that when you debate in fact, when you debate with anyone on any matter, you should use the best of manners.
So that you would reach your objectives.
And then
those who participated in the
workshop pointed to the to various issues such as joint activities and what kind of activities could be,
you know, we could participate and with other faith groups,
and whether the message could be used and utilized and let me just put some emphasis on the issue of the message. And the role of the message. A lot of people are under the impression that the message is meant only for salah and that's it.
And that our massages should not be open to the
to any other types of activities that are outside this formerly bad. Right. And sometimes you will find people objecting
To non Muslims coming to the masjid or visiting the masjid, or having any joint activities or programs in the machine, and I don't I cannot, you know, understand where the where the evidence for such an understanding exists
for with a quick look at the Quran,
you will find, for example verses such as a verse from sort of Toba where lots of how that says when Adam and Michelle
McCallum Allah is
that when
any of the
machine works or the pagans a mecca, right? When When, when, when when any one of them seeks refuge with you or Mohammed comes seeking shelter, then
give him that shelter grant him refuge had tears McCallum a lot so that he would hear the speech or the word of Allah referring to the poor. And now How did the Prophet sallallahu Sallam apply this verse?
Where were those people brought
for either a discussion or a dialogue or, or even those people who are kept
you know, whether even prisoners of war
or guests that came, they were kept in the masjid. So that would see the Muslims. And one of those famous stories, right? It's a story of tomorrow.
So mom and dad was on the prophet SAW of nonprofits.
On the Muslims, most most wanted list.
He was on the top of the most wanted list.
It was someone that was not only waging war against the Muslims,
but committed all kinds of atrocities. So what happened is that one day,
a group of the companions of the Prophet SAW Selim were patrolling the outskirts of Medina. And they run into this person
and they catch him, they bring him to the Prophet sallallahu send them the Prophet peace be upon him, you know,
ask them you know who it is that you have in your custody.
And it was none other than the notorious the meme of nofap. So what happened? The Prophet peace were to make a long story short, the process of that keeps him in the masjid for three days.
For three days,
exposing him nothing else. Nothing happened. After the third day the Prophet sallallahu hadiza releases him. So it's Brenda without her go, let go of them. So they go untie him and they let go of them. So mama goes to a reservoir outside within Medina,
takes a bath comes back and takes his Shahada
becomes a Muslim eyeshadow Laila have a lot of children, Mohammed De Soto Allah, no fancy Islam, one on one PowerPoint presentation.
No, Ahmed deedat style debate. None of that. What happened?
Tomorrow was basically exposed to the Quran being recited.
And he was he got a chance in the message of the prophecy center to see the Muslims from within.
They end and they out.
And if anyone would see the Muslims, and what they stand for, and what they believe in, and what they're all about, and what kind of lifestyle they have five times a day, they come to the salon, and he sees how they interact with each other. I'm talking about the early Muslims, that ideal community nowadays you might cause fitna
right, why wouldn't anyone in his right state of mind want to be part of that?
After all, they're not such a bad people.
So, the mama saw that for
and basically, he was convinced that this is this is the truth.
And he accepted. Now the point here the shadow or the the point I wanted to make is that
where was he kept? Where did the promise of a lot of Islam keep him
and no Masjid other than the * and Mecca is better than the message of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam obviously, there's more sacred or better other than that the mission of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam.
There are many things to be said about the subject, but inshallah I will leave it
very important message at the end that I would like to make is that
if anyone
is qualified, and should be part of such an endeavor and such a program and such activity
would be students of knowledge who are above
the average in terms of their knowledge in terms of their caliber. They are above the average person.
People who have a proper understanding of the principle of the deen people will have an understanding of the Sunnah of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, people who know their boundaries and their limits
and have exposure or have access to the well versed scholars and Islam. Otherwise,
their own type of people, people who lack those kind of principles will take over this
and you can imagine what might
happen because of that.
When we don't take active role, when we're not proactive, actually, we are part or we are responsible for the results of such attitude to ask Allah subhanaw taala.
To there are many details that were mentioned. For anyone who is interested in Shell I can share the whole document with you or you can go to mg online.org I believe it's dot org. That net Sorry, I'm just online that net and find more information
about the discussion that took place, but these were from the final declaration or from the draft of the final this declaration prepared by doctors was slowly second okay.