Sikander Hashmi – Countering Islamophobia KMA Friday Message
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AI: Transcript ©
Indeed,
it is a great blessing of Allah
that we are able to gather here
every Friday
for
in peace
And that we are able to gather here
for the the 5 daily prayers, the daily
salawat
with peace and security.
Over all my brothers and sisters,
this land in which Allah
has
placed us in.
That Allah
has written for us
is blessed in many ways.
It is blessed in many ways.
And one of the greatest blessings is that
we have general peace and security, And
for this
great blessing which
many of our brothers and sisters around the
world
are not able to enjoy,
we must be always grateful.
Thanking Allah
for this great and
also
trying to do our part
to keep it that way,
but rather also to make it better as
well.
Yet at the same time, we know that
nothing is in this dunya is perfect.
No situation, no place is perfect.
And we know that there are challenges.
And one of those challenges, as we have
discussed previously as well,
is
regarding the growing
hate and
incidents
of hatred and attacks
against
people,
including
our community, including members of our community,
including
our. As we know, 5 years ago, on
January 29th,
the Quebec City
Masjid attack occurred.
And
6 of our brothers
became from the after
offering
on that cold Sunday night.
And many children
were left orphaned,
and many of our sisters became widows.
At that time, we thought
that it was an isolated incident,
an isolated act.
One crazy person,
one madman
who went ahead and committed this terrible act.
But sadly,
such incidents
of hate and violence
have continued.
And
we have lost
5
of our brothers and sisters in addition
to the 6th in Quebec City.
And there have been numerous
other acts
of physical aggression,
violence,
and intimidation.
And they are not sadly just limited to
the streets
or the public.
But that intimidation is also happening in the
halls of power as well
from some politicians,
particularly the Quebec government in the form
of bill 21
that restricts
sisters who observe hijab
from professions such as teaching in public schools.
Now my brothers and sisters, we know from
the history of Islam
that there will always be people who feel
threatened
even
by the peaceful message and the peaceful practice
of Islam
because of their own ignorance
and their own insecurities.
Right? This is one of the
effects
of the truth.
That there are people
who will,
in one form or the other,
who will continue to feel threatened.
Right? Because of their own ignorance,
because of their own insecurities.
Allah
tells us in Surah Al Furhan,
in aya number 31.
Allah
says,
reassuring the prophet
that
similarly, we made enemies
for every prophet
from amongst
the criminals, from amongst the wicked.
But sufficient
is your Subficient is your lord as a
guide
and as a helper.
When
received the first revelation
in the cave of
Hera. And you went
to
for reassurance.
After that first
revelation, that first incident.
She took him to her
cousin,
the elder
the scholar,
the scribe.
And when he heard about what had happened
to Rasulullah
he was able to identify first of all
what happened, and he also made a prophecy.
And as part of that prophecy, he said,
That none
came with what you came with,
but
that he became
the subject of enmity.
So this message,
this revelation
that has come to you, it is going
to turn people into enemies.
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala also tells us in
Suratul An'am in aya number 34.
That indeed many messengers have been rejected before
you. Once again, reassuring the prophet sallallahu alaihi
wasallam.
Indeed, many messengers have been rejected
before you
but they stood patient
against their rejection
and they were persecuted
until
our help came
to them.
So this enmity, my brothers and sisters,
is to be honest,
to be expected to some degree.
Yet, we are people who have been taught
to be positive,
to remain positive
even in the midst of dire hardship.
When there is enmity that is driven
by insecurity,
it should have an effect on us.
But that effect of that enmity should not
be negative.
Rather, it should be positive because
the effect should be that it should strengthen
our resolve
and our connection with Allah
In Surat Ali Imran, Allah
tells
us about events
surrounding the battle of Uhud.
And at that time,
some some of the hypocrites, the had come
and tried to scare the believers.
They tried to scare the companions of Rasulullah
Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Salam.
Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala talks highly, speaks highly
of the companions
who struggled in the midst of fear, in
the face of fear, and aggression,
and threats.
So Allah tells us about them.
Those who were warned in
that your enemies have mobilized their forces against
you.
So fear them.
You're trying to
use
psychological
warfare.
Psychologically trying to make them
feel afraid.
Try to make them
scared, bring their morale down.
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala tells us,
what effect that had?
The
were trying to
put them down,
make them afraid.
But the effect was the opposite.
Allah
tells us,
but the warning only made them grow stronger
in their faith. What was the effect? They
became stronger.
It strengthened their resolve.
Because when people are trying to make you
afraid
and they are trying to
diminish
your existence because of what you believe in,
then that means that there is something
very powerful in what you believe in, that
it is making them do that to you.
So their instead
grew,
became more strengthened.
And they responded,
And they responded that, Allah alone is sufficient
for us,
meaning as an aid,
and he is the best
protector.
So we should try also, my brothers and
sisters, that when
people try to put fear into us,
try to put us down by threatening us,
that our iman also gets strengthened instead of
becoming afraid. It's to some extent, it's natural
when we start thinking of things and possibilities.
It's natural that we might feel a bit
anxious, you might feel a little bit afraid.
But we gain strength
from the words of Allah
from the teachings
of Rasulullah
and the way that the companions
responded
to the much severe threats
that they faced.
The much greater
fear
that was attempted
to be put into them. They responded
with resilience.
They responded with strength and with faith in
Allah
Now, those who are sworn enemies perhaps in
the past,
meaning recent past,
they were not too worried
because they thought that the government was representing
them.
That the government was keeping the Muslims in
check.
So they were relaxed.
So we don't need to worry too much
because everything is happening the way we want
it to happen.
The Muslims are being,
you know, marginalized,
are being discriminated against,
are being oppressed, are being targeted
by government,
by government agencies.
So we have nothing to worry about.
But now perhaps, they sense
that that isn't happening in the way that
they want it to happen.
So they have taken matters into their own
hands.
This perhaps
explains. It's my theory. Allah knows best but
perhaps explains as to why we have seen
such a great rise
in acts of hatred
against Muslims in this country.
Now, as we approach the 5th anniversary of
the Quebec city Masjid attack,
we know that in the sunnah of the
prophet
and
the ways of our pious predecessors,
there is no teaching or tradition of celebrating
or marking death anniversaries.
This is not something that did
for any of his close companions or for
any of the prophets of the past, for
people of the past.
And our pious predecessors didn't do that either.
Those who are killed in the way of
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala as we know they
are not dead.
They are alive in a much better place
as Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala tells us in
Surat Al Baqarah in higher number 153.
Never say that those martyred in the cause
of Allah
are dead.
Don't call them that they are from the
that they're that they are dead. In fact,
Allah
says,
They are alive
but you do not perceive it. But you're
not able to sense that, you're not able
to see that.
Yet, at the same time, it is indeed
perhaps wise
to mark the date, to remember the event,
so not to mark the deaths or the
passing or the the the passing of the
brothers,
but rather
to remember the event and to raise awareness
about
the issues and the realities that we are
facing.
Allah
always sent messengers
in the language of their people.
So, Allah
always sent messengers
in the language of their people.
And
the cultural practices and norms, the ways of
doing things, communicating things
that are not rooted in religious practice and
that do not conflict with Islamic teachings.
They can be seen as a type of
language,
A type of language that people understand.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims and other
groups have been doing great work
in advocating
to all levels of government
on these issues.
And last year, the federal government declared
January 29 as the National Day of Remembrance
of the Quebec City Mosque attack and action
against Islamophobia.
NCCM has also been encouraging cities. Well, actually,
they've been doing a number of a number
of things, encouraging people to do them as
well.
So for example, they've been encouraging cities to
light up landmarks and monuments
in the green color to mark the day.
And for example, the CN Tower
will also be lit up green.
You also have the Green Square campaign.
It's an easy way for the public
to show support for the Muslim community and
to stand
against Islamophobia.
You know, it can be virtual. There's social
media, you know, avatars, images,
profile pictures. You can put a frame on
it.
Or they're also, you know, telling people they
can cut a green piece of felt and
wear it on their shirt. You know, these
are the types of things
which are recognized and understood
in today's society, in today's culture.
They've been doing great work in working with
school boards,
preparing material for educators.
Because you see my brothers and sisters, the
reality is that many people are truly ignorant.
And some of them, their ignorance has turned
into fear
which has turned into hate.
So, we must continue to educate and reach
out
in the best
of ways as Allah tells
us, Right? Respond
with that which is better. Don't bring yourselves
down
to the same level
of those who are ignorant,
of those who are hateful.
Don't become like them.
Because if you become like them, if you
start behaving like them, then what is the
difference between you and them?
So always remember, a reminder for myself and
for all of us,
because sometimes when we get emotional,
you know, we respond in ways that perhaps
we haven't thought about and that we shouldn't
respond in. So, the believer's response is always
better and is always wise and measured.
And this is where our actions come in,
my brothers and sisters. As individuals,
with our neighbors, with our colleagues, with our
fellow citizens,
and also as communities as well.
That we continue to represent
our community,
our dean, in the best way
with the best character because remember, we are
all ambassadors of our community and our dean.
Every single one of us is an ambassador.
You don't have to be appointed
by someone. Every single one of us is
an ambassador.
Because of our affiliation
with this deen and with this community, because
of our names, because of the way that
we look like.
Many, many factors
that make us ambassadors of our community and
of our deen. Whether we want to be
ambassadors or not, we are.
That is just the reality.
And indeed, the prophet
was sent to perfect our character.
Prophet
was sent to perfect
character
with everyone starting from all
the way to animals,
and even our our enemies.
The prophet
taught us how to have good character,
appropriate character
with
everyone.
Right? Because sometimes you wonder, the hadith says,
the prophet said that I have only been
sent to perfect character. So, he said, well,
okay. We just become good with others,
and this is the message of Islam. Right?
Yes. That's one part of the message.
But the character,
how to have good dealings,
appropriate response, appropriate relationship, starts with Allah
That is the ultimate message of Rasulullah
How to recognize our rub, our lord, and
what sort of relationship to have with him,
how to maintain
a strong relationship with
Allah And then
with
himself, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam,
and with our parents, and with our spouse,
and our children, and all of our relatives,
our neighbors, all of society, animals, and our
enemies.
All of that
is covered
through the teachings of character by Rasulullah
So my brothers and sisters, our response
to what we are seeing and what we
have been experiencing
should have 5 parts.
And every single one of us has a
role to play.
So number 1
is to reach out
and continue to educate.
Don't prejudge
people's intentions
or be unnecessarily
be on the defensive all the time. Always
questioning and always,
you know, assuming the worst in people or
of people.
But rather be open to reaching out, take
the first step, reach out, try to educate.
Don't just think, oh, because this person, my
neighbor, colleague supports this party. Therefore, they're always
going to be
Islamophobes
or such and such person
says this or posted this, so therefore, we
write them off. We are not a religion,
a people of cancel culture where we cancel
people
because of something they have said or done.
We give people a chance.
So continue to reach out and educate, number
1. Number 2,
strengthen our communities
with every relevant and permissible
skill that is needed to deal with the
situation.
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala tells us,
He tells us to build strength
in the ways that are relevant.
So whether it is self defense,
whether it is security,
whether it is
getting educated in various fields, in law, in
politics, in communications,
Whatever the need may be, we have a
role to play in strengthening
our communities.
Number 3,
building alliances
and advocating for government action
to tackle the problem in meaningful ways,
in meaningful ways.
Right? Building connections, building alliances, putting pressure, building
connections with politicians,
with leaders,
and getting results that are meaningful.
Number 4, improving our own conduct. Many times,
we ourselves give ammunition
to others who are looking for excuses
to put us down.
So we improve our own conduct, so we
don't give others the excuse
or an excuse
to put us down
and to spread their message of hatred and
animosity.
This is also from the way of Rasool
Allah sallahu alaihi wa sallam. He's very careful
about his conduct
so that the enemies don't say, oh, look
at how he treats his people or how
he
what kind of conduct he has. And number
5, my brothers and sisters, most importantly,
strengthen our connection with Allah
because in the end, Allah
is the master. Allah
is the lord. Nothing happens without the permission
of Allah
and, ultimately, all help
comes
from Allah
alone. So this is for every one of
us. And if we all
act upon this, my brothers and sisters, to
the best of our ability, we will have
collective strength.
And finally, let us always remain hopeful. Allah
subhanahu wa ta'ala tells us in the Quran.
In
time, Allah may bring about goodwill
between you and those of them
you now hold as enemies, for Allah is
most capable.
And Allah is all forgiving, most merciful. So
always have hope,
keep trying
with positivity, with goodness. Don't give up.
And have good hope from Allah
even in the face of adversity
and hardship. May Allah
protect us all. May Allah
guide the misguided. May Allah
remove
the illness
of hatred from the diseased hearts. May
Allah grant safety and security to all. May
Allah
grant us the best in this world and
in the hereafter.