Unity in Light of Sectarian Differences – A Pragmatic Approach

Yasir Qadhi

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Channel: Yasir Qadhi

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The speakers emphasize the importance of avoiding disrespectful language and practicing a more transparent discussion about one's Islam, following the Bible, respecting the legal system, and following theull. They also stress the need for policy and leadership, and emphasize the importance of online debates as a means to assert one's views on Islam. The clerk of Canada emphasizes the need for leaders to act civilized and avoid political activism, and mentions the need for people to find the right words to express their views and use them in everyday conversations.

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Smilla Rahmanir Rahim Al hamdu Lillahi Rabbil Alameen wa salatu salam ala Sayyidina Muhammad and what are the other he was a visionary mashallah, today communist Ramadan already was going on mashallah I thought to be like 200 people here like my shot what hamdulillah Al Hamdulillah Hey but this is Canada right? Not just Canada This is Mississauga, Masha Allah, Masha Allah, and what will make you understand what is Mississauga? Subhanallah if you don't know what Mississauga is coming to my foot, but tomorrow I will mention Mississauga in the hood, but tomorrow. So Bismillah let us begin Inshallah, tada we have a lot to discuss. And today's topic is going to be a frank one, why?

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Because loves us being bombed as we speak.

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Our countries are directly involved in genocide.

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Allah has blessed us, Muslims of Canada, America, Australia, England, to be the only Muslims in the entire globe, to actually have some potential to bring about change from within the superpowers.

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And yet, so many of us are still involved in issues that are not as important as saving children's lives and herself.

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So Wallahi, it is not my intent to provoke, to bring about controversy to create drama. But I'm sorry, a genocide is taking place. And we need to have a very, very frank conversation about what are our priorities as a Muslim Ummah, in this part of the world, we have to stop pretending that we have the luxury to split hairs over advanced issues of theology, or fic, or whatnot, and realize we have bigger priorities. But in order to do that, we need to overcome certain misunderstandings that exist from within our own community. And so this is why I will give a frank talk, I have spoken about this topic multiple times in hot buzz in academic lectures. And you should also be aware that

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this is actually my area of expertise, I mean, the theology of Islam, sectarianism, what is called an English intellectual history, my masters and my PhD. And the bulk of my research that I do as an academic of Islam, is about these issues of theology and methodology. And so this is exactly my area of expertise. For the last 25 years, I graduated from the rest of Medina, in the College of theology, my master's is 100 published, you can see it 800 pages in Arabic, in our 50 pages, I went on to the PhD, again, in Islamic theology and intellectual history, I have published papers, I have a book coming out in the academic world, again, about all of these topics. And so this is an area I

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have studied internally. And also being a very active diary, I have to make decisions externally as well. Right? So this is an area very near and dear to me. And if you're not aware of that I myself have undergone a number of changes. If you are aware, then you know, if you're not then the so called the of today is not the so called the of 1520 30 years ago. And there are reasons for this. It's not because the software Allah I'm trying to please or placate. It's not because there's an element of watering down. No, it is because experience teaches you what books will not teach you. Experience teachers you would books will not teach you. Theory is one thing and practice is another.

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And you know the irony, we all know this in every single field. We know it in medicine, we know it in engineering, we know it. None of you when you graduate from your bachelor's degree, takes your bachelor's degree knowledge and then applies it directly in the work. There's always a training and you realize much of my training is absolutely new. I needed the bachelors to walk in. But once I'm here, the stuff I'm learning is totally disconnected a different. The same thing applies to Islamic methodology. The same thing applies to theory in Islamic activism versus practicality in Islamic activism, when you are studying in a classroom, in a sanitized environment, when everybody is on the

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same wavelength, everybody's believing in your version of Islam. It's very easy to have theoretical guidelines. Now get out of that classroom and get to a community like Islam in Mississauga, get out of that sanitized version, and now deal with people on the ground of all different persuasions, all different backgrounds, all different understandings. And all of a sudden, your theoretical abstract rules don't make any sense. This is what happened to yours truly. This is case Exhibit A. I have no embarrassment in admitting it.

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I came here with idealistic notions naive notions, when I came from the rest to Medina, after having studied 10 years at one of the most advanced, most difficult, and also, to be brutally honest, one of the most ultra conservative seminaries in the Muslim world. 10 years I was immersed in that bubble. And they came out thinking, What can these people teach me about anything I know my tradition, I know the adult I know the evidences. But one thing after another, and interacting and making some blunders and causing harm, causing people to not want to pray in the masjid because of a fatwa or, or an idea you had. And you realize, hey, that theory doesn't work in practice in reality,

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and so I have to go back and rethink and get much water from my other peers and colleagues and so on. And so here I am still the same person, and yet not the same person. Still the same flesh and blood, but without a doubt, not the same ideas that I had. And you know, I have no no embarrassment to say this because Wallahi you know, Muhammad Ali has a statement. If your mama daddy the boxer, if your views at the age of 60 are exactly the same as they were when you were 30 it means you've wasted 30 years of your life. If your views when you're 60 years old, your opinions are exactly the same. This means you haven't learned anything you have remained stuck, stagnant. So yes, without a

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doubt, my views have changed. And I know many critics and Allah has blessed me with Mashallah. Plenty of critics. So be it. My goal is not to provoke the criticism or to answer to the criticism will lie. My goal is the pleasure of Allah and the unification of the Muslim ummah as much as possible. So in the process, if the critics have their criticisms, no problem. Today will be a sip of a bit of an academic talk at what I'm going to do. I'm going to summarize for you certain points and expound on them if you want to write these down, if you can, I have seven points. I like to be structured in my talks, I like to be analytical, I like to be a practical benefit. So I will have

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seven points if you have something to write down if you have your iPad or whatever, or God forbid ancient technology called Paper and pencil the kids don't know what that is right? Once upon a time, we had something called Paper and pencil and we had graphite that would actually leave a mark on

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on trees that had been compressed I know it sounds weird the technology but the children here mashallah some of them still have paper and pencil Okay, so I'm going to literally dictate to you seven principles and I will explain them and then we'll open the floor for q&a inshallah Tada and feel free to ask the most controversial questions. I'm not worried about difficult questions and I will share my worldview with you. The first principle I have about this topic of

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differences.

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Not every if T laugh, should lead to a K laugh, or repeat, not every st laugh should lead to a K laugh. If did have means difference of opinion. Enough means difference in the hearts difference in a community. Not every difference of opinion, should result in a disunity.

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You can have difference of opinion and still have unity. Not every empty laugh should lead to a killer F. And we see this principle in effect in the lifetime of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and then the era of the Sahaba and Tabby rune, and then continued up until our times in the lifetime of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, a direct command that our Prophet SAW Selim gave was interpreted different ways by different Sahaba and the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam did not bring about a sense of disunity in a famous incident reported in Bukhari and Muslim our prophets awesome after the Battle of a heads up after the Battle of the Trench. The Prophet

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sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said to the Companions that all of you were your armor were your weaponry and go to the trade cherish the treacherous tribal with the bundle Karela it was the command was given before the battle or before the salata vote, so at the time of the Horde the announcement should have been made and the Prophet system said do not pray Yasser except at the tribal bundle Karela is a famous incident do not pray answer except at the tribal bundle corredor don't wait here for us. Don't do acid in Medina walk it's a two hour walk, walk or take your camel take your horses go to the tribal bundle Kurata now, by the time the new spread the announcements

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can the process and left before though. By the time the Sahaba gathered in the masjid what's going on? I thought the war was over. No. Do you believe Kevin's gonna have to go there. By the time all of the Sahaba gathered in the masjid. It was already the time of awesome but they're not allowed to Prosser. So let's call us

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We'll continue walking to bone operator so they're walking walking walking to Bono Corrado. Guess what Muslim is gonna set. They haven't paid us MongoDB is about to set and they have not paid us or the Sahaba defer the process and waiting for them because he said to them, I'm expecting you there at Mizzou. Okay, things happen, they weren't able to get there. Now, the command the hadith is there, you know, some simpleton say, what does the Hadith say? Well, this is what the Hadith says. The question is not what does the Hadith say? How do you interpret it? What is interpretation? So the Sahaba themselves began to differ. One group said, Well, you know, obviously what he meant was

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to hurry up, we weren't able to hurry up. So now that acid is going to go, we can't just see the sunset and not pray also. That's like Koba, we're going to not pray also, because of a misunderstanding unknown. Let's pray answer, and then we'll explain to the prophets of some that hey, we were late and leaving. The other group said, no, no, no. He clearly said, Don't pray outside until you get to but what I looked at so even if the sunsets and even if it is mockery of time, you know what, we're not going to pray also, because that's what the Hadith says. What were they to do? The process goes on amongst them. They're deferring their debating, there was no animosity. Nobody

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called the other account fair move up, move to their ball model, no fatwas, no PDFs, no YouTube video reputations? No, the Sahaba had broader mentality than many of our youngsters do. The Sahaba understood that? It's no big deal. They're trying their best. So listen, one group prayed, another group didn't pray. There was an actual empty laugh. One group prayed, another group did not pray. And then they both proceeded until they reached and they explained to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. And guess what, the prophet system did not get irritated at either of them. Because the both of them thought that they're following the Sharia. The both of them took an evidence, and they

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interpreted it in light of other evidences. And even though the interpretations were different, guess what? It was accepted that you know what, this is an interpretation. This is the process of linear algebra, he didn't criticize any of them.

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And in the era of the Sahaba, we have a number of differences of opinion. As for the differences of fic, where do you think these muda have come from? Where do you think we get four different schools of thought that we had more schools of thought? The Sahaba themselves gave different factoids about different issues. And the Sahaba well understood that you know, what, this enough is not a big deal. And they were still united in and even theology, certain issues they disagreed about. Now. It is true, the issues, they disagreed about what relatively trivial, there's no question about that. But you know, there weren't that major controversies at their time. And the point I want to stress

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if they disagreed about some issues, even in Al Qaeda in theology, it is setting the cornerstone that you know what, even some differences in theology may be overlooked. The Sahaba disagreed amongst themselves, even Abbas, Artesia, did the prophets Assam see Allah and Astronomia Raj are not Hydra NWO Sandra bahala. This is a classic controversy within Sunni Islam. Why does it exist within Sunni Islam? Because the Sahaba themselves differed. One group said he saw Allah and the other group said no, he saw him with the kalam not with the eyes. It's not a route here, Bashar De Soto, your spirit Rouhani, for example, right? Another controversy in the time of the Sahaba is that if you go

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to the grave of the caliber of the dead person, can the dead person hear you or not? When you say a tsunami, or they call your alma mater, Muslim in the morning, right? You say Suriname to your deceased relative, your mother, your father is buried, you go to their grave, and you say salaam to them? Does the dead person know that you're saying Suriname or not? This is a controversy that exists from the time of the sahaba. Some Sahaba said yes, he does. He is aware he can hear you. And the other group said no, he is not. And there are other examples will as well The point being, we see a spectrum of opinion in the lifetime of the Prophet SAW Selim, and after his death, this shows

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us that it is not possible to have uniformity, and it has never existed in the history of Islam.

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So when it comes to differences of opinion, I'm being a bit simplistic here. Let's just say let's start with a chart a spectrum. Okay. There's one category let's say category one, these differences should be completely celebrated and respected an example or the main stream muda Hib a fifth Hanafi, Shafi, Maliki humbly and in the past, there were law hidy Oza. These are main stream mazahub. These should all be

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He respected and there is a statement attributed to the Sahaba Some say it is a Hadith it is an if then if it is a Hadith or not, if dinar for Almighty Rama, if it's not a hadith is from the sahaba. The if the laugh of the ummah of the Prophet system is a type of mercy that Allah has given the people, the Lofoten, Madeira Hema, so this is my first principle, not every FDA law should lead to a kill off, I said, there are categories of anti law fat, the first category

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differences of opinion that we should legitimately and genuinely respect, not just tolerate respect. And without a doubt, the obvious example that comes to mind, or the mainstream muda hip of Sunni Islam

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under this, the second category is that differences that might not necessarily respect them, but we acknowledge they have a level of legitimacy to them, we acknowledge that they have had evidences and scholars that have held them, even if we don't respect them. And examples of this can be what are called fringe opinions in the classical past of the OMA, it might not be mainstream, but you know, people have advocated them. And whether you like it or not, you don't have to respect it. But we will say, You know what, this is an opinion that we have documented evidence, it is something that has existed an example for this is the position that some of the scholars of Sunni Islam advocated

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that Jahannam will eventually cease to exist, and only gender will remain, and the people of Jahannam will be extinguished.

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There is an opinion, well known, famous Roma have written treatises about it. Now, this is not a mainstream opinion at all. But there is an opinion out there, that Allah's Rama, necessitates that eternal punishment does not exist,

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that eventually Jahannam will just cease to exist, and only gender will remain. And so the people of Jahannam will be extinguished. The people who rejected Allah what not? And the argument they say, What is the purpose of perpetual punishment of what is the benefit to be done by perpetual perpetual, and they have evidence from the Quran, and the evidence is from the author of this fabulous Sahaba.

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I'll be the first to say, this is the fringe opinion, I'll be the first to say it. But I have met people in my office, youngsters in college, teenagers, people who are about to leave Islam, and they have a list that should answer these questions to me. And on that list is this issue of jahannam. And they will say how can a God punish, punish, punish, punish, punish for an old wisdom and reason? If I were to say to this person, you know what, this is a good question. Do you know there is actually another opinion by so and so he actually says this, in this situation, to save this person's Iman. I'm not saying anything factually incorrect, I'm literally saying there is an opinion

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which there is by so and so which there is in which he advocated that Johanna will cease to exist. Next point.

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And I dealt with every one of his seven eight points in a manner that he was actually convinced. Now, some of you might say, Oh, but a stop for Allah, You preached a fringe opinion. And my responses to have this person in Islam is better with that fringe opinion than him leaving Islam. So not so this is the second category and that is opinions that are deemed to be fringe, we don't necessarily endorse them. We don't necessarily, you know, respect them. Is that a question for me, mashallah, we don't necessarily respect them, but we will lead leave them be okay. Now, this is the second category, the third category, opinions, we do not respect. Opinions, we do not respect. But

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we must tolerate, we must tolerate them. And this is the example of opinions that are incorrect. We don't like them. We wish they didn't exist. But, and we might even refute them verbally. We don't respect them. But we have to be civil. And the classic example for this is non Sunni movements. And the movement that a staffer Allah has opinions about the Sahaba that are wrong. That's very problematic. I don't respect that at all Wallah. I don't respect it. But what are you going to do? What are you going to your hatred is not going to eliminate this group.

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You spouting anger constantly? Is that going to change the situation? What must we do then? Look at the world around you. In our own country. How many of you from Pakistan, raise your hand. Last week or two weeks ago, there was a bomb between Sunni Shia Do you think this is wise? Do you think this is what we want? By constantly fomenting hatred, hatred, hatred? What is the father of doing that? So even if we don't respect I don't have to constantly provoke hatred.

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Live and let live and Allah will judge on Koyama you are not mad

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If you are not rob, you are not Maliki Oh Medina Allah is yes. If somebody asked me I will say, Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Anhu are the greatest Sahaba of any prophet, and anybody who disrespects them. My heart has zero respect, I will say this. But must I constantly foment hatred must stay constantly keep on riling up the crowd and make them angry and hate against a group that they barely interact with? What's the fight of that? Not every love should lead to a kill off. This is my first principle. And we can ask question at the end. The second question The second principle.

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The religion of Islam is broader than any one felucca any one meth hub anyone must slug anyone GEMA those who follow the Quran, those who are from the ummah of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam they are far bigger than any one mazahub Or must slack or felucca. So your felucca your group, your Manage does not represent the total followers of the prophets of Allah, who are they he was setting them. We have to understand this point here. That allegiance is not going to be based upon your GEMA it is based upon Allah and His messenger. So anybody who has loyalty to Allah, who believes in Allah as Arab, and who believes in the Prophet system as a prophet, they are from the ummah of the

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prophets of Allahu alayhi wa sallam, even if they don't belong to your GEMA, even if they don't belong to your Farrakhan, even though they don't belong to your particular understanding of Islam. And this leads us to the famous Hadith which I have discussed in a lot more detail we don't have time to discuss in academic detail, but the famous Hadith that my Alma shall be divided into 73 groups, right, so famous Hadith, some scholars made it weak, other scholars made it SM It is well known Hadith. And I don't even need to go to week or Hassan or infer what not. The hadith is very clear, actually, an Imam Hassan Rouhani, and others they interpreted in a very logical manner, read

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the Hadith, my alma shall divide into 73 groups. This means all of these 73 are what my Alma we're talking about Muslims here, we're talking about the people who follow the messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. So anybody who then says, These people are not Muslims, has disobeyed the Prophet sallallahu either he was said, he literally said my he ascribed these people to him, Who are you to say they don't belong to Him. You understand his point here. Now I'm not saying all of them are the same. He clearly said that there are some problems here, but as the Mamasan and he says he Mamasan is a famous scholar of the past, not me, Imam Hassan and he said,

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the OMA the GEMA did the process and said is the correct Gemma, this is the default of the Muslim ummah. It doesn't have a name. It is the default, the bulk of the Ummah comes under this mainstream GEMA. And as for the other 7172 that are misguided, he says, put together they are a small fraction compared to the one that is guided.

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In other words, do not look at one that is guided 72 is misguided. Therefore, one out of 72 people are going to be correctly guided No, this is incorrect fraction, you're assuming every group has the same quantity know

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the group that is following the Quran and following the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam that is the correct group. And that is the default of the OMA.

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All the other groups combined, are minuscule compared to the default.

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Anybody who says my group and he's talking about the five people in his father's basement as he makes the view of the rest of the Ummah, anybody who says my share, and he has only a small group of people, anybody who says my men hedge and there are literally one small mosque in all of Toronto on that man hedge automatically. You have disqualified yourself from being of the correct group. Because the correct group is the default of the OMA. The bulk of the OMA is upon the correct methodology. How do we know because our Prophet system himself told us he said to us, follow the Silva that album, follow the bulk of the OMA. He said to us that

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in the OMA to mutton Martoma my own Ma is a forgiven OMA and Allah that Allah has shown mercy to he said to us, I expect my ummah by itself to be tooth.

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Words of the people of Ghana. And here we have every group wants to make duck feet of everybody else. Well Allah He I thank Allah that none of these people holds the keys to Jana, or else don't know what the empty Wallah, he, I swear to you any GEMA that makes that fear to give to all the other Jamaat, they have shown that they are mistaken simply by their fanaticism. The default of the OMA is that it is upon good

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and the bulk of the Ummah is correctly guided. Why do we know this? Because listen to this carefully, it's a theological point.

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Is there a prophet after the Prophet system? Yes or No? No? What does this mean about the message of the Prophet system then? It means his message is going to be what?

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True, but what does it imply about the message preserved, protected? Why were previous prophets had to be sent other prophets because their messages were what's corrupted, their messages were misguided, their messages were lost. The fact that our prophets ism is the final prophet, and there is no prophet after him automatically implies automate this is a necessary corollary unnecessary follow up that the bulk of those who follow this prophets Allah Salem shall be within the rightly guided Oma. That's why we don't need another prophet.

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And will Allah He the average Muslim knows this. You know what corrupts you sectarian scholars corrupts you, the average person, the average Uncle and Auntie knows this, that the bulk of the Ummah has appointed good upon them. This is the fitrah they know this. It's only sectarian scholars who say, Oh, look at where he places his hand judge him based upon that. Ask some abstract question about the all these YouTubers nobody's ever heard of. And based on the answer, then you classify me categorize them, put them into a pigeonhole before you met that sectarian scholar, you're fit throw your heart told you any Muslim who loves Allah and His message is a good Muslim. That's the way the

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world works. Right? And I'm telling you, that is what the Quran and Sunnah tells us to the default of Islam is that it is pure and good. The default of the OMA, they love Allah, and they love the messenger, and they shall enter Jannah if they follow the basics of Islam, go back to the Hadith of the Bedouin, the famous Hadith, ya rasool Allah how many prayers five that's all yeah, that's all how many? How much is the god Oh, to pull from it? That's it. That's it. How much Sam one month one month that's it. Ya rasool Allah if I do this, and I live a good life I make the dynamic that Sheila and her Jana said, Yes, Hollis make Islam simple. Not because we're trying to water Islam down. But

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guess what? Surprise, surprise. Islam is simple.

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Islam is easy.

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So the second point is that the ummah of the Prophet system is bigger than any one felucca anyone must look anyone must have anyone Jamara anybody who says the Kadima becomes a part of that OMA, the third point. The third point, differences in how to revive the OMA should be viewed as complementary and not in competition. Differences in methodology should be viewed as complementary.

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Generally speaking, what do I mean by this, and again, let me be explicit here.

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Some movements,

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they prioritize some aspects of the religion, other movements prioritize other aspects of the religion.

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And as long as these movements prioritize legitimate aspects of the religion, few could live here, there's good and all of them because Allah did not create us to be exactly the same. Some people are more interested in the academic study of Islam. Other people are more interested in extra Ibadat. Other people are more interested in living a very simple and Zahid life and avoiding the luxuries. Other people, they don't have this they just want to do the bare minimum and move on. And Allah has revealed a religion that caters to all of these groups from the time of the sahaba. Some of them excelled in one field and not in others.

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And the OMA needed this diversity.

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Caught it a bit of what he throw the Allahu Arn was needed for his speciality he wasn't an expert and he never gave fatwa. He didn't narrate lots of Hadith. We didn't need him for that. Abu Hurayrah was not known to be at the forefront of the Bible for you. He wasn't known for that. We didn't need him for that. More either. Ben Javad was the academic the the Mufti. We needed him for that. Every one of the Hasani Ben Sabbath was a poet. We needed the artist. He was a poet. He was not able to participate in war. He couldn't hold a spear. We didn't need him to hold the spirit. We needed him for his poetry.

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Every one of us has a role to play. And as long as we understand that this diversity is something that is natural, and that the aspect that the group is calling for overall is within the fold of Islam, well then so be it good for us. So for example, you have some movements. I don't want to cause controversy, but I mean, I don't see a problem mentioning the by name because I'm praising them not saying anything wrong. For example, the Deobandi movement right though Bundy move and I'm going to be saying praiseworthy things. Don't worry, don't come to splice my words as I read negative. The Deobandi movement mashallah Tabata Cola, they're doing such amazing work in preserving

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a version of the Hanafi folk. And they're very concerned about everybody following Hanifa and mashallah, they have a system and Wallahi if this was the only benefit for them, we would owe them so much. The deobandis may Allah bless and protect them, the number one contribution to the OMA, they emphasize him of the Quran. Wherever they go mashallah Tabata kala just spouting her fourth, we thank Allah for the duben the movement, I am not Deobandi. I thank Allah for the dominant movement. The WV Gemma Yes, I'm gonna go there guys. Don't worry.

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The W H O Ma, Ma sha Allah Tabata kala good people, you meet them and you sense purity you sense in a sense you sense spirituality and they want you to come and pray and Gemma and go with Jamar and go and hold and this and that and you know make sure the beard is longer and good okay mashallah good reminders, his Accola can we need these reminders? May Allah bless them

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the Jamaat e Islami young going there Don't worry. The Jamaat e Islami the one they bring an important element guys you know all of this a bada is good, but we need also to impact politics as well. I mean, you have to build a society didn't the process and bring about a Medina society. And that's the legit point. I mean, he did without a doubt. Right? The Salah fees yes them as well.

00:32:02--> 00:32:47

Al Qaeda, al Qaeda, al Qaeda, and ya okay, it's good. We need to know what is Aki to teach us, okay. What fi coolin hair. Everyone is within that mainstream. Everyone is interested in in one aspect and they're doing something that they feel is good for the OMA. So take the good and try your best to minimize the bat and understand the equivalent. Not everybody is going to be interested in politics. Not everybody is going to be interested in academic study of Islam. Not everybody is going to be interested in a specific Hanafy field or whatnot. But within the OMA you will find diversity and some people will flourish without interpretation and so Masha Allah, they join it and they go for in

00:32:47--> 00:33:01

the deen. Without that movement. They couldn't have gone far in the deen. Give them credit for that and see that they are drawn closer to Allah and His messenger. So differences in methodology should not be viewed as competing.

00:33:02--> 00:33:42

Yeah, if we're Muslims Wallahi. It doesn't matter whether your children are Salafi or Deobandi or Ali, Hadith or Sufi, in this environment, if they're praying five times a day, if they're avoiding the major sins Alhamdulillah Allah has blessed you with the treasure more precious than this whole world and all that is in it. Do you not understand this point? Who cares? Which specific understanding of Islam, if they're praying five times a day, they're wanting to come to the masjid, they have an interest in Islam in whatever level however level whether it is Hanafi flipbooks, whether it is the how we an aikido to how we have been Tamia, whether it is revivalism and say it

00:33:42--> 00:34:31

Koto, whatever it might be. Isn't it better than watching HBO and stuff with our Game of Thrones? Let's be honest here. Isn't it better than the filth around us? Thank Allah, that your children are involved with some type of activism. Rather than nitpick about oh, but your version isn't the version of my grandfather. Don't worry about it. It's all good. Different methods of revival appeal to different minds, different minds, different psychologies. As I said, some people appreciate spirituality and mysticism, and so they find comfort in the soul, Wolf, good for them. Other people appreciate activism. I need to be and Allah created people this way. So good for them if they find

00:34:31--> 00:35:00

comfort in Islamic activism, other people appreciate the academic study. I'm one of them. I love reading abstract books written 1000 years ago, that's when I find myself closest to Allah subhana wa Tada literally reading abstract historical controversies of Nisha put in the third century. My mind is just a buzz. If you're just on my library charts, Allah created me that way. That's the way I am. I didn't choose this path, right? And guess what? You need a nerdy, geeky person like me to Okay. I'm the doula I hope I will also have some benefit of the OMA. Everybody has

00:35:00--> 00:35:42

has a role to play rather than view it as competition, broaden your horizon and understand he couldn't hear. So, this is my third point here differences and how to revive should be viewed as complementary and what this means to be brutally honest all of these revivalist stick movements around us today all have them we should stop viewing them as competition against each other all of them will judge does have the last 345 100 years look up to them and respect them and yes you might yourself like one more than the other no problem I get it you yourself might be attracted to shower doula Hilary good for you. Another will like you know she'll Hemmati from Morocco, another will like

00:35:42--> 00:36:21

the by Louise in Yemen, another will like the Dijon knees, another one like this, that you know what, whichever movement you find a level of activism, a level of comfort, and you are coming close to Allah and His messenger. And there is scholarship, we're going to come to this point, there is legit scholarship and all of them, then you know, live and let live. You find your way. And don't make others who find other ways the enemy. Why? Because listen to this, for every one of you that has found one way there are five that are completely lost 10 that are completely outside the folder practicing Islam. Is this not correct? Why is it not correct? For every one of you that has found

00:36:21--> 00:36:44

one of these paths? There are at least five to 10 that are not praying, committing major sins have no interest to be close to Allah and His messenger. Why are we bickering amongst ourselves when all of us should be focused on outside? There is plenty, no need for competition. The problem is, we consider the masjid pool the competition.

00:36:45--> 00:37:27

This is our problem will lie. This is our problem. And so the Salafi looks and says, Oh, these are not also do I need to be the Salafi the Jamaat Samygo I need to make the module mod Islami the W was all hydrogens Chola doesn't go ga ga at least didn't go right. Everyone could do his way better than for your own. Guys. There's plenty of fish outside the Masjid. Plenty correct, much more. So the fact that we're all coming here, don't worry about it. These people are all praying, go find somebody outside, and then bring into your mess luck. And I'll say luck, Allah has no problem for me. Simple as that. The world has so much to offer you and even more non Muslims out there. We can

00:37:27--> 00:37:46

all agree that to bring somebody into Islam, what a big blessing. Right? So instead of prioritizing, practicing Muslims who disagree with you look at the broader picture and realize that differences of methodology are complementary. My fourth point, and I gave a hotter about this last year you should listen to it.

00:37:48--> 00:37:57

My fourth point, I'm going to teach you some basic psychology here you guys weren't expecting this. I'm going to teach you some basic human psychology. This is a well observed phenomenon.

00:37:58--> 00:38:39

And it is studied in sociology, it is studied in anthropology, it is studied in psychology, it is called the technical term, the banality of trivial differences, the banality of trivial differences, the technical term, even Freud benches in his books and other people mentioned it, the anthropologist of religion as well. First also mentioned this. And this is a principle by the way it applies in every field of human existence, not just religion in every field. Listen to this principle. It's a principle of lived experienced life of anthropology, history, culture, religion, anything, listen to this. Any time two things or two groups of people or two societies are closer

00:38:39--> 00:38:47

and closer together, automatically. The differences between them become more pronounced

00:38:48--> 00:39:10

inverse proportionality, the closer to groups are the bigger the trivial differences become. And the farther apart the two groups are, the more trivial even the bigger differences become. I'll give you a simple example and again I'm not missing my words here the goal is not controversy. The goal is to make you understand

00:39:11--> 00:39:17

we are sitting in which Masjid is this guys which Masjid is now which is the largest must you then

00:39:18--> 00:39:22

and all the Mississauga No Oh, we got Oh,

00:39:23--> 00:39:59

I'm gonna get trolled for this one of the largest Masjid Okay. Does this not have interfaith programs where we they invite Christians and they do that right every Masjid does right? Yeah, nobody bats an eyelid. We can invite I have we have epic has our Masjid. We invite priests in Ramadan. Before the conflict. We invited rabbis as well now of course we're not going to but before that we invited priests and rabbis okay. Not because we have a problem with inviting them but because of Zionism. Our problem is not with Jewish people or problems with Zionism, right. Remember this right? So the we would invite them now and nobody bats an eyelid we can invite

00:40:00--> 00:40:07

somebody who believes Jesus is the Son of God, we break bread with them. We share, you know, speeches and lectures. We go to their churches, they come to our budgets.

00:40:09--> 00:40:13

When was the last time Sunnis and Shias had an Iftar? Together? And Ramadan?

00:40:15--> 00:40:16

Yeah, I went there. I'm sorry, I'm gonna go there.

00:40:18--> 00:40:19

When was the last time?

00:40:21--> 00:40:27

Never doesn't happen. Do you want to know why? banality of trivial differences?

00:40:29--> 00:40:50

Psychologically, we find it more difficult to come to terms with somebody who's closer to us. And those differences become more pronounced because they are closer to us. Why? Because psychologically the threat becomes the one that's closest to you is actually your competition.

00:40:53--> 00:41:33

Let me give you an example in the business world, who is Cokes, main competitor, Pepsi. It's not sparkling water, even though in actual sales sparkling water is a bigger fitna for Coke than coke. And Pepsi is. But coke doesn't care about Pellegrino sparkling water. Coke only cares about Pepsi, because they view and psychologically even even though despite all of your claims, to the contrary, I guarantee you nine out of 10 people ever put the two in front of you, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. I know you think you know, but what you don't know, okay, nine out of 10, you couldn't tell the difference between the two of them. But the competition between them is so severe.

00:41:33--> 00:41:55

Why banality of trivial differences? The perception is because legitimately This is my main competitor. Similarly, we need to understand and apply this to our lives. selfies and Sufis Wallahi, I swear to you, the average non practicing Muslim, will be in shock, like you guys are actually fighting over these things.

00:41:57--> 00:42:22

As for the non Muslim, he wouldn't even understand he would just go over his head like you guys are two groups because of what exactly again, I wouldn't even understand. But the amount of animosity that has been generated over the last 30 years, between self and not just though before this Subhanallah from the perspective of the outsider, these two movements and more or exactly the same.

00:42:23--> 00:42:50

Let me put it to you this way. If what is your national newspaper here, the what the Toronto mail, what is it? Toronto Star, if a reporter from the Toronto Star, lived in the house of a selfie for two days, and then the house of a Sufi for two days? Do you think in the interactions in the way the children in the way dating is not allowed in the way the television in the way the saga? Do you think that reporter could tell any difference? No.

00:42:52--> 00:42:53

Then why are we creating differences?

00:42:54--> 00:43:09

An outsider could not even tell the difference from his worldview. It is exactly the same the morality we're teaching the food we're eating the lack of the children the the ambience of the household 100% the same.

00:43:10--> 00:43:15

But within our ranks, we have all these divisions, oh, this is this, this that this, this this that

00:43:16--> 00:43:49

banality of trivial differences, we need to understand the psychological problem. The closer to groups are, the more exaggerated the perceived threat becomes. And so we instinctively kick in and make a very similar group much more problematic than it needs to be. We need to overcome this. So this is my fourth point understand the bent bent bent banality of trivializes the fifth point here. The fifth point is a bit technical. I'm teaching a little bit of philosophy a little bit of syllogisms here and again, open Shala there is some benefit, okay. The syllogism is

00:43:51--> 00:44:10

syllogisms means philosophical premises, if x then y. If y then z, z is wrong, so x is wrong. It's like basic syllogism, right? If X then Y. If you say this, this implies something else. This something else is wrong. Therefore, x is wrong. Let me give you an example.

00:44:12--> 00:44:40

And I'm giving you a trivial example that does exist in the Indian subcontinent. peroxide is up continent, but it's not common. And I hope it's not common in Canada and America. But it's well known the difference between the deobandis and the earlier this, okay? All the bucks and the Indians are aware of this, you know, the difference in the idea this, one of the biggest differences is where to place the hats. And I'm not even exaggerating this as a matter of life and death to this group, like literally, okay, it's a matter of sunnah and bid aquifer and whatnot. Right now.

00:44:41--> 00:44:46

I'm giving you a legit example. This is the real example from that bubble.

00:44:47--> 00:44:54

Each group says they are ladies. For example, they say it is established that the Prophet says and put his hand on his chest.

00:44:56--> 00:44:59

It is established that he did so. This is X for them.

00:45:00--> 00:45:00

Right.

00:45:01--> 00:45:17

If you reject x, if you reject the placing of the hands on this on the chest, this implies you're rejecting the command of the prophets of Sodom, which is why if X then Y, rejecting the command of the Prophet system is Cofer.

00:45:18--> 00:45:21

Hence, placing your hands on your stomach is Cofer.

00:45:24--> 00:45:36

This is a legit example. That is well known in that part of the world. I've heard it multiple times when that with my own use from their scholars, and it goes both ways. The one is have their own versions as well. If X then Y, Y is preferred, therefore x is preferred.

00:45:37--> 00:45:43

Now you do understand the syllogism example. Okay, I'm going to teach you some basic philosophy, some basic syllogisms.

00:45:44--> 00:45:53

If x Then why 99% of the time exists only in your head, not the head of the person that you're ascribing it to.

00:45:55--> 00:45:58

You are the one making this linkage not the person.

00:45:59--> 00:46:44

If you want to be technical, there's an Arabic Maxim here, law Zim will met hubby lasered in with help. The corollary of an opinion is not to the opinion. The implication of an opinion is not the actual opinion. What you have derived from the opinion is not the opinion that's your derivation, and the person who holds it doesn't agree with your derivation. Hence, when you make a verdict on your derivation, that is not a verdict on the opinion, that is a verdict on your own derivation of the opinion. In other words, the Deobandi will say to you, I don't agree that the Prophet system prayed with his hands over here. And I have this evidence, this evidence, this evidence that he

00:46:44--> 00:46:50

prayed over there. So from my perspective, I'm not rejecting the process at all. You're the one assuming this of me.

00:46:51--> 00:47:13

And I give you a simple example, we can apply the exact same example to almost every single strand of Islam, between Salafi Sufis between even Sunni Shia, between the bravery and the shadowy every group, the last name of the whole. And again, if you want to get technical, there are so many examples. I don't want to confuse you all but one of the controversies which again,

00:47:14--> 00:47:56

I mean, along with Stein, it is what it is, one of the controversies is, what does it mean Allah has risen over the throne is still wildly large. And this has been a huge controversy for 1000 years. What does it mean a Rockmount, or other lauscha stowa. And we've had six opinions in early Islam. Three of them became codified and but and then basically, you now have, even within Sunni Islam, you have two or three strands. So one group says, when Allah says he has risen over the throne, he has risen over the throne. So there is a throne, and Allah has risen over it. The other group says, No, this is metaphorical language. That means Allah has conquered and Allah azza wa jal, His Majesty,

00:47:56--> 00:48:06

there is no actual throne. Now, I'm not gonna get into which one is right or wrong and whatnot. I'm saying each of these groups then reads in heresies in the other groups opinion.

00:48:07--> 00:48:46

So those that say, Allah has literally risen over the throne, they accused the other group, okay, if you deny this, you're denying the Quran and denying the Quran is Cofer. Simple. If you deny this, then you're denying the Quran. And the responses No, they're not denying it. They are interpreting a verse just like the Sahaba when they were told, pray Lord, or Asad at bundle Karela. The words are the same, they didn't deny the Hadith, they interpreted in a different manner. This is not a denial in your mind, it's a denial not in the mind of the other group. And the same goes the other group, the other group says, if you say Allah has risen over the throne, then you mean a stop for Allah

00:48:46--> 00:49:31

that Allah has a body and Allah comes up and down, and that Allah sits and Allah and the group that says reason they don't say any of this, but each group ascribes to the other what the other group does not actually believe. I'm just telling you this, I hope you guys are following me. Next time you hear a shear criticize another movement. And say, they say this, this means that cut off this means that cut it off, because the derivation is something the person has derived and not that the other group holds. You understand this point here. Once you understand this technical point, much of the animosity and I can be even more blunt, I just don't want to cause any issues or troubles even

00:49:31--> 00:49:59

between Sunni and Shia. We can give examples that really our perceptions even though I am Sunni, no doubt about it. I respect the Sahaba but I don't make two feet of the shall be blunt here. I don't care what you guys said I'm this is I've studied it that I can defend my views. I don't make to feed they're not captured. They are not captured. I know what I'm saying. And I can debate any of you come and talk to me no problem. Certain aspects that certain people might believe might be covered but as a whole movement, no we don't make to feel the Twelver Shia. We don't this is not mainstream Sunni Islam. You

00:50:00--> 00:50:08

The mainstream Sunni Islam does not make defeated. Now somebody says oh, this into this, and this is a controversial example, they disrespect the sahaba.

00:50:10--> 00:50:30

And by disrespecting the Sahaba, they are disrespecting Allah and His messenger. This is exactly if x then y y school for that extra school foot. Okay. I am not at all sympathetic to Shiri Islam, but I'm bringing this example. So that I'm trying to deconstruct the syllogism here from their worldview, from their worldview.

00:50:31--> 00:50:54

They are defending the teachings and the command of the Prophet. So some they think that Ali will should have been the Khalifa. And so in their worldview, they are reclaiming the prophetic command. Now, I don't agree with their worldview. But you cannot say that in their worldview, they are rejecting Allah and His messenger. In their worldview, they are trying to defend what they think the prophecies that I'm saying.

00:50:55--> 00:51:14

So even if they're wrong, don't say unto them, that they are rejecting Allah and His messenger. You may say, factually, that they don't respect certain Sahaba and meant that's factually correct. But why and again, you get to the point of if x then y, you need to deconstruct it. So understand this point here, that

00:51:15--> 00:51:34

the implications of an opinion, are not the opinion. And they only exist in the mind of the critic, not in the mind of the one who holds the opinion. Do you guys understand that point is a bit of a technical point, move on to the 6.6 and seven mentioned, we'll have some q&a. The sixth point, very important, very basic premise of theology.

00:51:36--> 00:51:41

On the Day of Judgment, ignorance is an excuse within mainstream Islam.

00:51:42--> 00:52:06

If somebody genuinely did not know, Allah will forgive them on the Day of Judgment, what is important, your Nia of wanting to worship Allah, and believing in the messenger and that much ignorance is not excused? If you reject it, Allah, there is no excuse you knowing who Allah was, if you rejected the Prophet system, that's not excuse there. But if you thought you're following the Prophet SAW Selim, incorrectly

00:52:08--> 00:52:49

it is very possible, you will be excused. Even if you make a blunder of the biggest proportion, simple example. IDT has a body that the prophets have said that on the Day of Judgment, a man will be brought. And this man when he was about to die, you know, the famous Hadith when he was about to die, he told his children that burned my body and disperse my ashes. I don't want Allah to resurrect me. I don't want Allah to bring me back together. Because I'm a sinner. And if Allah has irks me is going to punish me. So I want to get out of the Day of Judgment. I want to trick get out, so they don't have to have the dividends, man, right? So his sons burnt the body distributed the ashes in

00:52:49--> 00:52:55

the wind. Allah said, couldn't fire go in the body comes up. Allah says, What did you do? Why would you do this?

00:52:56--> 00:52:58

And the man said, Yeah, Rob, I was scared of you.

00:52:59--> 00:53:02

So Allah says, because of your fear for me, I have forgiven you.

00:53:05--> 00:53:25

You were genuinely good intention. But you are giant. I mean, I'm saying he's a giant right? Come, he thought he could out trick Allah correct. He thought he could outwit Allah. But did he do so out of arrogance, or out of fear, fear of Allah. Allah looked at the NEA above the form.

00:53:26--> 00:54:03

Allah looked at the spirit above the letter of the law, this hadith isn't well known in our tradition. And this leads us to the principle that all theologians acknowledge that. And Ruth ruble jolly excuse because of ignorance. Fact of the matter. I don't want to get too controversial. But I'm pretty, fairly certain the bulk of you in this audience, the version of Islam, you follow, you were born into it, or Max, you were exposed to it as a young man or woman, and it was your first version of real Islamic spirituality and activism.

00:54:04--> 00:54:10

I am positive 99% in this audience, are following the version of Islam that you were born into?

00:54:11--> 00:54:31

Or you were just born a generic Muslim. And when you come to college, you meet a group of Muslims, whether the web, whether they're Giamatti, whether they're his, whether they're Salafi, whether this and that, and they're your first exposure to Islam, and you discover the joy of Islam through them, and you become immersed in their world. Next thing you know, 20 years go by, and you're sitting here today.

00:54:33--> 00:54:46

And your own cousin, your own brother was exposed to another version of Islam. And so they're in another strand of Islam, and a third cousin of ours, all of us not even practicing Islam. That's the way the world is. So

00:54:47--> 00:54:55

you yourselves have chosen a version of Islam, by and large based upon circumstances beyond our control.

00:54:56--> 00:55:00

What would have to be happening? What were to happen if one of you were to be born

00:55:00--> 00:55:05

In in a shady family what are the chances that you would be sitting here versus another Masjid?

00:55:07--> 00:55:12

What are the chances of one of you're born in a hardcore but LV family illicit cartel? Believe you mashallah,

00:55:13--> 00:55:20

what are the chances you'd be sitting here right now I'm sure some of you are from that family. I'm just saying, though there are other Masada that I'm not strong. So

00:55:21--> 00:55:37

even if I disagree with shear ism, and I do, and even if I politely disagree with better wisdom, and I do, I also realize that majority of people sitting in their massages are sitting there because of what that's the version they were exposed to.

00:55:38--> 00:55:39

They don't know any better.

00:55:40--> 00:55:51

And they genuinely believe they're following the Quran. And they're following the teachings of the prophets, Allah Salam, and that Nia is what is going to save them?

00:55:52--> 00:56:13

Do you guys understand this key point here? The NIA sincerity to Allah? is what will save them? Even if they follow a version? Here? I'm telling you on this member, Papa, whatever it is, I'm saying publicly, anybody who disrespects the Sahaba, I cannot respect that person.

00:56:14--> 00:56:20

And yet, I make an excuse for the average person amongst them. He doesn't know any better.

00:56:21--> 00:57:01

It's not their fault. They're born into that version of Islam. And they have been spoon fed a very different version of early history. Do you understand this point here, I'm not excusing their belief, but I'm excusing the circumstances of their belief. That's what I'm explaining to so stop hating on a person because of a different strand of Islam because, frankly, your strand of Islam with utmost respect is not because of an academic study of all of the strands of Islam. I'm not trying to be harsh, but it's the truth. Your own version of Islam is either you were born into it, and you're inheriting your father and mother's version. Or like I said, the first activist that you

00:57:01--> 00:57:37

liked the first group that you just appeal to, and you're still on that strand, and you are convinced that it is the only correct version. But guess what your cousin on the other side is just as convinced that his version is the only correct version. And had you gone down your cousin's path you would view the same as your cousin. So stop presuming that mashallah you happen to be born in the correct physical No. Alhamdulillah we're believers, and let it be. So this is my sixth point. Ignorance is an excuse. And the seventh point if you don't understand or agree with any of the six, then inshallah the seventh is all that you need.

00:57:39--> 00:58:09

Look at the world around you. And ask yourself, Is this the time and the place? I need to be bickering about issues that are of no tangible concern. Is this the time in place I need to divide the room up when your house is on fire. And you're going to be arguing over the color of the furniture Wallahi This is the equivalent when your children are in danger. And you're arguing about the groceries for tomorrow. Literally, this is the reality.

00:58:10--> 00:58:57

It's not just Gaza and the bombs over there. It is the modern world we live in and the values facing us guys brutal brah honesty, Sunni Salafi Deobandi Barelvi, his bhigwan Whatever you want to call, we are all one when it comes to alcohol, this haram, Zina is haram. LGBT is unethical. We are all one when it comes to a HELOC and morality we are all one when it comes to praying five times a day and worshiping Allah and reading Quran and fasting Ramadan. And in this society, where hardly any of our country members are believing in Allah and His Messenger praying five times a day. Now those that have chosen to be in this Masjid amongst us, we start fighting over aspects that even if

00:58:57--> 00:59:43

they're important at some places and times right here, and now it becomes trivial. So my seven point context, look at the world around you. The world right now doesn't need these classical controversies. If you're very interested, hire a hall. Bring your 510 20 people that are interested, lock the door and shout as much as you want. Then when you're done, shake hands and pray together in the masjid. Wallah. I'm dead serious. If you're really you have to let out that you know steam that pressure cooker. You want to argue what is this though? I mean, you want to argue have the listeners Jaffery that fine. Bring the 20 people that are super interested in this topic. And in a private

00:59:43--> 01:00:00

room, debate, debate, debate debate, and then at the end hug each other and pray and a unified stuff facing the same Qibla with the same search the the same God that we worship, reading the same Fatiha following the same Archon of sada who cares if your hand is here and here you are praying

01:00:00--> 01:00:16

Think to Allah, is it not? So look at the context around us all. And understand, even if some of our teachers may Allah bless and reward them, I'm not criticizing that they think certain issues are important back home, they don't live here

01:00:17--> 01:00:31

and look around you. And see those issues are not anywhere near as important as the issues we can all agree upon as Muslims. Before I open up the floor for q&a, I have some examples and

01:00:33--> 01:00:35

one concluding remark as for the example

01:00:38--> 01:01:11

in my opinion, one of the most important examples in our history is the example of ideal or the Allah who won and the first group that broke away, and that is the high wattage. I don't want to go into the details of where and why and what not. Let's just say during the time of ideal, the Allah who won, a splinter group formed with a different fix, and a different Akita and a different methodology. Everything was different. They had a different belief in Allah different and you know, an understanding of what it means to be a Muslim in a moment. Of course, they believe in Allah they pray, but they're understanding the definitions of Eman and Cofer the definitions of whatnot, very

01:01:11--> 01:01:14

different than mainstream Islam.

01:01:15--> 01:01:53

I do you know, the Allah who I attempted to debate with them, He sent him in Abbas to them, he went back and forth, some of them he came back, and some of them remained. Over 2000 of them remained, and they said they don't even want to live amongst the Muslim woman Kufa. They want to live in a city outside of Kufa because they felt that the rest of the Muslims were all misguided. I needed the Allah one being the Khalifa. And this is important because it under the Allahu Allah is respected by Sunnis and Shia. What was his policy? As the Khalifa, he could have said, I'm going to force you to follow my version of Islam. As the Khalifa, he could have said, there's not going to be freedom of

01:01:53--> 01:02:02

religious thought within the OMA. And this is not under a democracy. This is not under Canada's constitution. This is under hola Rashid. And what did he do?

01:02:03--> 01:02:22

Under hola Faraj, you don't rule. He said to them, lace, Elena alikoum and Sybil, I have no right to force you to follow. I have no right to force you to follow my interpretation. So as long as you don't physically harm other people, you are free to do as you please.

01:02:23--> 01:03:07

It was only when the hostage began highway robbery and began threatening and killing then ideally, all of the hola Juan fought them because of physical and this is my mother had been methodology. We live and let live for any strand of Islam, except when they become violent, then we need to get involved as a community. We live and let live doesn't mean we respect. I do not respect those who just recycle bucket in order to low I don't. But what am I good at? What is my hatred going to accomplish? What is my fomenting anger gonna accomplish? They're around for 1200 years. Do you think my giving you a hug bug against him is gonna change them. And let's be honest, there's no mass

01:03:07--> 01:03:17

conversions taking place. There's no people going here and there. And honestly, even if one person were to convert and go over there, it's better than becoming a cockpit of a million times.

01:03:18--> 01:03:19

So

01:03:20--> 01:03:30

Ali Radi Allahu Allah gives us the template, there is a level of freedom of diversity of thought, even if I don't agree with it. And this leads me to my

01:03:31--> 01:03:53

second to two final points. I give a hot or hotter last week in my masjid, you can listen to it online about Onra you and our WA and I mentioned a very, very controversial aspect, but I'm gonna say it again. It's high time. We the Muslims of North America, Canada, America, England, Australia, the English speaking countries, it's high time

01:03:54--> 01:03:55

we understand

01:03:56--> 01:04:00

our problems are unique to the world.

01:04:01--> 01:04:12

And in order to solve those problems, sometimes respected scholars 5000 miles away, are not the best source of answers for our modern problems.

01:04:13--> 01:04:39

I speak as somebody who respects those scholars, because I've studied with them. They've written the skills for me, I'll be the first to say they're allowed. They're about that the knowledge of their tradition cannot be compared to anybody over here. But when it comes to living amongst non Muslims in a secular democracy, when it comes to engagement, when it comes to Dawa when it comes to activism,

01:04:40--> 01:05:00

our local scholars who have lived amongst us, even if they can't quote you the classic tradition as much as your share 3000 miles away, your local scholars here are your primary source of reference and leadership. I don't mean myself. Not at all.

01:05:00--> 01:05:21

La he know, you have amongst you seen the aroma. And I need to speak to the youth here. And Adam isn't just somebody who can quote you the texts. And Adam isn't just somebody who's memorized the classical books. And Adam also has to be here. And Adam also has a level of interaction of knowledge of wisdom.

01:05:23--> 01:05:29

I'm gonna mention names here. Dr. Jamal Badawi is the icon of Western Islam.

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I swear to you, I would go to him in a heartbeat over any Allama or *hole Islam in any other part of the world for issues pertaining to North America. And I have studied with those great aroma and I would not ask my esteemed Dr. Jamal, by the way, a very technical question of federal solar pheochromocytoma. I will not ask him this. And I would go to those who are alumni that I've studied with for those aspects. But when it comes to living in Canada, and activism in Canada, and engagement with the broader community, I need to give speciality to those that have lived it.

01:06:05--> 01:06:58

Do you understand my point here? You have in this masjid, one of the legends of Islam in North America shall Abdullah Idris How can you Wallah he shame on you to bypass him and to think your share back in another country 3000 miles away is better suited to tell you how to live your life in this country. I'm not talking about theoretical aspects in which case go to the end. I'm talking about practical aspects of living your life of engagement of activism. You cannot take fatwas from people about issues they haven't actually experienced. And living as a Canadian citizen in a democracy in a liberal society brings a new set of challenges that only those that have lived it or

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qualified. And so yes, Wallahi I say to you, as somebody who has studied with major to you the big names I have said you with a menagerie. boastfully I'm saying this so that you understand. I know. Dr. Jamar Chuck Abdullah she was among others don't equate which has been bashing with me and I study with them share with me Romea does Yeah, I'm not saying they equate and fic or an Akita abstract. But what Allah He I say to you when it comes to activism and engagement and living in the West, how can you go to a scholar who has never interacted with non Muslims never lived in a democracy. Some of them with utmost love and respect, still think voting is cool for some of them

01:07:38--> 01:08:22

still think protests are haram with utmost love and respect. This is not a fatwa that comes from a book. This is a fatwa that deals with reality. So leadership has to be from within guys. Even if your local leaders can't quote you the classical books as much as other people can still they are your leaders. Do you understand this point? You still there are your actual bona fide leaders? Can you have you ever heard of a company where the CEO of the company is not involved with the company? Have you ever heard a company where the CEO or some faraway land or Island and he does the day to day activities of the company, it doesn't work that way, only somebody who is in the thick and thin

01:08:22--> 01:08:47

of it understands the nuances sees what is going on, that person is a leader. Even if the CEO doesn't know as much as the PhD professor of Harvard or Yale in Business Studies, the CEO knows his business better than any other professor does. The same reality applies to living Islam as a minority situation. And my final point here, then, and this is my conclusion, when it comes to ferok, and

01:08:48--> 01:08:57

mana agent, Yanni, all of these strands and whatnot, what I propose is the following, I propose something called circles of cooperation, it's very simple.

01:08:59--> 01:09:32

There, we need to get to this point of having circles of cooperation, concentric circles, a narrower circle, a larger circle, a larger, a larger, and the more religious, something is purely religious. The narrower the circle, the more non religious or secular a political becomes, the bigger the circle. So for example, when it comes to who's going to lead the Salah in the masjid, we make a narrow circle, the smallest circle, who's going to teach Islamic studies to the kids in our Slavic school. We don't want somebody from another federal law, we don't.

01:09:33--> 01:09:59

Who's going to teach Islamic studies we narrow the circle. Somebody who has similar understandings, generic Sunni Islam needs to be there. Right cannot be too narrow. By the way, that's another point as to be reasonable, narrow, and for me, generic Sunni Islam we respect the Quran. Respect the Sahaba we follow the Koran and Sunnah This is mainstream Islam, right. This is my version of the narrowest who gives the hutzpah somebody who is within this mainstream and I meant

01:10:00--> 01:10:10

to some of these groups that are mainstream, all of these are mainstream. Okay? That's the narrow circle. Now a bit larger than this. And that is, for example, to build an Islamic school.

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We don't have to have only people of our understanding of Islam.

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We might have people that are, I mean, in the end of the day, the Islamic school is gonna give an ambience of no drugs, you know, no living there. So if there's Sunni, Shia, you know, others that come together to build an Islamic school. Okay, what's the problem in that Bismillah? Go for it. Now, even broader than that is what? Political activism, political activism, we really don't care what your how kita is. There is an Islamophobic government coming.

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There is a government that is sanctioning the bombing of Gaza. I'm sorry, I don't care what your Aki there is even a Kaffir becomes an ally. And when I ally with a coffin for Gaza, it's not an endorsement of his Cofer. It's only the teenagers who make a fuss and release YouTube videos that actually understand this. guilt by association is not an Islamic concept. This is a figment in the minds of the fanatical youth. It is not a Quranic concept. If I stand next to somebody, it doesn't mean I endorse everything that this person has ever said, If I cooperate and by the way, nobody lives there, you all come together for your corporations. Don't you work with people of all

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different backgrounds in your corporations, your office mates, the guy next to you? Does it mean that because you're next to him, that you endorse everything about him? If you understand you're going to come together for your dollars, and you're going to work with somebody from the another community of Jani, how to put it nicely, moralities and sexualities and whatnot, right? You're going to come together, work with them. And you got to understand that this is Jah is in Islam, you don't control the sexuality of your Europe, team and whatnot, right? You can come together for the dunya. And nobody's gonna say guilt by association. And yet the minute activists and scholars come together

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for Lhasa, and they bring Jews and Christians that are anti Zionist, and they bring all of a sudden oh, look at this guy watering the deen down this and that no Yahuwah is only your mind that is watered down.

01:12:16--> 01:12:49

There is no watering of the deen going on here. We're trying to save lives. We're trying to bring about activism, and only you and this is if x and y goes back to this issue. Only you make the assumption that if you do this, or that it implies this or that no, nobody else says this. So understand that we are living at a time at a place where out of the 1.8 billion Muslims in the world, less than 10 million. That's me and you are able to impact the policies of the superpowers of this world. Is that not correct?

01:12:50--> 01:12:57

Less than 10 million are able to impact the policies. And I'm gonna say this bluntly. And with this, I conclude

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Wallahi oh people of Toronto.

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I find it

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embarrassing and sad. That according to latest statistics, Toronto roughly is more than 10% Muslim.

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And Mississauga in particular, is closer to 15% Muslim. I find it embarrassing that this 15% I speak Inshallah, as one of you in the sense I'm not a Canadian, but as a Western Muslim. When I say embarrassing for myself as well, I'm not blaming you that this 15% has not made a fraction of their impact on the government level.

01:13:40--> 01:14:00

Wallahi I find this atrocious, and I'm not rebuking you, as an outsider, we're all guilty. I'm getting harsh at myself and all of you. How can we not come together as Muslims? How can we not unite and understand we have a role to play here?

01:14:01--> 01:14:31

Literally, the genocide of the century is taking place as we speak. Literally. No genocide in human history has been broadcast with such vivid color, detail, imagery live. There are people that have the phone on when the bomb is falling, and they're saying La ilaha illAllah. And the video goes out. Never in human history has this cruelty been broadcast across the globe.

01:14:32--> 01:14:59

If now is not the time we understand. We need leadership that is based in this country. I don't care what a scholar 5000 miles away says about fit of cars and man has uncovered and beat and shook. We need to come together as Muslims in this land, one OMA one god one Quran and we need to fight according to our Constitution, our political engagement and cause an impact that is going to save lives here.

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If we're not going to understand this at this stage, then I'm sorry one of two scenarios comes to mind. If somebody still wants to divide the OMA, if somebody still is obsessed about where I placed my hands or what version of Athena I follow one of two things either number one, you have been planted by an outsider to cause fitna within. And we know there are people like this, well, Allah He, there are people like this, you're being paid by sources from without, to cause controversy from within. Or number two, genuinely your IQ is not in the two digits. Genuinely, your understanding of Islam is so backward, that perhaps the pen has been lifted on the Day of Judgment, ignorance will be

01:15:39--> 01:16:16

an excuse, because you read your ignorance right now. Wallahi, I'm sorry. But at this stage, I cannot think of a third excuse for you. I'm sorry. Either you are planted, and you're getting paid. And there are people like this, I don't want to be more explicit. But because I am who I am. I know for a fact some of the biggest names online that are our critics that are paid by other people. I don't want to say any more than this. We know for a fact, some of these YouTube videos you guys are influenced by we know for a fact that are paid by other people. But I don't want to say more than this because along with Stan or number two. Number two, you genuinely your understanding of Islam is

01:16:16--> 01:16:55

so shallow and so narrow, that honestly it's not even two digit IQ. And you literally think that it is more important that I worry about abstract issues about Canada than to save lives of people being bombed overseas, in which case, we just make dua for you and continue to pray for you that Allah opens your minds to a bigger understanding and until then, Allah who was Stein Allah protect us from your stupidity and foolishness even if your heart isn't evil, but you dividing the Ummah and you releasing refutations and videos and causing controversies now Wallahi the house is burning, and you're arguing with people about the color of the furniture. This is what it is in any case with

01:16:55--> 01:17:04

this inshallah Allah we will open the floor for q&a and Bismillah so should we should we do this ones first? Okay, Bismillah

01:17:05--> 01:17:46

Alikum everyone, just before we get started with the q&a, there are three cards that need to be moved immediately. You can't have a Muslim gathering without the three cards announcements. You are correct. This is the Sunnah of Western Islam as well. Mashallah. So license plate c x A D 823. That's a Honda CRV. I have a Toyota Highlander D A XC 648 and a Kia a GVK e 5732. sokola okay Bismillah So, guys question to you all it is now 927 How was human made? Go till us have two guys until what time should I continue?

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Is 10 o'clock? Good? 10 o'clock? Good. Can I hear a yes? 10 o'clock. Okay, so inshallah sharp stop at 10 o'clock in sha Allah. Okay. J it. So the first question I have in light of your lecture, can you give an example? How would you deal with the mode issue is the moated bidder or not? Okay, Jay, it. So this is a good example, guys, I need you to lower the volume because I can't scream above my shoulder 3000 people. So if we can keep the volume down. So the issue again.

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One thing you need to understand brothers and sisters is that

01:18:26--> 01:18:29

before you pronounce a verdict on something,

01:18:30--> 01:19:14

pretend you're on the other strand or the other side and see what they're saying. The issue of the molded whatever position you want to follow. Understand there are greater Allama on both sides of the equation. And it all goes back to definitions. It all goes back to how do you define a bit? Can you believe both groups say bit out is wrong? Can you believe that? Both groups say bit out is wrong. Both groups say following the Sunnah is obligatory, both groups say we want to show love to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam. So rather than jump to the difference, let's begin with the commonalities. The commonalities, the one group says by not celebrating the bit, we are showing love

01:19:14--> 01:19:59

the mode, which is a bit out, we're showing love. The other group says the mode it is a legit demonstration of love. So we're going to show love via the Molad what combines that both of them love for the Prophet sallallahu it was said, what combines both of them, they believe their interpretations are showing love to the prophets of Allah who I knew he was sending them. So allow them this issue in common. You choose the academic side that you like and you follow it and then allow room for the other. Because listen to me carefully in Muslim lands. We do not enforce the strictness in our own masajid look at any Muslim land. You have those who celebrate those who are

01:19:59--> 01:19:59

celebrate

01:20:00--> 01:20:12

Then why do you think it is obligatory? You will on Donald Cooper and Mississauga and ISNA, you must enforce one version against the other. Follow the Sunnah of it though the Allahu I live and let live.

01:20:13--> 01:20:40

You present your opinion, politely, respectfully. And then the other group, one of the sent in the end of the day, both of you are still on the same site, live and let live. I have my opinions. And if you know my biography and whatnot and see what I do on you know what my opinion is, but don't hate somebody who is doing something out of love for the messenger SallAllahu it he was said. So the next question then, my second question.

01:20:41--> 01:20:47

So sharing all of this, aren't we watering Islam down and making Islam too easy?

01:20:49--> 01:20:51

So this is a very important question.

01:20:53--> 01:20:55

Aren't we watering Islam down?

01:20:56--> 01:21:01

aren't we making Islam too easy? And their response is

01:21:02--> 01:21:05

I'm not the one who made Islam easy. Allah did.

01:21:07--> 01:21:22

Allah says in the Quran, you read Allahu be como your Surah Walla redo the como ser Allah wants to make things easy for you. You Sir my name Yasser user from this. My name is easy to Yasser.

01:21:23--> 01:22:03

Allah wants to make things easy. Allah says in the Quran, WA Marja Allah Allah confit demon harridge Allah did not make the deen have heritage on you. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, Yes, see to Allah to acetyl Bashira Allah to the pharaoh, make things easy, Don't make things difficult. The prophesy centum said, None of you makes this religion more difficult, except that you will end up destroying yourself. What don't you Shah to hide the dinar Illa Allah Who, so we actually have a problem in our psyche. And that problem is, we think the strict opinion is more pleasing to Allah.

01:22:04--> 01:22:41

And that is not a rule that any scholar ever said in the history of Islam, strictness and non strictness has nothing to do with the correct opinion. Sometimes the correct opinion is strict waking up in your country during winter for Fudger. And doing we'll do here that strict man, I can't give you any concession no matter how cold it is outside. You cannot do to your mum, okay, in your houses, is a strict opinion do we'll do. That's why I don't live here. Number one reason I live in Canada, not because of the smiles of the people in Mississauga, it is the weather. Leave me out of it. So I'm not going to give you a concession is it is what it is. At the same time.

01:22:43--> 01:23:10

If somebody were to never have heard of the concession of combining when you travel, and then the hero they're gonna stop for Allah, you guys are destroying the religion. You're making the religion easy. You're combining blood and Asana when you travel. Yeah, he who said strictness is necessarily better, who said that making things easy is always worse. Nothing is judged by strictness or ease.

01:23:11--> 01:23:29

And in fact, if two things are both permissible, then the Profit System himself would choose the easier of the two, the process of himself would choose the easier of the two. So this notion of making Islam easy, this notion of making Islam watered down. I'm sorry, we need to be more academic.

01:23:30--> 01:23:39

Just because so let me give you another example. Okay. And this actually leads to a number of a number of other questions we have over here as well about

01:23:41--> 01:23:52

I mean, not about al Qaeda, but it's about like gender issues and women and women's roles and whatnot. So we'll move into this automatically segue. There's a lot of questions about females

01:23:53--> 01:23:58

sitting next to each other with males in the bar. All of this standard stuff in AP is is fine, I get it. It needs to be asked.

01:23:59--> 01:24:09

Can there be a female scholar presenter at the front of the masala? This is about our presenter. Was that. Okay? You want me to answer all answers right here. I'm not making it up. Okay.

01:24:11--> 01:24:15

So, all valid points. Okay. Listen to me, sisters and brothers.

01:24:17--> 01:24:18

Just because

01:24:19--> 01:24:20

our

01:24:21--> 01:24:33

culture, our ancestors did something in a certain way. Doesn't mean it is right or wrong. It could be right. It could be wrong. It could be culturally relatively good for them and not good for us.

01:24:34--> 01:24:57

Just because certain things are cultural doesn't mean mean they're Islamic, we need a more detailed discussion. And so when it comes to gender, and gender norms when it comes to gender interaction, listen to me carefully. The Shetty has come with a cultural spectrum of leeway.

01:24:58--> 01:24:59

And there are certain

01:25:00--> 01:25:01

Red lines that are haram.

01:25:02--> 01:25:38

So, what is a red line that is haram, the prophet system said never should a man and woman be alone in a room without any other person present and a place that they cannot see any, you know, any non Muharram people should not be this is a red line. No culture can change that. Okay. Now, when it comes to interacting, when it comes to speaking, when it comes to public spaces, did the *ty I sent down logistical maps about how the source should be structured? That the *tier has come down with massage than how they should have their structures here. No,

01:25:39--> 01:26:24

no. And so, if in India and Pakistan and Bangladesh and Egypt and whatnot, this audience would not happen in the masjid. I'm not criticizing them. I'm not saying they're backward. I'm not saying they're forward as their culture. If a mother feels it is more important to prioritize her career than her children, then I will say that she has lost the Islamic plot. I'm being blunt here. If a mother feels that her career is more important than her children's, that'd be I didn't say she can't work. Don't misquote me. I said, prioritizing. Please Don't misquote me sisters. I know what I'm saying. The priority is children. If you can manage both, that's something else but the priority is

01:26:24--> 01:26:55

children. So there are certain things where we're crossing the red lines. There are other times where culture would allow it. If a motorable hardtop can tell the Profit System that hey, men and women can fight in a different way in Macau versus Medina, did he not say this? Right? This isn't for everybody. Well, then guess what? Men and women are going to have very different gender roles in Canada than in Makkah and Medina. And just because my grandmother grandfather had a different system than I do,

01:26:56--> 01:27:38

doesn't mean they were backward and forward, doesn't mean they were correct, and I'm wrong. It's all permissible, as long as the Shetty is not contravened. So I hope that answers that question that as long as men and women interact in a dignified manner, as long as there's no explicit suggestiveness or flirtation, as long as both are dressed appropriately, there is a leeway now, am I saying this should happen or not? No. It depends on specific circumstances. And I will say one thing, brothers, listen, I'm visiting your community. I don't know the internal issue. So don't read it. I'm just going to say one thing too, if you will deny our sisters their legitimate rights. Don't be surprised

01:27:38--> 01:27:57

when they demand illegitimate rights as well. If you will make the halal haram Don't be surprised that they're going to demand Haram as well then what do I mean by this? And again, I don't know the politics of your community. So board members, please, I'm not talking about any of you sitting behind the wall there. I don't know anything about your board politics.

01:27:58--> 01:28:03

If you don't allow sisters to have a healthy, normal role in the masjid.

01:28:05--> 01:28:16

Don't be surprised that they're going to start demanding an Islamic things as what happened in America in Los Angeles, the women's that were going to build their own Masjid women only Masjid women, imams, women hot leaves.

01:28:18--> 01:28:33

I don't believe this is allowed. Women don't give hot buzz. This is not something we agree to. Women do not give hot buzz did not lead mixed congregation sada. So we have to go with the flow as much as the Sharia allows.

01:28:35--> 01:28:38

Being honest with you, if we be too hard line

01:28:39--> 01:28:55

is going to result in a backlash and is going to result in our own daughters not understanding because we didn't understand what the Shediac allowed, if we become too strict, there is going to be a counter reaction of being too liberal.

01:28:56--> 01:29:26

Correct. And if we are also too lacks that will also result in a backlash. So talk to your scholars, talk to your board, talk to your community and have these difficult conversations, what is good and what is not good? Each community should decide and as long as the *ty as overall overarching philosophy is met insha Allah Allah that is permissible. Okay, next question we have here is that we are the next government here in this country

01:29:27--> 01:29:54

will be a non friendly government. Many Muslims believe we should not engage with that party, or politics or what should we do? So listen, everybody has a role to play. My role as the cleric as the any minor scholar, whatever in this regard, it is not to analyze which party you should vote for. That's not my role. And you should not go to shul to do political analysis, generally speaking.

01:29:56--> 01:29:59

My role is to be generic and to

01:30:00--> 01:30:30

generically tell you all Muslims of Canada, you must be involved in the Canadian system. That is my role. All Muslims of Canada, any share that tells you voting is haram. Any chef that tells you political activism is haram. I'll be gentle, just bypass that chicken move on. In this issue, at least overlook him, jump over him and move on. with utmost love and respect, these opinions are disconnected from reality.

01:30:32--> 01:31:17

Whether you like it or not, you are involved with the system, your tax dollars are involved with the system, your politicians are voted as a result of your own districts. You not voting is itself a stand whether you like it or not. So it is not my job to tell you who to vote for. Because that's not my forte, it is my job to tell you these conversations need to take place at a public level. If I were you, maybe the masjid cannot do this, but in a pulpit in a town hall or in higher a big hall there, call Muslims involved in this party, call Muslims involved in that party and have a civil dialogue for the Muslim community in public. Let us hear views about both parties. Let Muslims make

01:31:17--> 01:31:39

their case to other Muslims. And let us have an adult conversation, a mature conversation. Because in the end of the day, I'm not going to I don't know your full parties that will let me speak about our party's Republican and Democrats. Both are bad parties for us. Both are negative for us.

01:31:40--> 01:32:08

I can honestly see an argument that people are saying that, you know, we should vote for the Republicans because at least they haven't done what they're doing and genocide. And I can see the argument that let's not vote Republican, because they're going to try to kick us out this vote vote for the third party called the Green Party in America. Right? I can see a legitimate argument. But at this stage, I cannot see a legitimate argument for voting for the party that is calling for genocide.

01:32:10--> 01:32:20

Me personally, I draw the line there. And I don't think we should be voting for anybody that has just increased aid to that apartheid regime for $15 billion. No.

01:32:21--> 01:33:04

Our president unilaterally bombed the poorest of the poor countries Yemen, unilaterally, he went over Congress, I'm sorry, how can we support this person. So between the other two parties, we have a Green Party in America, and we have the I can see a legitimate argument. I'm not the one to decide here. Well, let's have a public debate about this. But one thing you cannot do is to be inactive Wallahi. It is volum all Muslims of Canada 10% of this country city is Muslim 12% 15% of Mississauga is Muslim. If all of us collectively came together, you would have an impact at the state level at the district level at the country level. And it will trickle down. So we have to be involved. The

01:33:04--> 01:33:19

Muslims of France I visited them few years ago will lie my blood was boiling. 25% of Paris is Muslim. And politicians get voted into office by outrageous Islamophobic comments.

01:33:21--> 01:33:38

The more outrageous the more you stab down the Muslims, the faster you'll get in voted. And I said to my guide, my friend, that was your mentor friend, I was like, How can a politician get away with this? And he said, because the default position is that Muslims think voting is haram.

01:33:40--> 01:33:52

And so by bashing the Muslims, he knows the far right will love him. He knows the Muslims are impotent, voiceless, nothing good, nothing, and so has go ahead and bash them Muslims, they're not going to do anything unless rise up.

01:33:53--> 01:34:30

So you don't think and I'm not trying to be too sinister. You don't think that some of these people that are preaching the Muslims or France to not vote, that they have perks that they have with people that are telling them to have these views? I'm sorry to be sinister, but you don't think that that is the case? You really think that Coincidentally, the largest concentration of Muslims in the western world is in Paris. And coincidentally, the default opinion that has been brewing indoor ranks for three decades for decades is that voting is cool for you don't think that there's a reason for this.

01:34:31--> 01:34:57

And those that try to they were taken down, call us and we know what happens. So anyway, let's not get too much controversy here but it is what it is. Well let open your eyes open your eyes to this reality. May Allah protect me and all of us in this regard. It is a dangerous world we live in dangerous world we live in, we cannot go down that route. We cannot we have a moral and ethical responsibility to be involved. However you're involved. That having been said, bird's eye view that I have

01:34:58--> 01:34:59

actually

01:35:00--> 01:35:44

Even if generally we endorse one party versus the other, still, at the 3d level, it is healthy, to have some Muslims in all parties. Because we need to have some connection with whoever's in the office. Even if I wouldn't want my brother or my friend to be in that party. Do you see my point here? The irony of ironies, it's a dirty job. And if somebody's doing it, it's better than nobody doing it. So even if we say, one particular party is very evil, and we say as a default, nobody should go there. We still know people are going to be in that party. Correct. So to have some people that we have some connection with is better than to have nobody there in this regard. Well, oh, no,

01:35:44--> 01:35:56

I don't. Again, that's all I want to say in this in this case, and let's move on to some other questions. Inshallah, tada, what did I say guys? 10 o'clock, right. So we have Inshallah, just another seven minutes inshallah and then move on.

01:35:58--> 01:35:58

So

01:36:01--> 01:36:16

it what is the question of interest, sectarian marriage, if the girl and boy are from different strands of Islam? So this goes back to this goes back to multiple factors. By strands, they mean literally, like Sunni, Shia or some not like within Satanism?

01:36:17--> 01:36:18

Listen,

01:36:19--> 01:36:58

technically, the Nikka is valid between all strands of Islam. So Sunni and Shia, Twelver Shia if they marry, this is a valid Nikka to valid Nikka. The question is, though, is it wise or not? And my answer to this is, the more religious the people are, the less wise it is. Because when they're both religious, at some time, they're going to have to decide which Masjid they're going to take the kids to. It might be possible for a husband wife to eke out while they don't have kids. But what are you going to happen when kids come into picture? So generally speaking, to have a marriage where

01:36:59--> 01:37:43

religious understandings are radically different, not just religious, even finances, even, you know, gender roles, it's not just about religion, marriage is based upon compatibility. And anywhere the husband and wife are severely incompatible about a major issue is gonna destroy the sanity of the marriage, and that includes religion. So it's one thing to say is such a marriage valid or not? And I'll say yes, it is valid. When will it not be valid, it will not be valid if the group is outside the fold of Islam, which group is outside the fold of Islam? Any group that does not follow the Kalima law illa Allah Muhammad Rasulullah so there is no riba to Allah or there is no belief in the

01:37:43--> 01:38:26

finality of Muhammad Rasul Allah Okay, so if if a federal court of Islam does not have worshipping Allah there is a strand of Islam that they don't have any Shetty out there's no sada there's no cm. There's no a bada. They're not really Muslim. There's no lie Lulu. There is another strand. They believe in a prophet after the prophets of Salaam. They're outside because they have rejected the Kadima. So Dinakar is not valid, by the way, even with those two strands that I don't consider to be Muslim. What's the point to fomenting hatred in the masjid? What's the point of constantly bashing them? Yeah, academically I say any group that doesn't pray five times a day, as a religion, any

01:38:26--> 01:38:58

group that doesn't foster Ramadan? There are people don't read the Quran. And some of you don't know, but there are there is a Muslim group like this or any group that is like that. They're not really Muslim, if you're not going to pray, we're Muslim or you're similarly the any group that has a Profit System after the Prophet Mohammed system, we don't accept them. So Nikka between them would not be valid, other groups that Nikka is valid, but is it wise? I say no, it is not wise. So I would not recommend this in this regard. We'll load data on Question over here, that

01:39:02--> 01:39:15

some people are wondering that should we debate these other groups in public, and they mentioned some movements or not? So in my humble opinion, the emphasis should not be on sectarian debates.

01:39:16--> 01:39:19

Debates are like salt is to food.

01:39:20--> 01:39:22

Just a little bit is good enough.

01:39:23--> 01:40:00

And I myself tried to live up to that reality. I don't debate other movements or groups. And once in a while, I need to clarify another movement. I gave a whole talk last year about the group that believes in a prophet after the problem was I said, this is a red line, we cannot cross it and give a whole talk. But I have 3000 lectures online. One of them I give to that group one. I gave another hook by respect to the sahaba. And I generically said any group that disrespects the Sahaba they have made a major mistake, and it hurts us and we don't like this but I was polite, but I still I was very clear what is going on. Out of all of my lectures. This is

01:40:00--> 01:40:34

So a few of them I mentioned, and I keep on bringing respect of the sahaba. But there is a way to do it without fomenting hatred. There is a way to do it with wisdom. I hope I'm trying to follow that. So I personally would not encourage debates, online debates is a waste of time. It's like Netflix dramas, right? It's no point to it, do something more productive. Find somebody who doesn't believe in any version of Islam, and bring them to Islam. And as for those who have another understanding, and

01:40:35--> 01:41:21

realize one thing, when you debate with another person, about understanding of Islam, the fact of the matter is, you can have a debate. And after the debate, if you were to survey who won, chances are, your group is going to say you won. And his group is going to say, he won. This is well known, by the way. And the reason for this is something called confirmation bias. Go look it up. It's a another technological, psychological term confirmation bias. I have a more academic talk in my library chats called the reality of debates, listen to it. Debates serves more as a function to prove to your group that it is right, rather than a function to convince the other group that it is

01:41:21--> 01:41:32

wrong. Debates is a psychological tool that is used to prove to your group. In other words, your audience already wants you to win. Your audience thinks you have one.

01:41:34--> 01:41:51

And that's why let's be realistic, Sunni, Shia, we have been debating for 12 centuries, never once has there been a mass conversion of either to the other? Correct. Never once has there been a mass conversion because of a debate? What is the show you?

01:41:52--> 01:41:54

Each side thinks my proofs are solid.

01:41:55--> 01:42:19

And each side is certain my proofs are better than the other. And yet it doesn't seem to have the impact on the other side. So I would say that minimize one's debates and concentrate more on calling to Allah subhanho wa taala. For those that are not following any strand of Islam in sha Allah, let us finish up over here. Do we have to follow a sect? What if I just want to follow the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet SAW Selim? So

01:42:21--> 01:43:05

you don't have to follow a sect. But the devil is in the details. It's like saying, Do I have to, you know, follow a doctor when I take medicine? I mean, if you don't follow a doctor, what else are you going to do? And even when you follow a doctor, there's various methods of medicine, by the way, right? You have allopathy of homeopathy, you have Eastern medicine, you have Western medicine, you have science based medicine, you have to follow a whole protocol school. You can't start from scratch. So in the theoretical level, one can say it is not wajib to follow a sect agreed. But the practicality What are you going to do? You can't reinvent the wheel. You can't start from scratch

01:43:05--> 01:43:49

when people have already built skyscrapers. You can't start with a mud hut. It's already there. And therefore, it just makes sense that you just go with the flow. Now, if you ask me. The flow is generic Sunni Islam, Quran and Sunnah by Sunni Islam. What do I mean respect for the sahaba? That's what I mean. That's all because interestingly enough guys for the academic stuff. Sunnis themselves disagree about Iman in Allah and the SIFAT controversy. Sunnis themselves disagree about other Sunnis themselves disagree about FIQ Sunnis themselves, there are so many things, what combines all of Satanism, believe it or not, it's not the Quran and Sunnah as much as it is the Sahaba

01:43:49--> 01:44:10

interesting, isn't it? Right? Because Sunnis disagree about how to interpret the Quran, meaning filkin and to theology. Sunnis disagree about how to interpret Hadith, but they don't disagree the Sahaba should be respected. So me personally, I like this mainstream attitude ecumenical attitude, that within that, if you choose any chef who's not a fanatic,

01:44:12--> 01:44:24

here's the point. Let's conclude with this one in every strand of Islam, Salafi Sufis, deobandis, brave all of them list all of them in every strand of Islam, you will find the moderates and you will find the hardliners.

01:44:25--> 01:45:00

In every strand, you will find those that understand for the betterment of the OMA we need to come together at times in places and we will teach advanced oftentimes in places this is moderate. And then you have the hardliners. The hardliners. We can never unite with anybody else. My advice to you choose the strand that you like for whatever reason and find the moderates of that strand. That's my advice to you. Choose the strand you feel comfortable whatever that strand is, as long as it is generic worshipping Allah following the sun

01:45:00--> 01:45:40

Under the Messenger of Allah, then you follow the Kadima. After that, within that strand I guarantee you, you will find open minded intellectual aroma, who understand the world we live in and who want to bring the OMA together upon good. Choose those remember from within that strand. And as for the hardliners, just marginalize them because there's they might be in their own worlds sincere, but hardline fanaticism is only going to burn you out and cause problems in the long run. Let us conclude our lectures by raising our hands to Allah subhanho wa Taala and making dua to Allah Yah ha yada yada yada generally will it Colombia's me I do Ah, you're our hammer rahimian. Allahumma Elif

01:45:40--> 01:46:12

Bina Kuru Bina Allahumma Elif Bina Colombina Allahumma Elif Bina Colombina Allahumma I did not have a haka we're looking at the ABA What I didn't know about it about it and we're looking at it now but if they know sir autonomous cell team Yeah, he aka you know, Serato Masdar team Serato Medina and AMTA Allah him late in Moldova, it him with a ball lean, mean, will ask for that award and hamdu Lillahi Rabbil Alameen wa salam O Allah who is sending them about a caribou? Hamedan where are they are they will so he was married with Zakum Allah Hi, Ron was Salam alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

01:46:16--> 01:46:17

Lee

01:46:18--> 01:46:20

Angeline either

01:46:21--> 01:46:22

call

01:46:23--> 01:46:30

me Ms. Dahiya. Doll Seanie one doesn't show

01:46:32--> 01:46:34

me what to feed

01:46:36--> 01:46:38

Sunday. What

01:46:40--> 01:46:41

feels good

01:46:42--> 01:46:43

to me.

01:46:44--> 01:46:48

Jenny danza down.

01:46:51--> 01:46:52

Down