“Mom!” My kids were bursting at the seams, impatient to tell me the news when I picked them up yesterday. “School’s closed tomorrow because people might be coming with guns! The teachers said they only want to scare us, but it’s because they don’t like Islam or something!” Their faces incredulous, eyes bulging. I had to stop the flurry of curious questions and worries flying through the car, with the assurance that I would explain everything.
I felt a tinge of sadness at the idea that my children have to experience this – their fellow Americans coming to our beloved sanctuaries, in order to display a livid, venomous kind of hatred for us. I knew at the same time, that opportunities for much good often lie in ominous looking situations.
The concept of people opposing, hating and actively working to destroy Islam, is not new, nor is it shocking. Throughout the Quran we are told of people who opposed Islam, from the people of Noah, to the People of Abraham and Lot, the people of Pharaoh in the time of Moses, and also Jesus was hated such that his people wanted to Murder him and torture him in the most humiliating method of the times. At the time of Muhammad, he and his followers were persecuted in nearly every way possible for many years.
What really doesn’t sit right with me now though, is that these people, this so called “Global Rally for Humanity” doesn’t even seem to know what they are protesting against. Their shirts say F*#@K Islam, yet when they speak, they don’t even seem to know what Islam is…
Their contradictions are too plentiful to list but to highlight the most apparent:
- The rallies are said to be a response to a march by Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam which is not related to mainstream Islam and defies too many of the texts of Islam to be taken seriously as an Islamic movement (why associate the rest of the American Muslims with Farrakhan, when most don’t even consider the nation of Islam to be within the parameters of Islam?)
- The fact that they claim patriotism and the exercising of “constitutional rights” while freedom of religion is part and parcel of our constitutional rights.
- The name of their group, claims they are rallying for “humanity” while more than 1.5 billion humans are Muslim and that number is only growing. How can rallying for humanity involve hating nearly a quarter of that humanity?
- They cite acts of violence as reasons to oppose Islam and Muslims, yet openly advocate that their supporters bring their weapons as a display of hostility and hopeful provocation. ‘We oppose violence by appearing violent..’ Someone didn’t think that one over too well.
These contradictions are apparent enough to anyone with a will to see objectively. Their ignorance so plentiful, that even my little children feel pity for them. So how are we to deal with these people and the potential harm they present?
My husband wrote an excellent piece directing all Muslims to refer to Islam, as we should in all matters, to learn how to react internally and externally to these rallies of hate. Please check out his advice to the Muslims for some insight on what the shariah says, here: http://www.shakielhumayun.com/rallies-of-hate-at-your-mosque/
So, knowing that we are facing no more than ignorance and bigotry, more than sorrow for myself, or my children, or the rest of the American Muslims, I feel pity for all the hateful people, who hate before knowing. And yet, I feel hopeful for them, because these rallies may bring the protesters closer than they ever have been to actual Muslims, and some of their hearts may be softened at being faced with the humanity and kindness of living, breathing Muslims.
One of Islam’s greatest historical leaders and highly regarded companions of the prophet Muhammad, Umar ibn al-Khattab was similarly intent to rid his land of the “Muslim problem”, yet upon actually interacting intimately with Muslims (his sister had become one) and hearing the Quran, he himself became one of the most devout followers of Muhammad. So, as Muslims we know that potential lies within every human being for change and goodness. As humans we cannot judge what is within anyone’s heart. We can only hope and pray to God to open their eyes and ears and hearts, even if via events and actions that are apparently malicious.
There are indeed many problems and confusions in our world, but hate is never the right answer. It’s no solution. These incidents show us the importance of education, both for ourselves and our neighbors.
As American Muslims I know we must do more to express the reality of what Islam is to those around us. This can be an awakening that strengthens and solidifies our faith and commitment to our communities, and also an awakening for the millions of Americans who truly do not know what Islam is, to find out from the people who study, practice and teach it.
The Muslim Next Door 
Thank you for posting this. So accurate! Even children should feel pity for theses people’s level of ignorance. SubhanAllah. May Allah guide them.
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Ameen.
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We do know what Islam is. We have read the Koran. And we don’t like it.
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Welcome, and thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and read.
To reiterate what you claim to already know, Islam is submitting one’s will to the Almighty. You are not obliged to like it, your Creator gave you free choice.
The Quran says “to you be your religion, and to me my religion.” It also says “whoever wills, let him believe, and whoever wills, let him disbelieve.” You are responsible for your choices in life. But to “protest” the existence of Muslims in this country, which is my home, where I, my parents and grandparents were all born, is absolutely ridiculous and so unpatriotic. It reeks of bigotry.
And if you have read the Quran, you are not the norm, because I have spoken to supporters of this rally and they tell me all kinds of incorrect things they think, (because they have been told), are Islam or from Islam while they are not. Clearly they haven’t read or studied for themselves but are regurgitating what other bogota have told them.
If I read the Bhagavad Gita and didn’t like it, I have no need to protest the existence of Hindus in my country – even though the worship of multiple gods is fundamentally against what I believe. This is a country built on the promise of freedom of religion. If you don’t like it, perhaps you should move to a more stringently exclusive place where you can be amongst others only like yourself.
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Hi Danielle,
Thanks for allowing my comment, and your openness to true dialogue.
There are two parts to Islam, and indeed most religions: The religious and the political. Submitting one’s will to God is indeed a religious, pious and laudable act. Forcing others (both Moslems and non-Moslems) to submit to Mo’s rules is however, considering the severity and totalitarian nature of those rules, barbaric. The counterjihad movement is so named because of opposition to political Islam – sharia, and jihad – fighting for the sake of imposing sharia. We could not care less how many gods you worship, nor how you do it (in Arabia at least): we are concerned about jihad and sharia.
You refer to Koran 109:1-6: “Say: O ye that reject Faith! I worship not that which ye worship, Nor will ye worship that which I worship. And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship, Nor will ye worship that which I worship. To you be your Way, and to me mine.”
This all looks very fine and tolerant. However, the Koran is inherently confusing for at least two reasons. 1. It is presented out-of-order, from longest to shortest chapter, rather than chronologically. 2. Chronologically later verses (particularly more violent Medinan ones) abrogate earlier (predominantly more peaceful Meccan) ones:
Koran 2:106: “Whatever communications We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring one better than it or like it. Do you not know that Allah has power over all things?”
There are hundreds of verses in the Koran and other Islamic scriptures which abrogate (take precedence over) this instruction of tolerance. Unless you are extremely ignorant of your own faith, you must surely be aware of this:
“I have been commanded to fight against people till they testify that there is no god but Allah, that Mohammed is the messenger of Allah, and they establish prayer and pay zakat.” — Mohammed (Sahih Moslem 1.33)
“Jihad (holy fighting in Allah’s Cause) is ordained for you (Moslems) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.” — Mohammed (K 2.216)
“Fight against those who (1) believe not in Allah, (2) nor in the Last Day, (3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger (4) and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islam) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.” — Mohammed (K 9.29)
If these were merely words in old books, again, we could not care less. The problem is that Moslems feel compelled to take these words as the perfect and unchangeable word of God, for all time. The resultant statistics on Moslem behaviour are appalling! There have been almost 27,000 Islamic jihad terrorist attacks since 2001. We are facing Moslem rape epidemics throughout the West, particularly in places like Sweden and England. Wherever there are Moslems, there is trouble and fighting, whether intra-Moslem, or against non-Moslems.
For your information, the Bhagavad Gita is monotheistic and speaks of only one Supreme personality of Godhead – Sri Krishna. The Vedic ‘gods’ such as Sarasvati (goddess of learning) are actually demigods, akin to Christian angels.
I wholeheartedly agree with your final point, that people who find Islam primitive and barbaric should be allowed to live free of its malign influence. However, since Islam divides the world into Dar al Islam and Dar al Harb (house of war), and is currently attempting to invade all non-Islamic countries through offensive hijra, this is rather difficult. My position is that those who wish to practice Islam should move to Arabia and leave civilised nations to their own beliefs, as you began your comment.
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Everyone is welcome here, so long as they are reasonable, civil and not willfully being deceptive. Your comments have both been presented with enough civility that I see no reason not to allow you to present your thoughts, stance and reasoning.
Naturally, I disagree with much of what you said, and I worry about whether or not I can provide an exhaustive response in this format.
First, you spoke about a “counter jihad movement” and mentioned people who want to impose Islamic sharia, basically as you said, political movements.
Something you must understand. Just as you have your interpretation and understanding of Islam, there are also many different interpretations amongst the Muslims. The prophet Muhammad informed us in his lifetime that these sects and differences would occur, and he mentioned that of 70+ sects, only one of them would actually be correct.
So I, and many others far more knowledgeable than myself, disagree wholeheartedly with your interpretation as well as these political movements because we believe they are in violation of the methodology laid out by the texts.
So basically if you were to only oppose these politically motivated groups and movements then I would have absolutely no problem with it.
The problem arises when you assume that your interpretation is not just correct, but the only interpretation. And then you either assume that all Muslims subscribe to your same interpreted ideology, or you decide to force that on us. Like you telling me what my religion is. No, I am not ignorant of my religion and thankfully my husband is quite well educated and wise regarding Islam so I always have him and his more formal knowledge as a resource as well.
You would do better if you focussed on opposing the people who interpret Islam in the way you described, and if, instead of targeting innocent Muslims and Islam and limping everything together into one big mess, come to us and ask us. Ask us, why do we not see Islam in the same way as those political movements and extremists. What’s the difference? I think you will learn that there is waaay more depth, complexity and incredible beauty to Islam than you imagined.
As for sharia, did you know what sharia means? It is an all encompassing term. In Islam, smiling is part of the sharia. Did you know that? (I’m planning to write a book on that. 🙂 )
There are lots of things you do that are part of the sharia of Islam , like calling your mom and checking on her for example. That’s part of the sharia.
So, there is a whole lot more to Islam and Muslims. I see no reason why I, a third generation American with grandparents and sisters and nieces and nephews and a beautiful home and a life here, should have to go somewhere else. I am a contributed to my communities. I have good relationships with my neighbors. I actually try to implement Islam in my everyday life by being kind, forgiving. I love this country, though it’s not perfect. It’s my home as much as it is yours. And thankfully, it is built upon freedom of religion. That means there’s no reason for me to feel unwelcome on my own home.
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You can’t disagree with what I’ve said without denying Islamic scripture, which makes you an apostate. Although Sharia may have some lovely bits about phoning your mum every week, it also mandates the death penalty for apostates. Fortunately for you, the US only has 2% Moslems. Try moving somewhere with 50%+ Moslems and denying Islamic scriptures and see what happens.
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I am bewildered by your insistence on educating me about my religion. The one I practice and study every day. I do not deny any scripture. The Quran is the verbatim words of our creator and Muhammad is His messenger. I affirm His revelations including those given to previous prophets such as Moses and Jesus and I honor all of God’s prophets and messengers equally. Islam is perfect without need of being revised as some people claim.
What you are doing is called takfir. (Claiming others have rejected God) It’s the same thing militant extremists do. Did you know the prophet Muhammad mentioned people who very similarly resemble today’s ISIS and the like? He described them, and it was the only text I have ever read where the prophet Muhammad said he would annihilate anyone, but he said that regarding these extremist Muslims, confirming that they would appear only after his death. He said they would read the Quran, but it wouldn’t go beyond their throats (they won’t understand it). I don’t know why you insist on speaking as of their interpretation is the only one. They are the ones who have departed from Islam. Not me.
Did you read what I wrote? Read it again and listen to the lecture.
Did you know that Muhammad and his followers were tortured and persecuted for over a decade in Mecca? They were driven from their homes, leaving almost everything behind to save their lives.
Upon migrating to madina, the hostile quraish tribe continued to threaten them, following them all the way to medina with weapons and also they tried to cut off trade to the new Muslim nation.
After the Muslims finally gained the upper hand, Muhammad marched into his home town, the place he was driven out of violently. Do you know what he said to the meccans, the polytheist people who had oppressed him and the Muslims, who had tried many times to kill him and stop his message? Did he kill them? No. He granted them safety and said what Joseph said to his brothers who had wronged him: “I speak to you in the same words of the prophet Yusuf: “No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful”(Quran 12:92)
He told them, “go. You are free”
That’s history. In our “scriptures” you claim I am denying.
Maybe it’s just all a bit too complex and deep for simple minded hateful people to understand. I hope you aren’t one of them.
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Here is a great lecture by my husband. He was addressing a large crowd, he is a teacher of Islam. He explains much of the verses and issues you mentioned. Don’t listen to David wood and the other jokers like him when they say all peaceful verse shave been abrogated. That’s pure nonsense. But I think you will find this talk enlightening. I recommend you share it with your friends as well. Feel free to return should you have any further comments or questions. Peace.
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Hello,
I just wanted to make a quick comment & let you know that even though Im sure this situation (protesting & hatred) is not ideal & it is a hard time for polite & open religious conversations to happen this protest made me want to learn. The media seems to mostly play a senerio that makes Muslims either the bad or the confused people of society. I knew there must be another side to the Islam religion because otherwise with all the hate & oppression muslims live with, Islam would have been abandoned by now. Anyway, somehow I ended up on your blog & I meant to read just this article but this post led to another & so on until I’m pretty sure I read all your posts! Lol. I am glad I did. I wish the media would show more of people like you so people like me(without knowledge) could see the other side of the Islam religion. Thank you! Stay positive!
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Hi Laura. How refreshing it is to read your message. First, it means so much to me when someone appreciates my work, and finding people like you who have the intelligence to realize there must be more to the story. Thank you for visiting, reading, and sharing your thoughts. I hope to hear from you again in the future. Take care, I wish for you all the best.
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I left a comment but for some reason I don’t think it posted.
Anyway, I stumbled across this article trying to gain knowledge on the side of Islam that I don’t know much about thanks to the media being soaked with negative stories. I am so glad I found your blog! I think I sat and read almost all your posts. I have no religious affiliation but I still found so much postive & peaceful light here. I felt the need to tell you. Stay positive! It’s being noticed! ☺
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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and for sharing your very heartwarming message. I was reluctant to read your message thinking your screen name meant you were not coming in a friendly way, and of course I was very pleasantly surprised at what you said. I really appreciate the encouragement. I wish you the best. Do come again!
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Ah thank you for pointing out my username. I have now changed it. I don’t want bad first impressions. Faceless Enemy was a poem in wrote about depression .
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Yeah, no worries. Just in this context, looked ominous! But that’s good. May peace be with you.
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And with you!
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Peace be with you my sister in Islam.
Just read your article “I never loved Jesus until I found Islam” published in The Message titled “Jesus, peace be upon him, in the Eyes of Muslims” I experienced goosebumps following your journey as God entered your heart. I yearn for it!
This lead me to want to know more and I checked your blog. Alhamdulillah Danielle you are blessed and a blessing.
Mashallah you and your husband are doing great service to the deen.
As I searched for you I noticed some hateful blogs/sites regarding mulim neighbors.
In today’s panic situation, how do we spread the word to those who have been misled by extremists with their own agendas, clearly understood by a critical thinking person?
Islam has spead by winning hearts not through atrocities. How can we win hearts, besides our prayers for His Guidance to our neighbors and open their minds to see our religion as it really is, enlightening?
May you and your dear family be blessed and safe always. Ameen
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