Trip 2: Masjid Al-Falah

            Throughout our experiences with Muslim Building Bridges and other outreach events, we have noticed a plethora of issues that exist in our Ummah.  One in particular is our interaction with our fellow Muslims.  This can be looked at from two different perspectives.  One perspective is that many of us develop negative stereotypes towards specific cultures.  Whether they are Muslim or not, we treat individuals according to these stereotypes rather than treating them as individuals.  This results in Muslims placing more emphasis on country of origin as opposed to character when choosing the people they associate with.  This foolish, and highly unislamic, type of mindset creates not only divisions, but also a false sense of superiority.  Making one individual believe that they are better than someone else simply because their ancestors come from a certain city or that their last name carries certain honor from back home perpetuates this disunity.  With this type arrogance, how do we expect to ever achieve the unity in our Ummah that we so desperately need?

The other perspective is that there seems to be a growing number of individuals behaving in a disrespectful manner towards one another.  The majority of individuals partaking in such a behavior do so mainly because of one thing - their lack of Islamic foundation.  Individuals like the ones mentioned above, unfortunately, do not practice Islam on a regular basis.  This, in turn develops a sense of guilt, which builds up and may cause the individual to develop a sense of low self-esteem.  As a result, when they come to the masjid, they must adopt a persona of a “Super Muslim”.  This acts as an attempt to show everyone else that they are a practicing and “religious” individual.  With this mindset, they are quick to call out the mistakes of others and do so in a relatively disrespectful manner.

 A Shaikh once told me that an individual with knowledge is like a tree that bears much fruit.  Due to the amount of fruit it carries the branches on the tree cannot bear the weight and as a result the branches bend and remain close to the ground.  He further stated that an individual without knowledge is like a tree but with no fruit.  It stands tall and branches out for everyone to see.  At the end of the day, we must ask ourselves what type would we like to be.  Hopefully we all choose the former and not the latter.

One of the main reasons we started Muslim Building Bridges was to help break down the barriers that have built up over time due to our cultural bias superseding our religious responsibilities amongst our varying socioeconomic communities.  We urge everyone to do this; it’s not to late.  Below are some of the experiences that we recently experienced last Friday while visiting Masjid Al-Falah and Masjid Al-Aqaba.

When we arrived as Masjid Al Falah, we were taken back by the fact that a masjid took into consideration the community around them.  After iftaar, the remaining food was distributed to the homes surrounding the masjid.  The best part about this was that not all of the households were of Muslim faith.  This type of dawah is exactly what we need more of today.  Just imagine the benefit that comes from it. Years from now, if these individuals were to be around those who were talking negatively about Muslims they would remember receiving food from the community members of Masjid Al Falah.  Maybe they would have enough courage to defend Muslims or, at the very least, tell themselves that these negative things being said about Muslims aren’t true;  That when they were in need of food, Muslims were there for them and thus, Islam cannot be a religion of hate, like so many people claim it to be.  This is a perfect illustration of the proverb, "Actions speak louder than words". 

Some, while reading this, may think the response from this type of dawah, or even the act of this dawah, is insignificant.  But I disagree completely.  If an individual doesn’t have the courage to defend Muslims publically, at the very least they will tell those who are close to them what communities like Masjid Al Falah did for them.  Slowly word would spread and eventually enough people would know about these kind actions.  InshaAllah Islam's reputation will be defended not only by Muslims but by people of other faiths.  Small actions like this add up and eventually give the community a foundation to build upon which is a major aid in the fight against Islamophobia. 

         
            We left Masjid Al Falah earlier than expected and had some time to spare.  Before going home, we decided we would visit our brothers at Masjid Al-Aqaba (the community from our first visit) and of course they welcomed us with open arms.  While there, we were witnesses to a sister giving Shahada.  Subhanallah!  The reason why I am sharing this story is because of what happened afterwards.  We were talking to the Imaam of Masjid Al-Aqaba, Imaam Mika'il, and he was trying to get a hold of the members of the MSA of the university that our new sister was going to attend.  This took me aback because so often after someone converts in our local communities, the moment we congratulate them we often leave it at that.  Very rarely is there a support system for that individual and, consequently, they are left alone on a journey that they cannot succeed at unless they have individuals there with them for guidance and advice.  Many of us enjoy the moment but think someone else will do the rest of the work and we disappear from the scene and ultimately our responsibility as a community falters.  This is something that cannot continue.  Like the community of Masjid Al-Aqaba, we must help establish a network of support for new Muslims because when those that converted have to face those who are in disagreement with their decision who else would they have to rely on?

       
            Muslims now more then ever are in need of each other.  Everywhere we turn, we are experiencing either persecution or violence.  Whether its Syria, Palestine, Burma, or even China, Muslims are facing challenges that we could not even fathom.  Now is not the time to argue over petty community issues like what expansion plan is best for the community or what day Ramadan should start on.  Now is the time to swallow whatever pride we may have and form a unified front so that we are able to handle whatever comes our way with precision and humility.  At Muslim Building Bridges, we are attempting to do that.  No, we are not claiming to solve all of the problems that are facing our Ummah, but we are taking the necessary steps towards solving that very issue.  Small actions cannot be overlooked and must be encouraged to continue.  Again, we urge everyone to do this.  The reward that one feels cannot be put into words, nor can the resolve be quantified.  We always must remember that a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Babar Qadri at bqadri@gmail.com or Mubeen Qureshi at mubeenq786@gmail.com.  Jazakallah Khair for your time and we kindly ask that you keep us as well as the communities that we visit in your duas.  Next stop, Masjid Wali Muhummad. 

Mubeen Qureshi and Babar Qadri

Masjid Web Sites
www.http://al-aqaba.org/
www.http://masjidalfalah.org/