Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Moon sighting Issue - To sight or to calculate?

So we are close to that season when the bickering happens when it comes to deciding when to start the 1st day of Fasting in Ramadan and when to end Ramadan. It is always interesting to see that the same arguments happen EACH AND EVERY YEAR during Ramadan (and Eid ul Adha). We need to get past this issue but at the same time, scholars should not avoid answering questions about this issue. The Ummah is really divided because of these small issues because the scholars fail to address these issues. But I'm not going to lay all the blame on the scholars, everyday Muslims also need to pick a side, let others pick the side they want, and move on with their Ibadah, supplication and fasting.

So we all know that this issue for sighing the moon or calculating comes mainly during the Ramadan/Eid ul Fitr time and then again during the Eid ul Adha time. For some, it starts during the month of Shabaan (right before Ramadan). But my question to those who are hardcore moon sighters, do you sight the moon for every month of the Islamic calender or just for selected months? If you sight the moon only for certain months, then its best to keep you mouths shut and go with the opinion you have chosen to follow and not hinder those who choose to follow the calculation method...which they follow throughout the year. And for those who follow the calculation method, its best to keep you mouths shut and let the moon sighters do their sighting because it's actually the recorded sunnah. Don't go about making excuses why its the better one to follow because people can set dates ahead of time and let their employers know ahead of time and on and on. It does make life a bit easier in the west, to deal with your employers and non Muslim colleagues, friends, and acquaintances.

I have been on the side of both Alhumdulillah. My Islamic Center that I follow tends to do everything the calculation method. They even came out with a small book the explains why the calculating method works over the moon sighting view (but its mainly directed towards the west i think...sorry, its been a while since I read it). It seems to work for our community since its so big and people use it for their benefit. I think there is a benefit to using technology and that Muslims need to be on top of technological advancements that are going to benefit Islam, Muslims, and the general Insan/human being.

As for the moon sighting, I was was in a place where they followed moon sighting strictly. It was a small community so that worked for them. I went with a few friends to go and sight the moon with them and I'll tell you, that was an AMAZING experience. The sky wasn't clustered with all the lights and the nightly brightness of the sky like it is in the United States so it was an amazing view to look for the moon. There were a few of us and one brother spotted the moon just as it was about to be covered with a cloud. His sharp eyes (alhumdulillah) had us all excited and he pointed out the moon to the rest of us. (when I refer to the moon, I mean the small crescent that indicates the start of the new Muslim month). I'll tell you, we were all so excited that he was able to sight the moon and point it out to the rest of us that it's an experience to remember. There were about 7 to 10 of us who sighted the moon and I'm pretty sure it was an experience for all of them and they can probably remember it like it was yesterday. It was purely amazing Alhumdulillah.

The last thing I will talk about is addressed to the scholars. PLEASE address this issue. It IS an Issue weather you like it or not and will continue to be an issue for more years to come. Address this issue and explain to them the two views and which one you recommend them to follow or which one fits you and let them decide their view. You are responsible to address issues that are in people's minds, but at the end of the day, the individual person will follow the view they feel deemed fit for them after being informed. All you have to do is address the 2 views inshaAllah.

My Opinion/Last Words:
The main thing one can do is to follow the Masjid/Islamic Center they always follow for everything else during the year. There are conflicting issues and we as individuals have to make an informed decision on what we have to follow. Islam in not blind belief so you have to be informed on the issue and pick a side. Yes, you can change your view/side later on but please DO NOT call the other side wrong. If you want to say anything, just state your side and your belief and move on. Don't try to impose your view on others. The Prophet (S) did things many different ways and scholars who follow each method also have supporting evidence for their views. All we can do is make an informed decision and accept our decision. Just stop calling the other side wrong.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Questioning Organizations - Just got some legitimacy

So after my last blog post about questioning "Islamic" Organizations, someone who read it from an organization got a little antsy and said that I was coming after their organization and trying to tarnish it. (Im not going to say which one it is but you all can speculate on it). But this person wrote the email stating that I am trying to "tarnish" the name and reputation of the organization and that all I wrote were allegations without any basis. BUT, if that person picked up all the points for their organization, then it means its has some basis to it. If an organization is not guilty of the allegations listed, then there is no need for them to get back to me and say that "legal action will be taken" or any other threats just from one simple thought put out there. The only reason anyone would feel like that it is targeting them or their organization is if and only if they ARE guilty of those allegations. If they are not, then they should not worry. But if they feel that it is targeting their organization, instead of making threats, that person and their organization should try to fix the problems outlined. But unfortunately, as I have written in that post and in previous posts, I will write it again. People are too hungry for power and will stay in their positions no matter what. They will not change their organization for the better, they will not hold ANYONE in their organization accountable let alone them self, and they will not take advice when offered. As for accountability, one thing I have noticed, those who are doing something wrong or nothing at all are not held accountable, but those who try to do something right in their respective organization get hammered and questioned for their work.

Unfortunately it has all been predetermined in various hadiths of the Prophet (S) where he for told that Muslims will be large in number but very week. And that Muslims will not practice what is in Islam and everything that leads to the deterioration of Islam in the way it is practiced. In todays Khutba at the mosque that I attended, the Khateeb stated a simple story of Umar (R) where he said that he is scared that he is in Madina, and if in Damascus falls in a pothole, Umar (R) will feel accountable for it...something along those lines. Those were the Companions, the best of the generations of Muslims. They knew what accountability was. Unfortunately, we can all talk about accountability and what not, but the ignorant, arrogant, and unqualified will continue to lead without any question. And unfortunately, our "Islamic" organizations have no proper model that they follow in their actions nor do they have any thing written down in their bylaws or what not (even though the Quran and Sunnah should be enough laws to abide by).

Last note/advice: Seen in almost ALL non-Muslim run companies/organizations, if an allegation is made for any form of misconduct against a "leader", that "leader" is usually put on administrative leave until pending inquiry and someone else takes over. But in "Islamic" organizations, the people who do the misconduct stay in power and are HELD in power by those higher then them and told to keep things hush hush but Haqh (truth) will always prevails iA and people will get what they deserve. Our organizations can really learn a thing or 2 from non Muslim held Companies and organizations (unfortunately). 

Friday, June 1, 2012

Where are the Muslims?

Amazing and thoughtful video. Reflect and ACT, just don't watch, feel bad, and move on. Lets start something inshaAllah.