Unfortunately this is not the case with the people such as myself, husband, and friends who have tried to befriend and make contact with the brother.
Really a da'ee has no excuse when other salafis live in the area and one is not concerned with them in any way. And this is something that greatly bothers me about Abu Iyaad.
As a da'ee he is responsible for the city where he lives. And it is incumbant upon him to take charge. If you sit at one of his circles he will not stay to ask you how you are! And if he does on one of the rare occasion he will not keep in touch nor enquire about your condition. Nor will he sit with the muslims who attend his circles or invite them. And even he has refused to homeschool his children with my children (where I am better qualified to help). And as a result I have been forced to send them to a non muslim school. Although we are upon the same understanding, aqueedah, and manhaj. Nor does he offer naseeha or help when he hears of something beneficial that could make life easier for the muslims (like investments).
For a man who has written articles on brotherhood and establishing Islam in ones own community. Travels around the world delivering lectures. May Allah reward him. These are serious accusations against him!
And as a result of his very insular and unwelcoming nature he has pushed many willing and able people from knowledge. And his circles have dwindled down to very few people who attend them. And, in fact, it was because of him, his wife, and other neighborly salafis and muslims that I almost left Islam!
Furthermore, they do not welcome people to give lectures who are better able to deliver them. Personally I feel that if he cannot step up to the plate then he should pass the knowledge on to someone else who is more able than himself to establish Islamic brotherhood in the community. At the very least, establish brotherhood among the sp salafis!
Now if one were to be around the scholars of Islam they will find them welcoming, kind and giving. People who take the time out to enquire about the people, his neighbors, and help each other upon good. Without which this religion would fail miserably! And it is one of the things that set a da'ee and a scholar apart!
However, I forgive the brother and pray for him. May Allah make it easy for him and other da'ees and the scholars. Sometimes when we come to know of da'ee's personally they dissappoint us because our expectations of them are too high. And we are not prepared to face the fact that they may have faults. Often this pushes us away from the true Islam, as it did me at one point, but then we have to realize that it isn't the dawah which is wrong... only the people who deliver it!
For years my husband was also pushed away by the same people. But since knowledge has come to me I have tried to share it with him. By making him realize that no body is perfect and we all lack in some areas. That doesn't neccessarily mean that what those people preach is wrong. Or that we fall victim and led astray from the truth perhaps thinking that their dawah is wrong like some of their actions. As we should overlook the faults and find good as much as Islam allows. InshAllah ameen (and warn others about it due to their prominence in the community and hope of rectification since they are unwilling to accept naseeha in this matter)
And I have found this to be the true meaning of being a stranger. Even when we are practicing the true Islam. We will find people of the same methodology who will be distant from us and unhelpful through our and their errors. Leaving us often to fend for ourselves against our persecutors.
This religion has come a clear guidance. And May Allah increase us all upon knowledge. InshAllah ameen. And keep us with the righteous. And guide us to righteous companions that will help support and nurture us in the deen. InshAllah alahumma ameen.
Abu American,,
May Allah reward you for your compassion.
Unfortunately this is not the case with the people such as myself, husband, and friends who have tried to befriend and make contact with the brother.
Really a da'ee has no excuse when other salafis live in the area and one is not concerned with them in any way. And this is something that greatly bothers me about Abu Iyaad.
As a da'ee he is responsible for the city where he lives. And it is incumbant upon him to take charge. If you sit at one of his circles he will not stay to ask you how you are! And if he does on one of the rare occasion he will not keep in touch nor enquire about your condition. Nor will he sit with the muslims who attend his circles or invite them. And even he has refused to homeschool his children with my children (where I am better qualified to help). And as a result I have been forced to send them to a non muslim school. Although we are upon the same understanding, aqueedah, and manhaj. Nor does he offer naseeha or help when he hears of something beneficial that could make life easier for the muslims (like investments).
For a man who has written articles on brotherhood and establishing Islam in ones own community. Travels around the world delivering lectures. May Allah reward him. These are serious accusations against him!
And as a result of his very insular and unwelcoming nature he has pushed many willing and able people from knowledge. And his circles have dwindled down to very few people who attend them. And, in fact, it was because of him, his wife, and other neighborly salafis and muslims that I almost left Islam!
Furthermore, they do not welcome people to give lectures who are better able to deliver them. Personally I feel that if he cannot step up to the plate then he should pass the knowledge on to someone else who is more able than himself to establish Islamic brotherhood in the community. At the very least, establish brotherhood among the sp salafis!
Now if one were to be around the scholars of Islam they will find them welcoming, kind and giving. People who take the time out to enquire about the people, his neighbors, and help each other upon good. Without which this religion would fail miserably! And it is one of the things that set a da'ee and a scholar apart!
However, I forgive the brother and pray for him. May Allah make it easy for him and other da'ees and the scholars. Sometimes when we come to know of da'ee's personally they dissappoint us because our expectations of them are too high. And we are not prepared to face the fact that they may have faults. Often this pushes us away from the true Islam, as it did me at one point, but then we have to realize that it isn't the dawah which is wrong... only the people who deliver it!
For years my husband was also pushed away by the same people. But since knowledge has come to me I have tried to share it with him. By making him realize that no body is perfect and we all lack in some areas. That doesn't neccessarily mean that what those people preach is wrong. Or that we fall victim and led astray from the truth perhaps thinking that their dawah is wrong like some of their actions. As we should overlook the faults and find good as much as Islam allows. InshAllah ameen (and warn others about it due to their prominence in the community and hope of rectification since they are unwilling to accept naseeha in this matter)
And I have found this to be the true meaning of being a stranger. Even when we are practicing the true Islam. We will find people of the same methodology who will be distant from us and unhelpful through our and their errors. Leaving us often to fend for ourselves against our persecutors.
This religion has come a clear guidance. And May Allah increase us all upon knowledge. InshAllah ameen. And keep us with the righteous. And guide us to righteous companions that will help support and nurture us in the deen. InshAllah alahumma ameen.
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi