Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
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you're not the only one who is guilty!
i suffer from the same problem.
alas the Quran guides us in the best way for how we should conduct ourselve. Free-Minds has a great article on etiquette in the Quran!
http//www.free-minds.org/articles/quranic/etiquette.htm
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I wonder if he has a response to the "islam based on al quran".
Peace
Yes, he would lecture for about an hour about peace, love and harmony and then come out with some rubbish about how the Quran is not fully detailed (but then deny it hippy fashion when confronted with the contradicting verses).
He gets disporportionate attention because he is white and has a western accent.
Roshan
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Just wondering what your thoughts are on Shaykh Hamza Yusuf?
Am interested to hear people's views.
He is very eloquent, but he is very dismissive of people endeavouring for reform in Islam.
I am very dismissive and hold in contempt those who wish to 'reform' Islam, if the person has an agenda to change it then they're very misguided. However if someone is genuinely searching for the truth and is trying to root out error then alhamdulillah may God guide their righteous efforts.
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it depends on what you mean by reform.
To me, reform means returning back to the Quran.
Not changing the Quran. After all, in 159 of the Quran it is only the Quran guaranteed preservation, also in 2530 the only complaint of Muhammed our prophet on the Day of Judgement, is the desertion of the Quran.
The problem I have when anyone, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf included when they are dismissive of reform is when they feel there is nothing wrong with the state of Islam.
When we sanction the cutting off of hands of thiefs and the stoning to death of adulterers when both have no basis in the Quran, then we have truly strayed off the straight path and need to reform our ways and come back to the Quran.
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peace all,
I have seen many reformers and non-reformers that can only negates others, without any ability to convey or uphold the word of GOD.
Let go of the mentality of mine or none.
Word of GOD appeals to heart! It is that simple!
If he is a human being then he should have flauws also! i will continue listening to his message!peace
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Peace,
some thoughts on this
Yet Every word utterd that can touch the heart of one human being and bring him from his FORGETFULLNESS to REMEMBERANCE is a DIVINE WORD!
Fighting on ISM,s is a wate of time!
humans are in this short life to come to awarness of their HIGHER SELF. The one within us who is a servant and always in prayer! A piece of flame is needed to ignite many hearts!
That DIVINE WORD can be said by a christian, jew, or whomever! or any human!
We go through life pleading all kind of wrongs, avoidance, ..... and in place of bowing down and asking for repentance become proud of OUR ideology??
There is a big difference between knowledge and knowing. Knowledge is a pile of verbal thinking. an accumulation of past. Knowing is the certainty of heart. and that knowing is not dileverd by knowledge or idealogy. That comes when you are shaken from within.
For those who are cut in the lie of BELIEVING they are constantly wresteling who to believe and who not to believe! NOBODY!
A believer is as caught in his ego as a non-believer. The process of ISLAM is the process of realization through surrender! You do not believe that you love your mother. You know it. It is realized.
Do not fight on fingers pointing to the moon, turn your head toward the moon and behold the beauty.
peace,
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Hello All
2 O you who believe! why do you say that which you do not do?
3 It is most hateful to Allah that you say that which you do not do.
(2)
(3)
Salam
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Thank you Ahmed for reminding,
I read these verses to myself everyday! It is a beautiful criteria to avoid selfhypocracy! Our lower self falls to that very often! and our soul becomes divided between that who says and that who does! It shatters the unity of the self. where the center of verbal thinking gets separated from our heart.peace
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Thank you Ahmed for reminding,
I read these verses to myself everyday! It is a beautiful criteria to avoid selfhypocracy! Our lower self falls to that very often! and our soul becomes divided between that who says and that who does! It shatters the unity of the self. where the center of verbal thinking gets separated from our heart.peace
I was actually reminding myself too
Salam
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Just wondering what your thoughts are on Shaykh Hamza Yusuf?
Am interested to hear people's views.
He is very eloquent, but he is very dismissive of people endeavouring for reform in Islam.
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As Salaamu Alaikum to all my Brothers and Sisters. I truly appreciate the fact that there exist a forum in which we can express our views and concerns, Alhamdulillah. That is extremely healthy, however, I am taken aback by the fact that we can be so intolerant and critical of people in the public light. Shaikh Hamza Yusuf is a Brother of ours who is trying to work to his best ability to educate Muslims about their Deen as it has been taught since the time of the Messenger of ALLAH (S), as well as confront a complex western society that has a prejudice against Islam. Its not an easy job! Especially when so many Muslims are angry and have serious hatred for the west, trying to bridge the gap between the two is indeed difficult, but very honorable, and we should be trying to assist efforts like this rather than condemn him or others who make such attempts. As for the concerns about Shaikh Hamze being dismissive, I don't agree with that at all! Rather I think he does use a precautionary approach in detering the angry Muslims (and I am one of them) from being overwhelmed by their anger against the west and encourages us to be a bit more fair of the total picture, even though the opposite don't do the same. If one truly studies the history of the Prophet Muhammad (S), one would see that Shaikh Hamza Yusuf does attempt to implement His (S) character in his (Shaikh Hamza's) teaching and approach to the people, and this is a good thing. We want to see our leaders following the pattern of the Messenger of ALLAH (S). I hope this makes since, and I am saying this from one who has serious issues with the west and it policies and ect, while knowing personally Shaikh Hamza and taking counsel with him.
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Peace, and welcome, Abu Zahra,
I am taken aback by the fact that we can be so intolerant and critical of people in the public light.
I don't think you need to be taken aback. Haroon asked for people's opinions on the person and that is what he received. Also, I don't think intolerant and critical are synonymous. Most were critical because that's what the thread called for, but I see no one being intolerant.
Shaikh Hamza Yusuf is a Brother of ours who is trying to work to his best ability to educate Muslims about their Deen as it has been taught since the time of the Messenger of ALLAH (S), as well as confront a complex western society that has a prejudice against Islam.
It's a noble goal, indeed. But some of this education he is providing is more of the same fatalism, superstition, and dogma that has plagued islam for centuries. I recall one lecture where he went on and on about laylutal qadr and it's hadith-based explanation that one night of prayer during ramadan wipes out a lifetime of sins. It's stuff like that which keeps people mentally and spiritually shackled.
But again, that's my personal critique, not my intolerance of him.
Peace,
Tay -
Peace, and welcome, Abu Zahra,
I don't think you need to be taken aback. Haroon asked for people's opinions on the person and that is what he received. Also, I don't think intolerant and critical are synonymous. Most were critical because that's what the thread called for, but I see no one being intolerant.
It's a noble goal, indeed. But some of this education he is providing is more of the same fatalism, superstition, and dogma that has plagued islam for centuries. I recall one lecture where he went on and on about laylutal qadr and it's hadith-based explanation that one night of prayer during ramadan wipes out a lifetime of sins. It's stuff like that which keeps people mentally and spiritually shackled.
But again, that's my personal critique, not my intolerance of him.
Peace,
TayAlthough I may differ regarding Laylutul Qadr since the Quran whatever that night is its better than a 1,000 months, however I do agree that Hamza Yusuf is part of the problem and not solution.
He presents Sunni Islam as a solution where I see it as a problem. He also relies like the wahhabis on islmist or young kids to propagte his doctrine. Rarely do they try to influence intellectuals and non Islamist Muslims probably because he knows he can't.
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As Salaamu Alaikum
Thank you for your responses Tay and Bigmo. As for what you stated Tay, about him being the problem with fatalism, superstition and dogma, then I have to completely disagree with you. As a matter of fact, you will often hear him trying to educate and motivate the Ummah out of this idea of fatalism and encourage them, encourage us to go out there and make a positive difference. About layla tul qadr, then I don't see that as a problem, actually, it is a source of hope and inspiration for those who have wavered and despaired of the Mercy and Forgiveness of ALLAH. One thing that has to be kept in mind is that all things should be kept in perspective. We must learn to differ between "Text" and "Context". Often someone will be misquoted or even quoted correctly but quoted out of the context in which the statement was made. This is a big problem in this global communicable world we abide in now. If we gave a bit more consideration to the context in which one addressed something or someone, then that might lead to a better understanding of why such a thing was said and make it much easier to accept it. As Muslims, we should be experts in this, especially as Americans who constantly have to defend the Qur'an and Sunnah from the baseless and shallow attacks of the enemies of Islam in the west. One example from the Qur'an is the verse where ALLAH states to "Kill them wherever you find them", (Surah Tauba/Bara (9)). The antagonist non-Muslims love to tote this verse around trying to prove that Islam and the Qur'an and the Muslims are violent, blood thirsty people who want to kill all non-Muslims. But we know as Muslims that this quote ("Text" of theirs, although it does state that in the Qur'an, is completely out of the "Context" in which it was revealed. Well this reality is also applicable with the statements of people. We have to attempt to have a good opinion of what was said and try to see it in the "Context" it was addressed. If this is done I think much can be solved and rectified in many instances, and ALLAH knows best! I hope this made sense to you Tay!
As for what you stated Bigmo, its really difficult to respond because it seems and sounds like your mind is already sided with not liking Shaikh Hamza, which is fine, Masha-ALLAH, but it would be fair to give credit for the work that he has done in this society for many people. How many ALLAH has guided to Islam through that Brother, and can you image the reward that awaits him for that. We should see it in this light as oppose to seeing it in the dark. And I am speaking from one who knows him personally. I am saying this about him from my own first hand experience and time spent with him. And yes you might say that, this is why I am defending him, well that is true in one sense, but the flip-side to this is that, I am able to talk about him because I know him, so what I say is from a sound premises, can that be said from the many who detract from him and his work? And Bigmo I would defend you also! I would and want to defend all of my Brothers and Sisters and work together to making a serious presence of Islam in this society and I hope you will join me in doing that. No, you don't have to like or side or take from Shaikh Hamza, but don't side against or take away from what he is doing. Masha-ALLAH, I hope I said something to benefit you Bigmo or anyone else for that matter.
Ma-Salaam
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Peace Abu Zahra,
Thank you for your responses
You're welcome, and thanks for your own.
To be clear, he is an enchanting speaker - definitely talented and passionate. I respect him for that. But I cannot support someone whom I disagree with, just for the sake of the word "muslim". And I understand completely about context and it's misuse. Like I said, the lecture I watched was primarily about laylutal qadr. This was no out of context mentioning. He was telling people that on this night during ramadan, if folks prayed all night, they would be absolved of all their sins. And he was passionate about it, and he touches your heart as he asks you to think that this one night the gates of heaven are open and the shaytan is subdued and the earth is bathed in light and we're born again like infants - that is, if you prayed that night. So, yes, he's articulate and eloquent and heart-warming.
But this is not quranic, and, in fact, goes against the very core message of the quran, as I understand it - and that is a progressive life of constant improvement. This concept of laylutal qadr, imo, is not so far away from the catholic concept of confession, or the born-again concept of accepting jesus, or the muslim concept of visiting a black building and partaking in rituals - all with the outcome of performing the right combination of button-pressing in order to gain God's approval and a clean slate.
So, whether or not you agree with me, I hope you can understand my choice not to support the perpetuation of these types of lecturers, no matter how inspiring they may be.
Peace,
Tay -
Peace Abu Zahra,
You're welcome, and thanks for your own.
To be clear, he is an enchanting speaker - definitely talented and passionate. I respect him for that. But I cannot support someone whom I disagree with, just for the sake of the word "muslim". And I understand completely about context and it's misuse. Like I said, the lecture I watched was primarily about laylutal qadr. This was no out of context mentioning. He was telling people that on this night during ramadan, if folks prayed all night, they would be absolved of all their sins. And he was passionate about it, and he touches your heart as he asks you to think that this one night the gates of heaven are open and the shaytan is subdued and the earth is bathed in light and we're born again like infants - that is, if you prayed that night. So, yes, he's articulate and eloquent and heart-warming.
But this is not quranic, and, in fact, goes against the very core message of the quran, as I understand it - and that is a progressive life of constant improvement. This concept of laylutal qadr, imo, is not so far away from the catholic concept of confession, or the born-again concept of accepting jesus, or the muslim concept of visiting a black building and partaking in rituals - all with the outcome of performing the right combination of button-pressing in order to gain God's approval and a clean slate.
So, whether or not you agree with me, I hope you can understand my choice not to support the perpetuation of these types of lecturers, no matter how inspiring they may be.
Peace,
TayI don't see thats an answer.
I said he tends to preach to Islamist and young people and hardly talks about how Muslims should live in a modern world. I have not seen him deal with the pressing issues we Muslims face. Wekk its his right to do so, but I still think he is followed because he is a traditionalist in a Western society and many young Muslims like tradition and see it as authentic.
Most of them do so because they do not have to live under a traditional Sunni society like many Muslims have to. But they live in a secular, modern, capitalist prosperous state like America where tradition is exotic.