Shaykh Tamseel Ahmad
Trending on Social Media
In the current world, where information travels faster than we can all absorb, process and comprehend, every morning awaits a new trend on social media. Everyone asks, what is trending today?
Islam and Social Media
I am not on many social media platforms and even the ones I am on, I am still moving at Generation X pace – slowest elements of it. Despite that, my guess is that trending on social media is changing daily if not hourly. The thrill seekers have found a home on social media and continue to seek opportunities to make mountains out of molehills. If such is done from those who claim to follow the ideals set by Islam, high ideals of human character, then it is even more concerning, and worrisome. When it comes to scrutinizing information, the social media platforms are the extreme opposite of courtrooms. Yet the many, non-binding, judgements are being made on social media platforms. To process accusations and pass verdicts, the courts take a long time as they need to do due diligence but on social media platforms, many of us are judge jury and executioner. In that process we destroy people’s peace, livelihood and reputation at the click of our fingers.
I will try and make this as concise as possible due to the worry that people will not have time to read a few hundred words, as some might need to catchup on many useless feeds that await them to divert their attention from the real accomplishments of the day. So let’s jump right into the subject.
In the Backdrop of Shaykh Yusuf Badat’s Creed Class
I am writing about the controversy that emerged surrounding Shaykh Yusuf Badat’s decision to invite people of other creeds to a course to express their creed to a group of students working to gain expertise in intermediate to advanced creedal matters. Let’s understand who Shaykh Yusuf Badat is – a Toronto based scholar serving the local Canadian community for many years in various ways, imam of a prestigious masjid – IFT, an instructor at an emerging institute – Mathabah, a Hajj and umrah group leader and above all a man of fine character and mannerisms. The list of organizations and communities he serves is long. The Muslim community in particular and the greater community in general will always be thankful to the Shaykh and all the people that serve in this fashion.
An Academic Approach
Inviting people of other creeds to express their beliefs to the students of intermediate and advanced studies is an appropriate academic approach that leads to removing intimidation of other creeds and presents an opportunity to establish unwavering confidence in one’s own Islamic beliefs. During my high school and university days, there were many occasions where I had discussions with people of other faiths and beliefs and on some occasions I had no response for them. We can understand this for people who have not been trained but when a group of students, who are being trained to carry the beacon of Islamic light for future generations, find themselves in such a condition as I found myself, then the future is hopeless. At Mathabah, similar to other Islamic institutes, we are preparing our students to not only be confident muslims but also help other muslims to be confident in their faith.
Exploitation and Manipulation
This recent incident also signifies for me some other key matters. Would we take the words of people we do not know or even know, not to trust against those whom we know and trust. Are the words of outsiders so powerful in creating doubts in our minds that no amount of explanations satisfy a segment of our community. It also shows the great position our scholars hold. Those looking for legitimacy of their false ways will continue to exploit, manipulate and take full advantage of interactions that serve their goal. It is expected of them but for the community to give them credibility against the pillars of our community shows the shallowness of our own understandings and relationship to our scholars. We can ask questions, we do not have to agree with the answers but we do not have the right to defame and disgrace.
For the sound minded, the clarifications provided should have been sufficient. If one feels there are gaps in the provided explanations then they can reach out individually to discuss it if they so desire. For others who continue to discuss, criticize and drag Shaykh Yusuf’s name through untrue statements and are promoting a perception that he is doing disservice, only one verse comes to my feeble mind – fī qulūbihim maraḍ fazādahumullāhu maraḍ
فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ فَزَادَهُمُ اللَّهُ مَرَضًا ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْذِبُونَ
“In their hearts is disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they [habitually] used to lie.” – (Qur’ān: 2:10)
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Statement by Shaykh Omar Subedar
Statement by Shaykh Yusuf Badat
