“Whenever someone calls his brother Muslim a kafir, one of them must be a kafir [either the one being accurately being called a kafir, or the one who falls into kufr, by inaccurately accusing his brother of being a kafir].”
– Prophet Muhammad, God’s peace and blessings be upon him
“Fitna[1] is asleep; may God curse the one who awakens it.”
– Prophet Muhammad, God’s peace and blessings be upon him
“Takfir should be reserved for one who clearly falls into apostasy, states it openly, chooses it as his din, rejects the testimony of faith, and leaves the religion of Islam altogether.”
– Taqi al-Din al-Subki
“To deem a thousand disbelievers Muslim is safer with God than to deem one Muslim a disbeliever.”
– Imam Abu Hanifah
What is apostasy, and how does it differ from simple error? When a Muslim suspects a fellow Muslim of apostasy, how should he or she act? Recently, certain Muslims have been attempting to “expose” me as a deviant Muslim by highlighting mistakes I have made in my talks that are on the Internet. Some of these attempts[2] have been so ridiculous that I will not waste time refuting them. Nevertheless, they raise some important issues that I want to address: What is a proper response to error? And what should a Muslim do when accused of apostasy? In this essay, I will explain how I fell into one error, and I will apologize for it. I will also review the larger issues of kufr, takfir, and fitna, and their interrelations.
An Error and a Retraction
The error I wish to clear up concerns a statement I made some years ago while commenting on Imam al-Tahawi’s creed. In dealing with the section on the “seal” of prophecy in that text, I brought up the false interpretation of that concept used by the false prophet, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. In retrospect, perhaps I should have refrained from providing a detailed explanation. Instead, I ventured into a thorny area, based upon my understanding of the key figures of the Ahmadiyya movement, and in doing so, I made some statements that I am obliged to retract.
My error was in differentiating between the status of the two groups – the Lahoris and the Qadianis – of the Ahmadiyya movement, and stating that the Lahoris are not outside the fold of Islam. My understanding of this issue came from people I trust, not to mention Al-Azhar University’s approval of Muhammad Ali’s[3] Religion of Islam as well as his insistence in the introduction to his Qur’an translation that he was a Muslim who accepted the finality of the Prophet Muhammad, God’s peace and blessings be upon him. Though I clearly stated that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was a false prophet and is considered outside the fold of Islam, as are his followers, and I warned people about reading Muhammad Ali’s books, I inappropriately commended his English translation of the Qur’an. I am certainly not the first Muslim to have done so, as some well-known scholars of the past have acknowledged the merit of Muhammad Ali’s translation, and some translators, including Yusuf Ali and Marmaduke Pickthall, not only relied heavily on it but also praised it. Regrettably, I was in error by doing so. Adherence to the sound principles of our Prophet, God’s peace and blessings be upon him, is our only salvation from error. According to a hadith, to praise deviants and innovators is to aid in the destruction of Islam. I seek refuge in God from that and ask forgiveness for anything done unwittingly to that disastrous end.
When the issue concerning the difference between the Lahoris and Qadianis was brought to my attention, I made several calls to scholars I know and trust, and received different opinions about the religious category under which the Lahoris fall. One prominent and well-known Pakistani scholar informed me that while there is a nuanced difference between the two groups, both, however, are equally anathematized in Pakistan. Another well-known American scholar of Islam informed me that he was under the same assumption as I based upon Al-Azhar’s certification of Muhammad Ali’s Religion of Islam. He stated that Al-Azhar would never certify an apostate’s work on Islam. Nevertheless, since that time, several fatwas and statements of various scholars I trust stating the contrary opinion have come to my attention and convinced me of my error.
Al-Azhar has ruled that both sects are outside of Islam, and I accept the ruling of the former rector and mufti, Shaykh Al-Azhar, Gad al-Haqq, may God have mercy on him. I am very cautious of takfir, but if a body as meticulous as Al-Azhar issues an official position about a group, we are obliged to concede to them. I have great respect for the balance and moderate tradition that Al-Azhar represents and know that they do not take takfir lightly. Hence, I defer such judgment to them, and retract my previous statement. As the saying goes, “The people of Mecca are more familiar with their mountain trails.”
For all these reasons, I request that my statements about the Lahoris be removed from the Internet, as I am not qualified to have an opinion about the matter and cannot make takfir of a group or individual on my own, as that is a judicial responsibility in Islam.
Why Does This Matter?
Many modern Muslims are probably unfamiliar with the great loss of life this particular fitna caused in the past. In 1953, Pakistan was shaken by protests aimed at removing the Qadiani minister, Zafar Allah Khan. The protests succeeded, but over ten thousand Pakistanis lost their lives in the process. I hope that the few Muslims who have seized upon my mistakes will refrain from reawakening a fitna that has had such frightful consequences in the past. A hadith says, “Fitna is asleep; may God curse the one who awakens it.” The use of fitna as a method for social disruption is increasing in our communities. Muslims must be more vigilant about those within and without us who wittingly or unwittingly cause strife and conflict, which increasingly is leading to loss of life and limb. The Internet has become the number one source and weapon for this phenomenon, which may herald the introduction of what the Prophet, God’s peace and blessings be upon him, referred to as “the age of fitna.”
In refutation to those accusing me of disbelief or questioning my faith, I would like to clarify something that is obvious to most people who know me: I am an orthodox Muslim. I follow the Maliki school of law; I believe in and accept the creeds of Imam al-Tahawi, Imam al-Ash’ari, and Imam al-Maturidi as all being valid understandings of the Divine in our faith and sources for sound dogmatic theology; and I am also a believer in the agreed-upon path of Imam al-Junaid and of those who are rightly-guided among the Sufis, such as Abu Talib al-Makki, Imam al-Qushayri, Imam al-Ghazali, Sidi Ahmad Zarruq, and countless others. I am not a Perennialist and never have been. I believe Islam abrogated previous dispensations, as asserted in the major creeds of Islam, but I do agree with Imam al-Ghazali’s position of the possibility of salvation outside of the faith of Islam and am not exclusivist in that manner. When I said, “I don’t believe in exclusivist religion” I was referring to that position and was not attributing Divine sanction after the advent of God’s final dispensation, Islam, to any other faith tradition.[4]
I sincerely thank those who defended my honor in the light of these attacks and made excuses for me, as that, according to the Prophet, God’s peace and blessings be upon him, is a hallmark of the believer, whereas seeking out mistakes is a quality attributed to hypocrisy. I was asked by several people to clarify this issue due to an apparent obsession that a few people seem to have with exposing my mistakes on the Internet, as opposed to writing to me privately and edifying me that I might correct them, especially at a time when Muslims are so disunited and fragmented. Their claims to have contacted me are bewildering, as I received nothing to that effect.
Our community is currently dealing with many grave matters: suicide bombings, sectarianism, civil wars, our great scholars of the past having their bodies dug up from their graves and desecrated, mentally challenged adolescent girls accused of blasphemy, embassies destroyed and ambassadors killed or under threat, … the list continues. As a result of the madness in our community, increasingly, for the first time since I became Muslim thirty-five years ago, I am hearing pleas such as, “Help my son – he has left Islam; help my daughter – she is having a crisis of faith.” I now receive letters and emails requesting that I talk to Muslim youth who no longer identify with our faith. Sadly, harsh-hearted haters among our community are driving people from the mosques and making the most beautiful teaching in the world appear ugly.
What Is Apostasy, and How Should We Respond to It?
A concerned brother from England, asking me to address the Lahori statement, pointed out that some brothers have declared me a kafir based upon the argument “one who does not make takfir of a kafir is also a kafir.” Their reasoning is this: Lahori Ahmadiyyas are kafirs; Hamza Yusuf did not call them kafirs; therefore, Hamza Yusuf is a kafir. To edify those seeking clarification on the issue of declaring Muslims kafirs, I have provided the explanation that follows.
The precept articulated is related to a precept known as “lazim al-madhhab madhhab,” which is not as simple as some would have it. Regarding apostasy, Sidi ‘Abd Allah Ould al-Hajj Ibrahim, the great usuli scholar, states: “Anyone who demeans the sanctity of God, His prophets, or His angels leaves Islam. The condition of intended apostasy when demeaning is a disregarded position.”
What he means is that anyone who diminishes the exalted station of God or any of His prophets, angels, or symbols (such as by spitting on the Ka’ba or throwing a copy of the Qur’an into the trash) is an apostate, whether that person intended to leave Islam or not. There is an opinion that the intention of apostasy must precede the act in order for it to be considered apostasy, but that is a weak opinion.
Sidi ‘Abd Allah then says, “The scholars are harsh on a mufti who says that one is not a kafir who is a kafir. Indeed, disbelief is feared for one doing so.”
“Disbelief is feared for one doing so” is the precept that the young man from England was referring to when he said, “one who does not make takfir of a kafir is also a kafir.” However, note how Sidi ‘Abd Allah articulates it. He refers to a “mufti” who does not deem as disbelief that which scholars have concluded is disbelief, whether in word or in deed. The scholars censure such a person severely, as a mufti’s implication that he accepts those proscribed words or deeds as permissible can lead to the disbelief of others.
Another aspect of this is contained in the related maxim, “What is implied or inheres in a statement is also a statement” (lazim al-qawl yu’addu qawlan). In other words, if a person does not declare to be kufr something that is considered kufr by a consensus of the scholars, then that disregard for the consensus of the scholars on that issue is, in effect, kufr. That is, if one does not deem kufr to be kufr, it follows that one accepts the kufr. However, implied in this principle is that one is pleased with the kufr or at least views it as acceptable for another person. In that case, the acceptance of the kufr is indeed kufr. In the case of grey areas, however, when possible, one should attempt to interpret the offending word or deed in such a way whereby implications of disbelief are overlooked.
To illustrate the nuances mentioned here, let us look at the problem of anthropomorphism. Someone who attributes to God qualities of His creation may not understand the inherent problems that such a position engenders. Some scholars declare such people outside of the faith, while others do not. Shaykh Abu al-Qasim al-Tawati says, quoting al-Takmil, “This is based upon the principle that ‘what is implied or inheres in a school is also a school’ (lazim al-madhhab madhhab). But this is a matter of difference among scholars.”
Shaykh al-Tawati continues, “Does the derived meaning of a statement function as the same statement or not? Many have been considered disbelievers based upon this, like the one who asserts rulings and attributes and yet denies them also – what innovation! [He is referring to the Mu’tazilites and others.] This includes also the Anthropomorphists. It follows that what they worship is other than what Muslims worship.”
His argument is that to attribute to God literally those things that are attributes of His creation, is, in essence, idolatry. That is because those who do so, while not worshiping anything physical, have conceptualized in their object of worship qualities that imply physicality, such as limbs and direction. Hence, some scholars have deemed them idolaters given that their literalism declares a deity who exists in space, is physically located on something, etc., all of which delimits the limitless true God of Islam.
On the other hand, a more lenient scholarly opinion holds that while such an understanding of God is erroneous, it does not render such people idolaters because they are merely asserting what God states in the Qur’an but are mistaking it as literal, failing to understand that such an interpretation results in profound theological problems. In his commentary on Ibn ‘Ashir’s poem, Ibn Hamdun says about this strain of Hanbali Anthropomorophists (Mujassimah), “Their faith (iman) is accepted only if their intellects cannot grasp the subtle distinction [between their conceptualization and its attendant problems].”
Hence, in a desire to avoid takfir, some scholars have rejected the principle, “What can be deduced from a statement is also a statement” (Lazim al-qawl yu’addu qawlan), given that it does not account for the person’s intention or heedlessness to the implications of their words or subsequent conceptualizations. This is a more merciful approach and one taken by the greatest scholars of Islam.
Sidi ‘Abd Allah then states, “[Charging] apostasy should be avoided if another interpretation can be found [to the act or statement].” This approach invokes the virtue of mercy, of being generous and charitable, if there is doubt in how we may be interpreting someone’s words or deeds, or if there is doubt regarding that person’s intention.
Shaykh al-Tawati comments, “If a statement implies disbelief or something else, one should not deem it apostasy but rather use an alternate interpretation, if it bears that, in order to prevent bloodshed.”
Sidi ‘Abd Allah then quotes a statement attributed to Imam Abu Hanifah: “To deem a thousand disbelievers Muslim is safer with God than to deem one Muslim a disbeliever.” Quoting Waking up the Sleeper (Iqadh al-wasnan), Shaykh al-Tawati states,
It was said to Malik, “Are the heretics (ahlu al-ahwa) apostates?”
He replied, “On the contrary: their heresies were an attempt to flee from disbelief.”
For example, in the case of the Anthropomorphists, they took their position of literalness out of fear of denying the Book of God or God’s attributes. Hence, they were indeed attempting to flee from disbelief, not fall into it.
In the same book, Taqi al-Din al-Subki was once asked if one should declare extreme innovators disbelievers (takfir ghulat al-mubtadi’ah), to which he replied:
Absolutely not! Know this, questioner! Anyone who fears God, the Exalted, will deem it an enormity to accuse someone who says, “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad rasulullah” of being a disbeliever. Indeed, this is an affair most grave and dangerous, because the one who calls another [Muslim] a kafir is really saying, “I know he will be forever in the hellfire; his blood and wealth are permitted in this world [apostasy was a capital offense according to most pre-modern scholars in the three Abrahamic religions];[5] he cannot be married to a Muslim woman [his marriage would be nullified]; and the rules of Islam do not apply to him, either in his life or after death.” Indeed, to mistake a thousand disbelievers [as believers] is better than to make a mistake that causes blood to flow from a Muslim. And a hadith states, “That a ruler should mistakenly forgive a criminal is dearer to God than that he should punish an innocent man.” So takfir should be reserved for one who clearly falls into apostasy, states it openly, chooses it as his din, rejects the testimony of faith, and leaves the religion of Islam altogether.
Conclusion: Sectarianism and Fitna
Some modern Muslims have become so sectarian that they are “quick on the [apostasy] draw,” ready to gun down anyone who disagrees with them – at times not just figuratively. Due to this misuse of learning, many Muslims have lost faith in the scholastic community, dismayed by the pettiness with which some half-baked imams and mullahs too often use their “knowledge.” As Allama Muhammad Iqbal so cogently and eloquently stated, “Neem hakim khatra-e jaan; neem mullah khatra-e iman.”[6] And, in the wise words of Shaykh Abdallah bin Bayyah, referring to these same “scholars”: “Ta’rifuna ma qala rabbukum, wa la ta’rifuna lima qala rabbukum.”[7]
The seriousness that our earlier scholars applied to this issue is clear. Imam al-Ghazali begins his opus, Revival of the Religious Sciences (Ihya ‘ulum al-din), with a powerful indictment of the scholastic community whom he refers to as “formalists,” people who have become so trapped in the trappings of religion that they have forgotten its true essence. Echoing the Qur’an, Imam al-Ghazali pointed out that most people follow what they were born into and taught by their parents and elders. Moreover, it is the originators of false creeds and ideologies who are the real transgressors, not the unfortunate people who have unknowingly imbibed false teachings from early childhood, which makes discovery of truth much harder for them. These same people, after years of indoctrination, in turn indoctrinate their own children, unwittingly perpetuating the cycles of falsehood that the Qur’an came to end. God says, “Oppose the leaders of disbelief” (9:12), given that they are the ones who disseminate error and thus mislead the trusting masses. But as for their misguided followers, we should have compassion for them and help them see the truth. That is only achieved through mercy.
It is not in my nature to hate people. I actually desire good for all people, including Hindus, Jews, Buddhists, Christians, Atheists, Agnostics, and certainly my brother and sister Muslims. I would hope to see humanity guided as opposed to misguided. The Prophet, God’s peace and blessings be upon him, said, “That a person should be guided at your hand is better than the world and what the sun sets upon.”
The Qur’an says to the Prophet Muhammad, God’s peace and blessings be upon him, “It is a mercy from your Lord that you are so gentle toward them. If you had been harsh and hard-hearted, people would have fled from your presence” (3:159). It is indeed the harshness and obstinacy of some overly zealous Muslims today, combined with the absence of mercy in their hearts, which is driving people out of Islam and deterring others from considering or even respecting it. They are conducting themselves based upon some misguided adherence to their understanding of Islam. They are uncertain in themselves, and so they feel threatened by anyone who might differ with them; through fanaticism, they attempt to protect themselves from doubt but result in only obscuring their view. Fanatics are blinded by the light of God as opposed to guided by it. The Prophet, God’s peace and blessings be upon him, warned of these people when he said, “Perish they who go to extremes.” We should try our utmost not to be one of them.
Ibn Qayyim said, “Forgiveness is more beloved to God than vengeance; mercy is more beloved to Him than punishment; acceptance is more beloved to Him than wrath; and grace is more beloved to Him than justice.”
I sincerely thank those many people who defended my honor as well as those who, with courtesy, brought this mistake to my attention that I might redress it. The Prophet, God’s peace and blessings be upon him, said, “All of you make mistakes, and the best of those who do so are those who repent from them.” Thank you for pointing out my mistakes that I might repent from and correct them. I am deeply sorry for any confusion they may have indirectly caused by allowing those who seized upon them to awaken a sleeping fitna.
When a woman chastised the caliph Omar for his claim that dowries should have limits, Omar, may God be pleased with him, said, “All of you are more learned than Omar” (Kullukum afqahu min ‘Umar).[8]
[1] Fitna (Arabic: fitnah): “Sedition, dissention, discord.” The word’s root is related to “enticement,” “allure,” “intrigue,” and “temptation.” Fattan means “fascinating,” “captivating,” “enchanting”; “tempter,” “seducer”; “denunciator,” “informer,” “slanderer” (Hans Wehr Arabic-English Dictionary). The close relationship of these words indicates that fitna can be seductive and enticing to some. When fitna broke out, the Salaf would often quote these lines of poetry: “War, when it first appears, is as a beautiful woman to every young ignoramus.” Under normal circumstances, such people do little or nothing but when exposed to a fitna suddenly become filled with zeal and actively engaged in “righteously” setting something right, often under the guise of duty and loyalty to the faith. This enticement is something from which we must guard our hearts.
[2] For example, I gave a talk to a group of Christian theologians, ministers, and students about the ill effects of usury, in which I argued that Christians had abandoned their prohibition of usury that had lasted for almost two thousand years. I used Dante Alighieri’s Inferno as a frame for the discussion. During the talk, I pointed out that Dante viewed the Prophet, God’s peace and blessings be upon him, as a schismatic Christian as opposed to a false prophet, as I wanted them to reflect on Dante’s subtle acknowledgement of the doctrine of Islam, as argued by the Catholic priest and scholar, Miguel Asin Palacios. Hence I told them that I wanted to “defend Dante a little bit.” These Muslims seized upon my use of the word “defend,” by which I meant, “explain,” which is a synonym of “defend.” On this basis, they argued that I “defended” Dante for insulting the Prophet, God’s peace and blessings be upon him – a claim so patently false and unfair, not to mention absurd, that I won’t even entertain refuting it.
[3] Muhammad Ali (1874–1951) was the most prolific student of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and split with the Qadianis in 1914 over the issues of the succession and the claim to prophecy of Ghulam Ahmad, which Muhammad Ali argued was an addition by his son Bashiruddin and not part of the original teachings of Ghulam Ahmad. Muhammad Ali is considered the founder of the Lahori branch of the Ahmadiyyas.
[4] For a more detailed explanation of Imam al-Ghazali’s view on what makes a person a disbeliever, see my article in Seasons Journal, “Who are the Disbelievers?” Also, my article “Generous Tolerance in Islam and Its Effects on the Life of a Muslim” explains the noble character Muslims should have. Both articles can be found here: http://sandala.org/multimedia/articles/
[5] Punishment in this world for apostasy is not mentioned in the Qur’an; however, some sound hadiths indicate that it is a capital offense. These are not absolutely certain (mutawatir) traditions, and some scholars, such as al-Nakhi’ and others, argued against it. Imam Abu Hanifah’s school does not mandate capital punishment for a female apostate due to the mutawatir tradition prohibiting killing women or children, which he saw as limiting the singular hadiths enjoining capital punishment on apostates. Today, it could be strongly argued that the aim (maqsad) of considering apostasy a capital offense, which was to protect the faith, is lost in application, given that modern people suffer a crisis of faith due to such applications.
[6] A half-baked doctor is a danger to the body; but a half-baked religious scholar is dangerous to the soul (lit. faith).
[7] You know what your Lord says, but you do not know why He said it.
[8] According to one narration, Omar, may God be pleased with him, says, “The woman is more learned than Omar,” but in another he states that everyone is more learned.
Huda Posted on 10/27/2012
Salaams Sheikh
You and your family will be in prayers God willing.
You probably don’t know me either but – you are as dear to me as my own family.
May He Most-Loving protect and continue to guide you and us all.
Ameen
Peace
Ahmed Nadeem Posted on 10/25/2012
Dear Hamzah Yusuf,
Assalamu-alaykum!
It’s really terrible what some of the people try to say about you but all know Alhamdulillah that you’re a true muslim and an excellent leader in these troubling times for muslims througout the world. You rightly quoted “Neem Hakim Khatraye Jaan and Neem Mullah Khatraye Eeeman”. I salute you and appreciate you for responding (although not required) to these people having little knowledge of Islam. I listen your talks on internet regularly and always I find them benficial for my eeman. May Allah reward you for that. Although I am in India but I have a strong desire to meet you someday. May Allah make it possible. Aameen.
Khuda Hafiz
Nadeem
ZAI Posted on 10/23/2012
Shaykh,
Your posting reveals much about your high state of humility and it’s very admirable.
But anyone who knows you, has read your writing, or has heard you speak know that even your mistakes are made in sincerity though, so I doubt this clarification was neceassary to anyone but insincere people who’re simply looking to attack you. These types have already decided they have a bone to pick with you because you don’t follow their methodology and then work backwords to find anything, however lame, to justify their condemnations.
They don’t care what you clarify or even if you accept them within the framework of legitimate Islamic opinion, they do not accept you. They don’t believe in khilaf and think all of us who don’t follow their way are fasiq,murtad or kafir and you’re hoping in vain that they will join you at the banquet of Islam…they’ll eat you for lunch before that banquet. They’re abrasive, rude, myopic bullies who will harrass, silence and oppress all of us who disagree with them if given the chance. They could care a whit about dialogue or legitimacy or differences. It’s their way or the highway…or the grave. Khalaas.
You’re totally wasting your time explaining anything to them…no matter how sincerely. They will keep playing those comments 50 years from now to slander you regardless of any clarification. You make the mistake of assuming THEM to be sincere. The only thing you accomplish by engaging them is giving them a sense of self importance and ego totally out of proportion to their numbers. They don’t deserve it.
I think your humility, making excuses for them, trying to think the best of them, etc. etc. was a great effort and much admire you for trying.
But I think it’s time to admit it was a failure. There is no talking with these types. They don’t even want to hear you out. In their minds they’re right and we’re wrong, and they will foist their interpretation on us all…by force if necessary. It’s honestly time to start pushing back against this obnoxious bullying of theirs. Time to join Shaykh Muhammad al Yacqoubi, Professor Ramadan and others who have already taken that step and make a stand. Your effort was valiant…but it has not and will not work. It pains and saddens me that you have attempted to reach out to them again, especially in the context of their completely illegitimate and vulgar attacks on you. Enough is enough. You don’t deserve this and they certainly don’t deserve anything from you.
Munjed Posted on 10/22/2012
A blog entry by Professor Caner Dagli on the criticism against Sh. Hamza Yusuf: http://www.muslimcomment.com/blog/2012/10/10/some-reflections-on-hamza-yusufs-critics/
MA Posted on 10/16/2012
Asalamualaikum Shaykh,
I’ve been following you for over 10 years, and listen to everything you have to say. The 2 statements you discussed in your blog, also confused me when I first heard them. But I knew you meant something that I couldn’t comprehend. Thank you for clarifying, it was beneficial for my Imam. May Allah increase you. MA
Taufik Posted on 10/16/2012
Salam from Malaysia,
Ironically i get to know you from these youtube shaikhs that warn people about you, asking people not to listen to you. so naturally i googled you and alhamdulillah, and thanks to those warners, i’ve been listening to your enlightening talks ever since.
Abdal Aziz Posted on 10/15/2012
Dear honorable Sheikh, I have your back more than 70 times:
” I have seventy excuses for my brother in-store
Amongst the foremost , he is blessed with imaan and that’s the core
The concluding one being, I have lost count are there seven more ?”
The above at my own peril , I choose to ignore
My brother’s honour fail to restore
Oblivious as to the origin of the real flaw.”
as-iz.com
Mohamed Salem wel Abderrahmane Posted on 10/14/2012
Today, so many people would consider themselves SCHOLARS after reading couple passages of certain books.
They would start using AHADITHS that they missed their concepts. They would mislead a lot of young people who are sincere but have no knowledge, only the trust any one who jump on the MIMBAR and starts taking directly from the Sources without spending any time or efforts to really be able to understand the whole issue.
Brother Hamza has spent so much time reading and memorizing and dealing with OULAMAs, and has also a broader view of the MADHAHIBS since he has lived in more than one country where people follow more than one opinion.
I have listened to him, and watched his videos, I only ask Allah to save him and help him and give us some people like him who have knowledge and energy to reveal that knowledge and pass it to us. Amin
Zahir Posted on 10/13/2012
To the means whom God chose to guide me to Islam: my life be your ransom.
Fremontstan Posted on 10/12/2012
Dearest Shaykh Hamza
your work and message has been crystal clear since the beginning. and if they can’t see it that’s not your problem. The great poet of Delhi Abdal Qadir Bedel said in his Farsi Diwan
بیدل از شبپره کیفیت خورشید مپرس
حق نهان نیست ولی خیرهنگاهان کورند
“don’t ask the moth (butterfly) about the magnanimity of the sun -
the truth is not veiled, but the cataracts in their eyes has blinded them from seeing it”
I don’t think these half blind, half baked mullahs can comprehend and fully understand your response, and certainly they were not worthy of a response as they only want to get attention. You are in our Du’s, and we hope that we can benefit from your work for many years to come. Jazakallah khair
shadah Posted on 10/12/2012
In a class Abdal Hakim Murad related to us the Hadith of Khowaisara. When the Prophet pbuh was distributing the spoils of war after the battle of Hunain a man from the tribe of Banu Tameem by the name of dhul Khowaisara said to the Prophet pbuh be just of Messenger of Allah. H was correcting the Prophet and telling him how to do his job. The sahabas were outraged by this. After he leaves the Prophet pbuh said, there should come from the seeds of this man a people who read the Quran but doesn’t pass their throat, one of you would dislike praying with them, they go through religion like an arrow passing through a target (which means they hit the target but go through it to an unknown area. Abdal Hakim Murad said that this was the first time in the history of humanity that a person tells a Prophet how he should do his job, while the Prophet is receiving revelation from God.)
The Ulama are the heirs of the Prophets according to the Hadith, so they will get criticized and will have trial and tribulations. It’s part of the sunna of being on the Prophetic path. Allahumma Yassir wa la Tu’assir
shadah Posted on 10/12/2012
Tears flows down my cheeks as I read this blog. I feel ashamed of myself when I see the amount of work you do for this Ummah. You do more for this deen in a day that most of us in a year. Let’s look at what you have done in the past 35 years since you took Shahada. You set on the path of seeking knowledge immediately after becoming Muslim, and studied day and night to master the sciences of this religion. You have traveled to the corners of the earth to learn from such masters like Murabit al Hajj, shaykh Abdallah bin Bin Bayyah, and countless number of Ulema. You have made speaking about religion attractive and pleasant to listen to. You taught us at Rihlas, deen intensives, knowledge retreats, sacred caravans and many other programs. You lectured us at ISNA,ICNA, MSA, RIS, MYNA, APPNA and hundreds if not thousands of other conventions and events. You delivered Friday Khutbahs that inspired us at our local Masajid from San Ramon, to New York, to Canada, to UK, and UAE and hundreds of masajid around the world. You represented and defended Islam on CNN, Al Jazeera, NBC, ABC, MBC and many other Television networks. You came to our college campuses and delivered lectures to students from UC Berkley to University of Toronto, to Harvard and Princeton and on and on. You translated and commented on a life changing book the Purification of the Heart, also the creed of Imam Tahawi, and dua Nasiri. You gave us Agenda to change our condition book, cesarean moon birth, season journals and countless blogs and articles. You started Zaytuna Institute, and now the first accredited Islamic College in North America. You taught classes at Islamic Study School, a rundown store front. You also taught the kings and royalties, the House of Lords members in UK and even The Police Academy about Islam. . Oh and I forgot over a few thousands lectures that some of them are up on YouTube and there are millions of combined hits on these videos. And what’s amazing is that you have elevated us with you as you traveled on the path of knowledge. You talks were from the heart and entered our hearts, and you didn’t give us “the same old sermon.” Every time something new, fresh, outside the box, and ahead of our times. You have inspired a generation of Muslims and put the love of Allah and His messenger in our hearts. You put the love of the language of the Quran in our hearts. I am one of the millions who have been inspired by you and if it wasn’t for you I don’t know where I would be. Wallahi if we write about what you have done for this Ummah It would be a few volumes and that’s not an exaggeration.
I wanted to ask these guys who are criticizing you just one question. What have they done for this Deen?
Again I don’t have the tongue to thank you for everything you have done for us. I would just say Jazakallah khair.
Yama Posted on 10/11/2012
Salams,
the Prophets are preserved (‘Isma) from committing erros while the awliya are protect (MahFuz) from committing error. Shaykh Hamza is from the Awliya and thus preserved from committing shirk or error. It is from shaykh Hamza’s humility (SHY) to address what he has been accused of by mediocre minds. Therefore, by the blessing of God, he is uplifted by God to higher stations. I have been listening to Shaykh Hamza for years and have followed his lectures. My heart is convinced he is under God’s providence. May Allah protect you and increase my dear and beloved teacher.
mahvish Posted on 10/11/2012
Dear Shaikh Hamza Yousuf
Assalamu Aliakum!
May Allah who surely knows our intentions and who forgives us reward you for this piece of writing .Wishing you a long life!
May Allah bless you with his willingness!
Sarah Posted on 10/11/2012
Assalam o Alaikum our beloved Shaikh,
Even though i had no idea there was any controversy, this excellent response is what we would’ve expected from the learned shaikh. What i’m interested is in to see the response by the critics.
I can’t tell you the extent to which your style of explaining Islam has brought me closer to the beautiful deen of ours. Your combination of tradition and deep knowledge of subjects other than fiqh (philosophy, logic, education, sociology etc) is what is needed in scholars. We all pray for you and your loved ones insha’Allah.
Naeem Nourzay Posted on 10/10/2012
I’m not a knowledgeable man and can not defend shaykh hamza but for about four years I’m listening to his speeches on YouTube and reading some of his works and got the 24CDs of the life of prophet PBUH, all I can say is that he makes sense to me and calms me down and he explains things properly, last Friday in mosque in London the imam came and don the khotbeh in Arabic very fast and then with very bad accent from a peace of paper in English.we don’t have theologians any more and if there is one some ignorant people just attacking them , but it always been like that I guess, I love shaykh hamza yusuf and I have learned a lot from him ,may Allah subhaneho tala have him and his family under his protection and bless them and guid all of us to the right path.ameen
hassanat ahmed Posted on 10/10/2012
Some petty mullahs put a fatwa on the great Shaykh Of the Mujadidyah Order Shah Abul Khayr. He responded ‘ Main dho takay Mullah kay kehnay par kafir nahin hotha’ I do not become a Kafir by the saying so of a twopenny Mullah. May Allah keep Shaykh Hamza under his Divine Protection from all those that seek to harm him and and his followers.
Allahumma ya Dafi a’l balliyaat , idf’a kulli balliyatina.
Sophia Posted on 10/10/2012
Whilst it saddens the heart that the Shaykh would have to respond to unwarranted criticism, it is most humbling to see a public retraction when considered necessary; this act in itself is rebuttal enough. May Allah (SWT) continue to bless the true, sincere scholars and allow us to continue to benefit from them.
Linda Posted on 10/09/2012
Salam Alaykum, We love you for the sake of Allah. Years ago you helped me thru a very hard time even though you dont know me. I learned about Imam Al Ghazali and others from you. Thank you. You and your family are in my prayrs
kannwin Posted on 10/09/2012
dont worry brother hamza..the words of the prophet the words of prophet yusef will be here again and there is no doubt you understand this deen better then anyone i know..may the creator bless you and guide you through these hard times.. you are with me in my prayers.please remember me in yours.xx
Abubakar Kasim Posted on 10/08/2012
Sheikh Hamza Yusuf has shown a high level of humility, honesty and integrity to retract his statement. Very few people behave in this honorable manner due to arrogance. Sheikh Yusuf’s courageous stand shows that we all make mistakes and when we make an error, we should immediately back up and correct ourselves.
May Allah bless our honorable Sheikh, protect him and his family and increase him in taqwa, imaan, health and prosperity.
Abdul Posted on 10/08/2012
Thank you for this beautiful reply and may Allah preserve you and those whom love you.
ابراهيم الكولومبي Posted on 10/08/2012
Jazakum Allah kheir sheikh.
I had a couple of questions bothering me for some time but you have killed two birds with the same rock for me*
*note for literalists and PETA: it is only an idiomatic expression.
Nagena Ali Posted on 10/08/2012
I am baffled that ‘Muslims’ have been saying such ugly words against Hamza Yusuf. Not only am I in complete awe of how much this man has contributed to the calling of many people back to this beautiful deen, he has also been a great intellectual distributor of sacred knowledge, sharing knowledge which otherwise we would probably not have come across in my community at least. I have nothing but admiration and respect for Him. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do, for your sacrifices and your time. I can vouch for myself and many of my friends, that without your guidance and inspiration, we would not have been the people we are today. Whatever these people call you, we are with you and will always keep you in our duas. May Allah protect and honor you and may He forgive us all for our errors.
Kamran A Posted on 10/08/2012
Salaam Shaykh –
Ive always held values that a man is much stronger when he admits his wrongs rather than emphasis on his rights all the time. And this statement is something which is very rare to find..you hardly ever hear of intellectuals retract there statement or amend them out of fear of people but you have shown me and others that fear lies with Allah and Allah alone. Therefore i am so overwhelmed by you on your efforts to be “Man enough” to say whats right and whats wrong in your works ; self criticism needs to be taught and if this isn’t a fine display of it im not sure what is. And i had a strong feeling that what you where writing was not only to benefits others but also to re-affirm your status with Allah, i also feel that you have a deep connection to your words and because of that there is alot of barakah: Sincerity (and Allah knows best). May your teachers be held high in rank for giving you the advance intellect in being who you are. Ameen – I will gladly say on your final farewell that you where a truthful man. Ma Salaam
Sister in Islam Posted on 10/08/2012
Salaam Sheikh. I am not sure if you will read this or not, but please know that there are some Muslims who pray for you dearly, as a brother and a sheikh who has helped us understand the deen. I am not saying this to flatter you, but sometimes there is so much negativity that I hope you know that there are those of us who regularly pray for you. May Allah accept.
Imtiaz Posted on 10/08/2012
Asalaamualykum Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
I hope you are in good health. Listening to you has made my heart soft.. its helped through alot of problems in my life. May Allah forgive any mistake you have made. I pray that Allah increases your knowledge, May Allah protect you always. Love you for the sake of Allah my brother.
Syed Muhammad Nasim Posted on 10/08/2012
Dear Sheikh Hamza,
Assalam U Alaikum wa RahmatulLah….
No one can harm you except Allah SWT. You have our sincere duas from many of us who know you well here in England and who love you for the sake of Allah. Do not worry too much about Fitna makers. We live in the age of Fitna & Tribulation. We should put our tawakkal in Allah, follow steadfastly the book of Allah and the sunnah of His Prophet SAAW. We Muslims should be good Muslims and do good as taught to us by our Prophet SAAW and our past and present pious scholars.
And Allah is the best dosposer of our affairs.
Once again May the blessings of Allah be upon you, your family and all those you love. Wassalam. Syed Nasim ENGLAND
Hamza Khan Posted on 10/08/2012
Maybe the problem is that it takes a sincere person to recognise sincerity?
JazakAllahu khairan for the clarification and the additional information. I am sure you are too busy with doing the work of the deen to let this idiocy affect you. Know that for every one Fitna maker out there, there are thousands upon thousands of lovers. The situation that arose highlights the dire state we are in and reinforces the need communities have for scholars like yourself to visit and inspire people to think.
Ibrahim Posted on 10/08/2012
Baraka Allah Taala Syaikh Hamzah..
Luby Abdurrahman Posted on 10/08/2012
Over the years, my family and I have consistently benefitted from Sheikh Hamza Yusuf’s lectures and writing. I remain so grateful for the his efforts on behalf of this umma and have always prayed that Allah not only bless him and his family but protect him from fitna as well. I shall continue to do so fervently.
Danny Posted on 10/08/2012
We love you Sheikh Hamza, you don’t deserve how the ignorant treat you.
Shola Akinyode Posted on 10/08/2012
Salaam alaykum, the most Honorable sheikh,
People see outside, Allah (AW) sees our heart and intention. Pls. do not put these stupid , foolish accusations to heart. “Al kamaal Lillah”, Perfection is only for Allah. I pray for you almost everyday, for I hardly speak about Islam without mentioning your name. I’ve learnt so much from you , that only Allah (AW) will reward you for the knowledge you dissipate to others. The only thing you have controll over is what comes out of your mouth or you pen, you dont have such controll over others, whatever their intentions are in known only to Allah and inyasha’ He will reward then accordingly. We are still looking forward to drink more from your milk, may it continue to flow. Baarak Allah fiik, wa tawala Allah umrak ‘ala tariik llhaq.
Nojmul Hussain Posted on 10/08/2012
Imam Hamza Yusuf is an ispirations for those of us who search for guidance and advice. I wouldn’t even waste my breath on those misguided and arrogant sections of our community who sadly can’t see the extrodinary beauty of Hamza Yusuf. It is their lose not ours.
Nojmul Hussain (London)
julie Posted on 10/08/2012
As-Salaamu Alaikum Shaykh Hamza,
May Allaah (swt) include you among those whom He loves, and who love Him, through His grace and noble generosity. May He (swt) grant you a reward similar to the good deeds of those whom you have guided.
Haroon Nawaz Posted on 10/08/2012
May Allah SWT bless the Sheikh,
He has only been an inspiration and guide to good for me and those I know.
Peace to all.
rom Posted on 10/08/2012
Thank you for the clarification Shaykh. I too have been struggling with ‘extremist’ Muslims on Muslim web forums. Many of us seem unable and unwilling to have a good opinion of another Muslim. MayAllah help us and Protect us. Ameen
Shahzad Younis Posted on 10/08/2012
Life is full of tests and trials. Muslimes especially Scholars in the past have been tested. ALLAH have mercy on us all. ALLAH bless our Scholars. Humans will always make mistakes; after all we’re no prophets! (peace be upon them). It hurts so much that a wondeful scholar of our time had to do this to explain himself; when he didnt have too. Scholars are beacons of lights for us in these dark times. They keeps themselves a light with the Qur’an & Sunnah. Those people picking faults are killings their souls, killing them selves. May ALLAH increase you in his closeness Shaykh Hamza. No doubt ALLAH only tests those whome HE loves.
MUHAMMAD Khan Posted on 10/08/2012
Sheikh Hamza you are a true WALI Of Allah and people of ignorance who try and put you down I warn them with the sayings of our beloved sallallhu alaihi wasallam من عاد لي ولياً فقد أٰذنته بالحرب.
As human beings we can make mistakes and we know the Hadith of our beloved prophet (s)
رفع عن أمتي الخطأ والنسيان
So well done sheikh for addressing the mistake.
Love you for the sake of Allah!!
Wish you could come to England, Bradford sometime soon so I could meet you in person.
والسلام عليكم ورحمة الله
muhammad Posted on 10/08/2012
salam alykum
My beloved shaykh hamza yusuf may allah reward you dunya and akira
Ur truley a wali of allah may allah preserve for this ummah
Inshallah i get a chance to meet you
please keep us and the ummah in ur dua
wasalam
Lana Posted on 10/08/2012
The condition of the “Ummah” just pains the heart … when one is not allowed to make “human” mistakes … i really believe if the companions were to be among us today, those same people will sure attack them as the companions had opinions i am sure those people cannot even imagine … i don’t think the problem is a “religious” one but a “psychological” one … we need serious therapy
as for OUR Sheikh Hamza … may GOD be his “waly” and that would be enough
at the end i don’t seem to find even after reading the article a fault or a mistake that Sheikh Hamza committed … but of course he knows better
اسال الله ات يمتعنا به وبعلمه طويلا
Sumayyah Kaya Posted on 10/08/2012
Ya Sheikh!
Assalamu Aleikum,
The only thing that i can do is to pray for their heart so that they cannot say such things to you to anybody anymore… You are in our duas thank you very very much for your service to our din… May Allah swt increase your knowledge, ability to service more for Islam and give you good health for your all life…
What a blessing to know you
Nader Posted on 10/08/2012
Jazakullah Khairan Sidi Hamza for the Clarification.
I couldn’t imagine the frustration of receiving so much criticism for years from my fellow muslims who I am only trying to serve for Allah’s sake. I ask Allah to protect you and your family from the ill will of others towards you, and they fitna they cause for the umma,
There are too many Muslims who are a source of fitna for young impressionable Muslims and a source of ridicule and mockery from Non-believers.
I Supplicate to Allah his revealed prayer from Surat Al- Mumtahanah ” Our Lord! do not make us a trial for those who disbelieve, and forgive us, our Lord! surely Thou art the Mighty, the Wise.”
Dear Shaykh, I commend you for being a responsible Muslim leader. Of all the Muslim and teachers I have known, I think you are one of the most consistently reasonable and balanced, and represent the good of Islam and America. May Allah grant us more good and influential people in the U.S.
You are courageously fulfilling a difficult, and sometimes dangerous role as a Muslim leader in the United States but you have done much good and paved a path for many, May Allah increase you, and reward you for those who have benefited you, and grant barakah to Zaytuna, and May he unite us all is Jannah with his beloved (SAWS). Ameen.
Abu Bakr Posted on 10/08/2012
Jazakallah khair Shaykh! I am so happy you did this! There sadly seems to be a mini industry these days of people who spend hours trying to refute your statements, to prove themselves to their peers… This will silence them for a while but they will come back… Maybe different names and maybe different faces, but there will always be such people… I love this essay more for the strength and armour it gives us, jazakallah khair once again Shaykh!
A Muslim Posted on 10/08/2012
Assalamalaykum Shaykh Hamza
I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for being a beacon of light to many hearts that needed guidance and direction. I, like countless others, have literally grown up listening and benefiting from your words of wisdom. You inspire so many and I pray that Allah continues to increase your rank, protects you from all harm, and blesses you with a long life full of barakah.
Asmah Posted on 10/08/2012
Assalamualaykum Shaykh Hamza,
I can’t even begin to describe the many ways that you have helped me and countless of others with our Deen by the leave of Allah. I, and many I know can only thank you by having you and your family constantly in our prayers. We love you, Shaykh Hamza and are very grateful to Allah for being able to learn from you despite being on the other side of the world, SubhanAllah. May Allah the Most High give you tawfeeq and make it easy for you to tread down this path you have chosen. May HE maintain your pure intentions, protect you from hasd and fitna and may you continue benefiting many and ‘ummah-building’ in the way of our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW. Ameen.
Reza Posted on 10/08/2012
Salaam,
Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, please do not let these things bring you down. I am confident that for every one that calls you names, there are few (even if silent ones) that love you. We need people like you to spread this beautiful and merciful Deen of ours. May Allah(swt) protect you and continue to give you better understanding of this Deen, Inshallah.
It is sad that some Muslims seem to have shun the very Mercy and Forgiveness we all would so badly need one day. They certainly seem to react with such confidence and conviction that they can look into others’ Hearts ignoring the real Sunnah of our beloved Prophet(pbuh) as exemplified from the following Hadith:
Usama ibn Zayd killed an [enemy] idolater in battle after the latter had said: “There is no god but Allah” (La ilaha illallah). When news of this reached Allah’s Messenger he condemned Usama in the strongest terms and he said to him: “How can you kill him after he said La ilaha illallah?” He replied: “But he said it with the sword hanging over his head-” The Prophet — Allah bless and greet him — said again: “How can you kill him after he said La ilaha illallah?” He replied: “O Messenger of Allah, he said it in dissimulation (taqiyyatan).” The Prophet — Allah bless and greet him — said: “Did you split his heart open (to see)?” and he did not cease to reprove him until Usama wished that he had not entered Islam until after he had killed that man so that he might have been forgiven all his past sins through belief.
Narrated by Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad, Tayalisi, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, al-`Adni, Abu `Awana, al-Tahawi, al-Hakim, and Bayhaqi.
This same kafir may have killed many Muslims on that day, and he was in the act of fighting against the Muslims, yet Prophet(pbuh) rebuked Usama ibn Zayed(may Allah be pleased with him) for not considering him Muslim on his words alone and hence killing him. But how easily people declare other Muslims Kafir these days.
May Allah(swt) forgives us, guide us, unite us and give us the correct understanding of this deen Inshallah.
riaz qadeer Posted on 10/08/2012
Assalamu alaikum, As above my many brothers endorsed your countless efforts that you are making purely for the propogation of Islam. May Allah give you more strength and patience in order to spreading Isam in this world. I used to watch Sheikh Humza Yusuf’s islamic lectures and speaches on Halal tube but not any more. Where else I can find it if any posted?
Wassalam
riaz qadeer
Silma Ihram Posted on 10/07/2012
In today’s world where oppression, violence, tyranny and destruction are so frequently associated with the activities of Muslims, it is another terrible sign of our own loss of faith that a leading scholar of Islam, who has championed dawa and the seeking of knowledge to a previously unheard of extent in the West, is now slandered by the very people who claim to be members of his Ummat. In these days, being attacked by such people is perhaps a sign that you, Sheikh Hamza, are definitely on the Sirat al Mustaquim, because the enemies of Islam are indeed numerous today, as much within as outside of those calling themselves Muslim. I personally believe it is because we as an Ummah are so ignorant of so much in Islam, and in relieving that ignorance the greatest enemy is Iblis. May Allah s.w.t. grant you greater strength from such attacks, fortitude in the face of envy, and humility in caring for our lost community.
Kamila Posted on 10/07/2012
Assalamu alaykum, Shaykh Hamza,
I want to thank Allah for giving our Muslim community as a scholar like you. Since the time I started practicing Islam around 5 years ago, you’ve been my most favorite speaker and a person whose high intelligence, sincerity and level of knowledgeable are truly admirable. Seeing such people as part of our community increased my faith and encouraged me to practice Islam further. I trust that there are thousands (if not millions) of young people who felt exactly the same way.
Habib Umar mentions in one of his durus that if you can’t find righteous and god-fearing companions around you then make audio recordings of Islamic speakers your friends. There was a period of time when I had to do exactly that and your talks and speeches gave me the encouragement and were my “spiritual food”.
It therefore really saddens me why people try to discredit and find fault with what you say. None of us is free from accidental slips of tongue or errors (because we’re all humans). It is very saddening that there are people who would try to blow it out of proportion and try to make an elephant out of a fly. In my opinion, it just indicates some darkness in their heart and hasad towards people who are more intelligent and successful.
May Allah give you strength and not let this situation negatively affect your internal state. I have absolutely no doubt that you are one of our rightly-guided scholars. May Allah help people who think otherwise admit their mistakes and repent.
Nadia Posted on 10/07/2012
AsalamoAlaikum Sir,
I have learned much from you and the learning continues today. I was not aware of the event, but I thank you for showing us how to wield criticism constructively. By the Grace of Allah, you have defended yourself with utmost grace, and in the process, you are also able to enlighten all of us, as always. May Allah Protect you from any harm directed towards you, may it be physical, intellectual or spiritual. (fii Amaan-ul-Allah)
khalid Posted on 10/07/2012
My dear shaykh hamza. I have learned this deen from your talks and quote you all of the time. Allah swt preserve you always and may my kids one day study at your college. Ameen
Mariam Hassan Posted on 10/07/2012
Sh Hamza Yusuf is human and is entitled to making mistakes like all of us. There is so much good out of him that far outweighs his mistakes as a human being. We should really be careful with people who malign him.
julie Posted on 10/07/2012
As-Salaamu Alaikum Shaykh Hamza,
May Allaah (swt) include you among those whom He loves, and who love Him, through His grace and noble generosity. May He (swt) grant you a reward similar to all of those whom you have guided.
Ahmad Ibrahim Posted on 10/07/2012
May Allah swt bless and protect you and your family here and hereafter…We all love you so much shaykh Hamza and May Allah swt continue to bless this distressed Ummah with the presence of illuminating noor like you.
Mohamed Ashour Posted on 10/07/2012
Salam, I have always wondered whether on the Day of Judgement we will be able to see all things that were concealed by the veil of Ghaib in Dunya. Allah says in Surat Qaf: “Now We have removed your covering, and sharp is your sight this Day!”. I don’t think it would be presumptive to say that if Allah exposes aspects of the lives of those who accuse the scholars of the Umma of Kufr, scandalous ironies will most certainly be revealed. The one who does not speak of his own desire (peace be upon him) said:“Whenever someone calls his brother Muslim a Kafir, one of them must be a kafir”. And we know that our scholars are far from being Kafir!
Amazigh Posted on 10/07/2012
Salaam Alaykom,
I hope this finds you all well.
Really appreciate reading letters of apologies in general and acknowledging ones mistakes always. Over coming pride and reaching out with no expectations for a response takes immense courage. Even though you are clearly still upset about the reaction, taking that step to reach out and attempt to mend/correct is commendable.
The internet has definitely become a weapon for fitna, I know this first hand as I have been put in a situation of great fear as I have been a victim of cyber bullying – I was actually popular in highschool and thankfully never been bullied in my teens, this only happened in my mid 20s. I am not computer savvy and so I had no idea how to react or defend myself via this provocation and so in the end it blew up in my face, it affected my mental/physical health and family a great deal. A few cowards took it to themselves to school me about my religion while they had made no research or cared enough to get to know me better in real time. If they did know me, they would have understood that I have been a practicing Muslim my whole life – memorizing suras from Qu’ran from age 9, attending Saturday school while being brought up in a fairly strict Muslim household, this doesn’t mean that I am constantly learning about my faith but considering who was doing this to me, I find it quite laughable. Never severely slipped in my faith until I made Muslim ‘friends’. The wrong people have taken onto themselves to make ‘Dawah’. It baffles me and am in complete awe still to what happened to me, all I can do is shake my head and accept that I will never truly understand this situation fully.
“(…) if you’re not doing things on a private level forget about the public level (…) I met Muslims that want to do all this Dawah and in their own lives there’s no Deen (…) and they want to take Islam to the ends of the world (…) no, take it to yourself first THEN extend it out (…) ”
— Sh. Hamza Yusuf (Seven Steps of Highly Effective Muslims)
I have steered away from the main topic mentioned somewhat but it is still relevant when it comes to causing fitna on the Internet – This Internet is a blessing and a curse equally.
Best to you, I hope this vulnerability by reaching out brings you peace and softens the hearts of the people who reacted to your previous words negatively.
“Hasbi Allahu wa ne’mal wakil” / “Allah is sufficient for me and is the best trustee of affairs.”
Maya Posted on 10/07/2012
Why do some people hold the view that Shaykh Hamza Yusuf is infallible, or that scholars who speak for Islam in our age are free from error?
Last time I checked, the only perfected human soul was the Messenger [saws]. People who have the “holier-than-thou” mentality and feel that the correct medium and method for correction is through “exposing” need to realize that they are merely falling in another expression of the nafs. A Muslim scholar who fell in one error may be wrong with some facts, but those Muslims who declare that scholar a kafir or adopt an attitude of hatred towards him have a fault in their imaan.
Ever since I can’t even remember, I used to listen to Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. I loved his insights so much that I decided to show my “fresh-off-the-boat” parents so they can know how to effectively deal with my older brother who was on the verge of apostasy. Although I love them to pieces, my parents upon seeing Shaykh Hamza Yusuf started telling me that he was a “fake” because he didn’t have a proper beard, and that he was wearing a wrong color hat. Without any voluntary thought, I saw my tongue defending him against the accusations of my parents, and my heart filled with disgust.
The passage that the Shaykh talks about here about the letters he receives from parents about their daughters/sons that are leaving Islam really resonates with me. My older brother fell into periods of doubts; some even as extreme as atheism and publicly stating “I don’t believe in God anymore.” With the help of Allah, great and glorious is He, my brother is now stable in Islam, prays, and has repented. However, the attitude that my immigrant parents displayed only severed the wound, and I found myself in frustrated conversations about Islam and Allah with him during long periods of the night trying to salvage his faith. I often found myself quoting Shaykh Hamza Yusuf and others to help my brother.
Although my parents’ ignorance could be justified due to the situations of their particular societies they grew up with, we need to realize the crisis many immigrant children face in the West and the breakaway mentalities from their parents they undergo. This hole needs to be filled (and IS often successfully filled) with people like the beloved Shaykh Hamza Yusuf (and others) who lets us see the true beauty of Islam and how the rules fit with the spirit rather than just the dry outer-shell. For his work and his immense positive influence, Sh. Hamza Yusuf should be honored and defended, for surely he has brought good in our communities.
The proper way if you feel he has made an error is to talk to him in private. If that means flying to California and meeting him, that is better than lazily sitting on your couch “trolling” around the internet trying to “expose” him. The preferable former approach highlights the fact that one is concerned about his imaan, and wants clarification for the purposes of gratifying his imaan, and not his nafs.
Just my two cents. May God grant the highest station in Paradise to our most beautiful Prophet [saws] and to his family, his Companions, and to those who strive to follow him. And, may God bring our chaotic ummah some order and some peace. Ameen.
Yaqoob Posted on 10/07/2012
Assalamu alaikum
Could I kindly ask for clarification/elaboration regarding the Lahori Qadianis? My understanding is that they are still Muslim because they believe Mirza Ghulam Ahmad to be the mahdi/a saint and NOT a prophet. Much appreciated.
As for those ignorantly reviling the beautiful Shaykh Hamza, suffice to say, when a dog barks at the sun, the beauty of the sun is not affected.
Wassalam
Muhammad Abdullah Posted on 10/07/2012
Salams Sh. Hamza
May Allah reward you so much – I have not much information of this debate, academics aside – its the fact that you have lowered yourself, and you are not afraid to admits your errors’.
I really like this Akhlaq, its motivation that if we are wrong, to admit ones error is part of humility
Inspiring, may Allah protect you
Munirah Posted on 10/07/2012
Assalaam Alaykum,
As a convert to Islam for 25 years I find it heartbreaking that Muslims attack other believers. The people that do this seem to have no insight into their own hearts let alone those of others. The damage that is being done to the Ummah by this kind of behavior is like a plague. All of my children have been wounded by it and often I have made duah that my relationship with Allah, and that of my fellow Muslims should not be harmed by it.Thank you for writing so wisely on this issue, it needs to be addressed. ( I also warn many converts to stay away from ‘conversations’ and ‘advice’ given unasked to them by others at the Mosques)
Naeem Nourzay Posted on 10/07/2012
I’m more angry with this kind of people within our community than that Teri johns who burned Quran at least he is not associated with me but some hot headed people in our community just looking for others mistake , it’s like they have nothing else to do , I’m afghan living in UK and seeing my homeland in too much problems du to lack of patience and islamic knowledge many times I wished that all my people were like shaykh hamza. I love Moulana Rumi and he had so much trouble with this kind of people , they all died but he is still loved by many , I love shaykh hamza and pray for him and his family .
Heba Macksoud Posted on 10/07/2012
Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers. – Voltaire
Please do not worry about your critics — you only need to answer to Allah and he knows what is in your heart.
Rationalist Posted on 10/07/2012
@ Hamza yousaf
Thank you brother for the clarification!!!
Mahmoud Tucsoni Posted on 10/07/2012
As-Salamu alaikum, beautiful article. May Allah Most High continue to bless the Shaikh and his family. Those trying to cast doubt upon the Shaikh are similar to those who throw rocks in the air to knock out the sun.
Dr Muhamad Ali Posted on 10/07/2012
Don’t worry Ya Shaykh…”Many a fault finder in words only reveal their faulty understanding”. Imam Ghazali’s books were burnt once upon a time in al-Andalus. But Allah protected him and history bear witness Imam Ghazali is a “Proof of Islam”. What people said against him is null and void. I believe in you ya Syakh Hamza. You are a beakon of light to this ummah. Let them delude themselves in their own ignorance and stupidity. May Allah always bless you. Salam from Malaysia. We Love you Brother.
Muhammed Posted on 10/07/2012
Assalamu Alaykum,
In pray that you are well. I wish to let people know that we are all human and to err is human, Alhamdu Lillah Shaykh Hamza is a man of taqwa who has shown many a people to the path of love of the Messenger of Allah, upon him be peace. He has realised an area of disputation and has made ammends. I pray that all scholars of the deen have the courage to do likewise if they slip. May Allah protect all our scholars.
wassalam
Muhammed, Bolton, United Kingdom
Mohamed Khafif Posted on 10/07/2012
May Allah protect you and preserve you for this ummah
91B Posted on 10/07/2012
I cannot understand those who try to ‘expose’ Sheikh Hamza as there is nothing to expose. I have learnt so much from listenng to the Sheikh and he has helped me so much even though he does not know it. InshAllah I can meet him one day and thank him. Those who do not appreciate him need to understand that he is truly a great scholar in our times.
imran Posted on 10/07/2012
salaamalaykum shiekh, I am thankful for this clarification, though I was not aware that there was an issue regarding this matter. What is more rewarding is that you have the courage to retract your error in a prophetic manner and yet show great leadership in your knowledge and thought. True hallmarks of righteousness and guidance.
Thank you sheikh.
Mohib Rashid Posted on 10/07/2012
May Allah increase you Shaykh Hamza Yusuf and provide you with a long prosperous life I am so proud and elated to know such a Pulchritudinous scholar like yourself keep strong and don’t let people get you down.
Mustafa F Posted on 10/07/2012
Salam Shaykh Hamza,
We are all keeping you in our duas. As a wise man once said, “If they aren’t going after you, you’re doing something wrong”.
Josef Posted on 10/07/2012
Salamo aleikom, may God bless you with long life, health and happiness. Please imam Hamza, you mean so much to so many of us. Allah has for some reason chosen to bless us muslims in this age with people like you, al hamdu lillah. You see, your’e not only a bridge between Islam and West. Your also a bridge between Ulema, previous and living, and us ordinary muslims. Not only in America but all over the world. By God I beleive for every person that is speaking ill of you there is ten thousand who love you and are so proud of you. God wanted you the gift to spread his light and love and of the prophet SAW and of the scholars to us. Please keep us in mind who love you for Allahs sake and just continue what Allah has ordained for you. I think I can speak for hundred of thousands of muslims, all over the world, whwn I say that when you speak my mind feels at peace, my heart is illuminated and my Imaan is streangthened. Al hamdu Li llah this is Gods gift to you and to us.
Hassan Posted on 10/07/2012
I’m an Azhary student and I really feel sad and my heart almost breaks when I see people use the word kufur so easily. At Al-Azhar they teach us that words like kufur or kafir are so heavy and requires a great deal of responsibility that I personally think doesn’t exist anymore.
Thank you so much Hamza for your article. It’s so easy now to go to shaykh youtube or hajj google and find hundreds of falsely called Imams claiming that such and such think haram and such and such person is kafir. لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله وإنا لله وإنا إليه لراجعون
Usman Posted on 10/07/2012
AssalamuAlaykum,
I pray you are forever guided and protected by Allah and you’re infinitely rewarded for all the good you do and forgiven any mistakes.
I wish nothing but the best for you and your family and will remain forever indebted for the impact you’ve had on my life and surely countless others.
Keep on keeping on ya Shaykh.
Rayan Posted on 10/07/2012
Shaykh Hamza,
You write that people who want to advise you should be “writing to [you] privately and edifying [you] that [you] might correct them…”.
How does one write to you or contact you? Is there an address?
I love you for the sake of Allah.
admin Posted on 10/07/2012
Salam Alaykum
You can write to Shaykh Hamza at hamza.yusuf@zaytuna.org.
Thank you,
Sandala Team
Zak Ali Posted on 10/07/2012
In The Name Of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praises are due to Allah, Lord of all the Worlds. May the peace and
blessings of Allah be upon the Prophet, His Family, His Companions, and on
all of those who practice righteousness and believe in the Last Day.
Asalaamo-Alaikum Wa Rahmatulah Wa Barakatahu
Peace be onto You, With the Mercy of Allah and the Blessings of Allah
May Allah Azzawajal shower you with a great life that is filled with success in everything that He Subhanahu wa Ta Ala deems success for you. May He Subhanahu wa Ta Ala grant from your progeny protectors of the Quran and great Eman. May He Subhanahu wa Ta Ala grant you Janatal Firdous. May He Subhanahu wa Ta Ala increase your health, rizq, eman, knowledge, wisdom, understanding, wealth, charity, greatness and salat. May He Subhanahu wa Ta Ala grant you the means to perform the Hajj this year Insha Allah. May He Subhanahu wa Ta Ala protect you from the punishment of the grave, from laziness, from miserliness, from forgetting the Thikr of Allah. May He Subhanahu wa Ta Ala make you amongst the Saliheen(righteous) on the Day of Judgement on the Foremost Closest to Rasullulah (PBUH). May He Subhanahu wa Ta Ala grant your children a righteous life with honesty, only pure and lawful guidance from He Subhanahu wa Ta Ala and pure entertainment and happiness. May He Subhanahu wa Ta Ala make the Quran flow through the veins of you and your family.
May He Subhanahu wa Ta Ala accept this dua. Ameen, Ameen, Ameen, Thumma Ameen.
My Dearest Sheikh Hamza,
I most definitely respect and appreciate the training that you have outlined to us. It has indeed inscribed into my soul, the elegance of our deen, in correctly our faults, in way that is sometimes needed to help people.
Your writings will impact the lives of families who have not yet to embrace the folds of Islam.
I express my deepest gratitude for the lessons that you have taught in the past and on moving forward….
Thank You,
Jazakhum Allah Khairun,
Zak Ali
ByChoiceMuslim Posted on 10/07/2012
Thank you for Clarifying Shaykh. May Allah (swt) bless you with Goodness.
Turk1453 Posted on 10/07/2012
Im amazed at the hate that some youtube `sheikhs` demonstrate toward Hamza Yusuf….I really do not understand how this is possible from fellow muslims…..As usual Sheikh Hamza has answered his detractors as would befit a muslim….How will these people answer to Allah on judgment day I do not know ….May Allah provide our ummah with a thousand more Hamza Yusufs!!!
Omar Shahid Posted on 10/07/2012
Dear Shaikh,
Asalaamu-alaykum,
I’ve been listening to your talks and reading your writings for many years and you’ve done nothing but increase my faith. Thank you. It’s a shame that you’ve had to openly declare your beliefs like this.
I’m sure the overwhelming majority of Muslims who know you and know about your work, have a lot of love for you. I certainly do.
You’re one of the greatest blessings our Ummah currently has.
May Allah protect you, your family and allow you to carry on doing good for many more years.
I’ve been praying for years that one day I could meet you.
Omar