It amazed me how I deeply resonate with this. That comment in the khutbah about who’s the friend of God and who isn’t was deeply unnecessary, and countless similar khutbahs like that was the catalyst for me to step back from the community too (I’m born Muslim).
Eventually, I clung onto the fact that God asked Moses pbuh accountability for the fact that he hastened to meet God and left his people behind. Moses pbuh’s intention was seemingly harmless, he wanted to please his Lord. But, even a noble intention that trespasses the limit that God created can backfire. I understand that the shaikh has a noble intention, but what he said may have trespassed the limit—we can’t for sure decide who’s the friend of God and who isn’t. None of us can, unless God explicitly told us so.
Maybe this is our test. For shaikhs to educate us in a balanced and nuanced way, without resorting to fear doctrine and adding or subtracting from the beauty of this deen. For us to have husnudhan on our teachers, while believing and acting based on our understanding, and keeping this kind of discussions honest, open, and alive. Allah knows best
What a magnificent piece of writing, Jacks. Thank you so much. Your compassion and clarity hearten me greatly, as does your sharing the existence of a Queer Muslim community out there! Masha'allah! I am not technically a Muslim (although I believe every word of the Shehada) but I respect Islam enormously and am so grateful for its existence. I pray you are being compassionate with yourself for smoking. When I lived in Palestine the entire country was smoking, it seemed like. When you can't drink, or do stronger drugs, you need some way of coping with genocide. We all do. God is nothing if not compassionate. The Most Compassionate, The Most Merciful. They are with you, always.
Another piece by you that hit it out of the ball park. You know the only sin that is not forgiven by God.
The right of others unto you can only be validated by them. Hence, I am a physician, so I do my utmost to give back to my patients for I receive from them. In the muslim funeral prayer, Imam asks the people do you let go what this deceased person may owe you. It’s up to every individual to forgive or not. And we may be punished in the after life for things we did wrong to the others.
Anything else is between you and God. Nobody knows what is in your mind or your heart but Allah SWT. He will give the judgment for each soul on the day of judgment. Whoever else thinks or says other wise implying that they know what Allah SWT knows is effectively putting themselves in his place, Subhanallah. Then refer to the first paragraph.
I am born into the true faith. I learned so much from you. I will pray to God, you find happiness in this life and the life after. You are a remarkable individual.
It amazed me how I deeply resonate with this. That comment in the khutbah about who’s the friend of God and who isn’t was deeply unnecessary, and countless similar khutbahs like that was the catalyst for me to step back from the community too (I’m born Muslim).
Eventually, I clung onto the fact that God asked Moses pbuh accountability for the fact that he hastened to meet God and left his people behind. Moses pbuh’s intention was seemingly harmless, he wanted to please his Lord. But, even a noble intention that trespasses the limit that God created can backfire. I understand that the shaikh has a noble intention, but what he said may have trespassed the limit—we can’t for sure decide who’s the friend of God and who isn’t. None of us can, unless God explicitly told us so.
Maybe this is our test. For shaikhs to educate us in a balanced and nuanced way, without resorting to fear doctrine and adding or subtracting from the beauty of this deen. For us to have husnudhan on our teachers, while believing and acting based on our understanding, and keeping this kind of discussions honest, open, and alive. Allah knows best
What a magnificent piece of writing, Jacks. Thank you so much. Your compassion and clarity hearten me greatly, as does your sharing the existence of a Queer Muslim community out there! Masha'allah! I am not technically a Muslim (although I believe every word of the Shehada) but I respect Islam enormously and am so grateful for its existence. I pray you are being compassionate with yourself for smoking. When I lived in Palestine the entire country was smoking, it seemed like. When you can't drink, or do stronger drugs, you need some way of coping with genocide. We all do. God is nothing if not compassionate. The Most Compassionate, The Most Merciful. They are with you, always.
Dear Jack,
Another piece by you that hit it out of the ball park. You know the only sin that is not forgiven by God.
The right of others unto you can only be validated by them. Hence, I am a physician, so I do my utmost to give back to my patients for I receive from them. In the muslim funeral prayer, Imam asks the people do you let go what this deceased person may owe you. It’s up to every individual to forgive or not. And we may be punished in the after life for things we did wrong to the others.
Anything else is between you and God. Nobody knows what is in your mind or your heart but Allah SWT. He will give the judgment for each soul on the day of judgment. Whoever else thinks or says other wise implying that they know what Allah SWT knows is effectively putting themselves in his place, Subhanallah. Then refer to the first paragraph.
I am born into the true faith. I learned so much from you. I will pray to God, you find happiness in this life and the life after. You are a remarkable individual.