Muslim American Culture
Muslim Thought explores the often very divisive question of whether or not American Muslims should have a unique culture. Many Muslims are vehemently opposed to such a concept and feel that we should import a culture from a current Muslim country. I have touched on this topic in this post and feel that it is damaging to tell a new Muslim that they must essentially pick a Muslim country (preferably a Middle Eastern country or Pakistan) and adopt their culture (sometimes even adopt a fake accent to “foreignize” themselves) drop contact with their family and isolate themselves from the world around them.
This is going to be a natural process that develops from daily interactions and needs
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Filed under: Muslim Isolation | Tagged: Muslim Culture
Who Are the Ottomans?
During the time of the Ottoman Empire, the Muslims were strong, noble and respected. It was a period where unity among Muslims was achieved. During the reign of the Ottoman Sultans, the Muslim unity that is idealized today, was actualized and develope…
Masha Allaah. Muslims in America need to find their own culture. What about the culture of the Prophet sallaa Llaahu alayhi wa sallam and that of his Companions? Arent they the best generation?
Tariq, you know these blogs are dangerous! I’ve told you before. You have pics of some girl who comments in the side bar and she isnt covered.
You have the “freedom” to discuss anything you want and I have challenged you in the past to go back through your site and find and Ayah or Hadeeth to substaniate all these posts. But you didnt and you cant so fear the FIRE.
The Islaam in AMerica is the same Islaam as anywhere else. There are a whole of these “Pledge of Mutual Cooperation” ideas going on.
I posted lasted week in reference to your MANA post: Why are you promoting these types of gatherings but not the visits of the Shuyookh like Shaykh Muhammad Musa Nasr. I got commented on that is past time for us “black american muslims to et someone from oversees deal with our problems” sounds just like YQ saying he didnt need to ask the ulamaa- and they bashed him for it.
Tariq, i truly believe you want good, but you have had so many things impact your outlook that it is not 20/20 vision anymore. And you now have this forum that you said yourself youdont monitor it 100%. So people mix between sexes in their comments, about truly unnecessary stuff. People leave all types of ideas that you dont delete. You’ve made some big mistakes that you have had to delete.
You’ve become sarcastic by putting “Inetrnational Super Spy” The Prophet was ridiculed and he never responded as such. If you do it in your personal life, that is one thing. But to do it in public with this following that you have is another.
Wallahi, I imagine any good that came out of this in its early stages like people from the radio and newspapers being interested. If I could bet I would that most of them have stopped paying so much attention because of the direction it has taen whether through you or your commentors.
I clicked on your latest link above in this post. It was some garbage exploring of an idea. And I clicked on their links. You are only 2 degrees seperation from Suhaib Webb and the likes. # clicks away from some “Outlandish” bull s%^& singing stuff with musical instruments.
You will be asked Yawmil-Qiyaamah about your affiliations. Guard them. Fix what you need to fix. The way the Ulamaa advise it to be fixed.
May Allaah Guide you and all of these liberals.
Salaams Tariq,
I think that whether we want it or not, Muslims in the US (and the UK, where I’m from) will develop their own culture as a matter of course.
Moreover, I personally see nothing wrong in this.
Abdur Rahman
Mustafaa:
What you have stated is examples of misuse of scholars advise to approach issues of disagreements between brothers. The points you made were not based on evidence, nor did it make sense. I think you are wrong for the stances you make and it’s shameful that you think its worship of Allah to make such ill-funded corrections.
However, I do agree that Tariq has made some grave mistakes in the past, but recently the post have improved as far as content is concerned. This is a learning process for Tariq–I just hope the harm will be less than the tremendous benefit he (bi ithnillah) brings.
Brother Mustafa fear Allah, have taqwa of Allah. Make sure your knowledge is supported by the Qur’an and Sunnah. I would also add that some of your statements did not appear that it was for Allah’s Sake. I would say that you should learn the art of correcting and advising BEFORE you learn the art of demeaning and rebuking. That would be my advise for you. I think you where genuine in your effort but short in your effectiveness.
Allah knows best. As I stated before, I think Tariq is wrong on a some of his opinions. But don’t criticize him for what other people (i.e. people who don’t wear hijab) say on it (although Tariq should delete some of the outrageous content that does not contribute to the focus of his blog). For you to criticize him for what others (i.e. who don’t wear hijab) say on his blog, is a prime example of your lack of 20/20.
Don’t get me wrong, I think you a good Muslim. In fact, I don’t doubt your Islam not one bit. I would go further in saying that you are from among the people who are trying to follow the Sunnah to the best way you are able. You just need some fine-tuning. The picture you gave us is black and white without anything in between. The Prophet, sas, brought the middle-way. He did not come with the current traditions made religion that we currently have today. Tariq is simply saying: don’t be fooled by culture that appears to be Islam, it’s not Islam it’s just a practice/behavior of people in different countries.
I don’t agree that Tariq is saying that we need a new Islam; he is attempting to state that we need to evaluate the current Islam that we’re attempting to emulate as a people in this country. So, kick back, don’t playa-hate, and give an objective opinion that encourages others to challenge themselves to increase their understanding of Islam. Brother Mustafaa, the bottom line is: help us understand Islam; don’t just sink our boat because you dislike the color. Give us an objective view of your disagreement. Teach us to swim before you through us in the water.
The Ottoman Empire was a despicable, degenerate, slave holding, misygonistic, lazy, cutthroat empire. I would have taken the Roman Empire over the Ottoman Empire any day.
Salaam
Good Advisor:
Jazaak Allaahu Khairan. You can email me at gbtw@sbcglobal.net and I will give you my tel # so we can talk. I do not spen all day on the net reading he say/she say.
Tariq just happens to be someone I consider a friend, but lately he has taken a turn and I have spoken to him about it numerous times directly.
He hasnt picked up his phone nor had the time to engage in conversation but he findss time to keep posting . So i took it upon myself to respond in like fashion.
And, Dear Good Advisor, I disagree with many points you have made. First, Tariq didn’t say anything about Americans finding a new culture, rather he linked us to someone who did. SOmeone who had pictures of living beings, which is haraam. Who had American flags draped over their faces, and I’m sure Tariq agress with me that this is detestable yet he still posts it. And they said the ugly stuff. But TARIQ linked to it, for all HIS followers to see.
And he is to be held accountable for what people say on his sight. HE opened it, not anyone else. It is his. He is responsible. It is his job as the Imaam of Tariqnelson.com the official sight for Black and Obese American issues to moderate it.
Tariq speaks Arabic. Can pick up Fath-ul-Bari and understand it for the most part. He can listen to the tapes of the Ulamaa and benefit. He can share that world with us. But he chooses to attack the problems of the Muslims in AMerica which are not that different from the problems of Muslims anywhere else with his own ideas. It is as if he is blaming the Ulamaa of not having Fiqh-ul-Waaqi’. wa iyyadh billaah.
So TARIQ opened a forum where women could post the naked pics. Where open Sufis could be linked to on HIS page. I have visited Blogs of Brothers who do not haVE THESE THINGS, YET tARIQ CHOSE TO HAVE THEM.
WASN’T DONE BUT HIT A WRONG BUTTON.
The Tariq I grew to love used to spend all he had to go to the latest Islamic knowledge based conference. Now he promotes this wahdatul-manaahij thing. May Allaah rectify all of our affairs.
Go to abu imraan al-Meksakee’s blog. He has very beneficial things. No pictures, no false comments. Just benefit.
And I challenge you to try and click on his links and whatever you like and see just how long it takes you to get to some false web page. It will take a lot of clicks. Why? Because he doesnt let anything e\and everything go and say I am too busy there is no way I can monitor. If you cant monitor it dont open it. If you can take care of a cat dont adopt one. If you cant live with a woman in kindness dont marry. if you cant open a blog with out all of these pitfalls dont open it.
If you are not guiding the people to what is right, you are misguiding them. If they are not coming to Salafiyyah but rather promoting other than that and you claim you dont have the time to monitor it. Then dont open it. SHUT IT DOWN. Before you become a gateway to the Baatil.
I challenge you, GOOD ADVISOR, to bring a point in my earlier or present point that I cannot back up with evidence from the Quran, Sunnah or manhaj of the Salaf.
You want to educate you? Then go to prosunnah.org and download the audio room files so you can attend Sunan at-Tirmidhee on Wed night at 9:30 EST. or go to Paltalk and listen to Abu Dawud same time on THur. visit dkh-islam.com or calltoislam.com or salafimanhaj.com or islamlecture.com. You will find plenty to occupy your time.
If you can find some saved web pages of memphisdawah.com on the net. You will find the type of work Tariq used to do, but gave up when he went to DC and started this freedom forum for black people.
Have to eat right? the PRophet sallaa Llahu alayhi wa sallam ate dates for 2 months straight. dont get married to strangers? the ansar were willing to give up one of their wives to the muhajiroon. Dont have kids right away? where is this in the Quran and Sunnah? quite the opposite. and many many many many many many many many many many many many many many more issues that have been raised on here.
Dont challenge me to support what I have said. Challenge Tariq to provide something form the Quran and Sunnah upon the minhaj of Salaf for his posts. Trust me, if you challenge me - I will provide, bi-idhni llaah. And if you challenge him - he cant. if there is naymore on this email me at tha bove address i wont take part in this forum anymore.
BismillaharRahmanirRahim
as-salaamu ‘alaikum. Ron are you a Muslim?
as-salaam alaikum,
Mustafaa
I have to jump back in this because Tariq is taking a lot of arrows from people on this self righteous kick from all directions.
You don’t know the positive affect Tariq’s posts have had on people getting their lives together. I am a living witness.
I spent 15 years living in a bubble on the self-righteous kick, then found out that I had done NOTHING with my life and could not even take care of my own children. Where is that from the Sunnah?
Tariq has saved my life and taught me to get my life in order. I have found a lot of benefit in what the brother has written and now I am able to live as a Muslim MAN and not as a phony one TALKING about the Sunnah all the time.
I’m sorry, but you sound very naive and have not seen the wounds out here. Are you saying that stranger marriage is the only way to get married? Tariq called attention to these things and by Allah he has done a lot of good here in Philly and other places in bringing attention to the craziness that people were doing in the name of salafiyyah.
“Oh akh, robbin a bank don’t take me off the minhaj”
“Oh akh, I got 3 wives on the welfare, but at least I’m not on bidah”
Provide me with proof from the Qur’an and Sunnah that you can marry a woman, have several kids then dump her and NOT take care of the kids?
I love Tariq and the work that he has done
Stranger Marriage is the way to go if you ONLY see marriage as sex
Br Mustafaa
Being salafi doesn’t mean you have to go into total seculsion from the world. Open your eyes and you will see them
Jazzak Allahu Khayr Bro. Mustafaa:
I think you recieved my comment well. I am appriecative of your advise and good naseehah. May Allah bless you and Tariq with what is best–for this life and the hereafter.
Salam
Salaam ‘Alaikum
Gosh. I liked the International Super Spy thing. When did having a sense of humor become haraam?
Tariq, even if American Muslims try to import cultural norms from other places, the end result would be something uniquely American. It would still be a synthesis. I am not advocating either way, but I’m saying that people who try to replicate their culture in America are pretty much losing a battle. Their kids don’t relate to old world practices. I don’t think we have to try so hard to be unique.
Can I add one thing.
There is nothing wrong to be proud of your culture and background, and that goes also for White people
I do believe being a white and Muslim is greater challenge than any other ethnic groups.
Damn Tariq, you gettin’ heat for every post you make. I bet if you simply posted “Salam”, these haters would come and be like “you spelt salam wrong” or “saying salam in english on a blog is against Islam, fear Allah brother”.
Most of these haters are lost and take out there frustration by posting negative comments.
Yes indeed Saifuddin -
I am a history buff and particularly Islamic history.
What does religion have to do with my view of the Ottoman Empire?
The Ottomans achieved great things for people in Central Asia but many people suffered under their rule including their fellow Muslims.
Salaam
BismillaharRahmanirRahim
as-salaamu ‘alaikum Ron. Are you an African American? And if not what is your heritage and ethnic origin?