A Response to My Critics (Part II)
Salam,
So, perhaps some of you have noticed my recent inactivity lately. The reasons for this are many, some life related, some khutbah related. The life related reasons are none of your business, so I will only share the khutbah related. Khutbahs just suck all around these days. I can't even summon the energy to criticize them. I am so dumbfounded by the lack of preparation and sophistication by the khatib. I guess that's not really an excuse not to provide valuable content to you all, so, accept this as an apology and a gift.
You might enjoy reading a contact form submission I received in February.
So, perhaps some of you have noticed my recent inactivity lately. The reasons for this are many, some life related, some khutbah related. The life related reasons are none of your business, so I will only share the khutbah related. Khutbahs just suck all around these days. I can't even summon the energy to criticize them. I am so dumbfounded by the lack of preparation and sophistication by the khatib. I guess that's not really an excuse not to provide valuable content to you all, so, accept this as an apology and a gift.
You might enjoy reading a contact form submission I received in February.
I wrote a response to this fellow, but received the following error message:
Since I was denied my right to respond, I don't have any qualms posting this (as well as my response) because I am certain the person who submitted it used a pseudonym. Not to mention that, like all my contact form submissions, I respond to people directly, provided they use a real email address, this guy didn't, so there is no harm or humiliation coming to him if I share this with you all. Below is my response that I wrote the same day I received this submission.
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu,
Dear Ali Bilal,
I believe you are hurt and offended by what you have read on my site. For that I humbly apologize, but your comments will not deter me from continuing what I started 15 months ago. Of course you are free to continue berating the site and whatever you disagree with, in fact I encourage this.
However, please note that the advice you have given me was done so in a manner that was counter to your point. You suggested I not belittle others and that I should lead by example yet you referred to the writing on the site as "cry baby stupid talk." I would hope the next time you wish to criticize the site that you will not contradict yourself.
In any case, you are free to do as you wish, which is true for myself and all of my collaborators. Why should any of us expose our true identities? Does that make any sense to you? We would be inviting more ignorant people to chastise us. Also, since they are ignorant, they would extend that chastisement to our respected families and friends, even if they have nothing to do with this site. Such is the condition of our ignorant Muslim communities. Tell me I am wrong if you like, I don't mind it, this is my opinion, it can always be wrong, but it will remain so until the community at large proves itself to me. Who am I that the community should prove itself to? Well, I am nobody, I am nothing, but that doesn't keep me from formulating an opinion. It doesn't stop board members of Islamic schools or mosques from thinking they are mini Saddam Husseins or Bashar al Assads.
Just as you have formulated an opinion about the content of the site, I have formulated an opinion on the content of the many khutbahs I have attended. At least, I take the time to attend many many khutbahs as well as try to be as objective as possible. You must of read one or two negative critiques and had a fit. I assure you, there are more positive than negative critiques on this site.
I would sincerely hope that you keep an objective eye open when reading through the khutbah critiques, what I am expressing is tough love, I love my Muslim community, my brothers and sisters, but when I see how prevalent ignorance is in these communities, I make sure to point them out.
May Allah have mercy on us all. Ameen.
Dear Ali Bilal,
I believe you are hurt and offended by what you have read on my site. For that I humbly apologize, but your comments will not deter me from continuing what I started 15 months ago. Of course you are free to continue berating the site and whatever you disagree with, in fact I encourage this.
However, please note that the advice you have given me was done so in a manner that was counter to your point. You suggested I not belittle others and that I should lead by example yet you referred to the writing on the site as "cry baby stupid talk." I would hope the next time you wish to criticize the site that you will not contradict yourself.
In any case, you are free to do as you wish, which is true for myself and all of my collaborators. Why should any of us expose our true identities? Does that make any sense to you? We would be inviting more ignorant people to chastise us. Also, since they are ignorant, they would extend that chastisement to our respected families and friends, even if they have nothing to do with this site. Such is the condition of our ignorant Muslim communities. Tell me I am wrong if you like, I don't mind it, this is my opinion, it can always be wrong, but it will remain so until the community at large proves itself to me. Who am I that the community should prove itself to? Well, I am nobody, I am nothing, but that doesn't keep me from formulating an opinion. It doesn't stop board members of Islamic schools or mosques from thinking they are mini Saddam Husseins or Bashar al Assads.
Just as you have formulated an opinion about the content of the site, I have formulated an opinion on the content of the many khutbahs I have attended. At least, I take the time to attend many many khutbahs as well as try to be as objective as possible. You must of read one or two negative critiques and had a fit. I assure you, there are more positive than negative critiques on this site.
I would sincerely hope that you keep an objective eye open when reading through the khutbah critiques, what I am expressing is tough love, I love my Muslim community, my brothers and sisters, but when I see how prevalent ignorance is in these communities, I make sure to point them out.
May Allah have mercy on us all. Ameen.
Written by Abu Fulan on Tuesday, June 18 2013