A Response to My Critics
Uncle and I are not on the best of terms lately
Assalamu Aliakum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu, for you Wahabis reading this, ASAK.
In recent weeks I have been receiving a multitude of emails, mostly negative, but that's what I expected. It seems people are taking what is said on this site personally, particularly the UIC MSA. Instead of perhaps gleaning some insight, offense is taken and a negative response is manifested in the form of vulgarities and simply misunderstood inquiries. I do appreciate all inquiries, since they are honest and simply ask for clarification. I do not however appreciate the vulgarities, but if you don't know how to express yourself in any other way, then so be it, perhaps God will take pity on you and enhance your vocabulary. Pray for this.
That is not to say that you do not have the right to be harsh and critical in your views regarding the content of this site. In fact, I encourage this. You have that right and should use it. However, if you think profanity is the best way to get your point across, you will simply be ignored.
If you are one who is taking offense, please know that KhutbahKhaos apologizes. My intention is not to hurt but to provoke. Provoke a desire for better understanding and perhaps even a better appreciation for our faith. It is up to you to take what is said on this site seriously or not. There is no compulsion in religion, nor is there any compulsion to accept what is said on this site.
One UIC MSA member sent me an inquiry, it was very honest and direct, I appreciated it a great deal. To help clear up any misunderstandings I responded in kind. The following is the dialogue that took place. For privacy reasons, this person's name and gender have been censored (although I am sure that same person has shared their inquiry as well as my response to their intimates already).
In recent weeks I have been receiving a multitude of emails, mostly negative, but that's what I expected. It seems people are taking what is said on this site personally, particularly the UIC MSA. Instead of perhaps gleaning some insight, offense is taken and a negative response is manifested in the form of vulgarities and simply misunderstood inquiries. I do appreciate all inquiries, since they are honest and simply ask for clarification. I do not however appreciate the vulgarities, but if you don't know how to express yourself in any other way, then so be it, perhaps God will take pity on you and enhance your vocabulary. Pray for this.
That is not to say that you do not have the right to be harsh and critical in your views regarding the content of this site. In fact, I encourage this. You have that right and should use it. However, if you think profanity is the best way to get your point across, you will simply be ignored.
If you are one who is taking offense, please know that KhutbahKhaos apologizes. My intention is not to hurt but to provoke. Provoke a desire for better understanding and perhaps even a better appreciation for our faith. It is up to you to take what is said on this site seriously or not. There is no compulsion in religion, nor is there any compulsion to accept what is said on this site.
One UIC MSA member sent me an inquiry, it was very honest and direct, I appreciated it a great deal. To help clear up any misunderstandings I responded in kind. The following is the dialogue that took place. For privacy reasons, this person's name and gender have been censored (although I am sure that same person has shared their inquiry as well as my response to their intimates already).
MSA Member's Inquiry
Salaam brother. I was wondering what your motivation for these khutbah critiques were? Honestly I can enjoy reading critiques if they were not so biased and one sided. I believe you attack some khateebs unnecessarily. I think if you want to critique these brothers, please take the time to tell them to their face so they can improve their khutbahs. Most of these khateebs are young and inexperienced, maybe someone of your stature can help them take that extra step into becoming a better khateeb. This website is only causing fitna among the UIC MSA. I think it would be better if you took the young khateeb to the side after the khutbah and talked to him about improving himself. Please consider trying to be constructive with your criticism. inshAllah. Take care. Salaam.
Salaam brother. I was wondering what your motivation for these khutbah critiques were? Honestly I can enjoy reading critiques if they were not so biased and one sided. I believe you attack some khateebs unnecessarily. I think if you want to critique these brothers, please take the time to tell them to their face so they can improve their khutbahs. Most of these khateebs are young and inexperienced, maybe someone of your stature can help them take that extra step into becoming a better khateeb. This website is only causing fitna among the UIC MSA. I think it would be better if you took the young khateeb to the side after the khutbah and talked to him about improving himself. Please consider trying to be constructive with your criticism. inshAllah. Take care. Salaam.
KhutbahKhaos's Response
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalamu Alaikum [Censored],
I thank you sincerely for your questions and will, Insha'Allah, attempt to satisfy them with appropriate answers.
My motivation behind the khutbah critiques I believe is quite apparent. However, I will elaborate if it is not already clear. The quality of khutbahs, in my humble opinion, is incredibly volatile. There is no consistency, the UIC MSA doesn't seem to screen their khateebs, so you have khateebs standing there contradicting what a previous khateeb said. Although, I am of the firm belief that differences of opinion are valid, warranted, and even allowed in Islam (just as our Noble Prophet (S) said), a distinction is necessary. For individuals that are not fully aware of their own faith, that are dipping into several madhabs or believe they can work outside of one, this makes things confusing and challenging. In reality, for those who have a sincere interest in learning from these khutbahs, they go home with a multitude of ideas that hurt rather than help, whether or not they know it.
You say my critiques are causing fitnah in the UIC MSA? I dare say it is the only source. It seems the prerequisite for an MSA to be established on any campus is fitnah. MSAs around the country tend to throw the veil of fitnah over something they don't agree with. Typically, an MSA body is governed by Wahabi or Salafi ideals and principals, which if you look more deeply, contradicts many fine tuned traditions that our great faith held firmly established for the better part of a millennium.
Why don't I approach the khateeb and attempt to engage in a friendly dialog, sharing my thoughts and attempting to better equip the khateeb for the next time? Well, that is simple, most people simply cannot take the constructive criticism, believe me, I have tried, often times my good will is thrown back into my face and I am made the culprit. Alhamdulillah, it was something I needed to learn, it was also one of the main impetus behind the creation of my blog.
As you see, I don't simply mention the negatives of the khutbahs, I also mention all the positives, unfortunately, the MSA brothers that do give a khutbah tend to be very heavy in the negative side of things. I would highly suggest that you and anyone else that has taken offense by my words reflect deeply and perhaps even take seriously what I am saying, my goal in the end is to show the ignorance that people hold and to encourage humbleness. Humbleness that will lead your MSA to perhaps become better attuned to what the traditional practices of Islam teaches and therefore deliver better khutbahs.
There have been several occasions on which I left the khutbah simply because the khateeb said something so utterly asinine that I felt it was a complete waste of time to stay. Much less receive any benefit from praying behind someone so ignorant. If I am the only one to leave a khutbah, Alhamdulillah, you are doing your job well and are engaging the rest of the jammat. Don't worry about one individual.
Perhaps take a look at the qualities of good khutbahs mentioned and discussed on the site and compare those with the negative. See if I am making sense there. I am very consistent in my thoughts and opinions, which are not my own but derived from my teachers and scholars of traditional Islam.
Lastly, it is very clear to me that these students who give khutbahs are young and inexperienced, but that is not an excuse for saying something that is incorrect. If you do not know something, you remain silent. I am absolutely sure there are a few among you that know what they are talking about, it's rare for me to hear their voices. Perhaps the MSA can hold khutbah workshops where the structure and content of a khutbah can be discussed and established. I know schools that have done this in the past with positive results from the students. If an inexperienced khateeb does take the stand, he should keep the khutbah short and sweet, thereby removing the possibility of error. If public speaking is an issue, I know of several classes at the university that may assist in building the confidence and appropriate manner of speaking.
Also, that Egyptian fellow you all regularly invite doesn't know what he's talking about either, so the blame is not entirely on you.
May God bless you and bless me, may He guide us both to the Truth. I respect you for your honesty and am grateful.
Ma'Assalam
I thank you sincerely for your questions and will, Insha'Allah, attempt to satisfy them with appropriate answers.
My motivation behind the khutbah critiques I believe is quite apparent. However, I will elaborate if it is not already clear. The quality of khutbahs, in my humble opinion, is incredibly volatile. There is no consistency, the UIC MSA doesn't seem to screen their khateebs, so you have khateebs standing there contradicting what a previous khateeb said. Although, I am of the firm belief that differences of opinion are valid, warranted, and even allowed in Islam (just as our Noble Prophet (S) said), a distinction is necessary. For individuals that are not fully aware of their own faith, that are dipping into several madhabs or believe they can work outside of one, this makes things confusing and challenging. In reality, for those who have a sincere interest in learning from these khutbahs, they go home with a multitude of ideas that hurt rather than help, whether or not they know it.
You say my critiques are causing fitnah in the UIC MSA? I dare say it is the only source. It seems the prerequisite for an MSA to be established on any campus is fitnah. MSAs around the country tend to throw the veil of fitnah over something they don't agree with. Typically, an MSA body is governed by Wahabi or Salafi ideals and principals, which if you look more deeply, contradicts many fine tuned traditions that our great faith held firmly established for the better part of a millennium.
Why don't I approach the khateeb and attempt to engage in a friendly dialog, sharing my thoughts and attempting to better equip the khateeb for the next time? Well, that is simple, most people simply cannot take the constructive criticism, believe me, I have tried, often times my good will is thrown back into my face and I am made the culprit. Alhamdulillah, it was something I needed to learn, it was also one of the main impetus behind the creation of my blog.
As you see, I don't simply mention the negatives of the khutbahs, I also mention all the positives, unfortunately, the MSA brothers that do give a khutbah tend to be very heavy in the negative side of things. I would highly suggest that you and anyone else that has taken offense by my words reflect deeply and perhaps even take seriously what I am saying, my goal in the end is to show the ignorance that people hold and to encourage humbleness. Humbleness that will lead your MSA to perhaps become better attuned to what the traditional practices of Islam teaches and therefore deliver better khutbahs.
There have been several occasions on which I left the khutbah simply because the khateeb said something so utterly asinine that I felt it was a complete waste of time to stay. Much less receive any benefit from praying behind someone so ignorant. If I am the only one to leave a khutbah, Alhamdulillah, you are doing your job well and are engaging the rest of the jammat. Don't worry about one individual.
Perhaps take a look at the qualities of good khutbahs mentioned and discussed on the site and compare those with the negative. See if I am making sense there. I am very consistent in my thoughts and opinions, which are not my own but derived from my teachers and scholars of traditional Islam.
Lastly, it is very clear to me that these students who give khutbahs are young and inexperienced, but that is not an excuse for saying something that is incorrect. If you do not know something, you remain silent. I am absolutely sure there are a few among you that know what they are talking about, it's rare for me to hear their voices. Perhaps the MSA can hold khutbah workshops where the structure and content of a khutbah can be discussed and established. I know schools that have done this in the past with positive results from the students. If an inexperienced khateeb does take the stand, he should keep the khutbah short and sweet, thereby removing the possibility of error. If public speaking is an issue, I know of several classes at the university that may assist in building the confidence and appropriate manner of speaking.
Also, that Egyptian fellow you all regularly invite doesn't know what he's talking about either, so the blame is not entirely on you.
May God bless you and bless me, may He guide us both to the Truth. I respect you for your honesty and am grateful.
Ma'Assalam
March 15, 2012