MEC | Salam folks. Jummah today was one Jummah I have never experienced. I should also say that I am grateful that I have not experienced this before and pray I don't experience this again. Want to know what the Jummah was like? Go ahead and read the brief summation of the khutbah below, then be ready for the commentary that follows. |
Yeah... I normally yell when I speak.
Black brother giving khutbah.
We thank Allah for this blessed Jummah. We thank Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta 'Ala) for His help and support. Forgive us our sins. We pray to Him to give us strength to strive in His cause
Beloved Muslims we are living in a very critical time. We live in a society that has mastered the art of deception.
The two biggest industries of deception are Hollywood and Max Factor. Makeup is nothing but something synthetic and artificial, Hollywood is fiction, we have to protect ourselves from this fiction.
Ali (R) was walking with the Prophet (S), the Prophet said there will be fitna, and said the book of Allah will keep you out of it.
God knew Hollywood would come into being one day, he knew. We allow television to bring in the lifestyle of the nonbelievers. They had the Emmys recently, the show Modern Family won the most Emmys this year. And you know what this show is about? Nothing but homosexuality. And we are rewarding this.
"Allah will lift the head off of the homosexual. He won't care."
The Angel Jibril (A) [The Archangel Gabriel] was told to destroy a particular nation, when he went down to destroy it he noticed that there was one person who was in constant worship of God and was fully obedient to Him. So Jibril went back to Allah and told Him about the obedient slave he witnessed. Allah told Jibril to start the punishment with him. Jibril was astonished and asked "Why?". Allah responded by saying, "Because that person didn't show any displeasure for the things in violation of my commands."
"If we don't do something about it, Allah will get us Muslims. He will punish us through disloyal wives, unrighteous husbands, and disobedient children."
In surah Tawbah, Allah says that if your fathers and your sons and your relatives and your wealth that you attain, and your merchandise that you fear to decline in, if they are more beloved to you than Allah, then wait for the punishment of Allah. For it is surely coming.
"God is giving us time to get it right."
"We are in a moral conundrum, moral decadence. This is not a political problem, its a spiritual issue. The only thing that can correct the heart, the book of Allah."
[Yelling louder and louder now. Hurting my ears.]
"Its no problem having dunya, we have to have the best because we deserve the best because we worship Allah, but we have to teach people to be grateful."
"If Allah does not come first, then...[expect something bad to happen]."
They are all about rewarding themselves in this dunya (world/life). This ain't CNN or cspan, this is the lord of the Ka'ba. Allah said those who exhausted all their efforts in the dunya and thought that they were attaining something. That's because they disbeleived. All their deeds are in vain.
"George burns died at 100, he wrote a book at 90 about living to 100, he lived to 100." [Was making a point about this person but he said it too quickly, probably wasn't all that profound anyway].
"Believe this Muslims. Stick firm to Allah and His message and His Messenger."
Another example in Qur'an about those who disbelieve:
"It's like someone is in the sandy desert. Who is really thirsty and then sees a mirage. They then realize nothing is there."
"Allah is very quick in taking account. Remember its all synthetic, it looks good, but it's not real."
May Allah guide us.
We thank Allah for this blessed Jummah. We thank Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta 'Ala) for His help and support. Forgive us our sins. We pray to Him to give us strength to strive in His cause
Beloved Muslims we are living in a very critical time. We live in a society that has mastered the art of deception.
The two biggest industries of deception are Hollywood and Max Factor. Makeup is nothing but something synthetic and artificial, Hollywood is fiction, we have to protect ourselves from this fiction.
Ali (R) was walking with the Prophet (S), the Prophet said there will be fitna, and said the book of Allah will keep you out of it.
God knew Hollywood would come into being one day, he knew. We allow television to bring in the lifestyle of the nonbelievers. They had the Emmys recently, the show Modern Family won the most Emmys this year. And you know what this show is about? Nothing but homosexuality. And we are rewarding this.
"Allah will lift the head off of the homosexual. He won't care."
The Angel Jibril (A) [The Archangel Gabriel] was told to destroy a particular nation, when he went down to destroy it he noticed that there was one person who was in constant worship of God and was fully obedient to Him. So Jibril went back to Allah and told Him about the obedient slave he witnessed. Allah told Jibril to start the punishment with him. Jibril was astonished and asked "Why?". Allah responded by saying, "Because that person didn't show any displeasure for the things in violation of my commands."
"If we don't do something about it, Allah will get us Muslims. He will punish us through disloyal wives, unrighteous husbands, and disobedient children."
In surah Tawbah, Allah says that if your fathers and your sons and your relatives and your wealth that you attain, and your merchandise that you fear to decline in, if they are more beloved to you than Allah, then wait for the punishment of Allah. For it is surely coming.
"God is giving us time to get it right."
"We are in a moral conundrum, moral decadence. This is not a political problem, its a spiritual issue. The only thing that can correct the heart, the book of Allah."
[Yelling louder and louder now. Hurting my ears.]
"Its no problem having dunya, we have to have the best because we deserve the best because we worship Allah, but we have to teach people to be grateful."
"If Allah does not come first, then...[expect something bad to happen]."
They are all about rewarding themselves in this dunya (world/life). This ain't CNN or cspan, this is the lord of the Ka'ba. Allah said those who exhausted all their efforts in the dunya and thought that they were attaining something. That's because they disbeleived. All their deeds are in vain.
"George burns died at 100, he wrote a book at 90 about living to 100, he lived to 100." [Was making a point about this person but he said it too quickly, probably wasn't all that profound anyway].
"Believe this Muslims. Stick firm to Allah and His message and His Messenger."
Another example in Qur'an about those who disbelieve:
"It's like someone is in the sandy desert. Who is really thirsty and then sees a mirage. They then realize nothing is there."
"Allah is very quick in taking account. Remember its all synthetic, it looks good, but it's not real."
May Allah guide us.
MEC... huge marble walls, at least they have some calligraphy...
So, yeah, what did y'all think about the khatib? Want to know what I thought? Haha...
The khatib was reminiscent of a Southern Baptist preacher. "Can I get an AMEN?!"
No you can't, but thanks for asking.
A little bit about the khatib, don't know his name, no idea where he came from, but if I had to guess, he was definitely born or at least raised in the South since he was very young. He had a Southern accent for sure. He didn't have an African accent, which is always fun, but he did speak quite excellent Arabic. I was really surprised and impressed. I was expecting him to be altogether ignorant, but looks like I shouldn't judge a book by its cover. He clearly received some level of formal Islamic and/or Arabic education in the Middle East, or a school that adhered strictly to the ultra-conservative Islamic doctrine, aka Salafism.
Oh, in case you didn't notice, I am purposely shifting gears and now primarily using the term "Salafi" to describe these people, instead of Wahabi, don't worry, I get nostalgic too, I will still use it from time to time. But the term "Salafi" I think hits home much more clearly. Besides, when arguing with a Salafi and using the term "Wahabi" over and over again, they can easily just say, "Well, brother, we are not, what did you say, the 'Wahabi?' Yes, yes, we are not that, we are from the 'Salafiyyah!'" No, you're not. But I forgive you for thinking you are.
Anyway, back to the khatib and his khutbah (huh, that would make a good title for a short story, "The Khatib and his Khutbah: The Idiot who found his way").
So, on to the actual khutbah. The khatib made some legitimate points, I will give him that, but my business is to discuss the dumb things he said.
The beginning of the khutbah was nice, makes sense. Good job khatib.
So, he starts off by criticizing the times we live in and the society in which we live in. He really only focuses on the bad aspects of society, but I don't blame him, I am only focusing on the bad portions of his khutbah. He was quite dramatic, he made it seem like Hollywood and makeup were the only things that were destroying society. I agree with him, of course, that Hollywood is just utter nonsense, but entertaining nonetheless. The khatib is right, there is no need for us to imitate that lifestyle, but I can honestly say that I don't know anyone that is really trying to do that. Then again, I make it my business to associate with righteous people. From my perspective, I think the people trying to act all "Hollywood" are in Hollywood. You have your anomalies in Chicago (check out Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Bucktown, just to name a few neighborhoods that foster such a mentality), but they are not the majority, they aren't even a majority amongst the minorities of social circles. So, this khatib is getting a little too dramatic. Also please keep in mind that you choose what you are susceptible to, some people are stronger than others and can watch a heap load of nonsense and not be affected by it, then there are those that watch fiction and take it as reality. So in that light, the khatib was right to warn against the dangers of Hollywood.
He also included makeup, Max Factor specifically, among the "Things Muslims shouldn't like" list. He said that makeup is all synthetic and artificial and women are fake and become artificial. That's interesting, I don't agree with that at all. I do think that too much make up is bad, but that's common sense and is a common principle in our religion, "Our way is the middle way." We follow the path of moderation, even too much prayer can be a detriment if you don't fulfill your obligations to yourself and your family. But that khatib didn't make this point, he just flat out said that makeup was bad because it was fake.
Well, he clearly doesn't know the story of Prophet Suleiman (King Solomon from the Torah), when he was having correspondence with Bilqis ( the Queen of Sheba), I'm sure most of you know that story, so I won't take the pains to relay it here, but after the story concluded, Prophet Suleiman (A) and Bilqis fell in love and were married. As a blessing and an added dowry for the Queen, God had Prophet Suleiman (A) reveal the secret of waxing (known as nura), a category of makeup (Vol 2. p. 66) . Bilqis was incredibly beautiful but she was known to be a bit hairy (Vol. 2, p. 64), so this was a blessing sent down by God for the Queen accepting His message and marrying His prophet. If you would like to know more about this, you can read it in the book entitled: "Al-Ghunya li-Talibi Tariq al-Haqq" (Sufficient Provision for Seekers of the Path of Truth).
So, that point of the khatib is totally debunked, it's also a VERY trivial point. There are many serious things that we can be discussing right at this very moment concerning Muslim women. Why didn't he mention that little teenage girl that was shot by the Taliban in Pakistan? Perhaps he agreed with it. The Taliban did after all justify it using the Islamic Law, Shariah. Which, btw, is just plain BS. There is ABSOLUTELY no justification for attempting to murder a child, as far as Shariah is concerned, so how they came to this conclusion is clear, they came to it out of ignorance. For God's sake! The Prophet (S) was attacked, humiliated, ridiculed, driven from his home in Mecca, from his family in Mecca by the same people he loved most. Did he kill them? Did he seek revenge? No! When he made his triumphant return to Mecca, after the kafirun (disbelievers) had no choice but submit to the Prophet (S), fearing now that he had become so powerful, socially, politically, religiously, and even militarily, that he would exact his revenge on them. What did the Prophet tell the Meccans? He said, "You are like unto me as the brothers of Joseph were unto him." Joseph, or the Prophet Yusuf (A) was sold as a slave by his own brothers, and when they came to Egypt begging for help from the Pharoah, who did they find other than their youngest brother whom they treated so wretchedly, and what did Prophet Yusuf do? He forgave them and helped them, not even thinking twice. That's our Prophet's character. But these buffoons find it more pertinent to discuss Hollywood and Makeup instead of defending a child. I wonder why these two topics were more relevant today than anything else? Have we not already discussed that dumb movie (Innocence of Muslims) enough already? We're beating a dead camel people. (Dead horse is for Westerners, dead camel is for us, deal with it).
Not to mention, this khatib went off on the Homosexuals. First off, Modern Family, great show. Second off, it's not entirely about homosexuality. So, he lied there. The gay couple in that show make up at most one third of the show, which is not even a majority of the show. Secondly, the show isn't promoting homosexuality, it's showing the reality of today's society, that there are indeed homosexuals and they are functioning citizens of our society. They in fact are much better citizens then these religious fanatics we have to constantly deal with. I'm talking to you Evangelicals, rabid Zionists, and Salafis, you all come from the same ugly mother. How many Taliban fighters adopt children? The homosexual couple in Modern family are raising an orphan. The Taliban makes orphans. If you really look at it, homosexuals need the Taliban and the Taliban need homosexuals. A vicious, but ironically sustainable circle. Not to mention, how many of these Salafis actually achieve coitus? I'm sure some prefer man booty to that. So who are you fooling?
I hope some gay rights advocates get wind of this and protest the mosque, this is utterly ridiculous and asinine. Wait, wait, let me quote the khatib for you:
"Allah will lift the head off of the homosexual. He won't care."
Where, please tell me just where, did God say this? What is the source? What is it? Oh, you don't know? Of course you don't. You made it up you idiot. Why are you trying to force feed us bullshit. I've really had enough of this. I can't believe how ridiculous these people are. Then traditional Muslims are criticized and blamed by Salafis for being more moderate in our understanding and belief? What ridiculous hypocrisy.
You should also consider the fact that these same people are always complaining about Muslims being the victims of hate speech, I complain about it myself, but how can you fear for your own reputation and safety in society if they are going to do the same thing to another group of people? This is blatant hate speech against the gay community and is not something a traditional Muslim will ever condone.
Please, take offense by my words if it pleases you, just tell me where I am wrong and I will concede if you are correct, but if you are not correct, you must accept that as well.
The khatib was reminiscent of a Southern Baptist preacher. "Can I get an AMEN?!"
No you can't, but thanks for asking.
A little bit about the khatib, don't know his name, no idea where he came from, but if I had to guess, he was definitely born or at least raised in the South since he was very young. He had a Southern accent for sure. He didn't have an African accent, which is always fun, but he did speak quite excellent Arabic. I was really surprised and impressed. I was expecting him to be altogether ignorant, but looks like I shouldn't judge a book by its cover. He clearly received some level of formal Islamic and/or Arabic education in the Middle East, or a school that adhered strictly to the ultra-conservative Islamic doctrine, aka Salafism.
Oh, in case you didn't notice, I am purposely shifting gears and now primarily using the term "Salafi" to describe these people, instead of Wahabi, don't worry, I get nostalgic too, I will still use it from time to time. But the term "Salafi" I think hits home much more clearly. Besides, when arguing with a Salafi and using the term "Wahabi" over and over again, they can easily just say, "Well, brother, we are not, what did you say, the 'Wahabi?' Yes, yes, we are not that, we are from the 'Salafiyyah!'" No, you're not. But I forgive you for thinking you are.
Anyway, back to the khatib and his khutbah (huh, that would make a good title for a short story, "The Khatib and his Khutbah: The Idiot who found his way").
So, on to the actual khutbah. The khatib made some legitimate points, I will give him that, but my business is to discuss the dumb things he said.
The beginning of the khutbah was nice, makes sense. Good job khatib.
So, he starts off by criticizing the times we live in and the society in which we live in. He really only focuses on the bad aspects of society, but I don't blame him, I am only focusing on the bad portions of his khutbah. He was quite dramatic, he made it seem like Hollywood and makeup were the only things that were destroying society. I agree with him, of course, that Hollywood is just utter nonsense, but entertaining nonetheless. The khatib is right, there is no need for us to imitate that lifestyle, but I can honestly say that I don't know anyone that is really trying to do that. Then again, I make it my business to associate with righteous people. From my perspective, I think the people trying to act all "Hollywood" are in Hollywood. You have your anomalies in Chicago (check out Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Bucktown, just to name a few neighborhoods that foster such a mentality), but they are not the majority, they aren't even a majority amongst the minorities of social circles. So, this khatib is getting a little too dramatic. Also please keep in mind that you choose what you are susceptible to, some people are stronger than others and can watch a heap load of nonsense and not be affected by it, then there are those that watch fiction and take it as reality. So in that light, the khatib was right to warn against the dangers of Hollywood.
He also included makeup, Max Factor specifically, among the "Things Muslims shouldn't like" list. He said that makeup is all synthetic and artificial and women are fake and become artificial. That's interesting, I don't agree with that at all. I do think that too much make up is bad, but that's common sense and is a common principle in our religion, "Our way is the middle way." We follow the path of moderation, even too much prayer can be a detriment if you don't fulfill your obligations to yourself and your family. But that khatib didn't make this point, he just flat out said that makeup was bad because it was fake.
Well, he clearly doesn't know the story of Prophet Suleiman (King Solomon from the Torah), when he was having correspondence with Bilqis ( the Queen of Sheba), I'm sure most of you know that story, so I won't take the pains to relay it here, but after the story concluded, Prophet Suleiman (A) and Bilqis fell in love and were married. As a blessing and an added dowry for the Queen, God had Prophet Suleiman (A) reveal the secret of waxing (known as nura), a category of makeup (Vol 2. p. 66) . Bilqis was incredibly beautiful but she was known to be a bit hairy (Vol. 2, p. 64), so this was a blessing sent down by God for the Queen accepting His message and marrying His prophet. If you would like to know more about this, you can read it in the book entitled: "Al-Ghunya li-Talibi Tariq al-Haqq" (Sufficient Provision for Seekers of the Path of Truth).
So, that point of the khatib is totally debunked, it's also a VERY trivial point. There are many serious things that we can be discussing right at this very moment concerning Muslim women. Why didn't he mention that little teenage girl that was shot by the Taliban in Pakistan? Perhaps he agreed with it. The Taliban did after all justify it using the Islamic Law, Shariah. Which, btw, is just plain BS. There is ABSOLUTELY no justification for attempting to murder a child, as far as Shariah is concerned, so how they came to this conclusion is clear, they came to it out of ignorance. For God's sake! The Prophet (S) was attacked, humiliated, ridiculed, driven from his home in Mecca, from his family in Mecca by the same people he loved most. Did he kill them? Did he seek revenge? No! When he made his triumphant return to Mecca, after the kafirun (disbelievers) had no choice but submit to the Prophet (S), fearing now that he had become so powerful, socially, politically, religiously, and even militarily, that he would exact his revenge on them. What did the Prophet tell the Meccans? He said, "You are like unto me as the brothers of Joseph were unto him." Joseph, or the Prophet Yusuf (A) was sold as a slave by his own brothers, and when they came to Egypt begging for help from the Pharoah, who did they find other than their youngest brother whom they treated so wretchedly, and what did Prophet Yusuf do? He forgave them and helped them, not even thinking twice. That's our Prophet's character. But these buffoons find it more pertinent to discuss Hollywood and Makeup instead of defending a child. I wonder why these two topics were more relevant today than anything else? Have we not already discussed that dumb movie (Innocence of Muslims) enough already? We're beating a dead camel people. (Dead horse is for Westerners, dead camel is for us, deal with it).
Not to mention, this khatib went off on the Homosexuals. First off, Modern Family, great show. Second off, it's not entirely about homosexuality. So, he lied there. The gay couple in that show make up at most one third of the show, which is not even a majority of the show. Secondly, the show isn't promoting homosexuality, it's showing the reality of today's society, that there are indeed homosexuals and they are functioning citizens of our society. They in fact are much better citizens then these religious fanatics we have to constantly deal with. I'm talking to you Evangelicals, rabid Zionists, and Salafis, you all come from the same ugly mother. How many Taliban fighters adopt children? The homosexual couple in Modern family are raising an orphan. The Taliban makes orphans. If you really look at it, homosexuals need the Taliban and the Taliban need homosexuals. A vicious, but ironically sustainable circle. Not to mention, how many of these Salafis actually achieve coitus? I'm sure some prefer man booty to that. So who are you fooling?
I hope some gay rights advocates get wind of this and protest the mosque, this is utterly ridiculous and asinine. Wait, wait, let me quote the khatib for you:
"Allah will lift the head off of the homosexual. He won't care."
Where, please tell me just where, did God say this? What is the source? What is it? Oh, you don't know? Of course you don't. You made it up you idiot. Why are you trying to force feed us bullshit. I've really had enough of this. I can't believe how ridiculous these people are. Then traditional Muslims are criticized and blamed by Salafis for being more moderate in our understanding and belief? What ridiculous hypocrisy.
You should also consider the fact that these same people are always complaining about Muslims being the victims of hate speech, I complain about it myself, but how can you fear for your own reputation and safety in society if they are going to do the same thing to another group of people? This is blatant hate speech against the gay community and is not something a traditional Muslim will ever condone.
Please, take offense by my words if it pleases you, just tell me where I am wrong and I will concede if you are correct, but if you are not correct, you must accept that as well.
Mmm.... toenail....
Oh, btw, take a look at this little gem on right. It's a toe nail. Nice to know I am praying in a clean mosque. Who cuts their toenails in a mosque? Why are these people so ignorant. This is ridiculous, maybe I should title MEC as being the most ignorant mosque in Chicago, no no, I still think MCC is. But MEC comes in at a close second. Good job to the MCC community, they actually came in first on something.
You want to hear how ignorant MCC is? One of my dear friends had her mother pass away over the summer, she was buried through MCC and buried at the Rose Hill Cemetery on Peterson Ave. She went ahead and bought the plot of land adjacent to her mother's so that when she dies she can be buried there. And while she is alive, she will have the peace of mind knowing that she will be lying next to her mother again one day. It's quite touching, it really is.
So, as the good daughter she is, she went to visit her mother's grave regularly and on one occasion what did she see? She saw someone buried in that exact spot that she had purchased for herself next to her mother. She was justifiably outraged and went to MCC to ask them what happened. First of all, they wouldn't speak directly to her, they kept asking, "Where is your father?" She doesn't have her father anymore either. "Where is your brother?" She is an only child. "Sorry, you are a woman, we cannot speak to you." So, finally, she was able to get a hold of one of her male cousins who spoke on her behalf, when they finally discussed the issue of the man buried in the plot that she had bought and still has the papers to, what was the reaction of the man that was responsible?
"Oops."
With a stupid smirk on his face.
Of course now nothing can be done. Wow, what hypocrites, all of them. You won't speak to her, she is an adult, even the Prophet (S)'s wives held high positions in society and dealt with men without the Prophet being there himself. You idiotic and backwards people. Basically, if you are a woman and have absolutely no family and are destitute, don't go to MCC or MEC for help, they will insult you and kick you out.
What's ironic is that I know many of the community members at MCC and MEC own business and are required to interact with female patrons on a regular basis, but never have they turned down an opportunity to make a few bucks, so of course they allow these single women into their places of business and treat them like the wonderful customers they are. Some even come without being fully covered! *Gasp!* Does it not boil your blood? Are you not outraged? Well, you really ought to be. I'm not saying go and do something haram, don't harm anyone, don't speak ill to anyone, but just know this for your own benefit. And ask God he never put you in such a dire situation as my friend.
Am I being too harsh? Was the administration of MCC not harsh on my friend? Were they not completely deceitful and complicit in breaking a legal contract?
May God cool our hearts, help us to be compassionate and wise, and to seek Truth always. Amin.
God Bless You All.
You want to hear how ignorant MCC is? One of my dear friends had her mother pass away over the summer, she was buried through MCC and buried at the Rose Hill Cemetery on Peterson Ave. She went ahead and bought the plot of land adjacent to her mother's so that when she dies she can be buried there. And while she is alive, she will have the peace of mind knowing that she will be lying next to her mother again one day. It's quite touching, it really is.
So, as the good daughter she is, she went to visit her mother's grave regularly and on one occasion what did she see? She saw someone buried in that exact spot that she had purchased for herself next to her mother. She was justifiably outraged and went to MCC to ask them what happened. First of all, they wouldn't speak directly to her, they kept asking, "Where is your father?" She doesn't have her father anymore either. "Where is your brother?" She is an only child. "Sorry, you are a woman, we cannot speak to you." So, finally, she was able to get a hold of one of her male cousins who spoke on her behalf, when they finally discussed the issue of the man buried in the plot that she had bought and still has the papers to, what was the reaction of the man that was responsible?
"Oops."
With a stupid smirk on his face.
Of course now nothing can be done. Wow, what hypocrites, all of them. You won't speak to her, she is an adult, even the Prophet (S)'s wives held high positions in society and dealt with men without the Prophet being there himself. You idiotic and backwards people. Basically, if you are a woman and have absolutely no family and are destitute, don't go to MCC or MEC for help, they will insult you and kick you out.
What's ironic is that I know many of the community members at MCC and MEC own business and are required to interact with female patrons on a regular basis, but never have they turned down an opportunity to make a few bucks, so of course they allow these single women into their places of business and treat them like the wonderful customers they are. Some even come without being fully covered! *Gasp!* Does it not boil your blood? Are you not outraged? Well, you really ought to be. I'm not saying go and do something haram, don't harm anyone, don't speak ill to anyone, but just know this for your own benefit. And ask God he never put you in such a dire situation as my friend.
Am I being too harsh? Was the administration of MCC not harsh on my friend? Were they not completely deceitful and complicit in breaking a legal contract?
May God cool our hearts, help us to be compassionate and wise, and to seek Truth always. Amin.
God Bless You All.