Law, Justice & Community
| Khatib : | Sadullah Khan |
| Khutbah No: | 177 |
| Khutbah Date: | 12/09/05 |
Community & Justice
The workings of the global community of faith/ummah revolves upon the principles of:
- imaan /faith
- wasatah/consistent balance
- a’mal-us-saliha/exemplary conduct
- ittihaad-ul-maqsad/unity of purpose
- mahabbah/reciprocity of feelings
- ukhuwwah/solidarity
- ‘adl/equity.
~*Allah inspired the Prophet with the saying ..." O my worshippers! I have made injustice unlawful for myself, and have forbidden injustice among you, so do not be unjust."
- A major mission of all Prophets (peace be upon them) was the " establishment of justice among people" (Q 57:25)
- "Allah certainly commands justice and goodness in everything" (Q 16:90) This is an individual and collective responsibility.
- We are divinely commanded " to stand up for justice as witnesses to Allah" under all circumstances and without any discrimination (Q 4:135)(Q 5:8)
- Manifesting justice is equated to piety. " Be just, that is closest to piety" (Q 5:8)
- Allah loves those who are just (Q 60:8), and sides not with the unjust (Q 3:57)
Ironically, it is this very notion of ‘adl/justice, so paramount in Islam and to people of Faith; that is so absent when dealing with Muslims under the US Patriots Act, which has victimized numerous innocent people and may continue to increasingly do so.
The Injustice of Despicable Laws
We seem to be living in times of tremendous stress, devastating anxieties , overwhelming fears and ever-growing uncertainty. We; as members of the Muslim community in the US, have legitimate concern about our civil rights and liberties, while anti-Islamic propaganda and Islamophobia is running rampant. This has been highlighted by the trials of Dr Sami al-Arian and Abdul Jabbaar Hamdan this week. When al-Arian was arrested, then-Attorney General John Ashcroft hailed the case as a triumph of the Patriot Act.
- A federal jury in Florida this week acquitted the former University of South Florida professor Sami Al-Arian on terrorism charges, though he could be retried on other, less serious, charges on which the panel remained deadlocked. Despite being found “not guilty” on most of the major accounts, he still lags in prison
- Abdul Jabbaar Hamdan was given the benefit of a federal hearing this week, but despite no evidence being forwarded to prove that he is in any way a danger to anyone, he too still lags in jail.
The world wonders about the inherent and apparent injustice of the USA PATRIOT ACT. What is so patriotic about trampling on the Bill of Rights, which is supposed to be the foundation of this country’s rule of law. To further exacerbate the matter, the House and Senate negotiators reached an agreement yesterday to extend the USA Patriot Act before it expires at the end of the monthPeople of conscience are getting a little tired of this kind of treatment of people, where vague allegations are made and actions are taken against individuals and organizations without any recourse to reproach.Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was asked how a person could be most just, he replied:“Love for others what you love for yourself, then you'll be among the most just of people.”
Facing the Challenge
When pain, challenges, injustice or danger intrude, it is difficult to sustain a subdued equilibrium. In fact, a response of heightened awareness and extra-ordinary strength of character may be required. Lack of spirit or ignoble fear in the face of such challenge is considered cowardice, and cowardice is unbecoming of a Believer. The Prophet therefore prayed …