Sh. Yasir Qadhi | United We Stand – An Invitation to Attend

16 Comments

1. 

   Umm Sulaim

   September 2, 2011 at 1:48 AM

   Unfortunately, I am unable to watch video displays on my phone. Perhaps when I next go out I’ll do so at a cyber cafe; probably next week, In Sha Allah.

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2. 

   MR

   September 2, 2011 at 3:39 PM

   The Event Program:
   http://www.unitedforchange.com/united-we-stand-program/

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3. 

   Umar

   September 3, 2011 at 7:44 PM

   Is Karen Armstrong Muslim? I saw her on BBC’s documentary and she was extremely keen and exited about Muhammed sws’s legacy.

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   • 

     Amad

     September 5, 2011 at 10:57 AM

     Nope. She isn’t as far as I know.

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   • 

     Aly Balagamwala

     September 5, 2011 at 11:19 AM

     Karen is not Muslim but she is one of those who has studied the life of Muhammad (SAW) and found him to be indeed an example to follow for mankind. May Allah (SWT) guide her to accepting the truth.

     -Aly

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4. 

   Bahader

   September 4, 2011 at 12:29 AM

   A shia preacher?!

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5. 

   Al Fassi

   September 4, 2011 at 7:11 AM

   Salamu alaikoum Sheikh Yasir.

   First of All, may Allah grant you khair in this life and in the herafter.

   I would like to critique a couple of things and wallahi I am sincere. I really and truly understand that scholars with an orthodox (salafi) creed team up with likes as Sheikh Hamza, Sheikh Zaid, Sheikh Mokhtar etc in helping each other in preaching and defending our great religion. I also don’t mind teaming up wit non-muslim who show great respect to islam. But I just don’t understand why we should team up with people who have a double agenda like the shi’a (rawafeed). And this isn’t message to you only, but also to the sunni-sufi scholars like Sheikh Hamza Yusuf.

   Could you please Sheikh Yasir elaborate on this issue? Barakallahu feekum wa as’al Allah an yaghfirali in akhta’t aw si’t al adaab.

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   • 

     Yasir Qadhi

     September 4, 2011 at 7:42 PM

     Salaam Alaikum

     I appreciate your frankness and also your good manners in phrasing the question. I don’t feel this is the right place to go into a lot of detail over this ijtihadi matter, and of course others would have their own ijtihad in this issue.

     Some brief points:

     – Appearing together in the same conference as someone does not in any way imply tacit approval of that person’s beliefs or methodology.

     – My beliefs regarding this group have been stated many times and in many places. I view them as having veered away from the correct understanding of Islam and as having theological positions that makes it necessary for our two groups to have different masjids in our communities (and this has historically always been the case). Nonetheless, as a whole they are still Muslims. Therefore they do have a relationship with us in Islam.

     – I also believe that it is necessary to have ‘circles of co-operation’ with everyone and anyone who is willing to co-operate with us and help us. I have spoken about this in my talk ‘Towards Formulating a Vision for Muslims in the West’. In this conference, we are coming together with anyone who promotes civil rights for Muslims in N. America. This is one circle of co-operation. In my aqeedah lectures, I can teach, in an academic manner, to an audience that is interested in Islamic theology, what I believe about the Sunnah, and Sufism, and Shi’ism. That is another circle. And there is absolutely no contradiction in any of this. If our beloved Habeeb could seek the help of sympathetic idol-worshippers against antagonistic idol-worshippers, surely we can seek the help of Jews, Christians, atheists, and others against those who oppose us.

     – I also must point out that it is not right for you to say that you understand me working with non-Muslims but not with this group. In the end of the day, the average followers of this group are still within the general fold of Islam.

     – Just FYI, I was not involved in vetting speakers for this conference, nor was I responsible for the program schedule or speaker topics. Even my own topic was handed to me.

     – Lastly, I am not imposing this opinion on anyone else, nor even asking others to agree with it, and respect the fact that many others wouldn’t agree with my decision. This is an area where disagreement would be allowed (i.e., it is a matter of ijtihad). And some diversity of opinion is in fact healthy in Islam. I would, however, remind those who disagree to remain within the adab of Islam in expressing their disagreement (as you, ma sha Allah, did).

     And in the end, it is Allah alone who knows the ultimate truths, and He alone who guides, and He alone who will Judge us all.

     Yasir

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     • 

       Al Fassi

       September 5, 2011 at 8:27 AM

       Wa alaikoum salaam,

       First of All barakallahu feekoum for the quick and detailed response!

       I’m aware and/or in agreement on all the points you mentioned except for the 4th point. So in reality I’m not in disagreement with you inshaAllah : ).

       The average follower of the shi’a is in my opinion indeed a Muslim. But when it comes to their scholars, then I have my doubts. But the reason why I see it’s problematic to work with them, is because of the lack of respect they have towards (sunni) Islam and the many kufr they keep hidden. Can you give me the assurance that this scholar for an example doesn’t hate/curse the sahabah or says the Quran is incomplete or mu7arraf?

       I do realize that this message should be conveyed to the ones responsible for this conference, because they have organized it. And in conclusion I ask Allah to make this conference of benefit to Islam and the Muslims.

       a7sanallahu ilaykoum!

       Your brother from the Netherlands.

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6. 

   Ify

   September 4, 2011 at 4:29 PM

   I’ll be there, insha’Allah, with friends.

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7. 

   Bilal Khan

   September 4, 2011 at 4:52 PM

   what is the purpose of this conference?

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8. 

   Mohammed

   September 6, 2011 at 6:24 PM

   Salams sh yasir

   From my heart I am pleased to see yourself and sh hamza yusuf on one platform. No doubt you may agree on many issues – but I believe in both camps your influences can lead to unity. By this I mean respect and adab, when needed discussing/ debating issues in the right context etc.

   I think yours and his experience from travelling and different cultures in seeking knowledge can benefit all of us. Nice to see this then individuals in discourses covertly promoting group politics

   May Allah reward and accept you

   Muhammad

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9. 

   Filisteeniyyah

   September 6, 2011 at 10:51 PM

   A very wise statement of Imaam Ahmad comes to my mind…zallatul ‘aalim, zallatul ‘aalam…
   We’ve been suffering greatly here in the West where people think firmness on Sunnah is harsh even though the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam himself used to make du3a to Allah saying Allahumma thabbit qalbee ‘alaa deenika. I wish more people would learn to distinguish between being firm and being harsh.
   May Allah make the ‘ulamah, the tullaab, the du3aat of our times firm like the scholars of the past…those scholars of Ahlus Sunnah, about whom, by just reading a few pages regarding their character and commitment, would encourage you to stay strong no matter what the circumstances and never sway from the ideology brought by Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and practiced by his Companions.
   HasbunAllahu wa ni’mal wakeel.

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10. 

    Ali

    September 8, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    will a video of this event be posted online in the near future?

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    • 

      Hena Zuberi

      September 9, 2011 at 2:02 AM

      Yes inshaAllah

      Reply
11. 

    Only the Sunnah

    September 8, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    Well said! ^^

    May Allah keep you and us firm on the Sunnah.

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