Can Muslims Celebrate Christmas?

In a word: No! Make no mistake, intentionally celebrating Christmas as a religious holiday to mark the birth of Jesus (peace be upon him) is not something that practising Muslims should be doing. Alhamdulillah Islam is a complete way of worship, and we have our own celebrations to enjoy.

However, nothing in life is black and white, and the lived reality for a convert, especially a new convert, may mean they cannot avoid certain aspects of the holidays. There may be mitigating circumstances for many converts, at least for a year or two after taking shahada. We will look at some of these cases below.

Unless these circumstances apply to you, however, nothing in this article should be taken as a general fatwa permitting the celebration of any holiday not mandated by the Qur’an and Sunnah.

Now that has been made clear, let’s look at a few examples of how converts in different circumstances have dealt with Christmas. These scenarios could of course apply to any religious celebration, such as Diwali, Kwanzaa, Channukah and others.

I’ve converted but haven’t told my parents, and I still live at home…

Many new converts feel a need to hide their Islam from their friends and family at the beginning, and for a variety of reasons. If you fall into this category, especially if you are still living in your family home, then it will be very difficult to avoid participating in the normal activities of the day without arousing suspicion. I’ve heard of converts who picked up Christmas day work shifts for this reason, but that isn’t possible for many. Especially young converts who may be students or otherwise financially dependent on their parents, there really isn’t much choice in the matter.

If this is you, please know that Allah SWT is aware of your circumstances, and He SWT only asks us to worship Him to the best of our ability. You may decide to simply avoid the religious aspect, but engage in the family gathering with the intention of upholding good relations with your loved ones. If your family is religious and you simply can’t avoid church without risk, again Allah SWT knows what is in your heart, avoid what you can (for example, don’t sing the hymns) and ask for Allah’s Mercy over the rest.

I’ve converted and I have children from my first marriage…

Many people assume that if someone converts, their children automatically become Muslim too, but the reality is often very different. It can be very difficult for children who have always celebrated Christmas to understand why their mum or dad no longer wants to. Whether your children are still small, or are teens, it is worth having a discussion with them about your new faith and what it means.

Many converts opt to wean their children off Christmas step by step. One mother I know who came from a devoutly Catholic family planned her children’s transition like this: Year 1, they still decorated and exchanged gifts and visited family, but they did not attend church services. Year 2, they exchanged gifts and visited family, but she didn’t have a tree. Year 3, they agreed together to only visit family for dinner, but kept the gift exchanges for both Eid days instead. In between, she took care to make Ramadan and Eid as special as she could with decorating, food, iftar gatherings and so on to help her children see that they were not ‘losing’ anything in leaving Christmas behind, alhamdulillah.

In the case where the children’s other parent does celebrate the holidays, however, it can be trickier. Again, discussing the issue with your children is important. If your children have not decided to be Muslim with you, you cannot force them to give up Christmas or any other celebration, but you can and should try to involve them in your new religion and community as much as possible, so they can appreciate for themselves its beauty inshaAllah.

I’ve converted and the people I work with celebrate…

The office party, Secret Santa, festive lunches…if your colleagues don’t know you’ve converted, you may feel awkward to suddenly pull out of all the normal yearly activities, especially as many employers view this time of year as a great opportunity for team building.
However, rest assured that all of these activities are not mandatory, and if you don’t want to participate, you should not feel bad about it.

If you are not ready to disclose your new religion to your workplace, it is easy to come up with any excuse not to attend, such as family commitments. If they do know that you are Muslim, a simple, “Thank you but I don’t celebrate Christmas anymore, but have fun!” should suffice.

I’ve converted, but it’s the only time of year I can see my family…

It is unfortunate that much of the West has a calendar centred on this time of year, making it the one time that almost everyone can take holidays and visit loved ones. If you live away from your family and the ‘festive season’ is the only time you can see them all, it can seem cruel to not visit.

I do know of many converts who do attend family gatherings at Christmas for this very reason, but they have the intention of keeping family ties, and consciously consider 25th December to just be a normal day, and they do not give or receive gifts. Others chose to visit the day before or the day after. In any case, avoidance of any religious observance is essential in these circumstances to avoid any doubt, and Allah SWT knows best.

If you opt to not participate and to visit your family at other times, be sure to discuss it with them in a loving and kind manner, reassure them of your plans to visit, and avoid being harsh or bringing religious rulings into the discussion. Be mindful that their view of Islam will be impacted by how we treat them, so always strive to be kind and give da’wah by example inshaAllah.

I’ve converted, and I got married and have small children, and my parents want to give them Christmas presents…

If you’ve spent some time as a single new Muslim choosing to engage with your family over Christmas, you may find that marriage and children will change your perspective somewhat. Building your own family means that now you are not the only person in the equation, and your spouse and children must also be considered.

It is very important before marriage to discuss with your potential spouse how you will navigate issues like holidays with your non-Muslim family. From the start, clearly lay out your mutual expectations, including how much you will expose your future children to. Whatever you decide, discuss it with your family as well so they aren’t blindsided, and hurt, by any changes. Christmas is a time when many grandparents look forward to spoiling their grandchildren, so discussing in advance with your family how they can navigate this with you will avoid bad feelings later on.

If you are already a parent, and you didn’t lay this groundwork, then it is important to approach it from now with love and kindness. If your parents want to give gifts, you don’t need to refuse them, but you can opt to actually give them to your children at another time. You can also encourage your parents to delay the gifts until Eid, and to invite them to celebrate with you at that time inshaAllah. Giving your family members Eid gifts as well can be a good icebreaker in this regard inshaAllah.

I’ve converted, and I’m lonely…

Lastly, we must also acknowledge that Christmas is a time of great nostalgia for many converts, and leaving it can bring loneliness, especially as there can be very little to distract us on the day itself. For those of us who are on our own at this time of year, Christmas day can be very isolating. The best advice is to be proactive in finding something beneficial to do on the day. As most people have the day off, you may find that your local mosque will be hosting a special talk or activity. Many Muslim-owned restaurants will be open, perfect for gathering some friends together for an impromptu social. Reach out to others in your networks who may be alone on that day, you may find many who are also struggling and who will appreciate the gesture.

Finally, for the non-convert Muslims…

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with this time of year as a new Muslim, and I would remind my born Muslim brothers and sisters to be mindful when talking about Christmas with someone who has recently come into Islam. If they have chosen to navigate their personal circumstances in a specific way, it is not our place to criticise that choice, for they may have circumstances in play that we know nothing about.

Blanket statements about the prohibition of celebrating, or of ‘imitating a people’, while true for most Muslims, are not necessarily practical or feasible for the new convert, especially if their conversion is not public yet. Rather than advice, ask what support they need. Extend a hand of friendship, not an eye of judgement. Your kindness, empathy and understanding could turn a lonely time into one of lasting memories for them inshaAllah.

Related:

[Podcast] Navigating Christmas: Advice to Converts, from Converts | Hazel Gomez & Eman Manigat

Podcast | Ho Ho Haraam | Ustadha Alima Ashfaq

The post I’ve Converted, And It’s Christmas… appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

Twinkling lights, cheery music, traditional food, and exchanging presents with family and friends… the Christmas season comes with a great deal of nostalgia and emotional challenges from new(er) Muslims, who often struggle to navigate establishing boundaries as a Muslim while also maintaining positive relationships with their families.

Anse Hazel and Anse Eman share their own experiences as converts, discussing some of the most common and most difficult challenges that new Muslims face, as well as providing support to those experiencing backlash from family and friends. They offer advice, compassion, and a holistic understanding of maintaining Islamic values while strengthening family ties, too.

Hazel Gómez is a Puerto Rican and Mexican Muslim convert of over 20 years hailing from Chicago’s west side. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago with double Bachelor’s degrees in Forensic Science and Biology. Hazel Gomez both studies and teaches at Rabata.org Ribaat Academic Institute, a seminary program under the tutelage of Shaykha Dr. Tamara Gray and other Muslim women scholars. She is also a community organizer, mentor, and activist, with many years of experience under her belt!

Emmannuelle (Eman) Manigat was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. She is a proud child of Haitian immigrants. She embraced Islam almost 24 years ago. Eman is the Convert Care Coordinator at Rabata and a graduate of Rabata’s Ribaat Academic Institute where she obtained her Ribaat Islamic Studies Teacher Certification in 2022 under the mentorship of Shayka Dr. Tamara Gray. Eman is currently working on completing her masters degree in Pastoral Studies with a Certification in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy at the University of Toronto. She also provides counseling via RuhCare.com, a Muslim counseling service.

Related:

Podcast | Ho Ho Haraam | Ustadha Alima Ashfaq

Muslims Celebrating Christmas: Why the “Petty” Is Powerful

The post [Podcast] Navigating Christmas: Advice to Converts, from Converts | Hazel Gomez & Eman Manigat appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

As a young or new Muslim, you may encounter various groups (‘Salafists,’ ‘Traditionalists,’ ‘Activists,’ and many strands in between) who are eager to engage you in their causes. Each of them carries elements of truth and sincere intent. After thorough examination within your capacity and praying for guidance from your Lord, work with the one that resonates with your heart, but remember: your journey in Islam is long, and there is much knowledge, history, and understanding that you, and likely those who invite you, have yet to fully grasp.

Beware of zealotry, for it can lead you astray. Instead, proceed with care and reflection, knowing that your ultimate goal is your own salvation and the pleasure of Allah . Dogmatism can deform your intellectual, moral, and spiritual self, confining you to rigid structures that may obscure the broader beauty of Islam. Compartmentalization will limit your reach, keeping much goodness and wisdom beyond your grasp.

These groups are comprised of flawed humans, just like you. They may present to you certain truths that appeal to your pure fiṭra (natural disposition), but along with those truths, they may slip into unexamined dogmas that have weak foundations.

Many before you have been sacrificed for personal ambitions or dogmatic visions, often cloaked as noble causes. Reflect on all those who lost their lives following the countless “Mahdis” throughout our history. Consider reading the correspondence between “al-Nafs al-Zakiyyah” and Abū Jaʿfar al-Manṣūr. These were the campaign debates of their time. This will help you better understand why many in Muslim lands hold an aversion to politicized religion. But does that mean one should embrace a form of Islam that reconciles with corruption, passively awaiting a better place in the Hereafter? Are all those who promote such an approach entirely free from their own agendas?

As you reflect on the effectiveness of the group you follow as diagnosticians and healers, consider this: Have their solutions produced tangible results when they held the majority or were in power? Has spiritual lethargy, moral decline, material backwardness, and defeat at the hands of others been limited only to times and places under the influence of their intellectual opponents? Moreover, can the significant issues within their own ranks be easily dismissed as mere external conspiracies?

At first, you may not notice gaps or inconsistencies because of your limited exposure to Islamic knowledge and history. Also, part of this, naturally, is a result of youth and inexperience.

Equip yourself with the following seven virtues as you walk this path:

1. Sincerity and a heart deeply connected to Allah .

2. Humility and harboring a positive outlook toward others help guard against the corrosive effects of cynicism.

3. Knowledge: Start with structured learning, but understand that true knowledge expands far beyond fixed curricula.

4. Moderation, which anchors you in the middle ground.

5. Rationality: Never relinquish this precious Divine Gift to any fallible human.

6. Honesty: To preserve your integrity, prevent double standards or deliberate blind spots, and remain open to the Truth, regardless of its source.

7. Pragmatism: Balancing honesty with practical wisdom allows you to collaborate with various groups without compromising your principles, while striving to follow the paths within these groups that are the least dogmatic and fanatical.

Avoid being conscripted into lost battles or sacrificing yourself for causes that may lead nowhere. Strive to leave a lasting, positive mark on the world, so that by the time you depart, your legacy will reflect the principles of Islam in their truest form.

وصلى الله على محمد والحمد لله رب العالمين

Related:

– Lowlier Than Thou – Naseeha tips from Ibn Rajab

– From The Chaplain’s Desk: Valuing And Nurturing Faith On Campus

The post Seven Virtues With Which To Navigate Recruitment: Humble Advice To Young And New Muslims appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

Popular American rapper and DJ, “Lil Jon” Jonathan Smith, has converted to Islam. Active since the 1990s and regarded as a pioneering influence in the field, Smith took his shahadah in the presence of Imam Ahson Syed at the King Fahad Mosque in Los Angeles in the first week of Ramadan 1445.

Jon Smith is renowned for having pioneered and popularized a genre within rap music called “crunk”. Born in Atlanta, his father an engineer and his mother a medic with the military, Smith began his career as a teenager in the early 1990s. Between 1995 and 2005 he was the frontman of a band and was famed for a particularly energetic brand of song. Smith has also dabbled in television: he worked with the comedian Dave Chapelle, another Muslim. Outside of the entertainment industry, he has also involved himself in charity work, opening two schools for underprivileged children in Ghana with the charity Pencils of Promise.

In his conversion, Smith joins the likes of “Mos Def” Yasiin Bey and “Philadelphia Freeway” Leslie Pridgen, who were introduced to and accepted Islam in their respective teens. Pridgen has publicly acknowledged the friction between the music industry and his religion, though he remains involved in both. It is yet to be seen how, if at all, Smith’s conversion impacts his public life.

Given his fame, the news of Smith’s conversion was widely celebrated by Muslims. Tarik Wardell, an Islamic proselytizer who runs the Arrows of Guidance outlet, noted the extent of Allah’s guidance: “It’s absolutely amazing to see Allah’s promise coming to fruition. No amount of our sins can prevent us from God’s mercy.”

Wardell’s namesake Tareq Tamr, director of the Thabaat organization in Michigan, linked the frequency of conversions in part to the resilience of Palestinians facing genocide at Israel’s hands in Gaza, whose perseverance and humanity provoked admiration and showed a genuine face of Islam. “Lil Jon casually walked into a mosque and became Muslim today. Everyone who frequents mosques has witnessed shahadahs in the past few weeks,” he observed, adding, “Islam’s marketing campaign was Gazans responding to a genocide forced upon them. Islam speaks to people at the core of who they are: their fitra, their natural disposition.”

Filmmaker Abdisalam Aato added a lighter note: “Welcome to Islam Lil Yahya.”

On his social media, the singer responded to Muslim reception to the news with a graphic reading, “Thank you so much brothers and sisters for the outpouring of love and positivity”, with the caption “Alhamdulillah”.

Related:

– Prominent Social Justice Activist Shaun King Embraces Islam

– Exclusive: Stephen Jackson Discusses His Journey to Islam

The post Famed American Rapper “Lil Jon” Smith Converts To Islam appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

This article delves into the background of Shaun King, the significance of his conversion, and its potential impact on his activism and public perception.

Background on Shaun King

Shaun King, a journalist, former Writer-In-Residence at Harvard Law School’s Fair Punishment Project, a former pastor and attorney, is widely known for his use of social media to highlight injustices, particularly those against African Americans.

King has remained a vocal figure in the fight against racial injustice and inequality. He was a vital voice in Instagram activism against the genocide in Gaza at a time when corporate media was not reporting from the ground and was complicit in sharing fake new stories that perpetuated Israeli lies about beheaded babies and mass sexual violence. Shaun King was banned from Instagram due to his posts supporting Palestinians during the genocide. He frequently shared updates from journalists on the ground in Gaza. 

King, a social justice activist known for his advocacy in movements like Black Lives Matter, had a following of over 5 million users on Instagram before his account was disabled. He claimed the ban was a result of his pro-Palestinian stance, expressing frustration and stating he refuses to betray his values and principles by staying silent on genocide and war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank​​​.

Meta, the parent company of Instagram, stated that King’s account was disabled due to “multiple instances of praise for designated entities in violation of our policies.” This comes amidst criticisms from Human Rights Watch towards Meta for what it described as “systemic censorship” of content related to the genocide, pointing to a pattern of undue removal and suppression of protected speech supporting Palestine.

Conversion to Islam

King’s announcement of his conversion to Islam was shared through various social media platforms, including Khaled Beydoun, with whom he is currently taking the Uncensored Tour. 

“This decision felt easy for both my wife and I both,” he said after taking his shahadah at the Valley Ranch Islamic Centre. King expressed that his journey to Islam was deeply personal and reflective, influenced by his admiration for the Islamic principles of justice, equality, and community, deep friendships with fellow Muslims, also “our dear brother Malcolm X who introduced many of us to Islam generations ago and first even softened my heart to Islam as a teenage boy,” but more recently by the immense devotion and faith of the Palestinian people.

“I don’t think I would be here today without the past six months of suffering pain and trauma that we’ve seen in Gaza and so many men and women and families there have welcomed me as their friend and have allowed me to walk with them through their grief and their pain, but also through their faith and strength and resilience.

It has touched me in the most profound ways to see people right now in the most dangerous, traumatic place on the planet and still be able to sometimes look at nothing but rubble and the remains of their family and still see meaning and purpose in life. Their faith and their devotion to Islam has not only opened my heart but the hearts of millions of people around the world.”

The conversion to Islam is not just a religious shift for King but also signifies a broader realignment of his personal identity and values. It represents a culmination of his explorations into spirituality and his quest for a faith that resonates with his core beliefs and activism.

Potential Impact on His Activism

King’s conversion to Islam may influence his activism in several ways. Firstly, it could broaden his perspective on issues of justice and equality, integrating Islamic principles into his advocacy work. This may lead to new collaborations with Muslim activists and organizations, potentially expanding the scope of his campaigns against injustice.

Moreover, King’s conversion might affect public perception. While it could attract support from Muslim communities and those who admire his spiritual journey, it might also invite scrutiny and criticism from skeptics or those opposed to his activism. 

Conclusion

Shaun King’s conversion to Islam is a significant chapter in his life, reflective of his ongoing quest for truth, justice, and community. As he integrates his new faith with his activism, it will be interesting to observe how his work evolves and how he navigates the complexities of public perception. Regardless of one’s views on King, his conversion underscores the deeply personal nature of faith and the ways in which it can inspire continued growth and commitment to social justice.

Related:

– Please, Be Gentle With God’s Guests In Ramadan I Sh Mohammad Elshinawy

– [Podcast] What Not To Say To Converts | Amanda Morris

The post Prominent Social Justice Activist Shaun King Embraces Islam appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

“Welcome to Islam, dear brother/ sister! Takbeer! You are now as sinless as a newborn baby!” These words are undoubtedly familiar to many of us upon the announcement of someone newly accepting Islam. Unfortunately, it’s often followed up with “Sister, you need to get married!” and “Brother, you need to choose a Muslim name!” And, of course, there’s the whole convert/ revert debate. For non-verts, it’s time for us to get a clue on how to engage with new Muslims (as well as those who have been Muslim for many, many years!) in a healthier, sustainable way… one which truly epitomizes the loving relationship of brothers and sisters in Islam.

Sister Amanda Morris sits down with Zainab bint Younus to tell us all what NOT to say to Muslim converts! From “convert stories” to marriage nightmares, raising children as converts, and healthy convert support, Amanda shares the wisdom of her decades of experience.

Amanda Morris is a community organizer and currently works for two UK-based non-profits, where she trains Muslim and other minority communities to challenge hateful media narratives. Amanda has an MA in Islam in Contemporary Britain from Cardiff University, and an MA in Japanese Linguistics, and is a sessional tutor of Japanese at Cardiff University. In her spare time, she runs an organization that supports new Muslims in South Wales, and trains community members to act as mentors for converts to Islam. She is a host of the podcast “New Beginnings,” a podcast for converts, by converts.

Related:

New to the Faith? 10 Pieces of Advice For Converts to Islam and Those Discovering Their Faith

Convert Story: To Ask Or Not to Ask, That is the Question

The post [Podcast] What Not To Say To Converts | Amanda Morris appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

For your (re)reading pleasure, here’s a list of Ramadan articles -some from the year before, and others timeless advice from years gone by- that you most definitely need to go through for Ramadan 2023 insha’Allah!

Ramadan Prep

– Drown Out The Noise: Fixing Your Ramadan Mindset by Fathimah Zainulabideen

Drown Out The Noise: Fixing Your Ramadan Mindset

– Get Your Phone Ramadan Ready! by Shaahima Fahim

Get Your Phone Ramadan Ready!

– Tips For Managing School And Ramadan by Meena Malik

Tips For Managing School And Ramadan

– What are Your Intentions For Ramadan? by Shaykh AbdulNasir Jangda

What are Your Intentions For Ramadan?

– Ramadan Prep Guide for Busy People by Siraaj Muhammad

Ramadan Prep Guide for Busy People | Part 1: Training Season

Spirituality

– Beginning My Quran Memorization Journey In Ramadan by Ustadha Maryam Amir

Beginning My Quran Memorization Journey In Ramadan

– Al-Shakur: Appreciation And Love In Ramadan by Ustadha Jinan Yousef

Al-Shakur: Appreciation And Love In Ramadan

– I Don’t Know If Allah Will Forgive Me by Meena Malik

I Don’t Know If Allah Will Forgive Me

– Ramadan is Hope by Shaykh Suleiman Hani

Ramadan is Hope

Women

–  The Menstruating Woman’s Guide To The Last 10 Nights Of Ramadan by Zainab bint Younus

The Menstruating Woman’s Guide To The Last 10 Nights Of Ramadan

– Podcast: Muslim Women’s Spirituality In Ramadan with Ustadha Aisha Hussain Rasheed, and Ustadha Faria Alam

Podcast: Muslim Women’s Spirituality In Ramadan

– Revisiting Women Only Tharaweeh by Ustadha Areeba Baig

Revisiting Women Only Tarawih

– Ramadan Rulings For Women [Part I] : Fiqh Of Fasting by Shaykha Aysha Wazwaz

Ramadan Rulings For Women [Part I] : Fiqh Of Fasting

Parenting

– Parents In Ramadan: Pivot To Another Worship by Shaykh Mohammad  Elshinawy

Parents In Ramadan: Pivot To Another Worship

– My Ramadan Plan For Life With A Toddler: Shifting My Mindset And Setting Humble Goals by Meena Malik

My Ramadan Plan For Life With A Toddler: Shifting My Mindset And Setting Humble Goals

– My Dear Ramadan Stay-at-Home Mom, I Salute You by Shaykh Yaser Birjas

My Dear Ramadan Stay-at-Home Mom, I Salute You

– Spiritual Self–Care For Mothers by Najwa Awad

Spiritual Self–Care For Mothers

Wellbeing

– Prepping The Mind, Body, And Soul For Ramadan by Dr. Saadia Mian

Prepping The Mind, Body, And Soul For Ramadan

– Mental Illness and Ramadan by Shaykh Yahya Ibrahim

Mental Illness and Ramadan

– 5 Ways You Can Still Have A Healthy Ramadan by Zeeshan Shah

5 Ways You Can Still Have A Healthy Ramadan

– Emotional Detox During Ramadan by Haleh Banani

Emotional Detox During Ramadan

Special Needs

– Reflections On Observing Ramadan With A Disability by Sa’diyyah Nesar

Reflections On Observing Ramadan With A Disability

– What I Learned About Ramadan – By Not Fasting by Zeba Khan

What I Learned About Ramadan – By Not Fasting

– Chronic Illness and Ramadan: Coping Tips and Strategies by Merium Khan

Chronic Illness and Ramadan: Coping Tips and Strategies

– How To Maximize Ramadan When Not Fasting by Sa’diyyah Nesar

How To Maximize Ramadan When Not Fasting

Community

– A Ramadan Without Community, And Isolation The Whole Year Round by Nada Shalash

A Ramadan Without Community, And Isolation The Whole Year Round

– Using Ramadan To Forgive Those Who Have Hurt Us In The Past by Abeda Ahmed

 Using Ramadan To Forgive Those Who Have Hurt Us In The Past

– Allow Ramadan To Transform Relationships by Abeda Ahmed

Allow Ramadan To Transform Relationships

– Ramadan SOS – Rescuing New Muslims from Iftar Loneliness by Jameel Besada

Ramadan SOS – Rescuing New Muslims from Iftar Loneliness

 Podcasts

– 786 Samosas – Balancing Home and Worship in Ramadan | Shaykh Mikaeel Ahmed Smith

Podcast: 786 Samosas – Balancing Home and Worship in Ramadan | Shaykh Mikaeel Ahmed Smith

– A Paradigm Shift For The Last 10 Nights I Ustadha Raidah Shah Idil

Podcast: A Paradigm Shift For The Last 10 Nights

– Podcast: Ramadan is When it All Began | Shaykh Ahsan Hanif

Podcast: Ramadan is When it All Began | Shaykh Ahsan Hanif

– Ramadan Reset | Shaykh Aleaddin Elbakri

Podcast: Ramadan Reset | Shaykh Aleaddin Elbakri

Is there a MuslimMatters Ramadan article that you feel is missing from this list – a few that particularly resonated with you perhaps, or one that you remember that definitely deserves a mention? Just link us up in the comments section below!

May Allah allow us to reach yet another Ramadan and reap the many many rewards that come with the blessed month. Ameen!

The post The MM Recap: Our Most Popular Ramadan Articles [2023 Edition] appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

It’s a blast from the past and back to the future with Shaykh AbdurRaheem Green!

In this episode of The MuslimMatters Podcast, Shaykh AbdurRaheem takes us on a trip down memory lane, reminiscing over 90s da’wah, the development of street da’wah and convert care, and the fate of the Ummah. Buckle in for a great ride!

Shaykh AbdurRaheem Green is someone who has been around the block longer than many others today in the da’wah field. He accepted Islam in 1988, and since then has been actively involved in Islamic education and community work. He is particularly known for founding the Islamic Education and Research Academy, iERA.

Related reading:

Street Cleaning and Dawah In Chicago – Video & Behind The Scenes

Street Cleaning and Dawah In Chicago – Video & Behind The Scenes

– Dawah: You missed a spot!

Dawah: You missed a spot!

The post Podcast: Back To The Future With Sh AbdurRaheem Green appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

The issue is the celebration connected with definitive declarations such as, “The top G accepted Islam!” and, “He’ll bring real masculinity back into this Ummah!” The issue is some Muslim men viewing a man who domestic violence shelters described as “capable of radicalizing men and boys to commit harm offline,” as a paragon of manhood. The issue is the glorification of a personality – pre-Islam – associated with exploitation of women. The issue is expressing unfettered jubilation without nuancing, “inshAllah through Islam he can find the best form of reformation.” The issue is the celebration, without any acknowledgement of the ramifications that the celebration is of his messaging before.

The Prophetic Tradition of Honoring Women

The Prophet took a generation of men and women who were from a culture which buried their own baby girls alive, to a generation of men who honored women, and women who saw honor in themselves.

This mentorship started from infancy, even in the most sacred space. The Prophet used to pray while carrying his granddaughter Umāma, and when he prostrated he placed her down and when he got up he carried her. [Bukhari, Muslim] Ibn Hajar quotes the scholar Fakahani in explaining that the Prophet   did so to show them in action how to honor girls. [Fat’hul Bari].

The comprehensive change of a generation is summarized by Omar’s statement, “In the times of ignorance, we used to have no regard for women whatsoever. But when Islam came and Allah made mention of them, this caused us to realize that they have rights upon us…” [Bukhari] 

Revelation transformed a culture of violence, ownership, and objectification of women to one in which women and men are, as described by the Prophet , “partners” [Ahmad], and as the Quran describes, “allies” [Surat At-Tawbah: 9;71]

Islamic law and Islamic history have shown us the depth of care and critical participation of women, as established by the mentorship of the Prophet :

1.Spiritual space: Aishah narrates about a Mother of the Believers that she was in i’tikaaf with the Prophet “..and she was bleeding in between her periods. She used to see the blood and she would perhaps put a dish under her for the blood.” (This was the bleeding of istihaadha, not menses, which take different rulings for prayer.) [Bukhari] 

If a Mother of the Believers would go to the masjid in istihaadha, and because of not having today’s hygienic resources would put a tray under her to protect the masjid from her blood, but would still pray in the masjid – then what does that say about a woman’s access and connection to the house of God?

2. Intimacy: While there is a depth and breadth of discussion on the issue from a legal perspective, Ibn Taymiyyah’s words speak to a recognition of women’s needs even in spaces wrongfully considered taboo: “Causing harm to the wife by not having intercourse is grounds for annulment in all cases, whether the husband did that intentionally or otherwise, and whether he was able to do it or not; it is like maintenance and even more important.” [Fatawa alKubra]

How often have women been made to feel like sex is only for men, that being sexual beings is only for men? And yet Omar himself changed law on how long men could serve in the army when he overheard just one woman complain she was sexually lonely without her husband. [Ibn Qudamah, alMughni]

3. Scholarship: Women scholars played a critical role in Islamic history. Aisha, the daughter of the great companion Saad ibn Abi Waqqas, taught Imam Malik. Sayyid Nafisa, the great granddaughter of the Prophet himself, was the teacher of Imam alShafi. Karimah alMarwaziyyah, the greatest hadith scholar of her time, was the teacher of alKhatib alBaghdadi. Shaykha Fatima bint Muhammad alSamarqandi was a scholar who the famous Salahudin alAyoubi and his predecessor Noor alDin would seek fatawa from, seeking advice on state matters. These are simply a handful of thousands of women scholars in our history. [Sh Akram Nadwi’s AlMuhadithaat, Ibn Hajar’s alIsabah fi Tamiz alSahaba, Ibn Sa’ad’s al-Tabaqat, and alSakhawi’s alDaw’ al-Lami’]

A Dangerous Following & The Muslim Male Reaction

The Prophet is associated with uplifting women. Contrast this with Andrew Tate, whose brand is associated with men who harm and objectify women. In fact, a sister who is working on publishing a study with a university sent me a message explaining, “I work in social services in England. I’ve come across several young men newly referred to the social services for violent behavioral challenges, and when interviewing and working with each of these young men in the last year we have identified at least 65% of them had consumed Tate’s material.” While she recognized this may be correlation rather than causation, she mentioned that the fact so many of them cited him by name is alarming.

Despite all this, before Tate even accepted Islam, some men micro-influencers were hosting him on podcasts and promoting him on their pages. They were platforming someone who was proud to have a webcam business of exploiting women for entertainment, who spoke and joked openly about committing violence against women, and objectified women in some of the most derogatory ways. These micro-influencers who platformed him are not scholars. In fact, I have heard men scholars in the past denounce Tate and warn Muslim men from following him. Why were these men hosting him as an example of manhood before he even became Muslim, when these views are so blatantly far from Islam?

Dear Brothers: When you praise Tate as a “true man” who can bring that manhood into the Ummah with his conversion, you communicate to many women that you literally do not care about what happens to your sisters.

Can you see why Muslim women, especially women who are victims and survivors of domestic violence, and those who work with women and children who are, could be terrified that Muslim men will adopt Tate’s pre-Islamic attitudes towards women? And even worse, now take Tate’s previous attitudes and deem them Islamic?

This week, sisters who have written publicly regarding feeling terrified about staying in this community because of many Muslim men’s loudly celebratory and un-nuanced reactions, have received death threats from Muslim men who follow Tate. These women were told they aren’t actually believers and they saw Muslim men on multiple live social media streams joking about raping them. Yes, they did report these accounts. But the fact that this has been the experience of so many women who have vocally expressed their concerns, is certainly in line with that same type of branding. 

Conversion

We welcome conversion joyfully. And we should all recognize that rectification takes time, support, and mentorship. Conversion is an opportunity to perfect not only one’s beliefs, but also one’s character in following the Pinnacle of character .

We should pray Andrew Tate will become the best of us and that we all become better. We should want him to have incredible support and mentorship to become his best self in front of Allah and in the footsteps of the Messenger . But that process- as we all recognize- takes time. And the fact that we aren’t giving him time before he is immediately lauded as an example and hosted on so many platforms, is alarming and speaks to the real issue.

This is not an issue of conversion. The issue is commentary on the reaction of some men in our community, the silence of too many in the face of those men, and the willingness for them to not only not recognize how their reaction is so viscerally painful for women, but also how violent some of these same “brothers” are when they disagree with their sisters, and the double standards of these same men when it comes to women.

So celebrate conversion, yes, but also recognize the necessity for public accountability and responsibility to uphold the Prophet’s mandate to men:

“…I enjoin you to be good to women.” [Bukhari]

Related reading:

– Reflections On The Muslim Reaction To Andrew Tate

Reflections On The Muslim Reaction To Andrew Tate

– Domestic Violence And The Muslim Community

Domestic Violence And The Muslim Community

The post It’s Not Andrew Tate’s Conversion, It’s Some Muslim Men’s Reactions appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

We welcome Andrew Tate to the beautiful religion of Islam. He and all other human beings on this earth are desperately in need of Islam, whereas Islam is not in need of anyone.

A small segment of Muslim community, especially those on social media, have voiced a number of knee-jerk and emotional reactions in the past few days. As with all issues in today’s polarized political climate, the polar extremes attract the most attention, which is a function of how social media is purposely designed to maximize outrage and engagement. We have a faction of people who are ecstatic and anticipating Tate becoming the 21st century Omar bin Khattab , and another faction of people seething with anger that such a person became Muslim or is even welcomed by the Muslim community. We have ridiculous statements floating around about threatening to leave Islam if Andrew Tate is welcomed by the Muslim community or deeming people hypocrites if they don’t zealously embrace him.

Though alhamdulillah, we also have moderate, balanced takes that welcome him to Islam and pray for his guidance, yet withhold judgment and wait patiently to see how Islam changes his life.

So, why do we have such divergent viewpoints? How exactly should a believer respond to the conversion of a high profile and controversial figure?

Who is Andrew Tate?

It is not from our character to highlight the wrongs of a convert’s past life, but due to the high profile and very public nature of our (now) brother (whose videos are all still accessible), we need to understand his background to understand people’s reactions. He was a world champion kickboxer turned businessman; he become a millionaire mainly based on ventures that any decent person would deem as immoral. He eventually became a global influencer who called men to a version of masculinity quite at odds with the general direction of Western culture. Without going into the details of exactly what he says, his message has been incredibly polarizing: deemed as either extremely misogynistic or extremely empowering.

One group feels his past comments and behaviors are dehumanizing to women, whereas another group feels many of his comments represent a return to the traditional masculinity they desire. Many of those who feel he dehumanizes women have been quick to paint any and all folks who gave him an ear as equally misogynistic, whereas many of those who found value in his message have been quick to paint anyone critical of him as feminists and “simps.”

Unpacking the Psyche

Here is where I hope we can stop and engage in some perspective-taking and stop seeing the world through such a binary perspective. The real world is full of gray.  Usually each perspective is worth listening to, even though we may passionately disagree. Those who previously hated Andrew Tate might try to consider with open minds why people are attracted to some of what he says. It is not as simple as they must all just hate women. These young people were clearly looking for something that they found in Tate’s message. What was missing in the discourse of other famous personalities that led them to listening to a man who they knew had serious flaws?

Consider that some of his followers may have experienced pain and suffering that they were looking to heal from. Whether they were right or wrong to listen to him is beside the point. It’s about understanding where someone is coming from and humanizing them. Similarly, to those who resonated with some of what Tate said, consider with an open mind why people have serious reservations about him. They are not all crazy feminists and simps who hate men. They have likely heard things from him or his followers that are hurtful and misguided. Consider that some of his critics may have experienced pain and suffering that they attribute to his message and what he stands for. Again, instead of evaluating the accuracy of their judgments, we can try to understand them and humanize them.

The truth of the matter is that both men and women are suffering in our communities, because we are part of a culture that is tearing men and women apart. We are a microcosm of bigger societal trends in the West. We will not heal and have healthy communities if we continue with these gender wars. But we will address this issue another day, inshaAllah.

The emotions people are feeling about Andrew Tate are often involuntary. Someone may feel excitement or apprehension towards his conversion. There is nothing right or wrong about the initial emotion. However, we have to look inward and regulate our emotions correctly. If I am excited, can I calm down a bit, not anoint him Omar 2.0, and recognize that Andrew Tate’s path to learning about Islam may be long, with ups and downs, and it may not be wise to put him on a pedestal until his lifestyle becomes more in line with Islam? If I am apprehensive, can I calm down a bit, not say anything inappropriate, and have positive thoughts that Islam will transform his beliefs and behaviors?

Answering to Allah

At the end of the day, Andrew Tate will only answer to Allah . The same applies to me and you. We need to use every opportunity, even his conversion, as an opportunity for introspection and self assessment.

There appear to be a number of potential spiritual ailments underlying much of what we are hearing that need to be addressed. It is an ailment to believe that he is not deserving of Allah’s grace. It is an ailment to believe that Islam is a cultural identity whose membership can be regulated. It is an ailment to be happy with his conversion only so one’s anger towards women can be justified. It is an ailment to be patient with his mistakes due to veneration of him but to withhold that same clemency from other brothers and sisters who err. It is an ailment if one’s faith skyrockets or plummets due to his conversion. These are all issues we need to keep close tabs on.

What should we expect of Andrew Tate? Don’t expect him to disappear and study Islam in solitude. While he may choose to, it is not the norm for high profile converts. Rather, he will likely continue to speak and will likely make mistakes. The Prophet himself did not mandate a moratorium on new converts, but rather he put them to work in a manner that maximized their talents and minimized their mistakes. This was part of his genius that we cannot replicate.

However, we hope that Andrew Tate has the right brothers and sisters in his ear to help maximize the good and minimize his mistakes. This means that we all need to be patient, and extend that same patience to other Muslims, male and female.

“Speak Good or Remain Silent”

Finally, watch your tongue. We have people saying he is converting only to swindle Muslims. In essence, they are openly judging his intentions, which the Prophet vehemently chastised. Once, during a battle, a companion killed a man who said the shahada after he was defeated in battle and on the verge of being killed. When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ found out he said, “Did you kill him in spite of his professing Laa ilaaha illAllah?” The companion replied, “O Messenger of Allah! He said it out of fear of our arms.” Our Prophet then said, “Why did you not cut his heart open to find out whether he had done so sincerely or not?”¹

We must guard our tongues at all costs and ensure that we only say things that please Him . “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day must either speak good or remain silent.”²

Related reading:

– Convert Story: To Ask Or Not to Ask, That is the Question

Convert Story: To Ask Or Not to Ask, That is the Question

– Hey Reverts/Converts! How do we help YOU?

Hey Reverts/Converts! How do we help YOU?

The post Reflections On The Muslim Reaction To Andrew Tate appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.