I heard about this and the handcuffing and escorting of a sister out of the masjid. What was infuriating was that the masjid management pretended to not know anything about it but the police said they were given direct instructions from the masjid management to arrest folks for trespassing, especially this sister. I also don’t know which sane Muslims would even consider donating to a masjid like this, has to be some sort of outside funding involved. Houstonians need to kick the shura out.
I would full-on expose the wrongdoing and wrongdoers in relation to their masjid/community activities, but not necessarily their private business dealings. What particularly irks me is this "you're harming the image of Islam"/"airing our dirty laundry" argument for keeping quiet.
I don't know anything at all about the facts of this particular case other than what was presented, but if all he did is settle, as attorneys we both know there may be reasons to settle that don't necessarily imply guilt. Personally, I would prefer to leave those issues aside and focus on the community wrongdoing.
I do worry about setting standards TOO high for the private behaviour of our leaders/organizations that we discourage good people from public leadership. I've seen it happen, many times unfortunately. I agree its a slippery slope, but in my opinion a line has to be drawn somewhere.
How should Muslim organizations deal with cases where there is financial fraud? You don’t mean just ignore them because it was settled and did not go to trial do you?
This is a poor objection. One, the business dealings are not private they are public record. Second, any information that is public which has a bearing on the moral conduct of a person must be aired. Thirdly, if individuals who have even private information regarding the character of an individual who seeks to sit in a position of trust in masajid is obligated to bring it forward if it reflects poorly on their character. Fourthly, a masjid is an amanat, and any individual who is involved in its leadership must exhibit the highest level of moral integrity as shown to us by the Prophet (SAW) and his Companions. No wrongdoing of his is off limits whether it pertains to his business dealings, his personal life, his capacity as an officer of the masjid or any other sphere of his life. Even the appearance of wrong doing is relevant as it can impact faith in Islamic institutions, which a masjid is. The standards for our leaders have been set very clearly and unambiguously by Allah and his Rasool. If you consider them burdensome complain to your lord, he hears all supplicants. This article is a call to action for the Muslim community to hold its leadership accountable. This not a court of law. Perhaps you are applying a standard of argumentation that is TOO high for this context.
As a 501C(3), they need to give equal access to ALL candidates. What I don't like about your write up is what you mention about the candidates religion, specifically you said this: " Note the “Muslim” candidate is not actually a Muslim but is from the Ismaili faith tradition, though he does not mind claiming to be a Muslim when it suits him." The question now is: Who gave you the authority to decide who is Muslim and who is not? There are 2 Muslims in the Texas House of Representatives who are followers of the Ismaili tradition BUT they never mention that and always proud to be called Muslims and they fight for all Muslim Texans and all other faiths in Texas. Let's not divide our community more than it's already divided. You could criticize ISGH or any other mosque but don't judge people or their faith.
Do you think at a Masjid if someone is introduced as a Muslim that should be accurate? Or do you believe anyone who says they are Muslim regardless of what their creed and practice is should be accepted as such in Masajid? Do you believe Ismailis should give khutbas at ISGH and other masajid?
So are we in a position to put a litmus test on anyone? What do you suggest? What is your standard for a Muslim? Are we becoming judges and deciding who is a Muslim and who is not? It is up to Allah not us to determine who is a Muslim not us.
I don't think I am in a position to decide for any mosque as to who qualifies to give Khutba. The Shura council decides that and I trust their judgement. If I don't agree with them, I go to another mosque. We have over 86 Masjid and Mussla in north Texas.
Allah in his revelation to his Rasool (SaW) clearly and unambiguously details the criteria for who is a Muslim. The authority comes from him. Allah is the judge and he has given us clear litmus for judging the creed of others. He has also put an obligation upon us to use his litmus test so we protect Islam from corruption. If you doubt these things, your problem is with Allah and what he has revealed, not with the author.
Scholars have the authority and there is consensus amongst them that Ismailis are not Muslims. They should be treated as just another non-Muslim and if they have good policies, then the policy should be highlighted.
Not sure what scholars are you referring to. I don't think anyone has the authority to issue such a Fatwa. Islam is open to anyone and everyone. No one has the power to look inside their heart and decide who or what anyone believes in. Only Allah has that power.
lol with this type of logic anyone can say anything because Islam is open to anyone. If God forbid i called myself a prophet, then all good in your books.
Islam is open to anyone and everyone. The conditions for accepting and remaining within its fold are set by Allah. Those who claim to be Muslim but reject the clear evidence of the Quran and Sunnah are guilty of Nifaq and are amongst the Faasiqoon. Even shirk will be forgiven if a person repents to Allah. The door to his forgiveness is always open. One does not need to be a scholar to know what causes a person to go out of Islam. Take some time and read the Quran. It is clear who Allah considers to be Muslim.
I heard about this and the handcuffing and escorting of a sister out of the masjid. What was infuriating was that the masjid management pretended to not know anything about it but the police said they were given direct instructions from the masjid management to arrest folks for trespassing, especially this sister. I also don’t know which sane Muslims would even consider donating to a masjid like this, has to be some sort of outside funding involved. Houstonians need to kick the shura out.
Take a look at this https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIwZW1HOW2S/?igsh=MWhpNTlzZnBraTRlOA==
I would full-on expose the wrongdoing and wrongdoers in relation to their masjid/community activities, but not necessarily their private business dealings. What particularly irks me is this "you're harming the image of Islam"/"airing our dirty laundry" argument for keeping quiet.
I get that, but this was a public case and involved ripping off taxpayers.
I don't know anything at all about the facts of this particular case other than what was presented, but if all he did is settle, as attorneys we both know there may be reasons to settle that don't necessarily imply guilt. Personally, I would prefer to leave those issues aside and focus on the community wrongdoing.
I do worry about setting standards TOO high for the private behaviour of our leaders/organizations that we discourage good people from public leadership. I've seen it happen, many times unfortunately. I agree its a slippery slope, but in my opinion a line has to be drawn somewhere.
How should Muslim organizations deal with cases where there is financial fraud? You don’t mean just ignore them because it was settled and did not go to trial do you?
This is a poor objection. One, the business dealings are not private they are public record. Second, any information that is public which has a bearing on the moral conduct of a person must be aired. Thirdly, if individuals who have even private information regarding the character of an individual who seeks to sit in a position of trust in masajid is obligated to bring it forward if it reflects poorly on their character. Fourthly, a masjid is an amanat, and any individual who is involved in its leadership must exhibit the highest level of moral integrity as shown to us by the Prophet (SAW) and his Companions. No wrongdoing of his is off limits whether it pertains to his business dealings, his personal life, his capacity as an officer of the masjid or any other sphere of his life. Even the appearance of wrong doing is relevant as it can impact faith in Islamic institutions, which a masjid is. The standards for our leaders have been set very clearly and unambiguously by Allah and his Rasool. If you consider them burdensome complain to your lord, he hears all supplicants. This article is a call to action for the Muslim community to hold its leadership accountable. This not a court of law. Perhaps you are applying a standard of argumentation that is TOO high for this context.
As a 501C(3), they need to give equal access to ALL candidates. What I don't like about your write up is what you mention about the candidates religion, specifically you said this: " Note the “Muslim” candidate is not actually a Muslim but is from the Ismaili faith tradition, though he does not mind claiming to be a Muslim when it suits him." The question now is: Who gave you the authority to decide who is Muslim and who is not? There are 2 Muslims in the Texas House of Representatives who are followers of the Ismaili tradition BUT they never mention that and always proud to be called Muslims and they fight for all Muslim Texans and all other faiths in Texas. Let's not divide our community more than it's already divided. You could criticize ISGH or any other mosque but don't judge people or their faith.
Do you think at a Masjid if someone is introduced as a Muslim that should be accurate? Or do you believe anyone who says they are Muslim regardless of what their creed and practice is should be accepted as such in Masajid? Do you believe Ismailis should give khutbas at ISGH and other masajid?
So are we in a position to put a litmus test on anyone? What do you suggest? What is your standard for a Muslim? Are we becoming judges and deciding who is a Muslim and who is not? It is up to Allah not us to determine who is a Muslim not us.
So would you be okay with someone who does not believe salah is a requirement in Islam to give jumma khutba ?
I don't think I am in a position to decide for any mosque as to who qualifies to give Khutba. The Shura council decides that and I trust their judgement. If I don't agree with them, I go to another mosque. We have over 86 Masjid and Mussla in north Texas.
Great. Teach your kid Sunday school then? You would of course not judge a ”Muslim” that says his brother in law is the new Prophet of Allah would you?
This is not going anywhere. Good luck to you and to all in Sugar land and Fort Bend county.
Allah in his revelation to his Rasool (SaW) clearly and unambiguously details the criteria for who is a Muslim. The authority comes from him. Allah is the judge and he has given us clear litmus for judging the creed of others. He has also put an obligation upon us to use his litmus test so we protect Islam from corruption. If you doubt these things, your problem is with Allah and what he has revealed, not with the author.
Scholars have the authority and there is consensus amongst them that Ismailis are not Muslims. They should be treated as just another non-Muslim and if they have good policies, then the policy should be highlighted.
Not sure what scholars are you referring to. I don't think anyone has the authority to issue such a Fatwa. Islam is open to anyone and everyone. No one has the power to look inside their heart and decide who or what anyone believes in. Only Allah has that power.
lol with this type of logic anyone can say anything because Islam is open to anyone. If God forbid i called myself a prophet, then all good in your books.
Islam is open to anyone and everyone. The conditions for accepting and remaining within its fold are set by Allah. Those who claim to be Muslim but reject the clear evidence of the Quran and Sunnah are guilty of Nifaq and are amongst the Faasiqoon. Even shirk will be forgiven if a person repents to Allah. The door to his forgiveness is always open. One does not need to be a scholar to know what causes a person to go out of Islam. Take some time and read the Quran. It is clear who Allah considers to be Muslim.
The Muslim community should boycott this masjid, and anyone affiliated with it. This is a masjid in disguise., not in reality.
Why do you say that?