US troops are now in Nigeria. US military and CIA are behind destablizations around the globe. Prior to the fitnah in Sudan which is now the world's worst humanitarian crisis, Yemen was the worst which America is responsible for by arming and giving logistical aid to two countries that bombed and blocked medical supplies. Yemenis are still hungry and don't have proper medical care.
Outside of the fiqh gymnastics of "those who are inclined" to Islam, the whole idea that we can throw legal precedence out of the window for the sake of Palestine/Gaza reeks to me, even though I have great concern over the situation of our brothers and sisters there. And as you mentioned, we gave millions to politicians who spit on our faces when the genocide started. Those contributions and photo ops did absolutely nothing.
Alhamdulillah that several shuyukh are writing their own views on the subject in dissent; however, they are not a body or organization like the Fiqh Council and AMJA. Our community is in a very precarious situation.
What struck me reading this is the idea that we USA Muslims are complicit in USA/Israel crimes against Palestinians, Lebanese, Yemenis and Iranians (and a bunch of other crimes) and we're trying to figure out if we can erase our complicity through spending 2.5%-10%-20% (depending on the source) of our wealth. Seriously, this whole question of use of zakat is a weak response to the gravity of the situation.
"Why must our worship enter this realm of filth? If you cannot pray on a carpet with filth on it, why on earth would you decide to give your zakat to these actors instead of the impoverished?"
"Finally, one question that must be addressed is who actually wants this?"
I'm surprised the fatwa didn't come sooner.
After October 7th, I felt American Muslims reacted strongly by trying to push political advocacy through the creation of PACs or individually funding candidates who were sympathetic to Palestine.
Due to the above mentioned fatwas, unfortunately, the first question that comes to a Muslim's mind when trying to fund anything is:
"Is this zakat eligible?"
Either they will make up their own reasoning or go ask a scholar.
Yasir Qadhi is seen as the preeminent scholar of the USA. If you search any topic on YouTube: "Islam and Abortion", "Islam and Mongols", Seerah, Tafsir, heck even Epstein. Yasir Qadhi has a video or Facebook post addressing it.
So naturally people are going to flood him with messages asking about the zakat eligibility of political donations. In fact, in late 2024, Yasir Qadhi referenced this story in the seerah in a QA mentioning that political donations should be zakat eligible.
Salaams! This is an absolutely disgusting inter pretation for “Muqallabul Qulloob” by these American Muslim Councils.
It was originally meant for potential converts or those actively trying to learn Islam to convert.
it definitely does not mean “ buying amoral politicians” because they can be bought and sold by the highest bidder.
It may perhaps be time to change the composition of these organizations that give such fatwas and replace them with honorable qualified Muslims who practice their faith and fear Allah and the Day of Judgement.
several well known Faqis have left these organizations for exactly these reasons.
Read through the fatwa and while it makes perfect sense, and Dr. Badawi was one of my professors for a course - I think it behooves the scholars to stress giving zakat is a tax meant to mainly help those in need. Knowing what we know now about Epstein and how the world actually works, how do we reconcile with our zakat, when these legislators and leaders are all working through these horrific mechanisms. It’s murky - and once we understand all the devils in the details, it’s not for us. I’ve done politics for 30 years and I’m going back to teach and do community building work. The institutional systems have become so corrupt that I want to go back to my father’s roots and move to Syria.
Could you at least link the Jesse Unruh quote? I'm sure we can get past some pearl clutching at the vulgarity of vulgar people who as it happens could now be eligible for our zakah.
Thank you. I think it’s extremely important to bring as much attention as possible to the fact that these politicians are not suffering from naive ignorance but that they straight up just hate the underclass and oppressed.
This idea of softening their hearts with Zakah is blowing my mind.
Following data is AI based search, but I good confidence it is a good estimate: Muslim-majority countries face high rates of poverty and orphanhood, driven by conflict, economic instability, and environmental disasters. Approximately 35% of the world's impoverished population lives in these nations. Orphan populations in areas like Iraq and Syria are critical, with an estimated 5 million orphans in Iraq alone, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Shouldn’t we do much better to take care of our orphans and poor?
US troops are now in Nigeria. US military and CIA are behind destablizations around the globe. Prior to the fitnah in Sudan which is now the world's worst humanitarian crisis, Yemen was the worst which America is responsible for by arming and giving logistical aid to two countries that bombed and blocked medical supplies. Yemenis are still hungry and don't have proper medical care.
Outside of the fiqh gymnastics of "those who are inclined" to Islam, the whole idea that we can throw legal precedence out of the window for the sake of Palestine/Gaza reeks to me, even though I have great concern over the situation of our brothers and sisters there. And as you mentioned, we gave millions to politicians who spit on our faces when the genocide started. Those contributions and photo ops did absolutely nothing.
Alhamdulillah that several shuyukh are writing their own views on the subject in dissent; however, they are not a body or organization like the Fiqh Council and AMJA. Our community is in a very precarious situation.
What struck me reading this is the idea that we USA Muslims are complicit in USA/Israel crimes against Palestinians, Lebanese, Yemenis and Iranians (and a bunch of other crimes) and we're trying to figure out if we can erase our complicity through spending 2.5%-10%-20% (depending on the source) of our wealth. Seriously, this whole question of use of zakat is a weak response to the gravity of the situation.
Who is WE?
"Why must our worship enter this realm of filth? If you cannot pray on a carpet with filth on it, why on earth would you decide to give your zakat to these actors instead of the impoverished?"
hit the nail on the head with that one!
"Finally, one question that must be addressed is who actually wants this?"
I'm surprised the fatwa didn't come sooner.
After October 7th, I felt American Muslims reacted strongly by trying to push political advocacy through the creation of PACs or individually funding candidates who were sympathetic to Palestine.
Due to the above mentioned fatwas, unfortunately, the first question that comes to a Muslim's mind when trying to fund anything is:
"Is this zakat eligible?"
Either they will make up their own reasoning or go ask a scholar.
Yasir Qadhi is seen as the preeminent scholar of the USA. If you search any topic on YouTube: "Islam and Abortion", "Islam and Mongols", Seerah, Tafsir, heck even Epstein. Yasir Qadhi has a video or Facebook post addressing it.
So naturally people are going to flood him with messages asking about the zakat eligibility of political donations. In fact, in late 2024, Yasir Qadhi referenced this story in the seerah in a QA mentioning that political donations should be zakat eligible.
Reasonable
Jazak Allahu Khyrian for this important article. This definitely needs to be discussed further.
Salaams! This is an absolutely disgusting inter pretation for “Muqallabul Qulloob” by these American Muslim Councils.
It was originally meant for potential converts or those actively trying to learn Islam to convert.
it definitely does not mean “ buying amoral politicians” because they can be bought and sold by the highest bidder.
It may perhaps be time to change the composition of these organizations that give such fatwas and replace them with honorable qualified Muslims who practice their faith and fear Allah and the Day of Judgement.
several well known Faqis have left these organizations for exactly these reasons.
How do these people justify it? Good luck on the Day of Judgment is what I think. May Allah protect us from all hypocrisy.
Definitely read the fatwa and rebuttal. Don’t let this be your last word.
Read through the fatwa and while it makes perfect sense, and Dr. Badawi was one of my professors for a course - I think it behooves the scholars to stress giving zakat is a tax meant to mainly help those in need. Knowing what we know now about Epstein and how the world actually works, how do we reconcile with our zakat, when these legislators and leaders are all working through these horrific mechanisms. It’s murky - and once we understand all the devils in the details, it’s not for us. I’ve done politics for 30 years and I’m going back to teach and do community building work. The institutional systems have become so corrupt that I want to go back to my father’s roots and move to Syria.
Ameen
Could you at least link the Jesse Unruh quote? I'm sure we can get past some pearl clutching at the vulgarity of vulgar people who as it happens could now be eligible for our zakah.
I can quote it if you really want:
"If you can't eat their food, drink their booze, screw their women and then vote against them you've got no business being up here."
It's on his wikipedia page.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_M._Unruh#:~:text=On%20lobbyists%3A%20%22If%20you%20can,no%20business%20being%20up%20here.%22
This also brings up the fact that campaign contributions can influence a politician. So does alcohol and prostitution. That is our political system.
Thank you. I think it’s extremely important to bring as much attention as possible to the fact that these politicians are not suffering from naive ignorance but that they straight up just hate the underclass and oppressed.
This idea of softening their hearts with Zakah is blowing my mind.
Have you seen the dissent by Mustafa Umar and others?
Yes I mention it
I'd be interested in your thoughts on it.
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله
Following data is AI based search, but I good confidence it is a good estimate: Muslim-majority countries face high rates of poverty and orphanhood, driven by conflict, economic instability, and environmental disasters. Approximately 35% of the world's impoverished population lives in these nations. Orphan populations in areas like Iraq and Syria are critical, with an estimated 5 million orphans in Iraq alone, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Shouldn’t we do much better to take care of our orphans and poor?
A lot of shuyukh on these bodies were identified by Palestinian groups as as Muslim Zionists. That list disappeared from the internet without a trace.
This will keep happening till we keep taking our Islam from people who have the knowledge, yet use it in the service of Shaitan.
Time to go back to the basics.
Give your zakat to people you know.
There should be evidence of that. Would rather not cast aspersions like that, it’s not productive