Muslim Chaplains Work to Reform

Reprinted from the Racine Journal Times

Commentary: Muslim prison chaplains work to reform, not radicalize

Hasan Hakeem | Posted: Thursday, June 16, 2011 

The danger of Islamic radicalization inside U.S. prisons “remains real and present,” alleges Republican U.S. Rep. Peter King of New York in his second congressional hearing on the threat of Muslims within America radicalizing. 

It appears to me that Rep. King has never been inside a county jail or prison to meet incarcerated Muslims. If he had been, I suspect that Rep. King would not have made such an outlandish statement.

As a Muslim chaplain, I tend to prisoners of all faiths, not just Islam, and the common theme is that such people are seeking a new beginning through God. 

Clearly lost upon Rep. King is the story of Malcolm X, a fellow New Yorker, who through Islam gave up his criminal ways to become one of this nation’s most honored civil rights activists. 

Prisoners who convert to Islam in jail do so to find a new path, one that is far from the world of hate and violence that is often the cause of their incarceration. 

To suggest that Muslim chaplains are radicalizing prisoners is to betray one’s own ignorance of the institutions of corrections in the United States. Books are screened for content, and chaplains interviewed and monitored. 

But if Rep. King wishes to address incarceration, then let’s do that honestly. It is disgraceful that we, as Americans, place more emphasis on incarceration than on education.   

In the past 20 years, state spending on prisons has grown at six times the rate of spending on higher education. And one in 31 Americans is under some form of corrections control. 

Federal research shows states spend more than $50 billion annually on government-run correction programs. With more than 2 million people incarcerated in jails and prisons in the United States today, it would be more helpful for Rep. King, the House Homeland Security Committee chairman, to focus on issues of judicial and prison reform than on imaginary threats that are in reality thinly veiled attacks against Islam. 

You do your job, Rep. King, and I’ll keep doing mine.

Hasan Hakeem is a Muslim chaplain for Kenosha County Jail and president of the Zion, Ill., chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Prison Reform is the real deal in USA

Michigan Rep. Clarke hits it right on the head. The problem is not Islam in prisons. It's the judicial system and the prison industrial complex that continues to suck the life out of our communities.  Why not focus on the hatred that's created by inequality and injustice in the judicial system.  What is needed is real justice -- Aboslute Justice For All Americans, regardless of creed, color, culture or race.

Rep. Hansen Clarke (D-MI) used his question period to deliver an impassioned address about the broader problem of prison reform, at times holding back tears as he discussed how the issue impacted his own life.

"We talk about political correctness, you know what pisses me off? I'm a damned member of Congress here and my friends have rotted in prison and those that have gotten out, they've never been the same again," he said. "Some of you who are Tea Party members, this is the waste we got to stop. We're spending too much money incarcerating young men, young black men, whose lives can be saved. It's not about Islam, it's abut the sentencing policy, it's about this prison system. We got to change that."

He added that based on his own discussions with prisoners who converted to Islam, inmates did so largely to gain protection from dangerous gangs and to make a clean break from their criminal past, not to engage in any kind of radical behavior.

Islamophobia in America

On Sunday evening, March, 2011, CNN aired a one-hour special called “Unwelcome: Muslims Next Door.” Reporter Soledad O’Brien went inside the town of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to investigate the controversy surrounding the proposed construction of a 52,000 square-foot mosque.  This story highlights the national issue of religious freedom for the Muslim community that has been viewed as a suspect group across American since 9/11.

This is America: Muslims lack sensitivity...

American Muslims lack cultural sensitivity, awareness and respect for non-Muslims. It is a common scene in Muslim mosques. A non-Muslim walks in and is treated so badly, he or she makes quick judgments that are passed along to friends, who have never met or attended Muslim functions.

The above video exposes a tad of the problem. Throughout America, Muslim immigrants are of the opinion that they don't have to explain anything about Islam to their friends. Many Muslim immigrants begin to talk in their native languages around non-Muslim guests. It is rude behavior and very damaging in an effort to create a better understanding of Islam.

Wisdom: Al Hakeem

Divine attribute of Al Hakeem

Imam Raghib defined ‘Hikmat’ or wisdom as reaching the truth through knowledge and reasoning, in terms of usage of this word for Allah, Imam Raghib said it is the discernment and insight about Him through which one may understand Him. When Allah is referred to as Hakeem it certainly does not signify the same meanings, just as the Holy Qur’an declares in Surah Al Tin ‘Is not Allah the Best of judges’ (95:9).

Summary of Friday Sermon

Delivered by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

December 7^th, 2007

Huzur gave a discourse on the Divine attribute of Al Hakeem (The Wise) in his Friday Sermon today. Huzur said he has been giving sermons for the past many weeks on the Divine attribute of Al Aziz (The Mighty) and that he has explained that half of Quranic citations of Al Aziz are in conjunction with Al Hakeem, therefore with the description and explanation of Quranic verses for Al Aziz the subject of Al Hakeem has also been somewhat covered

.

According to Arab lexicon Al Hakeem is One with wisdom and wisdom connotes to encompass the most excellent things with the most excellent knowledge, things that are most excellent by virtue of birth or by virtue of their attributes, their status etc.

In Hadith the Holy Qur’an has been called Hakim (Judge), it is a most decisive Book. However, taqwa (righteousness) is conditional in understanding it and for this within one’s capacity one needs to be hakeem.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that there is a fantastic difference between seeking apparent knowledge and knowledge of the Qur’an. Taqwa is not an essential factor in order to seek worldly knowledge nor does one need to keep one’s word and deed in accordance to Allah’s commandments for gaining worldly knowledge.

Rather the more worldly knowledge people gain the more atheistic they get. Europe and America have made tremendous progress in worldly knowledge however their spiritual state is rather fragile. Conversely, in order to seek religious knowledge one is required to have humility. The Qur’an is a Book of God and its knowledge is in Allah’s hand and taqwa is like a ladder through which we may reach this knowledge. Indeed the world is ever inclined towards worldly knowledge and is fascinated by modern-day inventions and the like. Besides, those Muslims who subscribe to the old school of thought are entangled in grammatical matters and are stuck on specific pronunciation of certain Quranic words.

Imam Raghib defined ‘Hikmat’ or wisdom as reaching the truth through knowledge and reasoning, in terms of usage of this word for Allah, Imam Raghib said it is the discernment and insight about Him through which one may understand Him. When Allah is referred to as Hakeem it certainly does not signify the same meanings, just as the Holy Qur’an declares in Surah Al Tin ‘Is not Allah the Best of judges’ (95:9).

Hadhrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) said one meaning of Hakeem is ‘scholar’ another meaning is one who is judicious, one who executes all matters in a fine manner, whose matters cannot be spoilt by any.

Citing verses 31 to 33 of Surah Al Baqarah Huzur explained that these verses unfold for us that the angels declare that they only have knowledge that Allah has taught them and they cannot encompass what is in the knowledge of Allah, for He is All-Knowing and Wise. They acknowledge that they asked the question about man creating disorder only in view of what was apparent to them. Huzur said judging by the current state of affairs in the world indeed the angels were right in their assertion, however, God forbid, their knowledge did not exceed that of Allah, for He had declared that His vicegerent will not be the cause for the disorder.

The responsibility of the blood-shedding of mankind that the angels had feared does not lay on Adam, rather the causes for that are external enmity or internal failing. Allah’s vicegerent only taught to do good, however external and internal factors caused friction. All prophets of God have had to face similar situations. Due to Adam being the vicegerent of God trouble was created however, it also caused many to emerge as manifestations of Divine attributes.

Adam also declared that such pious people could not transpire without the existence of the force of evil. This scenario also presents a matter of choice between good and bad, a capacity that the angels have not been given. Huzur quoted an Urdu poetic verse which translates as:

“It is better to become human than an angel; however, it requires a greater effort”

Huzur said indeed the angels declared at the birth of each prophet of God that their knowledge was limited and that Allah is All-Knowing, Wise.

Huzur said those who raise objections these days and reject the fact that Allah sends His chosen people in each age to spread good are in fact raising objection to the way of Allah from time immemorial.

Huzur also said that when these verses are read in-depth one realises that the angels had acknowledged that their knowledge could not increase like man’s knowledge could increase in accordance to the capacity Allah had bestowed on man.

Further explaining the subject Huzur said a person who acquires knowledge and discernment of Allah is hakeem even if he/she is not so strong in what is essentially apparent worldly knowledge. Man cannot attain the discernment that Allah the Exalted has of Himself and therein lies the difference in the wisdom attributed to Allah and to man.

Citing verse 261 of Surah Al Baqarah Huzur said commentators take literal meanings of this verse. Hadhrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) explained that when Hadhrat Ibrahim (on whom be peace) asked Allah about ‘giving life to the dead’ and Allah told him to take four birds and get them attached to him, the connotation was to morally train his children; Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. Two of these sons were directly morally trained by Hadhrat Ibrahim (on whom be peace) and the other two indirectly. The reference to the ‘hill’ in the verse denotes a high spiritual status. In addition the verse also denotes that ‘revival of faith’ will be in four ages. That is, first it came about through the voice of Moses (on whom be peace) then the voice of Jesus (on whom be peace) then the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and fourthly the voice of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). This way the first bird signifies the people of Moses (on whom be peace) and the fourth bird the Ahmadiyya Community through which Hadhrat Ibrahim’s (on whom be peace) heart will be gladdened and which is a manifestation of Allah’s attributes of The Mighty and The Wise.

This places great responsibility on us to adhere to the sagacious teaching, which is acquired by adopting taqwa, so that we may be witness to the coming to life of the [spiritually] dead.

Citing verse 115 of Surah Al An’am (6:115) Huzur said this should be the response of each believer no matter what the adversaries say. We are not in need of anyone for we have Allah as the best of all judges and Who is Wise and Who has unfolded His profoundly wise message for us. Therefore, if Allah’s judgment is with us we have no care whether a government or its legislative body passes a judgment cowing to the power of the forces of evil, however, when our God passes a judgment that is decisive therefore we are in no need of any other arbitrator.

Today, we have the conviction that Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani is the Promised Messiah – the Book of Allah states that the Messiah will be from among the ummah, then what authority does the legislative body of a government holds compared to the decree of Allah, Who is the Best of judges? Indeed, it is our adversaries who will be dismissed and we shall be triumphant. We have no care of their verdicts which are devoid of taqwa and are a stack of ignorance. Allah indeed is the greatest of all judges and according to His judgment we are firm on the very faith that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) brought and shall remain firm till the very end.

InshaAllah it is Ahmadiyyat alone that, while treading the right path, is going to be a manifestation of Divine attributes and is also going to spread them in the world.

Trials and Hardships: Trust in Allah

Allah tells us that we will be tested. He also makes it clear to us what is expected from us when we undergo these trials and what our reward will be if we are successful.

He says: “Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, lives and the fruits (of your toil) but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Those who, when misfortune strikes them, say: ‘Indeed we belong to Allah and to Him is our return. Those are the ones upon whom are blessings and mercy from their Lord and it is those who are rightly guided.” [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 155]

The Prophet (peace be upon him)said: "No fatigue, illness, anxiety, sorrow, harm or sadness afflicts any Muslim, even to the extent of a thorn pricking him, without Allah wiping out his sins by it." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim]

In another narration, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “No Muslim is afflicted by harm, whether it is but the prick of a thorn or something worse, without Allah expiating his evil deeds on account of it and his sins falling away from him like leaves off a tree.'" [Sahîh al-Bukhârî]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "When Allah desires good for someone, He tries him with hardships." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî]

The Muslim may be tested by all sorts of difficulties like sickness, lack of income, and disobedience from his children. In fact, the many afflictions that may beset a person are incalculable. This is the point that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was stressing when he mentioned: “fatigue, illness, anxiety, sorrow, harm or sadness …even to the extent of a thorn pricking him”.

ALL OF THESE AFFLICTIONS, IF ENDURED PATIENTLY BY THE BELIEVER, ARE A MEANS OF ATTAINING ALLAH’S FORGIVENESS AS WELL AS HIS REWARD.

Every one of us is being tested by Allah. He tests us all in different ways. We should not assume that the difficulties that we face in life are punishments or are signs that Allah is displeased with us. Likewise, we should never construe the success and pleasures that others enjoy as signs that Allah is pleased with them or that they are privileged. Sometimes, quite the opposite is true.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If Allah wants good for his servant, He hurries on His punishment in this world, and if He wills ill for a servant, he holds back punishing him for his sin so He can give it to him in full on the Day of Resurrection.”

Allah makes it clear that everything in our lives – the good and the bad of it– is a trial for us. How will we cope in the situation that Allah has placed for us? Will we be grateful in prosperity and patient in affliction or will we be arrogant and disobedient?

Allah says: “Every soul shall taste of death. And We will test you with evil and with good by way of trial. And to Us is your return.” [Sûrah al-Anbiyâ’: 35].

Allah says: “Know that your wealth and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a mighty reward.”
[Sûrah al-Anfâl: 28]

Many people do not realize that they are tried just as severely with the good that they are given as they are by the misfortunes that befall them. Allah says: “And as for man, whenever his Lord tries him by honoring him and makes him lead an easy life, he says: ‘My Lord honors me’. But when He tries him by straitening his means of subsistence, he says: ‘My Lord has disgraced me’.” [Sûrah al-Fajr: 15-16]

Some people are blessed to be born and raised in good Muslim families then turn their backs on Islam, while others are born and raised in non-Muslim countries to unbelieving parents and grow up to be among the best of Muslims. I’m of the opinion, that those who are born in an environment of injustice, will rise above that injustice and become the best of believers.

We are tried with wealth as well as poverty. If we are wealthy, will we hoard our wealth or spend in charity? Will we use it for lawful purposes or squander it in vice? Will we trust in Allah in our investments, or will our avarice and fear of losing our wealth make us take recourse to unlawful means to preserve it and increase it?

If we are poor, will we be content and patient and seek lawful means to attain our sustenance or will we resort to unlawful means to meet our needs? Will we accept the fact that Allah gives more to some people than he does to others, or will we grow hateful and vindictive?

We are tested with health as well as sickness. A man with good eyesight is tested with regards to his use of it. Will he use the blessing of his sight to good purpose or to gaze at unlawful things? His good eyesight may be what takes him to Hell. A blind man is tested whether he will bear patiently with his disability. His patience in affliction may be what earns him his place in Paradise. Our goal is the Hereafter and we are all being tested.

Allah says: “It is He who created death and life that He may try you as to which of you is best in deeds.” [Sûrah al-Mulk: 2]

We may also be tested through others. We know from experience that even a small child can experience suffering as well as a person who is mentally handicapped to such a degree that he cannot understand the concepts of Islam and is not legally accountable. Though it may not be that such a person is not undergoing tests of his own; however his plight may very well be a test for those his life affects. How will they treat him? Will they care for him, respect him, and give him his rights?

We may not be able to fathom the wisdom behind why Allah decrees what He does for us or for others of His creatures. However, we must know that Allah does everything in accordance with His wisdom and bear our trials patiently.

Ultimately, we must remember the words of Allah in the Qur’ân: “He cannot be questioned for what He does but they will be questioned.” [Sûrah al-Anbiyâ’: 23]
Transliteration:
Alhamdu lillahi nahmaduhu wa nasta 'inuhu wa nastaghfiruhu wa nu' minu bihi wa natawakkalu 'alaih. Wa na 'uThu Billahi min shururi anfusina wamin sayy 'ati a 'malina. Man yahdihillahu fala mudhilla lahu wa man yudlilhu fala hadiya lah. Wa nash-hadu alla ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu wa nash-hadu anna Muhmmadan 'abduhu wa Rasuluh. Ibadallah rahima-kumullah. Innallaha ya'muru bil 'adli wal-ihsani wa itai Thil-qurba. wa yanha 'anil fahshai wal- munkari wal-baghyi, Ya 'izhkum la 'allakum taThakkarun. UThkurrullah yaTh-kur-kum wad 'uhu yastajib lakum. Wala Thikrullahi akbar.

Translation:
All praise is due to Allah. We laud Him, we beseech help from Him and ask His protection; we confide in Him, we trust Him alone and we seek protection against the evils and mischief of our souls and from the bad results of our deeds. Whomsoever He guides on the right path, none can misguide him; and whosoever He declares misled, none can guide him onto the right path. And we bear witness that none deserves to be worshipped except Allah. He is alone and has no partner. We bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. O servants of Allah! May Allah be merciful to you. Verily, Allah commands you to act with justice, to confer benefits upon each other and to do good to others as one does to one 's kindred and forbids evil which pertain to your own selves and evils which affect others and prohibits revolts against a lawful authority.
He warns you against being unmindful. You remember Allah; He too will remember you; call Him and He will make a response to your call. And verily divine remembrance is the highest virtue.

We strive for the love of Allah

The mindset of the Islamic culture stems from the conviction that Allah Ta'ala is our Creator and Sustainer.

Hence in this short stay on earth, we are to serve Him alone in the manner taught by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Thus Islamic culture revolves around the firm belief that our mission in life is to serve Allah Almighty and His creation or our community.

With this mindset, one will sacrifice one's wealth, energies and time as much as possible for the purpose of life. Indeed one will acquire the necessities of life as well, but our faith will be the guiding light and driving force. Our faith or Taqwa (righteousness) will dictate and all else will follow. Life will be regarded as a journey wherein the traveler is not too concerned about the luxuries and comforts enroute. The traveler is focused towards his final destination in the hereafter. Yet, as a result of one's obedience to Allah Ta'ala, one will be blessed with true The Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, has explained that the desired destination for each Ahmadi is to achieve nearness of Allah Almighty and gain His pleasure, and we must strive to attain this state till the last breath of our life through our actions, by obeying the teachings of the Holy Prophet (saw).

Many a people form emotional bonds with worldly leaders and make many sacrifices to achieve material goals, but how many make sacrifices for Allah and His Prophet (saw)? These sacrifices for worldly leaders have no significance whatsoever because they do not follow Islamic teachings.

For those who are incarcerated, you should strive hard to form a pure and unique relationship with Allah Almighty by shunning all sorts of evil (greed, dishonesty, deceit, arrogance, pride, self-indulgence, etc.). Unless and until such a bond is developed with God, one is extremely weak and is confined to spiritual obscurity and incapable of facing any adversities. Therefore, make every effort to become the bearers of spiritual light as opposed to darkness, so that you are protected against the evil machinations of Satan.

Despite every adversity within this environment, we are told to constantly seek help from Allah and develop a direct relationship with Him. This can only be done if we put forth the purpose of our creation before us, as described in the Holy Quran "I have not created the Jinn and men but that they may worship Me" (51:57).

If we bear this in mind at all times, then our efforts to shun the vices and adopt the virtues described by Allah will be fruitful. These actions will further enhance our relationship with Allah Almighty. Remember, If we seek the blessings of Allah in our life, then we must always keep the purpose of our creation in mind.

The most fundamental way of worshipping God is through offering the five daily prayers. Every man, woman, young and old should remember that if they are lagging in observing Salat, then they will not be able to meet the standards prescribed to achieve the state of the righteous people. After the belief in One God, Salat is the most important pillar of our faith and therefore, you should perform it as if you see God before you. When one presents himself before a great leader, a type of fear prevails over him. God Almighty is the Most Supreme, therefore, visualizing God during Salat will eventually make us devoted worshippers.

The Holy Prophet (saw) said that one should offer Salat as if you see God before you. But if you are unable to do so, at least recognize the fact that God, Who has power over all things and is aware of the condition of every heart, sees you.

If we practice this, then our attention will be directed to improving our standards of worship, freeing them of worldly thoughts. Those who feel that they do not and/or cannot meet these standards should not despair. Remember, these are the standards you should strive for as this is the only way to make progress and attain additional blessings of Allah. Allah Almighty says "My mercy encompasses all things" (7:157).

Since we receive everything with Allah’s blessings, He will strengthen our efforts if we advance towards Him. When we strive in this way, the entire Jamaat will benefit. By the Grace of God, there are many in the Jama'at who offer prayers during the night and are far advanced in their love for God, but the Promised Messiah (as) desired to see the majority of the Jamaat members to reach these standards, and as the numbers of those who improve in Taqwa (righteousness) increase, we shall witness the dominance of the Jama'at. Our good actions will also attract others towards us and become a source of “Dawat Ilallah” (propagation of Islam).