As the event director for Suhaib’s recent talks in Malaysia, I feel I need to make some matters clear:

1. Imam Suhaib specifically requested that we DO NOT pay him any fees.
2. Imam Suhaib requested for ECONOMY tickets & nothing else.
3. Whereas he could have requested for 5 star hotel accommodation, he chose to stay at his wife’s relatives place in Kuala Lumpur.

Imam Suhaib also did far more than he needed to do for us here in Malaysia, including last minute interviews etc.

Please do not toss baseless accusations against our teachers.

I pray for the best for brother Abdul Haqq & the rest of us, that we may gain in Adab & Taqwa.

Wassalam,

Daniel Zain

I posted Br. Abdul Haqq’s response because I felt it entails some of the sincere frustrations that swim in the hearts of our brothers and sisters.

Secondly, it points to the larger problem of interaction between the masses and Islamic workers.

I did not post his response so others may ridicule him and denounce him. As I noted in the beginning “well intended.” I certainly have benefited from this entire discussion if not for the great blessing of seeing my own mistakes and ill founded positions. Many are asking for greater clarity on the subject, but in all honesty I don’t feel I have the knowledge nor understanding to offer a one size fits all answer. My call for a moratorium is simply a call to take some time, learn [not trying to be presumptuous] and discuss this matter with our senior scholars. Perhaps a body can be established that would offer guidance to our Muslim artists, workers, as well as the American Muslim community on a whole? Until now, our fiqh councils are not very effective. While agreeing with these councils contentions is not obligatory, a large group of scholars holding on to agreed positions would surely offer much needed clarity for our communities in the West.

I’m growing, thinking, making mistakes and trying to develop as a student. I would hope that we can all exercise a little compassionate orthodoxy in certain areas. I must admit that my tone was rather harsh and combative. I seek the pardon of Allah as well as by fellow brothers and sisters for accusing them of ignorance and questioning their commitment to Islam.

What disturbs me is the issue of authority and interpretation and outcomes. Unfortunately I will begin teaching and traveling in the USA over the next few months. I will not have much time to address this in the near future. Inshallah, I hope and pray that this will galvanize brothers and sisters to sit, talk, think and work towards pleasing Allah.

It would be great if some type of council of scholars was established to address such issues. If people have concerns about certain artists, the could present them to these scholars who could, in turn, offer feedback.

SDW

I think the point of this article was not for us to scold this brother for scolding Imam Suhaib Webb. If that was the case, then that proves the Muslim Hip Hopper’s idea of the Ulema, and how they are fake and only denouncing the music industry for their own selfish reasons.

I also don’t believe the point of this article is to argue about music for it is pretty obvious that most music evokes a message that poisons the mind of the youth and general public with its talk of money, cars, and women. If not the mind, then it poisons the heart because it takes the place in the heart where Allah (SWT) is supposed to be remembered.

The point, I believe, is this. Often times, when we find ourselves in situations such as these, like with this brother above, most of the time, we puff up in anger and start accusing him or backbiting him. I’m sure if not on the blog, at home, we all probably hate this brother for talking to Imam Suhaib in such a manner. But what we need to realize is that it is not our right to be angry; rather, it is our right to be concerned about the brother or sister for delivering such a response, and that it is our duty to make du’a for such a brother and discuss what could possibly be driving this brother to say such foul words despite the words of the Prophet (S) “Do not use foul words.”

Whenever we engage in argumentation, we need to remember that we argue for Haq, truth. We argue to bring about an understanding, a correct understanding, of certain aspects of the deen. Why? To please Allah (SWT) first and foremost, so that on the DOJ, we will be able to say “Ya Allah, I did what I could.” Secondly, because Allah (SWT) says in the Qu’ran in Surah Hujurat “The Believers are but a single Brotherhood: So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers; and fear Allah, that ye may receive Mercy.” We need to start treating the Muslim Ummah as our brothers and sisters of Islam, not as our enemies of Islam. Sadly, this is the case with much of the Ummah today because he or she belongs to a specific medhab or manhaj.

All Imam Suhaib Webb is doing is articulating this point. He put this conversation up to teach us some adab, adab that we need in this time and place. What other reason would he have for putting this conversation up?

In the words of Imam Shaf’ii (may Allah have mercy on him), he says, “I never debated a person except I prayed that the truth would be manifested on the person’s tongue and I will be able to follow it.”

I ask Allah (SWT) to allow us to engage people in a correct manner. Ameen. Anything good from this came from Allah (SWT), anything bad from myself or the Shaytan.

Correct me if I’m wrong.

Ma’salama
Ali

Suhaib, just addressing how he responded to you was a highlight of your argument – taking flak like this must take a toll on your energy, may Allah give you strength! Ameen.

Br Suhaib’s response was articulate, dignified and real good to read…!! MashAllah

All these lil people who heckle and have no good word to say…they’re our tests. Simple as. We have to treat it with the Sunnah and battle our nafs.

May Allah grant us strength and awareness always of Him and of His Rasul’s (SAW) Sunnah- ameen thumma ameen.

I am sickened at the lack of adab and sheer arrogance of Abdul Haqq.

By the way, Imam Suhaib’s Arab accent, when speaking Arabic, is proof of his skill of articulating in Arabic fluently, unlike many other westerners. He doesn’t need to put on a fake accent, nor is he in denial of his American-ness.

Since Imam Suhaib clearly knows the ins and outs of the music industry (being an ex-DJ), he is very well placed to discuss the topic. So I for one, would take his opinion on this area.