Khutbah at Masjid al-Haram Respecting Difference of Opinions

Dr Mozammel Haque

 It is quite natural to have differences of opinions among friends, families and among scholars, and also among the humans. There is nothing wrong having different opinions and different points of view but everything is wrong when you start to insult and abuse each other because of the difference of opinions, said Imam Dr Sheikh Abdul Rahman al-Sudais, Head of the Presidency of the Haramain in his Friday Khutbah on 25 December 2020.

 

He said, those who want to succeed and those who want to achieve highest ranks in the eyes of Allah they should observe Taqwa and piety and they should also observe cautious in relationship with Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. One should refrain from committing sins and do all good deeds, as far as possible.

 

The Imam at the beginning of his Khutbah wanted to say the overall objectives of the Shariah. He said, some people may not understand the objectives of the Shariah properly and in proper context.

 

He warned the dangers which can affect individuals and the societies. This one thing which causes discord and disunity which is to derogate someone and take revenge with the lewd things and to insult those people from whom we differ in our points of view, after being on the same line.

 

Dr Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais pointed out it is quite natural to have differences of opinions among friends, families and among scholars, and also among the humans. He said, there is nothing wrong having different opinions and different points of view but everything is wrong when you start to insult and abuse each other because of the difference of opinions.

 

The Imam of the Masjid al-Haram mentioned one of the greatest scholars Ibn Qayyum has said that people go extra mile in derogating and insulting or abusing people who have difference of opinions and they violate many commandments of Allah and the Sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam.

 

But the Imam mentioned, if we use foul language and if we look down upon others and run a campaign against them; that is really little for the Muslim society, individuals and families. Just a mere difference among ourselves on matters of opinions that leads us to go to the bottom of our morality and to violate all the human and Islamic values in term of respect and dignity and respecting the independence of each other.

 

Dr Sheikh Al-Sudais said those who claim to stick to Shari’ah they use this type of language which is a foul language and which brings them to the very lowest of the Islamic morality standards. As Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says in Suratun Nur – when you are accusing each other without proper base, do you think it is a small matter? It is a big big matter, like the incident mentioned in Suratun Nur.

 

Head of the Presidency of the Haramain mentioned: we know since the time of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam and the companions of the prophet and till today Muslims have engaged in intellectual debates and they validated each other differences of opinions and many  Schools of Thought have been created and they tolerated each other. But some people cannot tolerate the difference of opinions.

 

Dr Sheikh al-Sudais mentioned a Hadith. He said, as it is in the Hadith of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam that those whenever they have an argument they resort to be lewd and foul language, this is among the signs of the hypocrites in the Hadith of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam.

 

Imam also mentioned another Tradition of the Prophet peace be upon him: As it is reported that Imam Shafie RA had an argument and debate with Abu Musa but after having exchanges heated argument for support of each other, then they departed but then Shafie RA took hold of his hands and said even with all our differences of opinions can we still remain friend and still be brother; Islamic brother. Yes.

 

Head of the Presidency of Haramain mentioned, when we criticise each other, we use most extreme languages and we put down our opposite with the unfair description and unfair accusations at things which are baseless. We use our tongue like a scissor and we use our positions to abuse our positions and our prominence to put down those who have difference of opinions with us.

 

Dr Sheikh al-Sudais mentioned, Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says that whenever someone brings a news one should ascertain the authenticity of the news and attributions unless that we end up hurting and harming someone due to our negligence and due to misunderstanding.

 

Head of the Presidency of Haramain prayed to Allah Subhanahu wa Taala to empower and grant peace and tranquillity for those people who observe decency when dealing with their opponents; when dealing with people of different of opinions. As it is being mentioned in the Qur’an that whenever some fearful news is brought to the Muslims they say Allah is Sufficient for us.

 

Dr. Sheikh Al-Sudais advised: Let us not indulge ourselves in Fitnah, into argumentation and to accusations and slandering while we are arguing with others. As Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says that those who hurt and accuse other brothers, other Muslim believers for things which they do not have or do not do, then they have taken a very big step and a very big risk.”

 

Full Friday Khutbah at the Masjid Al-Haram

By Imam Dr. Sheikh Abdul Rahman al-Sudais

Followings are the Full Friday Khutbah delivered by Imam Dr. Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais at the Masjid al-Haram Makkah al-Mukarramah on 25 December 2020. [Rendered into English by Mufti Barkatullah via Islam Channel U.K.]

“Praise Allah Subhanahu wa Taala and seek refuge and forgiveness from Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. Those whom Allah guides no one can lead them astray and those whom Allah leads astray no one can guide them.

 

Dr. Sheikh al-Sudais said, “Allah Subhanahu wa Taala has urged us to obey His Commandments and follow the Sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam and I bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger and His servant. May Allah send peace and blessings on him. Allah Subhanahu wa Taala has granted Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam good companions who were excellent in all human qualities.

 

He said, “After praising Allah Subhanahu wa Taala, let us understand that those who want to succeed and those who want to achieve highest ranks in the eyes of Allah they should observe Taqwa and piety and they should also observe cautious in relationship with Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. One should refrain from committing sins and do all good deeds, as far as possible.

 

Imam of the Masjid al-Haram said, “Let us understand the overall objectives of the Shariah and some people may not understand the objectives of the Shariah properly and in proper context. So let me warn from the dangers which can affect individuals and the societies. This one thing which causes discord and disunity which is to derogate someone and take revenge with the lewd things and to insult those people from whom we differ in our points of view, after being on the same line.

 

“Because difference of opinions among friends, families and among scholars, it is natural things among the humans. So having different opinions and different points of view there is nothing wrong but everything is wrong when you start to insult and abuse each other because of the difference of opinions. So as one of the greatest scholars Ibn Qayyum has said that people go extra mile in derogating and Insulting or abusing people who have difference of opinions and they violate many commandments of Allah and the Sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam.

 

Dr. Sheikh al-Sudais said, “So due to different of Opinions in matters of Deen or Duniya if we use foul language and if we look down upon others and run a campaign against them; that is really little for the Muslim society, individuals and families. Just a mere difference among ourselves on matters of opinions that leads us to go to the bottom of our morality and to violate all the human and Islamic values in term of respect and dignity and respecting the independence of each other.

 

“Let us examine that whatever we see in the social media and in Court cases when the cases are fraud on a petty matters and on matters of differences and the abuse and the insult which are exchanges in social media is overwhelming and it warrants us to re-examine our situations.

 

Imam of the Masjid al-Haram said, “ Those who claim to stick to Shari’ah they use this type of language which is a foul language and which brings them to the very lowest of the Islamic morality standards. As Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says in Suratul Nur – when you are accusing each other without proper base, do you think it is a small matter? It is a big big matter, like the incident mentioned in Suratul Nur.

 

He continued, “So our Prophet Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam has said that those who are very argumentative and very very debating and using harsh abusive language in the debate of the matters of different of opinions, they are the little and dangerous people for the society too.

 

Imam of the Masjid al-Haram said, “We know since the time of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam and the companions of the prophet and till today Muslims have engaging intellectual debates and they validated each other differences of the opinions and many  schools of thought have been created and they tolerated each other. But some people cannot tolerate the difference of opinions.

 

“As the Hadith of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam that anybody who are used on a force point or the force point of things which he himself does not agree, not in his conviction; arguing and defending undefendable positions and did anything which they use to put down their opposite people, that is they would be punished on the Day of Judgement, with something which is the worst type of materials on the Day of judgement and  they accused their opposition people with something which is not their.

 

The Imam continued, “As it is in the Hadith of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam that those whenever they have an argument they resort to be lewd and foul language, this is among the signs of the hypocrites in the Hadiths of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam. Those who observe false things among them to resort to foul language and having argument with each other.

 

“As it is reported that Imam Shafie RA had an argument and debate with Abu Musa but after having exchanges heated argument for support of each other then they departed but then Shafie RA took hold of his hands and said even with all our differences of opinions can we still remain friend and still be brother; Islamic brother. Yes.

 

Dr. Sheikh al-Sudais said, “When we criticise each other, we use most extreme languages and we put down our opposite with the unfair description and unfair accusations at things which are baseless. We use our tongue like a scissor and we use our positions to abuse our positions and our prominence to put down those who have different of opinions with us.

 

The Imam of Masjid al-Haram said, “It is not appropriate for a Muslim, let alone the scholars to resort to this type of abusive languages when dealing with the differences of opinions. In matters of Deen or Dunya when there are no clear-cut text but it is open for debate and based on Maslahah. As Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says that whenever some one brings a news one should ascertain the authenticity of the news and attributions unless that we end up hurting and harming someone due to our negligence and due to misunderstanding.

 

Dr Sheikh Al-Sudais prayed to Allah to empower and grant peace and tranquillity for those people who observe decency when dealing with their opponents; when dealing with people of different of opinions. As it is being mentioned in the Qur’an that whenever some fearful news is brought to the Muslims they say Allah is Sufficient for us.

 

Dr Sheikh Al-Sudais advised, “Let us not indulge ourselves in Fitnah, into argumentation and to accusations and slandering while we are arguing with affairs. As Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says that those who hurt and accuse other brothers, other Muslim believers for things which they do not have or do not do, then they have taken a very big step and a very big risk.

 

The Imam of the Masjid al-Haram prayed, “Let us seek forgiveness from Allah. I seek forgiveness for myself and for all the other Muslims. So let us return to Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. Allah Subhanahu wa Taala is the Oft-forgiving and Oft-Repentance.

 

Second Half

In the second half of the Khutbah, Dr Sheikh al-Sudais said, “We are thankful to Allah for all the favours He has given to us, all the humanity and specially the favours and I bear witness that Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam is His Messenger and servant of Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. May Allah send peace and salutations yo Muhammad, his families and all the followers till the Day of Judgement.

 

He continued, “Let us observe Taqwa in our life and observe our tongue from abusive languages and accusations of each other when dealing with matters of Maslehah and dealings with matters of Deen and Duniya; as Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says that you should be establisher of justice and fairness in all your affairs and as Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says that one nation, one person or one woman should not make mockery of each other in front of others and don’t resort to dealings labels and titles to opponents which derogate them or put them down and abusing other people’s reputation and putting it down with foul and unbased accusations is the most little things. As our Prophet Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam has said that a believer is the one from whose tongue and hands others are safe and others are not being abused by believing person.

 

He said, “Because having friendship and concerns with each other and kindness among the brothers – especially believers is one of the highest values encouraged by Allah Subhanahu wa Taala and practised By Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam.

 

Dua and Supplication

Dr. Sheikh al-Sudais started sending  peace and blessings upon Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam as Allah Subhanahu wa Taala has ordered us to make dua and ask for that.  Allah and His Angels send peace and blessing upon Muhammad. O Muslims do ask forgiveness and send peace and blessings on Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam. For this is rewardable activity and as Prophet Muhammad is the most kind and considerate to his fellow companions.

 

The Imam of the Masjid al-Haram started making Dua and supplication, “Let us repay with the dua that O Allah send peace and blessings on Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam as you have sent peace and blessings on Ibrahim and his family and his followers. O Allah, send barakah and growth on Muhammad and his family and his companions like You have granted growth for Ibrahim alaihey wa salam and his companions.

 

“O Allah, send peace and blessings on four Caliphs after Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam – Abu Bakr, Omar, Osman and Ali R.A. and all the other believers and the companions who have believed in Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam . Let us pray that Allah gives the prominence to the religion of Islam and the believers. O Allah, destroy those people who are against religion. O Allah, give us peace and tranquillity in our lands and give Tawfiq to our rulers and our rulers in Saudi Arabia who is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his deputies and the administration. O Allah, guide them towards the Taqwa and the goodness and towards the better benefit of the land and the people.

 

“O Allah, forgive all our believers whether they are alive or they have passed away. O Allah, grant us the recovery from the pandemic and all  the illnesses. O Allah, defends from us. O Allah, keep away from us all the Fitnah and all the torments of this life, all the problems of the Muslim societies. O Allah, eradicate them. O Allah don’t leave us. O Allah, take care of us, be our Guardian. O Allah, save this life and the belief of the Muslims; all the believers who are around the world.

 

“O Allah, take away from us the pandemic or all the viral infections which the whole humanity is suffering. O Allah, give us or empower us to follow the Sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihey Wa Sallam and to follow Your Commandments. O Allah, give Tawfiq to our Muslim believing youth, man and woman, to keep away from extremism and from drug abuse or any abuse in their life. O Allah, empower us to be guided and to be reformed and to do good for the benefit of the society and for the believers and the world.

 

“O Allah, make our young dutiful to their parents. O Allah You are All-Powerful All-Empowering. O Allah, save our Holy Places from any abuse and from any inappropriate activity. O Allah, save the Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem from any harm or any alterations.

 

“O Allah, reward all our health workers, and security workers and security personnel; save them and improve their situations and save them from any torments and any accidents. O Allah, grant us goodness in this world and the Hereafter and save us from the torments of the Day of Judgement.

 

“O Allah, You are Independent and we are dependent on You. O Allah, don’t make us among the pessimists. O Allah, send rain as a sign of mercy. O Allah, give us rain which is useful and not harmful to us. O Allah, grant us deep belief and pure belief and pure trust on You. O Allah Subhanahu wa Taala.

 

“O Allah, accept our goodness from ourselves and forgive all our sins and all the shortcomings of our parents of all the Muslims, all the believers who are present today and who have passed away in the past. O Allah, You are the All-Hearing, All-Listening and All-Responding. May Allah send peace and blessings on all Messengers and all praise belongs to Allah Subhanahu wa Taala” Dr Sheikh Al-Sudais completed his Khutbah.

 

Acknowledgement

Courtesy: @Islam Channel U.K.

 

 

 

 

 

Genocide of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang

Dr Mozammel Haque

Conservative Member for Chingford and Woodford Green, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, secured an urgent question on Chinese Government’s Use of Uyghur Slave Labour in Xinjiang on Wednesday, the 16th of December 2020. 

It is good that Sir Iain Duncan Smith has brought this important issue to the House. There were very strong contributions on this issue and the House is united in its call for the government to take immediate action.

During the discussion of this question it is found some members raised the question of the treatment of the Uyghur Muslims which is atrocious, abhorrent, frankly speaking, hallowing. There is a grave human rights abuses committed and perpetrated against the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, China. 

Not only the Parliamentarians of the British Parliament, even the International community has been shocked, saddened and appalled by the plight of the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. An appalling genocide is being committed and perpetuated against the Uyghur Muslims.

There is a vivid picture given by The Atlantic  paper about the mentality of the Chinese Government. 

China is Treating Islam like a Mental Illness - The Atlantic

As early as 2018, The Atlantic paper under the Caption: [China is Treating Islam like a Mental Illness] has given a vivid picture of the atrocities being committed against the Uyghur Muslims. It said, “One million Muslims are being held right now in Chinese internment camps, according to estimates cited by the UN and U.S. officials. Former inmates—most of whom are Uighurs, a largely Muslim ethnic minority—have told reporters that over the course of an indoctrination process lasting several months, they were forced to renounce Islam, criticize their own Islamic beliefs and those of fellow inmates, and recite Communist Party propaganda songs for hours each day.”

Sigal Samuel reported in the paper, “There are media reports of inmates being forced to eat pork and drink alcohol, which are forbidden to Muslims, as well as reports of torture and death. “The sheer scale of the internment camp system, which according to The Wall Street Journal,  has doubled in China’s north-western Xinjiang region just within the last year, is mindboggling. The U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China describes it as “the largest mass incarceration of a minority population in the world today.” Beijing began by targeting Uighur extremists, but now even benign manifestations of Muslim identity—like growing a long beard—can get a Uighur sent to a camp, the Journal noted. Earlier this month, when a UN panel confronted a senior Chinese official about the camps, he said there are “no such things as reeducation centers,” even though government documents refer to the facilities that way. Instead, he claimed they’re just vocational schools for criminals.(The Atlantic, 28 August 2018)

Genocide of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang

In the British Parliament, Sir Iain Duncan Smith said, Mr Zenz and IPAC have also shown that the Chinese Government forced Uyghur women into sterilisation. As a result, the Uyghur population in those regions fell by as much as 84% between 2015 and 2018. That is action verging, I believe, on genocide.”

Labour Member for Wigan, Lisa Nandy, said, “Yesterday, Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis described the treatment of the Uyghur people as an “unfathomable mass atrocity”. He added: “Let no person say that the responsibility lies with others.”

The shocking BBC revelations must be the trigger for action, following accounts of forced sterilisations, beatings and re-education camps, which undeniably share features of genocide.”

Lisa Nandy asked, “Has the Minister considered the use of the 1984 convention against torture, a potential international legal process that does not present the same jurisdictional challenges facing the International Criminal Court or face the same evidence bar?”

Conservative MP for Tonbridge and Malling, Tom Tugendhot, said, “This report by Adrian Zenz is extremely powerful and makes clear and sobering reading. I am sure the Minister will have followed the Foreign Affairs Committee hearing yesterday, where we heard from Uyghur activists—one in Europe and one in the United States—as well as human rights lawyers and a UN expert. They all made clear their view on the human rights violations that we are witnessing today.”

Conservative Member for Newbury, Laura Farris, said, “It was disappointing to read this week that the chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court had declined to investigate China in respect of the persecution of Uyghur Muslims on the basis that the court did not have jurisdiction to do so, and we know that the UK tribunal led by Geoffrey Nice has no legal teeth of its own, so will my hon. Friend consider working with our many international partners to seek a special resolution at the UN and perhaps even establish a specialist tribunal, so that in time those responsible for these crimes can be brought to justice?”

Genocide at the International Criminal Court (ICC)

The Guardian reported about the case of the complaint by more than 60 parliamentarians from 16 countries. Patrick Wintour  reported in the Guardian under the caption (International Politicians back Uighur genocide claim), “The complaint, backed by more than 60 parliamentarians from 16 countries, says the Chinese government may be committing crimes amounting to genocide and other crimes against humanity against the Uighur and other Turkic peoples. The letter claims mass deportation of Uighurs has occurred in Tajikistan and Cambodia, both signatories to the ICC, into China.

The claim, sent to the chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, is seen as an early test case of the human rights climate since Joe Biden became president-elect.

The Guardian also reported, “It has wide cross-party support in a number of countries, including from the former UK Conservative party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the Australian Labor senator Kimberley Kitching and Margarete Bause of the German Green party. The claim has been organised the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC).

The letter states: “The ICC has a unique ability to adjudicate on alleged genocide and crimes against humanity internationally. We call on the ICC to play its part in ensuring that the perpetrators of the most egregious human rights abuses are held accountable and prevented from acting with impunity.”

The report continues, “The Labour peer Helena Kennedy QC, the IPAC co-chair and director of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, said: “Mounting evidence points to the most horrific abuses against Uighurs and other minorities in the Xinjiang region. The international criminal court must fully examine the allegations brought before it and, if warranted, make every effort to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.”

“Rodney Dixon, the barrister leading on the detailed legalities of the claim, said: “The support for our complaint shown by the IPAC parliamentarians is very significant. The prosecutor should feel encouraged that so many parliamentarians from other ICC member states believe she should open an investigation into officials of the Chinese government for the atrocities being committed against the Uighur and other Turkic people.

“For too long, nothing of substance has been done to bring justice to those who are suffering on a daily basis at the hands of the Chinese government. This is a breakthrough and momentous opportunity which we urge the ICC prosecutor to pursue without delay. This chance should not be squandered.” (The Guardian, 10 November, 2020)

“The case is an early test for the ICC in the new international human rights climate established by Donald Trump’s defeat. Trump imposed sanctions on the ICC’s chief prosecutor and another senior official in response to the court’s investigation of US actions in Afghanistan as well consideration of Israeli actions in Palestine,” Patrick Wintour reported in The Guardian, 10 November 2020.

British Parliament

House of Commons

As I said earlier, Conservative Member for Chingford and Woodford Green, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, secured an urgent question on Chinese Government’s Use of Uyghur Slave Labour in Xinjiang on Wednesday, the 16th of December 2020. 

During the discussion of this question it was found that the treatment of the Uyghur Muslims is atrocious, abhorrent, frankly speaking, hallowing. There is grave human right abuses committed and perpetuated against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. 

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, MP (Con)

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, MP said, Mr Zenz and IPAC have also shown that the Chinese Government forced Uyghur women into sterilisation. As a result, the Uyghur population in those regions fell by as much as 84% between 2015 and 2018. That is action verging, I believe, on genocide.”

Lisa Nandy, MP (Lab)

Labour Member for Wigan, Lisa Nandy, said, “Yesterday, Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis described the treatment of the Uyghur people as an “unfathomable mass atrocity”. He added: “Let no person say that the responsibility lies with others.”

The shocking BBC revelations must be the trigger for action, following accounts of forced sterilisations, beatings and re-education camps, which undeniably share features of genocide.”

Lisa Nandy asked, “Has the Minister considered the use of the 1984 convention against torture, a potential international legal process that does not present the same jurisdictional challenges facing the International Criminal Court or face the same evidence bar?”

Tom Tugendhot MP (Con)

Conservative MP for Tonbridge and Malling, Tom Tugendhot, said,  “This report by Adrian Zenz is extremely powerful and makes clear and sobering reading. I am sure the Minister will have followed the Foreign Affairs Committee hearing yesterday, where we heard from Uyghur activists—one in Europe and one in the United States—as well as human rights lawyers and a UN expert. They all made clear their view on the human rights violations that we are witnessing today.”

Ms Nusrat Ghani, M.P. (Con) 

Conservative MP for Wealden, Ms. Nusrat Ghani, said, “I want to add my weight to the Chief Rabbi’s intervention, which exposes the abuse of the Uyghur. The Chief Rabbi also said that there must be an “urgent, independent and unfettered investigation into what is happening.” She asked, “Can the Minister comment on that? As crimes against humanity by the Chinese Government grow, has the Chinese ambassador been summoned to explain what is happening?”

Nigel Adams replied,“My hon. Friend is right to raise a number of points. We are seriously concerned about a number of gross violations of human rights that are being perpetrated against Uyghur men and women and other minorities in Xinjiang. The Chief Rabbi is spot on, and we share his concerns about these violations that are being perpetrated. As I said, we are working internationally and co-operating with our partners on this issue. I am hopeful that my hon. Friend will draw some comfort in the new year from the new measures that we bring forward.”

Rachel Hopkins, MP (Lab)

Labour Member for Luton South, Rachel Hopkins said, “The abhorrent persecution of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang by the Chinese Government must receive sustained international condemnation. The UK Government must be a key player in that and must not sit back and let the abuses continue. What steps is the Foreign Secretary taking to support the appointment of a UN special rapporteur for the investigation of forced labour and ethnic persecution in Xinjiang?”

Nigel Adams, Minister for Asia, replied, “We have been leading on this issue internationally, and I referred to the 38 other countries that joined us at the UN in one of the many statements that we have made on this issue. However, any action we take at the UN has to have an opportunity of succeeding, and there is no point bringing forward measures that will potentially give the intended target a propaganda coup.

Christian Wakeford, M.P. (Con) 

Conservative Member for Bury South, Christian Wakeford, said, “I have been shocked, saddened and appalled by the plight of the Uyghurs in China. This was reinforced yesterday by the words of the Chief Rabbi. I would like to inquire what practical steps the Minister and the Foreign Secretary are taking to hold China to account for its disturbing and abhorrent actions.

Nigel Adams 

The Minister for Asia, Nigel Adams, replied,“We welcome the Chief Rabbi’s intervention, and we share his serious concerns about the violations that are being perpetrated against Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang. I can assure my hon. Friend that we are playing a leading role internationally in holding China to account for these violations. We have led or co-ordinated multiple joint statements on this issue. This groundswell of international concern does send a powerful message, and I can assure him that it is increasing the pressure on the Chinese authorities to change course.

Andrew Gwynne, M.P. (Lab) 

Labour MP for Denton and Reddish, Andrew Gwynne, asked, “The treatment of the Uyghurs is atrocious. Will the Minister confirm that the imposition of measures intended to prevent births within an ethnic or religious group is expressly forbidden under the terms of article II(d) of the UN convention on genocide, and will he seriously consider what international actions can be taken beyond joint statements to respond to the human rights abuses being committed in Xinjiang?”

Nigel Adams 

The Minister for Asia, Nigel Adams, replied, “The hon. Gentleman is right to refer to this. We debated that very issue some months ago in the Chamber. Of course, we abhor any of those practices. He refers to the term “genocide”. That very much has a specific definition in international law. It is our long-standing policy that any “judgment as to whether crimes against humanity or genocide have occurred is absolutely a matter for judicial decision.”

Alicia Kearns, M.P. (Con)

Conservative MP for Rutland and Melton, Alicia Kearns, said, “The ever-increasing body of evidence of industrialised atrocities by the Chinese Communist party brings into stark focus my calls for the creation of an atrocity prevention unit at the FCDO. Does my hon. Friend agree that, internationally, we must ensure that the cost to the CCP’s reputation and economy is so great that it finally ceases the appalling genocide being committed against the Uyghur people, and what steps is he taking to magnify those costs to the greatest extent possible?”

Nigel Adams 

The Minister for Asia, Nigel Adams, replied, “I thank my hon. Friend for her question and for her continued work in this area. I agree that it is absolutely vital that China understands the breadth of international concern about the situation in Xinjiang. She knows that we have taken the lead internationally on this issue. We have gone from 28 countries supporting a joint statement in June to 39 countries supporting a statement at the UN in October. This does send a powerful message to China, and if international businesses continue to take the action we are urging to ensure their supply chains are free of forced labour—I note that a number of prominent UK businesses have already done so—that will also send an important message to China.”

David Johnston, M.P. )Con) 

Conservative MP for Wantage, David Johnston, said, “The abhorrent persecution of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang by the Chinese Government must receive sustained international condemnation. The UK Government must be a key player in that and must not sit back and let the abuses continue. What steps is the Foreign Secretary taking to support the appointment of a UN special rapporteur for the investigation of forced labour and ethnic persecution in Xinjiang?”

Dr Andrew Murrison, M. P. (Con)

Conservative MP for South West Wiltshire, Dr. Andrew Murrison, said, “Well done, Chief Rabbi, for being one of the most authentic voices to speak out in support of the Uyghur people. Well done, Ministers, too, for taking a lead in October at the United Nations. Will the Minister persuade not only his colleagues, but the Governments that he persuaded in October to support the Uyghur people, to look at national public procurement supply chains to ensure that, while it is difficult to persuade the fashion industry to eschew dubiously sourced cotton, national Governments are doing everything in their power to ensure that products in their supply chains—I am thinking particularly of uniforms—have nothing to do with cotton sourced from countries that may be using forced labour?”

Nigel Adams 

The Minister for Asia, Nigel Adams replied, “As I said, we are working cross-Government and we are working intensively with our international partners. It is absolutely the case that we should be bringing pressure to bear on those companies that are operating in the region. This is an area on which we will have a bit more to say in the new year, but I give him my assurance that we are working very co-operatively with our international partners on these issues, as well as across Government.”

Rushanara Ali, M.P. (Lab)

Labour MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, Rushanara Ali, said, “Some of the comments that the Minister has made remind me of his predecessor’s responses to the situation in Myanmar against Rohingya Muslims. It shows that the failure of our Government to take a strong international leadership role to secure justice sends a dangerous message to repressive Governments around the world that ethnic cleansing and genocide against Muslims and other minorities is an acceptable policy tool. That is the message that he is sending, so it is time that our Government stop making excuses. I appreciate what he is doing, but he needs to look at the record of action and inaction in the past and learn from that.”

She asked, “That is why I call on him once again to heed the advice of Members across the House and start to apply sanctions—Magnitsky sanctions —and to seek a UN investigation into what is happening, as well as supporting the International Court of Justice case on genocide prevention led by the Gambia in relation to the Rohingya Muslims, because it is just not acceptable for our Government to continue to make excuses.”

Nigel Adams 

Foreign Minister Nigel Adams replied, “We are not making excuses. I have a lot of time for the hon. Lady and we have spoken at great length on these issues, both inside and outside the Chamber. We are taking a lead; if that was not the case, a rising number of countries would not be supporting our statements at the UN. We are of course looking very closely at the case in Myanmar—we have discussed it face-to-face on a number of occasions and will continue to do.”

Laura Farris, M.P. (Con) 

Conservative Member for Newbury, Laura Farris, said, “It was disappointing to read this week that the chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court had declined to investigate China in respect of the persecution of Uyghur Muslims on the basis that the court did not have jurisdiction to do so, and we know that the UK tribunal led by Geoffrey Nice has no legal teeth of its own, so will my hon. Friend consider working with our many international partners to seek a special resolution at the UN and perhaps even establish a specialist tribunal, so that in time those responsible for these crimes can be brought to justice?”

Nigel Adams 

Foreign Minister, Nigel; Adams, replied, “I thank my hon. Friend for raising this issue. A whole range of options is available to us that involve working with the UN. As I mentioned in a previous answer, whatever steps we take have to have a realistic chance of being successful in that particular forum. We will continue to work with our international partners, as she suggests; working alongside our international partners is the best approach in this regard.”

Sam Tarry 

Labour Member for Ilford South, Sam Tarry, said, “We have rightly heard from both sides of the House condemnation of the atrocious, barbaric and, quite frankly, harrowing treatment of the Uyghur people in Xinjiang. Members from all parties who have been working on the National Security and Investment Bill over the past month heard evidence from none another than Sir Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6, who sketched out a very complex picture that clearly showed that for far too long successive Governments have placed economic interests, including with China, far ahead of our human rights obligations. Will the Minister consider that and say whether he will look again at our relationship with China and not prioritise economic interests ahead of either national security or human rights?”

Nigel Adams 

Foreign Minister, Nigel Adams, replied, “The hon. Gentleman is right to raise this issue. Obviously trade with China is important to us. As I said earlier, it is the fourth largest trading partner. It is important to help UK firms to overcome the economic challenges of covid and ensure our long-term prosperity, but I can guarantee the hon. Gentleman that we will not sacrifice either our values or our security in that regard.”

Khutbah at Masjid al-Nabawi Refrain from Hurting or Harming Others

 Dr Mozammel Haque

O believers, please refrain from hurting and teasing anyone else, as Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala says that those who hurt others they earn little action in their account, said the Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi, Madinah al-Munawwarah, Dr. Sheikh Hussein al-Sheikh in his Khutbah on 11^th of December 2020.

The Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi mentioned, “In the explanation of the Qur’an, our Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam has explained and he has given a very dire warning to those who commit harm and hurt others – any human beings or animals, specially believers. Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam has said a believer is the brother of every believer; he never lets his brother down or hurt him.”

 

Imam Dr. Sheikh Hussein al-Sheikh said, “We cannot harm any animal; so what about harming other human beings. As Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam has warned in a public address that all those people who seem to act and pretend to be Muslim but their heart is not completely Muslim; stop hurting and doing harms to others, your fellow brothers and stop derogating them, stop making them feel ashamed of for certain things because those who do like this, they will be given same treatment sooner or later. Even in our neighbourhoods, we should respect, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, that those who are believers they will never harm any neighbourhood.”

 

He also mentioned, “These days social media is used to derogate individuals and to hurt even communities and religions on the balance those who end up doing wrong to others and hurt others, they will be facing their reckoning. Hurting others is not on individuals one to one only; it also includes hurting others and public benefit and creating public nuisance as it is called. Our Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam has said that those who pollute public waters and public highway and relief themselves in an inappropriate places, they deserve all the condemnation from others and from Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala.”

 

The Imam said, “There is a dire warning Prophet Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam has said that those who caused public outcry, those who caused general harm on public highway or pathway, then they deserve curse from all the people.”

 

Imam Dr Sheikh Hussein al-Sheikh said , “Let us urge all the believers to train ourselves, to purify our hearts, clean our heart from any rancour or any bad feelings for others. Purity of hearts and clean heart and clean slate and plate from bad feelings to any other people, any other groups or communities is one of the best things praising Allah in the Book of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala as Ibrahim alaihey wa Salam said O Allah, don’t humiliate me on the Day of Judgement because on that Day of Judgement only those who came with pure heart they are the successful.”

 

Full Khutbah of Masjid al-Nabawi

Followings are the full Khutbah delivered by the Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi, Madinah Al-Munawwarrah, Imam Dr. Sheikh Hussein Al-AlShaeikh. (Rendered into English by Mufti Barkatullah via Islam Channel UK).

 

The Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi, Dr. Sheikh Hussein Al AlSheikh started his Khutbah by praising Allah Subhanahu wa Taala,, “All praise belongs to Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala who is the Guardian of all the pious people. I bear witness there is no one worthy of worship except Allah and there is no partner with Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala and I also bear witness that Muhammad ibn Abdullah is His servant and Messenger. May Allah send peace and blessings on his followers.”

 

Imam Dr. Sheikh Hussein Al-alSheikh said, “After the praise, O believers, I urge myself and yourselves to observe piety and Taqwa in our life and caution with Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala in our life; as O people, be afraid of Allah, be cautious with Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala in Whose name you ask each other some favours. Some rebellious things which we commit or we do something sometime are to hurt some people and human beings or other environmental distractions.”

 

Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi mentioned, “Hurting other people feelings and injuries is among the little activities of anyone who causes harm to other people. This fact is of not ever hurting others is so apparent only blind people cannot see it. O believers, please refrain from hurting and teasing anyone else, as Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala says that those who hurt others they earn little action in their account.”

 

Imam Dr. Sheikh Hussein Al-AlSheikh said, “In the explanation of the Qur’an, our Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam has explained and he has given a very dire warning to those who commit harm and hurt others – any human beings or animals, specially believers. Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam has said a believer is the brother of every believer; he never lets his brother down or hurt him.”

 

He continued his Khutbah, “So among the rights of other being in public places is not to cause any  harm or hurt or disturbances to others; even on public road and highways we cannot cause any hurdle for others. We cannot harm any animal; so what about harming other human beings. As Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam has warned in a public address that all those people who seem to act and pretend to be Muslim but their heart is not completely Muslim; stop hurting and doing harms to others, your fellow brothers and stop derogating them, stop making them feel ashamed of for certain things because those who do like this, they will be given same treatment sooner or later. Even in our neighbourhoods, we should respect, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, that those who are believers they will never harm any neighbourhood.”

 

Dr. Sheikh Hussein Al Al-Sheikh said, “These days social media is used to derogate individuals and to hurt even communities and religions on the balance those who end up doing wrong to others and hurt others, they will be facing their reckoning. Hurting others is not on individuals one to one only; it also includes hurting others and public benefit and creating public nuisance as it is called. Our Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam has said that those who pollute public waters and public highway and relief themselves in an inappropriate places, they deserve all the condemnation from others and from Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala.”

 

The Imam of the Masjid Al-Nabawi mentioned, “There is a dire warning Prophet Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam has said that those who caused public outcry, those who caused general harm on public highway or pathway, then they deserve curse from all the people.”

 

The Imam said, “Let us seek forgiveness from Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala./ I seek forgiveness from Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. He is all oft-forgiver.”

 

 

Second Part

Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi said, “I praise Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala who is the Sustainer of the world and I bear witness that Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam is His Messenger. O Allah, send peace and blessings on his family, companions and followers till the Day of judgement.

 

Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi Dr. Sheikh Hussein said, Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi Dr. Sheikh Hussein said “Let us urge all the believers to train ourselves, to purify our hearts, clean our heart from any rancour or any bad feelings for others. Purity of hearts and clean heart and clean slate and plate from bad feelings to any other people, any other groups or communities is one of the best things praising Allah in the Book of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala as Ibrahim alaihey wa Salam said O Allah, don’t humiliate me on the Day of Judgement because on that Day of Judgement only those who came with pure heart they are the successful.”

 

Imam of the Masjid Al-Nabawi said, “In the sayings of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam there are all sorts of encouragement and glad tidings for those people if purified their hearts and keep their hearts clean of any hurtful feelings for others, any rancour, any enmity towards anyone else as it is reported in the story that Abdiullah ibn Amr ibn al-As heard Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam saying – some Ansars from the people of Jannah, then he followed them for three days and nights and they are asking I don’t see you doing any extra-ordinary things; what is it that Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam praised you. So he said I just have no rancour, no bad feelings for anybody else and I just not envious of anybody whom Allah has favoured in this world. Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As just saw him, just praying normal Farz prayer, not special prayers only, whenever he turns his sides while sleeping he will mention the name of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala.”

 

The Imam said, “O believers, let us train ourselves to purify our hearts from all the feelings of hate, rancour and envious towards others, towards brothers  and towards humanity and purify ourselves and work hard towards purifying our feelings from other people.”

 

Dua and Supplication by

Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi

Imam of the Masjid Al-Nabawi said, “Let us send peace and blessings on Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam. O Allah, send peace and blessings on Muhammad and his family, his companions and those who follow till the Day of Judgement. O Allah grant all believers, men and women, and those who are present today or those who have passed away in the past, grant ourselves full Taqwa to ourselves because you are our Mawla and you can only purify us. O Allah, purify our hearts, our inner self from all the bad feelings and all the impurities. O Allah, guide all the believers and grant them peace and tranquillity. O Allah, empower Muslims to do what you like them to do and make us develop our good hearts and good behaviour.”

 

O Allah, give Tawfiq and empower all the Muslim rulers for the betterment of the country and the people. O Allah, save our land of Islam and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his deputies from all the unpleasant things and empower them to do good for the people and the country and give Jazah and give all the security personnel and administrative staff for the hard work they do. O Allah, we ask goodness in this world and Hereafter. O Allah, save us from any torment, any accident, any illness, any pandemic, any viral infections. We seek refuge from you from all the hardships and hard time and enemies being happy against us.”

 

Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi concluded by making supplication, “O Allah, give us respite and relief from current pandemic from viral infections. O Allah, give us Tawfiq to do the best things. You are the Most Kind and Merciful. We are in need of Your Mercy, Your Bounty. You are Bountiful. O Allah, we are in need of Your Favour and Mercy and rain on us. O Allah, send us rain, useful rain. O Allah, give us water in the form of useful rain  to all our lands and the lands of Muslims; quench our thirst. O Allah, the Sustainer of the Universe, You are Hearing us; You are All-Hearing, All-Responding.”

 

“O Allah, give us useful and best rain and quench all the people and the creatures. O Allah, have mercy on our poor people and all disadvantaged people. O Allah, have mercy on creatures, all the animals, all the wildlife around us in this country and in all the lands of the believers. O Allah, give us pure hearts and take away all the rancour. O Allah, accept all our prayers, all our requests. O Allah, do not despair us, do not make us pessimists. You are All-High and Honourable,”

 

“Let us praise Allah SWT and praise and send peace and blessings on Prophet Muhammad.” The Imam Concluded his Khutbah.

 

Acknowledgement:

Courtesy: Islam Channel UK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Islamophobia Awareness Month Afzal Khan MP Wrote a Letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson

 Dr. Mozammel Haque

 

 

Afzal Khan MP for Greater Manchester Gorton wrote a letter to the U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnsonon thios occasion of Islamophobia Awareness Month.

 

November is the month of Islamophobia Awareness Month. On this month British Muslim community organised meetings, conferences and discussions. This year due to coronavirus, though talk and discussions were held but by zoom or Face Book Live Broadcasting meeting. Rt. Hon. Afzal Khan, M.P. for Manchester Gorton wrote a letter to the Prime Minister on 10^th of November 2020. Following is the copy of the letter.

 

Afzal Khan MP’s Letter to

Prime Minister Boris Johnson

 

The Prime Minister

10 Downing Street

London

 

Dear Prime Minister

I write to you to raise the very serious and concerning issue of Islamophobia here in the U.K. , during this Islamophobia Awareness Month.

 

The recent report by Baroness Doreen Lawrence, “An Avoidable Crisis: The disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on black, Asian and minority ethnic communities,” details how Black, Asian and minority ethnic people have been subject to disgrace racism during the pandemic. Unfortunately, this has been reinforced by actions taken by your government and members of your Party.

 

The last-minute lockdown announcement ahead of Eid-ul-Adha left many of my constituents here in Manchester rightfully angry and frustrated. It also contributed to a deeply concerning and false, far-right narrative that British Muslims are ‘spreading corona,. As a result of this narrative, according to hate crime monitoring charity TellMAMA, Muslim communities have suffered a shocking 40% increase in online Islamophobia during the pandemic. The Government’s own figures also once again reveal Muslims have been victims to the highest proportions of all hate crimes committed this year.

 

As Prime Minister it is your duty to protect and safeguard all communities. However, I am disappointed, if not surprised, at the inaction of this Government in tackling the issue of Islamophobia is clearly growing. Fresh criticism has come from your own Islamophobia adviser, Qari Asim, for the way British Muslims have been treated during the pandemic.

 

You committed to launching an independent review of Islamophobia, but you have yet to deliver on this promise. The all-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims definition of Islamophobia has been adopted by all the major parties, including the Scottish Conservatives, apart from the Conservative Party.

 

In light of this, I urge you to take immediate action and fulfil your promise to conduct an independent investigation into Islamophobia within your Party and heed the recommendations set out in the Doreen Lawrence review to help better protect the 2.6 million British Muslims here in the U.K. I also urge you, as leader of the Conservative Party, to follow in the footsteps of  your colleagues in Scotland and adopt the APPG definition of Islamophobia.

 

Will you also meet with myself and key Muslim organisations to discuss how best to tackle Islamophobia going forward?

 

I look forward to your response.

 

Yours sincerely,

Afzal Khan, MP for Manchester Gorton.

 

Islamophobia in the British Parliament

Issues and concerns about Islamophobia were raised in both the Houses of the British Parliament. Afzal Khan, MP for Manchester Gorton, raised the issue of Islamophobia in the House of Commons on 5^th of October, 2020. He asked the question on spike in Islamophobia in the House of Commons on Monday, the 5^th of October, 2020.

 

Afzal Khan (Manchester, Gorton) (Lab)

Spike in Islamophobia

Afzal Khan, Labour Member of Parliament for Gorton, through Virtual participation said, “During this pandemic we have seen a sharp spike in Islamophobia, from blaming Muslims for the spread of covid-19 to fuelling online hate. I am sure the Secretary of State will want to join me in commending the community for its patience and hard work in these difficult months. Given that the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies has previously highlighted the good work of the Muslim Council of Britain in reaching minority groups that the Government are unable or unwilling to reach, can he outline what discussions he has had with the MCB and other Muslim organisations on the safe reopening of mosques?”

 

In reply, The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick said, “Like the hon. Gentleman, I want to praise and thank the Muslim communities throughout the country for their forbearance. We have worked closely with them through our places of worship taskforce that the Prime Minister and I set up. I have had the privilege to meet representatives from mosques, including the London Central Mosque on the eve of the Eid celebrations, to thank them once again for their forbearance. We have put in place detailed guidelines to help mosques to reopen safely and will continue to work with Muslim groups in the weeks and months ahead.”

 

Places of Worship Open safely?

Labour MP for Gorton asked again, “What steps his Department has taken to help places of worship open safely during the covid-19 outbreak. 

 

The Secretary of State for Housing, Robert Jenrick said, “As Communities Secretary, ensuring places of worship can reopen and remain open has been a priority for me and my Department. Their contribution to our country as places of solace, as well as for significant moments such as weddings and funerals, is clear to us all. Places of worship remain open today for more than six people for communal prayer and services with existing covid-secure requirements continuing to apply.”

 

Earlier, Baroness Manzila Uddin spoke on Islamophobia in the House of Lords on 10 November 2020

 

Baroness Uddin (Non-Affl)

Baroness Manzila Uddin talked about Islamophobiua in the House of Lords on 10 November 2020. Baroness Uddin said, My Lords, I extend my sympathies to the family of Rabbi Sacks, the late Lord Sacks. It was a privilege to work with him on interfaith issues for many years, including in the early years of his journey. I also extend my thoughts and prayers to the families of all those who were so brutally murdered in Paris, Austria and Kabul. We stand together in their sorrow.

 

She also mentioned, “This House will agree that we must not fall prey to the language of hate and divisiveness being normalised in our discourse on terrorism and violent extremism, whoever the source. I am aghast at the hateful incitement and utterances from French leaders in denigrating faiths and communities, which will cause an insurmountable rise in Islamophobia, including Islamophobic attacks on Muslim communities in France and elsewhere.”

 

Baroness Uddin asked, “Will the Minister continue with her commitment to working across faith communities, including women-led organisations, to ensure that their security remains paramount? Does she agree that demonising religion in combating the plague of terrorism is likely to disfranchise societies and, in doing so, demean our best endeavours as a society committed to upholding respect for the values of freedom, liberty, justice and equality?”

 

Facebook Live Meeting

The Muslim Professionals Forum presented a Facebook Live Broadcasting Meeting on “Is Religion Welcome in British Public Life? A Talk by Guest Speaker Professor Tariq Modood, Professor of Sociology, Politics and Public Policy, hosted by Khaled Noor, chair, The Muslim Professionals Forum on 10 October 2020. In the Questions & Answers section, while answering to a question on Islamophobia, Professor Tariq Modood, said. The Conservative Party    has some higher problem attracting Muslims and others to their ranks or to join them.

 

Tariq Modood is a Professor of Sociology, Politics and Public Policy and the founding Director of the Centre for the Study of Ethnicity and Citizenship at the University of Bristol. He is also the co-founder of the Journal Ethnicities. His latest book include Secularism and Multiculturalism (2019), Religion and Beliefs in British Public Life

 

Islamophobia

Professor Tariq Modood mentioned, “But it is interesting we have seen now on in the current government as well as in the Theresa May’s government and so on that quite a lot of ethnic immorality individuals, especially now I see people, Pakistani and Indian origin, holding quite high office in the Conservative Party and its Government and so on.

 

“But I think the bigger issue for the Conservative Party is that they are very slow and reluctant to tackle racism and specifically Islamophobia. There is a lot of Islamophobia in the Conservative Party. According to their own report, according to the materials we can find now, that is only be the tip on the iceberg, that only may be visible, most of the rest is invisible.

 

“The organisation, HOPE NOT HATE, just a few days ago published an extensive and a systematic report on Islamophobia in the Conservative Party – How the Conservative Party is failed over a long period of time; failed to deal with Islamophobia in its ranks; something that Baroness Sayeeda Warsi is a big champion of. She has spoken of so many times loudly about it and so on. But yet the movement has been very slow. So even something visual into the high office, nevertheless the tackling of certain kind of racism and Islamophobia; well, it is not tackled, it is not actually admitted be a large scale problem; they say so a few individuals but actually it is not. And this report by HOPE NOT HATE brings us out very well.

 

Professor Modood also said, “If we look at online communication which means people who are Conservatives, we see lots of derogatory remarks about Muslims, insulting remarks, the use of stereotypes and in some ways its come down to Prime Minister himself. We know that he made derogatory remarks about some Muslim women dress, conservative dress, modern dress and when asked to apologise he refused to do so.

 

He continued, “So obviously that sets the example, sets the tone so when we have the leadership election for the Conservative Party, one of the candidates – Sajid Javed – he said I am going to prioritise to investigate Islamophobia in the Conservative Party, then the other candidates also allying including Boris Johnson but he had not done so. He had been very slow to do. He has set up, I have to say, they have set up a body to investigate, not an independent body, as Baroness Warsi has been calling for and as the Muslim Council of Britain has been calling for, now the HOPE NOT HATE is calling for.

 

Talking about investigation Professor Modood mentioned, “They have not set up an independent enquiry but they have set up something within the Party structure and it will be instinctive when comes up. I cannot say, I feel with confidence, that they will get the full measure of the problem. They may continue to do what they have been doing which is to understate the problems as just been a problem to do with a number of individuals rather than a systematic cultural problem within the Conservative Party.”

 

Professor Tariq Modood is a Professor of Sociology, Politics and Public Policy and the founding Director of the Centre for the Study of Ethnicity and Citizenship at the University of Bristol. He is also the co-founder of the Journal Ethnicities. His latest book include Secularism and Multiculturalism (2019), Religion and Beliefs in British Public Life

 

Khutbah at Masjid al-Nabawi on Knowledge and Learning

Dr Mozammel Haque

 

 Knowledge is the source of elevation as Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala says that those who believe and those who have knowledge Allah raises their ranks, mentioned Sheikh Abdullah bin Abdurlrahman bin Al-Baijan, Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi on 13^th November 2020 in his Friday Khutbah on knowledge.

 

He said,  “Based on knowledge all the civilizations and societies are built; all progress based on knowledge and knowledge is the criterion for morality and actions and progress and getting ahead in terms of being good.”

 

“Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala asks that would the people who knew and who do not know can they be equated – No; the answer is obvious. Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala when He bears witness about Himself and accompanied with the witness of Malaika, Angels, then Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala witnesses with the people of knowledge, Ilm,” mentioned Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi.

 

Sheikh al-Baijan also said, “Those who possesses some knowledge and knowledgeable people, they know and understand about Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. They are the people who really are afraid of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala and understand the Creator. For the rest of humanity, it is their duty to ask the people of knowledge and nobody knows except the knowledgeable people.”

 

The Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi mentioned, “The people of knowledge are the inheritors of the people who are at the bequest of the ways of the Messengers and Prophets from Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. For those who seek knowledge and those who acquire knowledge they are very much appraising the text.”

 

Sheikh al-Baijan also said, “Those who walk straight towards learning the knowledge Allah will make them their walking towards Jannah easy and the whole university, even the fish in the sea, pray for those people who seek knowledge because  it is the salvation of the whole world and salvation and sustainers of the world.”

 

Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi said, “Knowledge and learning and disseminating is the only thing which is under the Mercy of Allah, because as it is reported the whole worldly things are away from the Mercy of Allah except the Zikr-Allah mentioning the name of Allah or those who learn or teach others. Angels are in praise for those who devote themselves to learn the knowledge – the knowledge of the Qur’an, the knowledge of the Sunnah and the knowledge of Allah. Those who study Qur’an in a pondering manner Allah descends upon them sakina and peace and encompasses them with His Mercy.”

 

Sheikh Al-Baijan said, “Knowledge is the only torch-bearing towards Jannah and to raise your ranks and get higher and higher in your aspirations and it leads us to the highest position with Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. With knowledge we can revive our hearts and gets the higher rank and we learn halal and haram and we learn all the thing which is useful and what is harmful to us.”

 

The Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi mentioned, “Acquiring knowledge is a rewarding rewardable activity. Disseminating and propagating knowledge is the another highest position that those among you are the best people; are those who learn Qur’an and teach Qur’an and Allah encourages that some people will always devote themselves to learn the Qur’an and understand religion and return to give Waz lecture to others.”

 

Sheikh al-Baijan said, “Education and knowledge is the basis of good moral and morality. By learning education and knowledge, we are able to develop rightful perspectives and secure us in a purely knowledgeable environment. And with knowledge we get firm belief and we are saved from the torments and tribulations and the torment of the life Hereafter.”

 

The Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi said, “Knowledge is a perpetual charity. Learning teaching and reading the Qur’an and all the efforts drive towards learning is to save ourselves from the temptation and torment of the life and our teachers and our educators they should provide the best role model.”

 

“Prophet Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam has said anybody who teaches and guides others towards goodness, they get the rewards of all the people who follow that knowledge and goodness.”

 

Full Khutbah at Masjid al-Nabawi

Followings are the full khutbah Madinah al-Munawwarah delivered at the Masjid al-Nabawi by Sheikh Abdullah bin Abdulrahman bin al-Baijan on 13 November 2020, [rendered into English by Mufti Barkatullah at Islam Channel, UK]

 

“Indeed all praise belongs to Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala, we praise Him and we seek forgiveness and help from Him, Allah. Those whom Allah guides, they are only guided and those who are let us astray, nobody guide them. I bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Messenger and His servant. He discharges his duties fully and left humanity at a very clear message and role model. May Allah send peace and blessings upon  Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam.

 

“The best thing which we can study is the Book of Allah and the Utterances of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. Anything which is away from it is innovation and all the innovations are going astray.

 

“O my listeners, be afraid of Allah and observe Taqwa and piety because Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala urges us and He wishes us to be careful and cautious with Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala.

 

“Let us contemplate that the best thing and the highest thing in the universities is the knowledge. Knowledge is the source of elevation as Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala says that those who believe and those who have knowledge Allah raises their ranks. Based on knowledge all the civilizations and societies are built; all progress based on knowledge and knowledge is the criterion for morality and actions and progress and getting ahead in terms of being good.

 

“Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala asks that would the people who knew and who do not know can they be equated – No; the answer is obvious. Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala when He bears witness about Himself and accompanied with the witness of Malaika, Angels, then Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala witneses with the people of knowledge, Ilm.

 

“Those who possesses some knowledge and knowledgeable people, they knew and understand about Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala, They are the people who really are afraid of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala Subhanahu Wa Taala and understand the Creator. For the rest of humanity, it is their duty to ask the people of knowledge and nobody knows except the knowledgeable people.

 

“For the people of knowledge are the inheritors of the people who are at the bequest of the ways of the Messengers and Prophets from Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. For those who seek knowledge and those who acquire knowledge they are very much appraising the text. Those who walk straight towards learning the knowledge Allah will make them their walking towards Jannah easy and the whole university, even the fish in the sea, pray for those people who seek knowledge because  it is the salvation of the whole world and salvation and sustainers of the world.

 

“Knowledge and learning and disseminating is the only thing which is under the Mercy of Allah, because as it is reported the whole worldly things are away from the Mercy of Allah except the Zikr-Allah mentioning the name of Allah or those who learn or teach others.

 

“So angels are in praise for those who devote themselves to learn the knowledge – the knowledge of the Qur’an, the knowledge of the Sunnah and the knowledge of Allah. Those who study Qur’an in a pondering manner Allah descends upon them sakina and peace and encompasses them with His Mercy.

 

“Knowledge is the only torch-bearing towards Jannah and to raise your ranks and get higher and higher in your aspirations and it leads us to the highest position with Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. With knowledge we can revive our hearts and gets the higher rank and we learn halal and haram and we learn all the thing which is useful and what is harmful to us.

 

“Knowledge can raise you to the rank of role model. As Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala equates His Own witnesses, His Malaika’s Witness and the people of knowledge’s witness that Allah is Alone; there is Tawheed. And the only real people who are afraid of Allah and caution with Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala is the people of knowledge.

 

“Acquiring knowledge is a rewarding rewardable activity. Disseminating and propagating knowledge is the another highest position that those among you are the best people; are those who learn Qur’an and teach Qur’an and Allah encourages that some people will always devote themselves to learn the Qur’an and understand religion and return to give Waz lecture to others.

 

So I seek forgiveness and Tawfiq from Allah – Allah is the Only Forgiver and Giver of Tawfiq.

 

Second Half

“We praise Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala who taught us by the stroke of a pen and He taught us what we did not know and He bestows on us all the bounties of His Mercy.

 

“So the education and knowledge is the basis of good moral and morality. By learning education and knowledge, we are able to develop rightful perspectives and secure us in a purely knowledgeable environment. And with knowledge we get firm belief and we are saved from the torments and tribulations and the torment the life Hereafter.

 

“And the Education institutions are there to depart or part us the knowledge and equip us with highest morality. As Prophet Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam has said everyone of you is a leader and everyone is responsible for whatever they are leading so the husband is the household leaders; wife is the leader on the household and everyone has some domain of responsibility.

 

“It is necessary to follow the educational programme and cooperate with them too enrich our children and youngsters to treat them with the knowledge and understanding and moral conduct and behaviour. Because being teacher and learning is the only rewardable activity which is useful in this world and the Hereafter. And education and knowledge is a continuous charity, as our Prophet Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam has said that after the death the only perpetual charity or knowledge departed left for the deceased to benefit them after they have done.

 

“So knowledge is a perpetual charity. Learning teaching and reading the Qur’an and all the efforts drive towards learning is to save ourselves from the temptation and torment of the life and our teachers and our educators they should provide the best role model; so let us be afraid of Allah  in terms of being role model for our youngsters; for the duty of the teachers and educators is to inculcate the good morals and knowledge and behaviour to the pupils; because they will earn higher rewards from Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala; because as Prophet Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam has said anybody who teaches and guides others towards goodness, they get the rewards of all the people who follow that knowledge and goodness.

 

Everyone we get full rewards, nobody is discounted. Educators and teachers are the inheritors of the bequest from the Prophets and Messengers. So being in the company of knowledge, engaging in learning and disseminating information and knowledge is the highest rewardable activity.

 

So let us purify our intentions and only seek the pleasure of Allah. Anything you do here, you will find on the Day of Judgement.

 

So one of the basic principles of life is unity and sticking together and not creating any division and dispute. So Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala says that Allah urges all the Messengers to establish religion and do not disagree with each other on establishing of the religion which is the proper belief and Shari’ah and be with the general body of the Muslims and the leadership. And follow the Book of Allah and Sunnah and the role model of the Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam and it is necessary to refrain from the divisions and parting and sectarianism or belonging to deviant groups.

 

Dua and Supplication

O Allah, let us ask Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala to unite us and give prominence to Islam and Muslims. O Allah, give us peace and tranquillity in our land and give Tawfiq  to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his deputy to work for the betterment of the country and for the betterment of the people living in it, whatever, give Tawfiq  from Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. O Allah, give us goodness in this world and the Hereafter and save us from the torment of the Hereafter. O Allah, give us Tawfiq on your guided way. O Allah, help us all those security personnel who are working for the safety and security of the society. O Allah, we bear witness that You are the Only One Our Lord and there is no one worthy of worship except you. We all surrender to You and we are in need of Your help.

 

O Allah, help us by sending us useful rain, quenching our thirst. O Allah, send us plenty of rain without any adverse effect. O Allah, give us Your rain of mercy, because we are in need of rain and we are seeking forgiveness from You. O Allah, forgive all our sins and send the rain on us. We seek forgiveness from You. O Allah, send peace and blessings on our Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam, and all the families and all the followers.

 

Acknowledgement

Courtesy: @Islam Channel, U.K.