"Human-Being" Identity

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Mahbub Khan

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Aug 20, 2022, 3:33:14 PM8/20/22
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Salaam Dear Br. Ejaz Naqvi, Br. Rajabally, Sr. Maha and others in this chain,

Very good discussions about the Sunni-Shia PACT, addressing the Theological and Brotherhood-Sisterhood aspects of the theme, and pointing out the difference between the tolerance versus love and respect. Very healthy discussions. We need this type of healthy discussions often to keep our awareness awake, so that we can develop more compassion and mutual respect for all others with time.

Salaam Dear Br. Rashid,

I enjoyed reading your posting below. You have an amazing journey of life winding through the many different pillars of knowledge-personnel, and in doing so, you have become an exceptional person of diverse knowledge and broadened heart yourself. This is indeed very special. You have stated "I doubted that the Qutub or the Mujdadid would have taken time to meet or deal with me". Well, there is a person who is not a Qutub or Mujdadid, but he would still like to meet with you and his name is Dr. Mahbub Khan. Please let me know when we can meet.

General Comments to everyone:

When I think about even the visibly finite but vast universe, where our home galaxy of over two hundred billion stars is very small with over one hundred thousand light years in diameter, when our entire solar system with about one hundred thousand AUs radius up to the Oort Cloud, is smaller than a small dot in that scale, and our entire planet Earth is not even a micro-dot in that scale, where we as over 7+ billion people live. There are many thousands of different types of other living beings who live here on this planet Earth, including the various animals and plants on the grounds, worms and insects under the ground, fish in the water, and singing and flying birds in the air. This is amazing. When I see the intellectual level of an ant, I become amazed. When I try to kill a cockroach, the cockroach talks back to me and says, You humans are the new kids in the block, we the cockroaches have been living in this planet Earth for much longer time by millions of years than you (humans) have, and you are the intruders. So, I enjoy those lovely conversations with the ants, and cockroaches and spiders. We are one of those categories of beautiful lives on Earth except with the label "Ashraful Mukhluqaat", "Fil-Arde-Khaleefah". However, we can easily come up with various easy logic and justifications to hurt each other and to even kill each other, sometimes in larger numbers than the animals do. So, in this tiny planet Earth of hundreds of thousands of different types of beautiful lives, who are living all over in the water, under the ground, above the ground and in the air, can we think of an option for us to call ourselves with the identity of "Human-Being" and behave ourselves accordingly with love and respect, care and kindness, brotherhood and sisterhood, generosity and compassion for all others, so that we make this planet Earth heavenly for all of us, and also all other types of lives on this home planet Earth of ours can see genuinely good examples in us with our identity of "Human-Being"?

Regards,
Dr. Mahbub Khan
San Jose, CA, USA

From: Rashid Patch
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2022 1:55 AM
Subject: Re: SUNNI SHIA PACT
 

As-Salaamo Aleykum, wa Rahmatullahi, wa Barakata Hu! Peace upon you, and the Mercy of God, and His Blessings!


I came to Islam in 1978, after spending several years attending sufi dhikr circles in SF and Marin.  I learned to make salat from an elderly Pakistani shaykh, Shemsuddin Ahmad of Karachi, a Chisti sufi, who lived in San Rafael (May Allah Most Merciful grant Mercy to his soul, forgive his sins, erase her errors, and grant him an honored station in His Garden!, Hanbali Amin!)  The first masjid I knew was the Redwook Mosque in Fairfax, where I prayed behind Imam Mehdi Khorasani (r.),  a Shi'a scholar of highly respected lineage. Then next, I prayed behind Imam Bilal Hyde, an American convert (an ex-surfer from Pasadena, who studied at McGill, then in Mecca and Omdurman) a Maliki qadi and sufi shaykh. Then, I began attending Jummu'ah at the San Francisco Muslim Community Center, under Imam Abu-Qadir Al-Amin, part of the national association of masajid under the leadership of Imam W. D. Mohammed of Chicago (r.).

So, from my first introduction to Islam, I have learned and prayed in Shi'a, Sunni, and Sufi communities, and in the milleau of the African-American convert community, which I found most convivial and supportive to me as an American convert. 

Early on, I learned that many decades ago, Al-Azhar, the most authoritative academic institution in Sunni Islam, had declared that the Shi'a interpretation of Islam was equivalent to, and co-equal to, the four Sunni Madhabs.  More recently, the Iman Declaration has reiterated this fatwa, and extended it to include Zaidi and Isma'ili interpretations of Islam  I learned also, that some Muslim communities violently opposed these determinations, and expressed violent, even murderous, opinions towards Muslims who disagreed with their sectarian, doctrinal views.

As a newcomer to Islam, I decided that I would read and study the opinions of every group, no matter how extreme. I reasoned that, by doing so, I would find the extreme ends of the bell curve - and I could be certain that the violently opposed opinions would cancel each other out. I would have the topic "ranged", and the opinions that remained would be the middle way.

The middle way was never extreme; it never made "takfir"; I have never, in more than fourty years of study, found a sound hadith that Rasuulallah (s.a.s.) ever called anyone "kafir". He many times said to the effect, the people of Kufar do thus and so - but I have never seen that he said of anyone, "So-and-so is Kafir". In fourty-plus years as a Muslim, I have met scores of acclaimed scholars and shaykhs; I have sought them out, here in USA, and throughout the Muslim world. I have visited Morocco, Egypt, Palestine, Israel, Turkey, Pakistan, and India, and I have prayed in masajid in all those countries, Shi'a, Sunni, and others. I have been part of sufi halqa in all of them.  I have been in at least 5 circles where the members claimed that their shaykh was the Qutub of the age. In at least 3, where they claimed that their shaykn was the Mujdadid.  I met all these individuals. My own opinion is, one of them was a fraud; for the rest,I saw them as greatly learned and accomplished in the Way,  I doubted that the Qutub or the Mujdadid would have taken time to meet or deal with me - I claim no such spiritual development as to warrant the attention of such exalted personages.

I must say, I have also personally met very many Christian, Jewish, and Hindu teachers with similar acclamation:  Mother Theresa, Fr. Louis Vitelli, Prof. Huston Smith, the Lubavitcher Rebbi, Reb Zalman Schacter, Swami Satchinanda, Amma Amritananda Mai, Dedi Janki, Sr. Vinoba Bhose, Srila Prabhudananda, H.H. Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, the 16th Gwayla Karmapa Lama, H.H. Dudjom Dorje, Tenzing Gyatso, the 15th Dalai Lama;   Sensie Seo ben Seo; Sifu Chu Feng Chu.. Joe Milker of San Francisco, recognized as a Teacher in both Taoist and Theosophical traditions. All of them I recognized ad having very high spiritual  attainment. None of the impressed me enough classify them as among the "Abdal'. I learned greaty; from all of them.

I think that there is a dichotomy: who do you hate?; and who do yous seek to learn from. The people who choose to hate, I reject.  The people who choose to learnk I accept and support. 

Wa Aleykum as-Salaam, wa Rahmatullahi, wa Barakata Hu! Peace upon you, and the Mercy of God, and His Blessings! I pray that you have been well and in the best of spirits, and all your family also! Amin!


Rashid Patch
Oakland, CA


On Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 11:50:24 AM PDT, Mohamad Rajabally


Either way we go we are bound to have pitfalls that this why it is imperative to have a common understanding of the goals and outcome of the efforts we are putting in . Any dialogue without theological reference will be fruitless  .That is why both the ISNA DOC and Dr Hatem  point does not aim at changing any Sunni or Shia but rather live with each other side by side without hate ,violence and discriminatiion .

On a light tone may be we should all stop being Sunni or Shia but be SUSHI MUSLIMS

From: Maha Elgenaidi <elge...@ing.org>
Subject: RE: SUNNI SHIA PACT
 

So your framework is based on theology!  There are a lot of pitfalls in this for both Sunnis and Shias. I can raise a lot of questions.  Maybe another time.

 

For the record, I believe in the Brotherhood framework as Hatem laid it out that is fully inclusive.  Salams,

 

Maha

 

From: Mohamad Rajabally
Subject: Re: SUNNI SHIA PACT

 

Respectfully I believe we must have a solid boundary , just like when we are doing a science project we  need to have a control that allows us to proceed with the experiment . So even in the theological arena we must have a uniform platform to stand on and what you are saying about brotherhood and sisterhood can come only after we agree on a common and uniform platform , otherwise it will be chaos , every loose and distorted understanding of the basic kalimah  and Islam will demand a place on the platform. However  Once we agree on that then we can  interact on the morals and ethics of brotherhood and sisterhood while adhering to  the platform of ONE GOD AND FINAL PRPOPHRT MUHAMMAD . Allah knows best , thanks for the advice anyway

 

From: Maha Elgenaidi

Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2022 9:49 AM

Subject: RE: SUNNI SHIA PACT

 

Salams,

As one of the people who has heard from Sunnis about Shia, and Shias about Sunnis, I want to reiterate that the clarity of your framework for discussing this issue is extremely important, esp if you are going to give a khutbah about it: 

 

  1. Clearly, we’re not using the framework of theology here, per Hatem’s email. Hatem is saying unity is based on embracing our differences, not based on uniformity.  But the people you will be speaking to will ask about theological differences.  This issue is also very personal to them based on experiences they’ve had back in their home country and what they’ve been hearing about Shia and Sunnis for decades as well as their commitments to Islam, the prophet (p) and his family, and early companions as they understand it. I would not minimize these theological differences because committed Sunni and Shia Muslims don’t.
  2. Therefore, you need to approach this from the framework of  Brotherhood, I am assuming?  Brotherhood based on what? Decency, shared humanity, shared concerns in the US around Islamophobia?  We need to be clear on the messaging that moves the needle on this.
  3. And if we are going to use the framework of Brotherhood, then we should also address the Ahmadiyya, Ismaili and other minority Muslim American communities that identify with Islam.  The Ahmadiyya community is very active in dawa, as you know. They have recently started to *publicly* raise their concerns with the Sunni Muslim community about their treatment and marginalization in mosques and other Muslim spaces. They plan to involve local politicians in this effort.

 

So if we’re using the Brotherhood framework, where do we draw the lines? You actually can’t because it’ll make us look like hypocrites.  You can draw the lines on theological grounds, but can’t on Brotherhood esp in our current environment of DEI-B.

 

I am just raising questions for myself and the imams and thought leaders to think about.  

 

Maha Elgenaidi, Founder & Innovation Director, Islamic Networks Group (ING)

http://www.ing.org |408-296-7312 x 170 (o) | 408-393-8202 (m)  | Elge...@ing.org

 

From: ejaz naqvi

Subject: Re: SUNNI SHIA PACT

 

Assalamo Alaikum Dr Rajabally and sister Sara

We do need an action plan. Like sister Sara mentioned, we need to go beyond tolerance- a word in interfaith and intra-faith dialogue that I personally don't like. We don't tolerate each other, we should cherish and love each other-despite our differences. We are part of One Ummah.

When I first started the concept of Unity conferences few years ago, many raised eyebrows as they were not sure as to why we need the intra-faith dialogue- a term that was alien to most. 

In any event, now is the time to put words into actions with a  renewed focus and commitment. The Imams have a critical role to play. We are luck to have you, Dr Rajabally, as a khateeb, along with many others who feel the same way about the Sunni-Shia relationship. 

As the chair of NCIC's intra-faith committee, I feel this work is as much needed as fighting the Islamophobes. Like sister Sara, I pray both behind Sunni and Shia Imams. I can honestly say I have prayed behind you and other Sunni Imams more often than behind Shia Imams in the bay area:)

 

With love and regards

Ejaz 

 

Ejaz Naqvi, MD

Amazon Bestselling Author of

The Three Abrahamic Testaments

Past host of weekly talk show, "Frank Talk with Dr. Ejaz" on Toginet Radio

 

 

On Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at 03:25:46 PM PDT, Mohamad Rajabally <mraja...@hotmail.com> wrote:

 

 

thank you Sarah, as for my part as a khateeb  I will dedicate the next khubas on this very important topic and may Allah make it easy for all of us

From: Sara Mostafavi

Subject: Re: Fw: SUNNI SHIA PACT

 

Assalaamu 'alaykum respected community leaders,

Dr. Rajabally, thank you for sharing these two important ISNA documents. I appreciated the sentiments expressed in both.

 

As a member of the NCIC's IntrAfaith Committee, I am continually asking myself how we can move beyond "mere tolerance" and a "separate-but-not-quite-equal" stance on intrAfaith relationships. Dr. Hatem's statement on the issue of targeted killings in NM addresses just those questions. I'd like to underscore a portion that elevates the discourse and demonstrates how we can evolve our thinking, approach, and actions to effect long-term change and deepen our sense of communal unity. Dr. Hatem states: 

 

The modern post-colonial world confuses unity with sameness since the effort is often directed at searching for a unified singularity in the world that can provide a false sense of meaning and belonging in the middle of chaos and fragmentation. NCIC is committed to forging a different path, which centers equally the experiences, narratives, and histories of Sunni and Shia in the Bay Area. One can hold firm on his/her belief and understanding of Islam while recognizing the diversity and richness of the tradition that we all belong to and express love, brotherhood and sisterhood for all members of the community.

 

Northern California Islamic Council-NCIC Shia Sunni Intra-Faith Call to Action

 

1.      

2.      

3.     NCIC urges the community to

4.     let go of sectarianism and resist any efforts directed at its use to divide and fragment the community.

5.      

6.      

7.      

8.     NCIC call on all Imams and mosques to

9.     dedicate the next Friday Khutba to building real and substantive unity that brings Shia and Sunni community together as partners and exemplars of Islam.

10.   

11.   

12.   

13.  NCIC calls on Sunni and Shia mosques to

14.  invite each other in the near future to give the Friday Khutba or the weekly pre-Khutba talk

15.  as well as foster a twinning relationship between neighboring mosques.

16.   

17.   

18.   

19.  NCIC calls on Sunni-Shia mosques and centers to

20.  develop joint youth programs, sports activities, camping, and hiking that can break the walls that have been built over the generations.

21.   

22.   

23.   

24.  NCIC calls on Sunni and Shia communities leadership

25.   to schedule regular public gatherings to demonstrate and visibly illustrate bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood.

26.   

27.   

28.   

29.  NCIC calls on the Sunni-Shia communities to commit

30.   themselves to develop joint programming that confront and dispel the myths that are lurking under the surface.

31.   

 

I hope our community's leaders can dig deep and reflect on these critical calls to action to see if we can take the brave steps needed to obliterate the explicit and implicit sectarian bigotry in our community. 

 

As for myself, I have always gone to every center I can -- Shia and Sunni -- and have always prayed behind both Sunni and Shia imams. This is the absolute least I can do. But beyond the symbolism of prayer, I have always attended Sunni and Shia youth groups, Islamic camps, and conferences. I actively seek sacred knowledge from Sunni and Shia scholars alike and consider them all my teachers. I strive to learn from and work with my incredibly dedicated Sunni and Shia colleagues to better our entire community. I take my daughters to every center too. I don't ask my daughters to tolerate other sects -- that is patronizing. I expect that they will respect and love their sisters and brothers in faith and I try to model that by fluidly navigating these different spheres and continually cultivating fraternal love and deep respect for all of my community. Why do I do this? Because at the end of the day, I will be called to account and asked whether I attempted to grow closer to Allah by embodying His Divine Attributes of Compassion, Mercy, and Love in serving His community ("The best of you are those who benefit humanity" Prophet s.a.a.w). 

 

With gratitude and respect, 

 

Sara

 

 

On Wed, Aug 17, 2022 at 9:56 AM Mohamad Rajabally <mraja...@hotmail.com> wrote:

As s alaam o alikum , I asked ISNA for the document  of 2007 and here it is  attached please read it and share it with your contacts. 

As the document shows the leadership back in 2007 was preparing for such event to happen in USA  and it took 15 years later to happen . May Allah bless all those leaders who signed that document for their wisdom and leadership .

Nobody says it is going to be easy but we can only try and both groups Sunni and Shia will have to do their share .The documents outlines the parameters of the relationship between the two communities ,no attempt is being made to change either community but rather to hold in respect even in matters of difference .So , for example a Sunni may still not be comfortable praying after a Shia and vice versa but that is ok as long as there is no derogatory comments / remarks or accusation made to each other . May Allah help us

 

From: Basharat Saleem <bashara...@isna.net>
Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2022 12:27 PM
To: Mohamad Rajabally <mraja...@hotmail.com>
Cc: mohamad muktar <muk...@isna.net>
Subject: Re: SUNNI SHIA PACT

 

Dear Dr. Rajabally, 

 

I hope and pray you are well. Hoping you will be at the ISNA convention Insha Allah.

 

We issued a statement on Albuquerque shootings on August 10, see attached. Also, attached is ISNA's Muslim code of Honor statement issued in 2007

 

 

 

On Sat, Aug 13, 2022 at 3:36 PM Mohamad Rajabally <mraja...@hotmail.com> wrote:

As s alaam o alikum , hope you are doing well. can't wait to meet you all in Chicqgo '

 

Things are really bubbling here after the shooting of Shia members .I sent an email informing the community leaders of the pact that was signed between Sunni  and Shia leaders during the ISNA convention in the late 90's .  I am wondering  if it can be scanned and then I can forward that to the community leaders otherwise lots of words and suggestions that ISNA already addressed years ago are now being prompted


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