Imam Musa on the Environment & Obama as the "Snake-Oil Man"

For several years now, Imam Musa has shown concern about the rise of environmental problems and the part we should play as Muslims with regard to this very serious matter (see below, from the August 2001 issue of the As-Sabiqun newsletter). The environmentalist cause has continued to be a recurring theme in the Imam's khutbahs as well. For some of his most recent thoughts, click below:

Imam Musa - Televised Revolution (November 21, 2008)

(Bonus: You will find out what "Obama as the 'Snake-Oil Man'" means).

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APPLYING ‘ILM TO A WORLD IN NEED

“If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, Allah will cause him to travel on one of the roads of Paradise. The angels will lower their wings in their great pleasure with one who seeks knowledge, the inhabitants of the heavens and the Earth and (even) the fish in the deep waters will ask forgiveness for the learned man.” (Abu Dawud)

“Verily, Allah (swt), His angels, and the dwellers of the heavens and the earth, and even the ant in its hole and the fish send blessings upon a preacher of good to the people.” (Tirmidhi)

So exalted is the righteous learned person that he will even cause the fish to rejoice. In applying these ahadith to the context of modern times, we believe that this is because such a person would enjoin goodness toward Allah’s (swt) creation and pursue a clean water policy.

In today’s world, we hear much about the pollution of the air, the land, and the water. Most environmentalists believe that the solution lies in using man’s technology to clean up lakes, streams, rivers, toxic landfills, and other sources of pollution; however, we believe a bit differently. In order to be most effective in cleaning our environment, we must go to the root of the problem.

We as Muslims believe that the earth is a living organism. When Allah (swt) created it, He placed it within a solar system where it lives and breathes. Unknown to many, He also gave it the ability to clean and purify itself. For example, water flowing in an ocean will clean itself as it flows. Stagnant water, even if polluted, will be changed from a liquid to a type of mist, known as water vapor. This mist rises into the atmosphere, where it condenses into droplets, forms clouds, and returns to the earth either as rain, snow, or hail. When it returns to the earth, it returns distilled and purified by Allah’s (swt) natural process. Before man’s excessive greed and carelessness on earth, this process worked with excellence. Now, with the increase of human pollution and global warming, the balance and purpose originally put in place by our Creator has been lost.

“Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: ‘I will create a vicegerent (khalifah) on earth.’ They said: ‘Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?—whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?’ He said: ‘I know what ye know not.’” (al Baqarah, 2:30)

Unlike the rest of creation, Allah (swt) has created man with the power of will. If man strives to bring his will in harmony with the will of his Creator, he achieves the highest status in creation, for others, including angels, have no choice in the matter and bow to Allah’s (swt) will due to their very nature. On the other hand, if man chooses to disobey Allah (swt) and pay no heed to His instructions, he could descend to the lowest possible depths.

As a khalifah, man could live in harmony with Allah’s (swt) will, preserving nature and cooperating with the natural processes set up by Allah (swt), or he could disregard all of this and cause great problems for the inhabitants of the air, land, and sea.

We can see from this that at the root of all of today’s environmental problems is man himself. Since man is the problem, if we wish to clean up the air, then we must first clean up man. If we want to purify the water, we must purify the mind and heart of the human being. Pollution has reached such an extreme that animals of the land and the fish of the sea cry out for a solution.

The real purpose of knowledge is that it becomes a source of guidance for action, an avenue for problem-solving. If it is used properly, the whole universe will send blessings on the people of knowledge because of their preaching and doing of good. On the other hand, those who acquire knowledge to be seen of men, or to run off a few Arabic phrases, or to gain popularity or wealth, may very well be headed for the Hellfire. Allah (swt) knows best.

Let us acquire knowledge only as a tool or weapon to fight against the Shaitan, aid humankind in doing good, and smooth the path toward Paradise.

Latest on Imam Jamil

On March 14, in an interview with Dr. Kaukab Siddique of New Trend Magazine, Sis. Karima Al-Amin, Imam Jamil's wife, made the following points after returning from a visit with Imam Jamil:

- The authorities have tried very hard but have failed to break Imam Jamil. In the words of Ameer Nadeem of the West Side Atlanta masjid: "The authorities did not make the Imam and they can't break him either."

- The campaign against Imam Jamil's lockdown in "the hole" brought a countrywide response. In fact, the warden is requesting Imam Jamil to put out a message that people should stop calling.

- Owing to the protests, Imam Jamil has been given back his Qur'an and his kufi cap.

- Imam Jamil's presence is affecting the entire prison population even though he is separated from other prisoners. Requests for the Qur'an are coming in even from Aryan Nation prisoners. Some have asked about the Islamic ruling on tattoos. [The word has spread after an Aryan Nation prisoner accepted Islam from the Imam in his previous prison in Reidsville, Georgia.] Black or white, he is inviting everyone to Islam.

- His main message in this visit: "Shut it down. Shut down the supermax prison. This place is as bad as Guantanamo Bay and violates the common humanity of prisoners. If the president is against Gitmo as a matter of principle--and not just for politics--he should begin by closing down supermax in Florence and other places like it."

Upcoming Fundraiser @ Masjid Al-Islam (DC) + A New Message from Imam Musa

"Reaching Our Goals, Building the Dream"
A Fundraiser for for Masjid Al-Islam's Building & Renovation Projects

Sunday, March 15, 2009
1:00 - 3:15 pm

Speaker:
Imam Abdul Alim Musa

Topics of Discussion:
- Shaping & Herding
- De-Israelization of the Islamic movement in North America

MASJID AL-ISLAM
4603 Benning Road SE
Washington, DC 20019

For further information, call: 202.904.1152

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Masjid Al-Islam is a functional, independent Muslim community in the heart of Washington, DC. We are a community with big dreams and aspirations. For several years, we have maintained our principles of self-determination, moral and spiritual development, establishment of healthy family life, and uncompromising outspokenness against the injustices perpetrated locally and globally by Zionists and imperialistic governments. As a result, we have encountered several forms of opposition, including agent provocateurs, community destroyers, focus-diverters, energy-consumers, etc. These have proven to be an invaluable asset, as we have been trained—through these experiences—to overcome any and all obstacles to our progress.

Due to its stubborn loyalty to a historical pattern of injustice, the U.S. power structure has officially destroyed itself. Just as communism destroyed communism, now capitalism has destroyed capitalism. At this critical juncture, our mission is to help the American people (the American government is not our concern, and never has been):

“Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says, ‘I am of those who bow in Islam’? Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: Then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!” (Fussilat, 41:33-34)

The era of wholesale oppression has come to an end. We believe that Islam must now play its proper constructive role in a newly emerging world order—one that is based on humanitarian, earth-friendly, and life-friendly values.

On a local level, our part during this time is to consolidate our efforts in building a dynamic model Islamic community in the heart of DC, based on the institutional cornerstones of: 1) masjid, 2) full-time Islamic school, 3) businesses, and 4) geographical integrity (living close together). Over the years, by the grace and mercy of Allah (swt), we have made outstanding progress. We presently own and operate nearly $10 million in land and property, including a building which houses the largest musalla in all of Washington, DC. We have also established the best Islamic group home-schooling effort in the area, providing a top-notch education to the Muslim children of Southeast DC. Now, it is our goal is to strengthen our geographical integrity via renovation and building of new residential space for Muslim families. Any contributions to this cause would be highly appreciated. Please send your check or money order to: Masjid Al-Islam Building & Renovation Project / 4603 Benning Road SE / Washington, DC 20019.

The U.S. government, along with local officials, has constantly interrupted our Islamic efforts with infiltrators, informers, agent provocateurs, saboteurs, destabilizers, rumor-spreaders, etc.; yet we have survived and thrived. We have stayed focused and on target. Recently, a group of saboteurs pretending to be well-meaning Muslims who share in our ideas of community development moved into our property on 5021 A Street SE and thoroughly destroyed it, causing thousands of dollars’ worth of damage. In spite of such tactics, we continue to move forward with a spirit of positivity and loving disposition toward our people.

We have survived against overwhelming opposition from local Muslim leaders and organizations as well, who have blacklisted us on behalf of American Zionism. Throughout the years, we have opened our doors and extended invitations to all of these leaders to speak on our platform. In spite of this, we have remained unwelcome on their platforms. We are loved and respected by nearly all members of the Muslim community, yet we are absolutely despised by their local and national leadership. A word to Muslim leaders: Where is your Islam? Why have you spoken on our platform, yet we are unwelcome at yours? For those of you who deal with the Zionist-controlled FBI, we sincerely advise that you make the following demands from your “friends”:

• You cannot scare, jail, spy on, and confiscate the property of fellow Muslims, yet feel free to cooperate with me (meaning you).

• We refuse to be on friendly terms with you until: 1) you release all of our unjustly imprisoned brothers and sisters, and 2) you apologize to us for your criminal and illegal behavior.


- Imam Abdul Alim Musa