Dr. Daniel Pipes: One clarification on your article and Muslim's position on Barak Hussein Obama

Submitted by Imam Ibn Masud (United States), Nov 12, 2008 at 12:06

Dear Dr. Pipes:

... I am wirting this reminder to you for your clarification, and not to flare a debate, invite comments, remarks, expressions or criticism from your readers.

I was born in Ohio, studied in S. Africa, and am an Imam of a masjid in Los Angeles, CA. One of the attandees of our Masjid asked me about the valadity of the quote you mentioned from a great Sahabi (Muslim companion) and a cousin of our dear prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him).

Please note that Ali ibn Abi-Talib is not only a respected figure among the Shiites, but also a great personality among the Sunnis like me. We respect him, honor him and follow his righteous guidance in our religion.

But anytime, if there is a saying ascribed to him that goes AGAINST the teachings of our Prophet or the teachings of our lord Allah in the Quran, then we have to reject that saying.

Having said that, I must clearify to you that after the tragic death of Ali ibn Abi-Talib, many people related many statements to him, which were not true, just like the statement below shown in the brackets:

(Ali ibn Abi-Talib, the seventh-century figure central to Shiite Islam, is said to have predicted when the world will end, columnist Amir Taheri points out. A "tall black man" commanding "the strongest army on earth" will take power "in the west." He will carry "a clear sign" from the third imam, Hussein. Ali says of the tall black man: "Shiites should have no doubt that he is with us.")

The validity of this statement can only be found if it fits the teachings of Quran and Sunnah of our dear Prophet. Allah says in the Quran "no one has the knowledge of unseen", "no one knows what will happen in the future..."

Ali ibn Abi-Talib being a human-being cannot know what will happen in the future, cannot tell the unseen news, unless he heard it directly from the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), and in return Muhammed (pbuh) heard it from his Lord Allah through the Angel Gabriel (Jibraeel).
And we know there is NO saying like that from Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) in any of his Hadith, or from our Lord Allah in the Quran.

So this statement ascribed to Ali ibn Abi-Talib by Mr. Amir Taheri, is bogus.

Secondly, on the issue of "joy" "anger" or "europhia" of Muslims on the Obama Victory: Please remember that in Islam, we consder the child of a Muslim man as a MUSLIM, unless that child grows-up and willingly starts practicising other religions. In the case of Obama, everyone knows in the Muslim countries that he is in the catagory of a MURTID (one who accepts other religion).

As to why Obama did that, for fame, for money, or for running for a public office in the US, or feeling discriminated in the US, only Allah knows best (or perhaps he is still a Muslim in his heart). As a Muslim our duty is to invite that person back to Islam, with love, with intelligent reasoning and with fair and balanced advice. And I know some good Muslims are already doing that.

As far as, why so many Musims voted for him and why so many in the Muslim world like him, I can think of a few reasons.

1. His name sounds like a Muslim.
2. His father was a Muslim.
3. His grandfather was a Muslim.
4. His step father was a Muslim.
5. He has read the complete Quran.
6. His many siblings in Kenya are Muslims.
7. His friends (many) in Chicago are Muslims and Arabs.
8. He praised the Muslim morning Adhan (call to prayer) in his interview.
9. He has never criticized Islam and Muslims in his campaign speeches like McCain or Juiliani.

And there could be many more reasons for normal-average Muslim to like him and vote for him.

As for the real pious Muslims are concerned, Obama is a shame and an Apostate (you have clearly quoted the saying of an islamic Imam and Fiqhi Yusuf Al-Qardawi, yourself). Muslims SHOULD NOT depend on U.S. for their salvation and success, SHOULD NOT depend on Obama for their success, and SHOULD NOT depend on any worldly figures for their success in this dunya and their Akhira. If they do that then they are committing Shirk (ascribing partners to Allah) and Shirk is a major sin in the sight of Allah.

On the other hand it will be worth mentioning that the Lord of the Heavens and Earth, Allah, can and does work in amazing ways.
Look for instance how he gave protection and sustenance to our Prophet Moses (may God be pleased with him) in the very house-hold of His own enemy Pharoh.

This was just to show us that Allah is Able to do ALL things. And can Blind His own enemies from the future realities- that were to befall His enemy Pharoh? Eventhough Pharoh was killing all Isrealite's children so no one can take over his kingdom. Yet he was blinded by Allah and was unaware that the child who was going to destroy his own kingdom was growing-up in his own castle. Amazing ! Isn't it?

Now some Muslims would go as far as drawing parallel to the story of Moses with the story of Obama (make that point #10 above).
Although, I disagree with them - but then again, only Allah knows best !!!

Thanks

Imam Ibn Masud
Los Angeles, CA.

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".