Imam Luqman Abdullah and mystery man who called himself "Jabril"
Attorney Ron Scott with the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality and the National Lawyers Guild spoke a couple of weeks ago at a townhall regarding the shooting of Imam Luqman Abdullah.
Scott brought some historical background on the FBI’s Counter Intelligence Program (COINTELPRO) of the 60’s as a primer for the audience.
NPR ran a very interesting piece this morning regarding Israeli soldiers who are products of yeshivas (Jewish equivalent of Islamic madrassahs) that are disobeying orders to assist in the demolition of illegal outposts (settlements) in the occupied territories.
As I was listening to this story, the recent tragedy of Ft. Hood came to mind. The differences in this story are obvious. One, the soldiers did not shoot their fellow comrades because they had fundamental issues with the lawful orders, which they were given. Second, service in the Israeli military is compulsory while service in the U.S. military is voluntary.
Nonetheless, these Israeli soldiers disobeyed lawful orders in the name of their religious beliefs. In this case, they believe that illegal occupation is their religious duty to maintain.
Wonder why they are not being asked the question that Muslims are being asked of what comes first, their belief in the will of G’d according to their theology or their allegiance to the state?
Yesterday’s lecture was given at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan titled “Islam: Friend or Foe?”
Imam Dawud Walid & Hajj Ron Amen on the Geraldo Show
Keep in mind that like in all interviews that aren’t live, comments are edited. My complete comments regarding following lawful orders and the issue of conscientious objection are not in the video.
ما من أيام أعظم عند الله ولا أحب إليه العمل فيهن من هذه الأيام العشر، فأكثروا فيهن من التهليل والتكبير والتحميد
Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) taught us that there are not any days more important with Allah (SWT) nor righteous actions that are more loved to Him (SWT) than in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, the month of Hajj. The Prophet (SAAS) advised us to increase in the 1st ten days saying Subhanallah, Allahu Akbar and Alhamdulillah [outloud].
Today being the 4th of Dhul-Hijjah, we have today and 6 more days to benefit from these special days as mentioned in the hadeeth above and spoken of in the first 4 ayaat of Surah Al-Fajr.
Besides increasing tahleel, takbeer, and tahmeed, it is good to perform Qiyaam Al-Layl during these nights.
Du’a should be increased on the Day of `Arafah (9th of Dhul-Hijjah, which is Thanksgiving Day this year) as well as fasting being a meritorious on this day (I know, fasting on Thanksgiving?!).
According to Imam Ash-Shafi’i (RH) in Kitab Al-Umm, one of the best nights of du’a is before `Eid, which in this case is Laylah Muzdalifah (Thanksgiving night). Proclaiming the `Eid Takbeer after the Maghrib prayer outloud in jama’ah is also meritorious.
