Presenting Islam to Residents of Town Village Senior Living Complex, 4500 Dobry Drive, Sterling Heights, MI 48314
April 17, 2015
Ladies and gentlemen! Let me greet you with the Islamic greetings: Assalamu Alaikum, which means “Peace be with you.” My name is Munawar Haque. I am the Imam or head of religious activities at the mosque in your neighborhood. I am responsible for leading congregational prayers, delivering sermons, conducting religious discourses, solemnizing marriages, counseling, participating in interfaith dialogues, getting involved in community and humanitarian services, teaching Qur’an and Arabic, and leading funeral prayers.
I am honored and humbled to be a part of this event, the purpose of which is to explore our many cultures, beliefs, and faith practices. I thank you all for believing in the purpose for what we have gathered here. I am always amazed at the love and beauty of brothers and sisters like you who unite together to build awareness and to gain understanding of the people of various faith, wisdom, and spiritual traditions, and cultures living around you. This is the way to begin enjoying unity in diversity. I hope and pray that God, Lord of Mercy may continue to give us the gift of togetherness.
I want to take this opportunity to share with you some of the universal principles and values of Islam that you need to know about. This great country, America, as we know, was founded on the principles and core values of freedom, equality and justice—values, that echo my own faith tradition—Islam. The very term ‘Islam’ in its generic meaning includes the concepts of peace and submission. From a spiritual perspective, Islam may be defined as attaining peace through submission to God. This concept of peace embraces peace with oneself, peace with God, peace with human beings, and peace with one’s surroundings including the animal and plant kingdoms, and the ecological order. For Muslims, this “generic Islam” has been the core of all Prophetic teachings throughout human history.
Talking about the rich diversity found among humans, the Qur’an says, “O humankind, We created you all from a single man and a single woman, and made you into races and tribes so that you should recognize one another. The noblest among you in God’s sight are those who are most mindful of Him. God is all-knowing, all-aware” (Al-Hujurat, 49:13). This is a reminder that diversity in unity and unity within diversity are possible.
Humanity is like a bouquet of flowers in which each flower is beautiful in its own right. Yet, the combination of all flowers and the rich diversity of their colors is more beautiful. This sweeping statement in the Qur’an about broad human brotherhood and sisterhood is a profound basis for promoting peace among all.
Islam is founded on the belief that there is only one God, Who is the universal Creator, Sustainer, and Cherisher of all. God is one and is impartial toward His creation. He provides for all, including those who deny Him. He cares for the well-being of all and gives them ample opportunity to repent to Him; to end the state of separateness suffered by those who reject Him or are unmindful of Him. This belief implies that all humans are equal before God in terms of their humanity, irrespective of their particular beliefs. Only God is the ultimate judge of any person’s theological correctness. No human should be oppressed or mistreated by other fellow humans because of the “theological position” he or she holds.
The Qur’an gives various reasons why each human being must be honored and dignified on account of being human and irrespective of his or her chosen beliefs. Such honor is symbolized by the way the Qur’an describes God’s creation of the human in the best of molds. Human is the crown of God’s creation. The Qur’an describes the human as the trustee of God on earth. God created everything for the benefit of the human race. Human life is held sacred. In the words of the Qur’an, “If anyone slays a human being, unless it be for murder, or for spreading mischief on earth, it shall be as though he had slain all humankind; whereas, if anyone saves a life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all humankind” (Al-Ma’idah 5:32).
The human is a free agent, and as such, each person is individually responsible before God for his or her beliefs and moral choices. A person can be held accountable in this life only if such a moral choice infringes on the rights of individuals or society, such as the commission of crimes or acts of aggression. In other words, no human is entitled to dehumanize or punish another human on the sole ground that the latter is following a different religion or no religion at all. This value implies that peaceful co-existence among followers of all religions and respecting their humanity is not only possible, but also mandated in the Qur’an.
Islam accepts plurality in human societies. Pluralism implies living peacefully with those who hold differing beliefs and convictions. This value inculcates the attitude of being non-judgmental and accepting people as they are.
The Arabic term for justice is ‘adl, which means ‘to be balanced’. That balance is inherent in the cosmic order as much as it is inherent in spiritual and ethical values. The Qur’an warns against disturbing that balance. This concept of universal justice relates to peace in at least two ways: (1) it is inconceivable to secure genuine lasting peace without justice. In fact, doing justice is a prerequisite to peace; (2) to harm, persecute or fight against any person on account of his or her religious convictions is one of the worst forms of injustice, which is condemned in the primary sources of Islam. Making a clarion call, the Qur’an says, “O you who believe! Stand out for justice, as witnesses to God, even though it be against your own selves, or your parents, or your relatives” (Al-Nisa’ 4:135).
Ladies and gentlemen! Brothers and sisters in humanity! I have very briefly spelled out to you the Islamic core values of freedom, equality, and justice; the same principles on which America was founded. God bless you! God bless America! God bless humanity! And thank you for your patience.
Now, please feel free to raise any queries that you may have or any clarification that you may want about the Islamic faith and practice.
