Protesting in Islamic tradition

Given current events relating #BlackLivesMatter protests and some misinformation being promulgated by a few leaders of Muslim organizations, the following will give a few points on protesting from the Islamic tradition.

In surah 4, ayah 148, Allah (SWT) says Allah does not love the publicizing of evil except for whoever has been wronged, and Allah is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.  Ibn Abbas (RA) stated that one meaning of this is that the oppressed can make du’a for assistance against the oppressor.  Al-Hasan Al-Basri (RH) stated the oppressed can seek assistance pertaining to the oppressor.

Musa (AS) is the most mentioned prophet in the Qur’an.  Musa (AS) was involved in protesting systematic abuse from Fir’awn.  It was more than a policy that Musa (AS) protested but an entire system that was designed to oppress the Children of Israel and those who disagreed with Fir’awn.

Thousands of years later, the People of Al-Madinah protested the governance of Yazid bin Mu’awiyah, who was a wine-drinker and did not uphold the five daily prayers.  Up to ten thousand Madani people, which included some Sahabah, were martyred over a three day period for their protesting Yazid. Of course, there was the protest of Al-Husayn bin Ali (SA) against Yazid’s government, which led to his and his followers being martyred at Karbala. Those noble souls preferred to protest and face death with dignity than to just have a “seat at the table” of corruption.

There are more stories from the history of prophets, Salaf and the imams of fiqh where public challenging of systemic injustices was voiced.

There are times when those who lack positional power whose grievances are continuously ignored have no option but to raise their voices in public dissent is the point.  Hence, this is why people including many Muslims have taken to the streets in #BlackLivesMatter protests.

 

DawudWalid

Dawud Walid is currently the Executive Director of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), which is a chapter of America's largest advocacy and civil liberties organization for American Muslims and is a member of the Michigan Muslim Community Council (MMCC) Imams Committee. Walid has been interviewed and quoted in approximately 150 media outlets ranging from the New York Times, Wall St Journal, National Public Radio, CNN, BBC, FOX News and Al-Jazeera. Furthermore, Walid was a political blogger for the Detroit News from January 2014 to January 2016, has had essays published in the 2012 book All-American: 45 American Men on Being Muslim, the 2014 book Qur'an in Conversation and was quoted as an expert in 13 additional books and academic dissertations. He was also a featured character in the 2013 HBO documentary "The Education of Mohammad Hussein." Walid has lectured at over 50 institutions of higher learning about Islam, interfaith dialogue and social justice including at Harvard University, DePaul University and the University of the Virgin Islands - St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses as well as spoken at the 2008 and 2011 Congressional Black Caucus Conventions alongside prominent speakers such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Congressman Keith Ellison. In 2008, Walid delivered the closing benediction at the historic 52nd Michigan Electoral College in the Michigan State Senate chambers and gave the Baccalaureate speech for graduates of the prestigious Cranbrook-Kingswood Academy located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Walid was also a featured speaker at the 2009 and 2010 Malian Peace and Tolerance Conferences at the University of Bamako in Mali, West Africa. He has also given testimony at hearings and briefings in front of Michigan state legislators and U.S. congressional representatives, including speaking before members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in Washington, D.C. Walid has studied under qualified scholars the disciplines of Arabic grammar and morphology, foundations of Islamic jurisprudence, sciences of the exegesis of the Qur’an, and Islamic history during the era of Prophet Muhammad through the governments of the first 5 caliphs. He previously served as an imam at Masjid Wali Muhammad in Detroit and the Bosnian American Islamic Center in Hamtramck, Michigan, and continues to deliver sermons and lectures at Islamic centers across the United States and Canada. Walid was a 2011 - 2012 fellow of the University of Southern California (USC) American Muslim Civil Leadership Institute (AMCLI) and a 2014 - 2015 fellow of the Wayne State Law School Detroit Action Equity Lab (DEAL). Walid served in the United States Navy under honorable conditions earning two United States Navy & Marine Corp Achievement medals while deployed abroad. He has also received awards of recognition from the city councils of Detroit and Hamtramck and from the Mayor of Lansing as well as a number of other religious and community organizations.

2 Comments

  1. Dear Mr. Waild,
    I think you are a great spokesperson for the Islamic persons in your community and throughout the world! If people would take the time to understand the Koran and its teachings, they would know it’s not violent but good in nature. It’s the ignorance of people that causes this intolerance of your beliefs! I am a white Catholic woman but I respect all people and religions. I am sorry for all your community has been subjected to, just like the Japanese and German communities of past times. Keep up your dignified work!
    Best Regards
    Patricia Strnad
    Irvine, ca

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *