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Last Updated:
2019/06/10
Summary of question
If the local imam of a mosque in the United States have close ties with the American government, can one have any forms of cooperation with that mosque?
question
My family lives in the United States and the local imam of a well established masjid is very well known in his community. I have known him all my life. I know he is a good man. But he as well as the council of our masjid keeps close ties with the government officials of this country as well as leading people in the office of defense as well as FBI officials for this country. The youths of the community of this mosque, who are in charge of the council, have an internship program (work for college students). This job offers $1000 a month for youths who gather names of Muslims in this country who don”t have access to a local mosque, and provide them with Islamic reading material and activities with our masjid. I believe this job is well intended but my only worry is the environment of this job knowing the close affiliation of the heads of our masjid as well as the imam here with the United States government which is well known as a corrupt government. My only concern is what if this list of names gets into the hands of government officials who by law can detain anyone for any reason under "the patriot act" law that was passed by President Bush. Even if you are not a terrorist they may arrest you for any reason. They may frame you for something you didn”t do. We have a very moderate community and all the Muslims here are moderate minded people but such close ties with this extreme government gives me worries about having such a job. Under these circumstances living in this country under an oppressive government which is well known for its oppression, just as other countries in the world, is it permissible to get a job like this for our mosque which publicly admits and values its close ties with this government, the department of defense, security and FBI agencies?
Concise answer
People have no other choice but to have ties and relationships with others in society no matter what their religion, beliefs and methods are. Islam has also allowed these types of normal relationships.[1] Muslims can have friendly and just relationship with followers of other religions, given that these relationships don’t help those who are harming and fighting the Muslims. Hence, it is mandatory for every Muslim to firstly investigate and consult with others to make sure that none of their relationships with the non-Muslims has any harm for Islam or fellow Muslims.
Of course, the mind understands that the anything that is more important and sensitive is prior to something less important and if anyone ever needs to choose between the two, the more important must be chosen. Also, if one has to choose between a great threat and small threat to Islam and Muslims, it is obvious that the smaller threat needs to be chosen.
As for your question, as you yourself put it, there are chances that this information will fall into the wrong hands thus causing the Muslims there harm, therefore it isn’t a good idea to have any cooperation with the mosque just for a small thawab and benefit, but with the price of endangering fellow Muslims. Also, if breaking your relationship causes hard problems for other fellow Muslims, you mustn’t break it. In short, one needs to consult those who know and are informed of different situations in order to be able to distinguish between more and less important issues, and if you reach the conclusion that you need to keep your relationship with the mosque and those who have ties with the US government, try to be cautious.
Of course, the mind understands that the anything that is more important and sensitive is prior to something less important and if anyone ever needs to choose between the two, the more important must be chosen. Also, if one has to choose between a great threat and small threat to Islam and Muslims, it is obvious that the smaller threat needs to be chosen.
As for your question, as you yourself put it, there are chances that this information will fall into the wrong hands thus causing the Muslims there harm, therefore it isn’t a good idea to have any cooperation with the mosque just for a small thawab and benefit, but with the price of endangering fellow Muslims. Also, if breaking your relationship causes hard problems for other fellow Muslims, you mustn’t break it. In short, one needs to consult those who know and are informed of different situations in order to be able to distinguish between more and less important issues, and if you reach the conclusion that you need to keep your relationship with the mosque and those who have ties with the US government, try to be cautious.
[1] Mumtahina:8-9. “Allah dose not forbid you having Relationship with those who have not fought you on the account of religion and have not driven you out of your homeland and He does not forbid you from doing good and regarding justice To them: Verily, Allah likes those who consider justice towards other people;
But Allah forbids you only from having friendship with those who fought you on the account of religion and drove you out of your homeland; and helped one another in driving you out; you are forbidden to have friendly relation with them; and whoever among you does so, then he is regarded as one of the disbelievers.”
But Allah forbids you only from having friendship with those who fought you on the account of religion and drove you out of your homeland; and helped one another in driving you out; you are forbidden to have friendly relation with them; and whoever among you does so, then he is regarded as one of the disbelievers.”
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