Could I have made a difference?

Everything, of course, is from the Qadr of Allah. Nothing that passed you by was going to be attained by you, and nothing that you attained was going to pass you by, and if Allah had not allowed it to happen it would not have happened. We have our choices to make, and life is a test. We must not forget that it is those choices and thoughts that we will have to answer for before Allah on that tremendous and terrifying day. The Prophet (saws) warned us that we should never say "if only I had done this then such and such might have happened.." because that denies al Qadr, and opens the door to Shaitan, but that does not and should not prevent us from looking back and learning from any mistakes that we might have made. Those who ignore the lessons of history are doomed to repeat its mistakes.

Five years ago I was faced with a choice, to come here and work in the London Central Mosque, or go to Leeds and revive the Dawa there. I was supposed to help run the very bookshop that the bombers were reported to have frequented for a while. I have always liked Leeds. Its not too big and crazy, and not too small and provincial, and it was in the University there in the mid 90's that one of the first Islamic Exhibitions in English was born. There were three years of some of the best dawa activities that I have ever seem in any University anywhere, and the positive energy from that spread from the University into the wider community. Then a type of disaster struck. The break up of one of the major dawa organizations to which I belonged and to which many of us involved in Dawa were affiliated, Jamiyyah ihya Minhaj as Sunnah. It left many reeling, confused and disillusioned. Animosity prevailed over loving brotherhood and accusations and suspicions over sincere advice and husni dhun. Refutations abounded by the schismatics concerning anyone who deviated from the narrow confines of their partisan ideology  who imagined they were calling to the path of the salaf and were alone the defenders of that creed. You were either with them or against them. It must have been a disheartening time for any youth witnessing raging arguments about some fine points of doctrine whilst all around were Muslims who barely understood the basics of the religion, and non-Muslims who's knowledge of Islam, despite having Muslims living amongst them, was less than positive.  Then, whilst this bickering was going on, the lands, honour and lives of Muslims were being butchered.

Those who cared about real dawa could see their work, and community dissipating. They thought I could help.  I don't remember that clearly why I didn't go. Perhaps it was partly that I was n't sure I could actually do much in such an atmosphere. I'm a person who likes to speak his mind, and do so vigorously.  Although I tried hard to adhere to the requirements of the schismatics their attacks became more and vitriolic, their victims more numerous, their definition of acceptability narrower and narrower. One by one all those who were involved in Dawa in the West became victims of their polemical guillotine. It was only a matter of time before I too was subjected to their cleansing of the minhaj! Leeds was not a pleasant place to be. Then of course there was the logistical nightmare of relocating my family, and unwillingness of my wife to live in the provinces!

I don't regret choosing to work in the London Central Mosque, but I remember a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach a year ago as the details began to unfurl of the bombers, and where they lived and worked.

The BBC were here yesterday, and did a long and extensive interview with me, filming the children visiting the mosque. They played a part (of course the most sensationalist part on Radio 4), and there will perhaps be more on the TV tonight. It is something all of us involved in Dawa and the Muslim youth must, should and I'm sure are thinking about.

Comments

[Zimarina]

Very very interesting- it's really difficult treading waters like these, we've all heard the rhetoric and the drachonian slogans to do with 'radicalisation' and 'dialogue between communities' but how far that can successfully translate into anything tangible is much more troublesome.

I had this feeling- a mixture of awe & disgust hearing the PM call for the 'Muslim community' to step up and tackle their extremists from within- as though Muslims themselves are not just as much (I'd argue moreso) victims of 'terror' here, a single community should bear the brunt of what essentially is a nothing but a crime inflicted indiscrimately. Someone raised the point about whether the Catholics of Ireland should be have had to 'tackle' the IRA...it's such flawed logic, almost laughable (almost).

Oh- and they put you down as an 'Imam' in that piece? Oh err, has someone had a promotion of sorts? ;)

ARG comment: Well it's a bit strange. They know I'm not an Imam of the ICC, but like I say to the kids that visit, just about any Muslim male can be an Imam.
That is a very good point about the Catholics and IRA.
Jazakallah khair!

[Jenny]

Brother Green,
As usual great entry... I had a similar experience today (although definately not anywhere near the same in the grandeous scheme of things.) I wrote about it in my blog where I have included my thoughts on the recent entry.
Lets just say, that I think you have made a bigger impact that you realize at the LCM.

[Rasheed Moore]

Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah

During my time at the Islamic University of Madinah we were seeing the seeds of such divisions being sewn, Qadarallah Wa Ma Sha. I'm sure today has been a trying day for all the brothers in the UK....Allahulmusta'aan.

[Abu Ayyoob Hassaan]

oops i posted my comment on the wrong page.

This is the right place for it so here it is again...

Assalaamu alaykum

Abdur Raheem Green masha Allaah so nice to find this blog of yours.

This particular post made me very happy (the one about Leeds) - brought very good memories rushing back of the 'good old days'.

I remember the days when we would invite you to talk up in Leeds and we made sure you come at least the night before - to get you out of 'hyde park mode' and into the relaxed 'yorkshire mode'.

You always used to be way too rough on those poor northerners when you came straight from London. We made sure you had a proper nice breakfast and of course your galaxy chocolate. A few little chats and laughs with brother Idris too and you were calmed right down into the Yorkshire atmosphere.You would then give real suitable and nice talks maasha Allaah - including the one that got my (future)wife looking into islaam - may Allaah reward you immensely for that and all your efforts.

Im happy to see you are still very much strong into the dawah and that you havent been tainted, disheartened or demotivated by all the fitan that befell the dawah as it was in the 'good old days'.

May Allaah keep you strong in emaan always and reward you greatly for all the good that you have done.

With Allaahs permission you certainly played a part in changing my life from the days of not knowing or practicing islaam - and Im sure many many others - and the reward for that will continue insha Allaah when your actions will have ceased.

ARG comment: We miss you here in UK Hassan! May Allah make all your affaires easy in this life and the next. Ameen.