Women-Led Friday Prayer

I am sure there are many arguments in support for and against the formation.  I am not here to say whether it is an innovation or not.

What I am pointing out is the anger at Sr. Amina which I know to be more of racism and intolerance more than anything.

One can say it is an innovation when our muslim organizations invite non-Muslims to attend our Mosques and stand over us to observe us in prayer.  One can say it is an innovation when ISNA partnered with a racist group in Indiana.  Once can agree with or disagree with it.

There will always be differences of opinion and thought.  The Sahaba discussed many different issues.  But todays Muslims are extreme in their thoughts and refuse to see any grey areas, to agree to disagree and still respect and love one another as Muslims.  There is no moderation.  Sr. Amina may be on one extreme and a Fundamentalist on the other end.  But they are all Muslim still the same.  And they have a right to their opinion as Allah (swt) is the ultimate judge.

But I see too much of this, its my way or the highway talk in our community.  It is tearing us apart.  A Ummah of rules that actually follows none.  Oppression of women, racism, abuse, etc. All being fed by a healthy dose of denial.

If we could all just get along.  Whether we are Sunna or Shia or Black or Arab, then we would be practicing our religion.  It is not whether a woman leads us in prayer.  It is whether we lead ourselves by our examples of tolerance, kindness and respect for one another and our differences of opinion and most of all interpretation.

qpeace1 wrote: Lastly, I didn't revert to islam to let people stand toe to toe, face to face with me to show I'm a "good" muslim who practices "tolerance" and "to get along".  So please save it when it comes to suggesting how I should defend myself or my self respect.  "Men are the Protectors and Maintainers of women"  The Quran  Does this verse NOT mean what is says? Is it open to interpretation?  Is it clear or Unclear?

So what kind of revert are you?  One being lead by the Quran or one being led by culture?

Are you steal in the idealistic phase where you believe that everything is perfect among Muslims?

I have been to plenty Mosques and have seen different from the East to the West coast.  But most of all I have been in the communities and homes to see and discuss the racism and cultural baggage up close and personal.

We do not all practice what is preached in Islam.  If so then men would be maintaining and protecting their women, but many are not.  Many are the users and abusers of their women.  Is that a matter of intepretation or practice?

Learn that Islam is not intolerant.  That is the best gift you can give yourself as a revert Muslim.

I respect you too brother. But since you may not be sitting with the sisters you have not seen what I have seen.  You have not witnessed the sisters I have witnesed being abused and left to support 7 children alone.  Maybe you have not seen them in the shelters because in the battered womens shelters men are not allowed.  Most battered Muslim women hide this fact and take shelter within their families or hide it within their households.  What you have not seen does not mean it doesn't exist.  Like the saying goes; if a tree falls in the forest and no one is there, is there no sound.  What do you think?  Because it was not witnessed personally by you, it does not mean it is happening all over everyday.  Events right here in America that would make you cry.

Regarding Muslims countries that have a women leader, fine.  I am proud.  But how many?  Especially since Islam liberated women.  We should be ashamed at far back we have actually went.

Also regarding islam not being so tolerant of many things,  did you ever hear of the hadith of the Bedouin who urinated on the floor in the masjid?  Had it been today, intolerant Muslims would probably beat him and skin him alive on the spot.  There would be urine mixed with his blood.  But the Rasul (Saw) was so accepting of this bedouin that he simply told the people to put water on it.  He knew of the bedouins situation and knew that making a scene of it was not how you called people to Islam.  Just put water on it.

But look at the intolerant Muslims of today.  They are not putting water on it.  They are putting the flames of fire on anything they do not agree with.  I am sure it is not Islamic in those days or today to urinate on the Masjid floor.  But look at the lovely character of the Rasul (saw) in how he dealt with it. He calls you to Islam with his gentleness.  The intolerant Muslims of today do not call anyone to Islam.  Rather they push many, many people away.