Travelling to Guyana and the Caribbean

Guyana and the Dawa: Struggling between Sunna and Commonsense

It has been awhile. But with absence the new become richer and the old looks matured. With the lapse of time wisdom grows upon you and life seems be that still picture just brought out of the attic. Yet for many it’s not the sea and the winds mating. It’s not wisdom and growth dawning upon a voyager. The seasons seem to stop breathing. Frozen in the oasis of ancient myths and archaic thoughts, you can’t help but see the contrast of cows still wandering on the road and the massive Floridian style houses competing for the passersby.

And the question is: has the Dawa improved in Guyana? Apart from the struggles of daily survival are people moving on? Or do the issues of what is Sunna and what is acceptable Islamically still haunting new comers and old hardened workers?

Multimedia
Thanks Guyana. I have bowed to your humble legacy and waned in front of the stalwarts who remained steadfast on the Dawa despite the odds. I saw the magical technological superlative underscore a wonderful Third World achievement, rarely seen in North America- the Zamals TV presentation rallying another year without fail. Vying for quality time and qualitative production these series are the wonder-struck of CNN’s and BBC’s enviers. From the humble undertakings, when equipments were transported to roadsides and rickety mosques across the country, in order to bring a multi media dimension to the Dawa, to a day people of all walks of lives enjoy in their living rooms food for thought and menu for the soul without a cent. Of course nothing is for free and it’s time those mosques and loud Muslims in Guyana donate towards a striving neutral and well managed Multi Media fund. Harun Yahya is one man who has excelled in this field and with many trying to reach others in their domain there is no such a means readily available and better equipped than the Zamals team- The producers of this newsletter for the past ten years, just for your information. So, Hats off to common sense presenting Sunna in its beatific and magical mind blowing angle.

Islamic Schools
I saw the Islamic schools and became even more humbled as students continue to sacrifice-whether residential or day school- in the way reminiscent of Sahaba. Except the People of the Past did not have to measure quality and discipline. They were the yardstick by which all are measured. Struggling for funds, the right type of teachers will never be sought. Islamic education is private enterprise except it may have the community’s backing and a not for profit mandate. Vying for these teaching positions are well paying private institutions mission as much as the foreign lure aren’t hidden factors. Why not become student friendly by investing in qualified teachers? Why it has to be the management and their proclivities? Schools and Educational systems aren’t about us who have graduated and now hold the torch, despite how much unwanted or ill equipped for it. The Prophet, on whom be peace, when he prayed for the wellness and prosperity of the teachers of goodness he verily included Islamic and academic studies, as much as he included those with good manners and intentions and those who are just there for the pay. In a time when religion doesn’t carry prestige and pay no one can cast aspersions on the sincerity of any- after all in Miskatul Masaabih we are told not question the sincerity of the Believers.


I saw the fruits of sacrifice and financial freedom in Trinidad. Not only schools are blossoming but relief work has now entered the domain, thanks to people like Zainol Ali who has been a dear friend of Guyana since the 60’s. Now graduates are not always able to find a job, well paid in an institution or marry into a wealthy family. Shouldn’t graduates of Islam, knowing what donations were invested into their education, develop opportunities in the other fields and small town places? Where are the scholars who are writing, making media presentations, pursuing relief work, teaching adults, seeking to Khutba in the villages, developing children maktab in areas that are new, preparing students to do Dawa, etc.? Where are the Imams during interfaith dialogues and Islamophobic onslaughts? Where are those who attend the sick and socialize with the ordinary? Those who will attend the functions of the Muslims and not scorn their halal food and shun their women?

Islamic Finance
I saw in Barbados the sweetness of a now blossoming department of Islam- Islamic finance. The thirst to know and develop alternative systems in the interest based economies that are interest free and Sharia compliant has appeared in Trinidad credit unions years ago. Now Barbados, that wealth of off shore banking, seeks to implement a package that caters for a generation who wants to own a house but without the Quranic banned mortgages. 2:275 Those who devour usury will not stand except as stand one whom the Evil one by his touch Hath driven to madness. That is because they say: "Trade is like usury," but Allah hath permitted trade and forbidden usury.
Thank Allah this concept is what we have championed in Canada for the last four years and its now bearing fruits with thousands wanting interest free loans. Guyana has had this conversation since in the 8o’s and it’s time some independent business people see the light in this 1 trillion-dollar-growing industry and create also an independent Sharia board with help from outside.

Tolerance
I can’t understand how a country blessed with resources beyond gold and bauxite still cannot tolerate each other. Racial discrimination is not a Guyanese heritage. We have always lived, married, mixed and enjoyed six races and four religions. As one brother Omar said to me at the now rebuilding Queenstown Masjid site: even after any tension we still jump in the same mini bus and enjoy the ride! Well I have always said that our interfaith and inter ethnic relations have not been a product of lectures and intellectual exchanges but a destiny that brought us together through colonialism and by expediency we have evolved this social paradigm to become the pride of the world.

What makes it worse is when Muslims fight. Difference of opinion is well and good. The Prophet, on whom be peace, calls differing on points a matter of mercy and fighting down each other to the extent that some are in court, some don’t speak to each other or give salaams and worse yet others accuse each other. Tears and more tears can only be the response to such pathetic situation. Dua is the night, Dua anytime but with a bleeding heart and pleading tongue may be our last resort. Dua is indeed the crux of the matter for the Believers.

It’s haraam not to speak to your brother for more than three days. As leaders and Muslims we have to be qudwa- models of charisma and understanding. Children imitate their parents 70% of the time- so how about their teachers and Imams whose job is to be imitated and followed? 25:74 And those who pray, "Our Lord! Grant unto us wives and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and give us (the grace) to lead the righteous."

Fatwa slinging
I met with the brothers going out in Jamat. It’s such a sweet experience, nostalgic and life altering. With years in the movement, you just can’t escape the thrills and pitfalls when seeking spiritual things. A nice advice would be ‘not to have many friends’. When the Prophet of Allah signaled this important sociological fundamental he was neither Voltaire nor Ibn Khaldun. He just knew that friends shape your religious beliefs and determine your religiosity, and the more you have the more confused you can become. These days it so easy for every one to load their fatwa’s, experiences and personal touch of spirituality on any willing listener, that the contradictions of religion becomes like daylight in that person’s life. Can you imagine someone not knowing the difference between halal and haraam, Sunna and jaiz yet they pronounce themselves mothers of the believers, too quick to dish out judgments instead of well-intentioned advices? I always remember my teacher Abul Hassan Nadvi saying only if your advise was sought for, was sincere and of course based upon sound Islamic evidences will it have an effect on anyone.

Aisha radiallahu anha had a doll and as such having a doll, with eyes or not, has always been an accepted Islamic practice. Having access to one’s family is a human right so common sense and Sunna aught to be mates. I saw the smiles of young girls turned adults that only yesterday the mysteries of love and womanhood were laughed at like any Hanna Montana show. Now they have taken on the turn of stewardship. I pray, that with support and knowledge, with taqwa and Dawa they too will realize the responsibility of Islam and family is more than imitation of some scholars of a certain country alien to Guyana’s context. One of the rules of fatwa is the local Ulama must be asked before the question is asked abroad. When Muaaz, ra, was sent as an emissary and teacher to the Yemenites he was reminded that he must rule by the Quran, then the Sunna and then by his opinion based upon his knowledge of the aforementioned two principles. Sound judgment based upon one’s solid information in the Sharia and within the context is so important. It’s called rai or ijtihad and it’s like grounded common sense out of a host of possible nonsensical allusions on any subject. But where are those accessible scholars? A hotline hosted by a body of Ulama would do Guyana great justice as a hotline to help distressed people is always a lifeline. 16:43 And before thee also the apostles We sent were but men, to whom We granted inspiration: if ye realize this not, ask of those who possess the Message.

Students care
Prices rising. Insecurity much evident in the early close ups and vigilant bar-ups. But with the power of Iman and the power of good neighborly actions anything of fear becomes phobia. The hospitality of a nation marks the prosperity of its people. Wherever one goes the culture of generosity highlights our people like a shadow of pious angels. Why not explore this sense of community and kindness not for personal glory and lifetime enrichment but for taking care of students in poverty? By now each student should have been entrusted with a family to take care of their meals, computer needs, medical help and financial assistance. Omar bin Khatttab used to exchange days with his partner in order to learn Islamic knowledge. And the Ashab Suffa were residential students, whose needs were met from the families of Madina. The immigrants of Mecca were paired with the helpers of Medina- the haves and have nots in Guyana can easily bridge this gap with partnering social system.

At least this will create camaraderie of family and society into the lives of boys and now girls who are estranged from these important aspects of life while stowed away in seminary. Don’t get me wrong. Living in the environment of Deen is important. We are the products of the environment. Look at the beautiful sunshine weather of Guyana and you see smiles. So I know about the dynamics of a good, strong environment but I also know of the detriments of not being to live with the opposite sex in a self responsible way and having to find yourself after being cut off from family and friends. There is nothing wrong in taking leads from Scholars. But this is no Islamic tradition to always strike up a conversation or end it for that matter with what ‘my Shaikh says’.

All are consumed
Guyana has always been the seat of Islam, knowledge and common sense. Our ancestors were Muslims and strong ones for that matter. They did not come yesterday from India and arrived the other day from Saudi Arabia but have blessed our lands since before the arrival of the black slaves. Yes they came before Columbus- to quote one of the sons of Guyana- Dr Van Sertima, the Oxford Anthropologist. While the see-saw of traditional understanding Islam and modern interpretations will continue to sway and while the pendulum of who will control the institutions and whose students are more learnt will continue to swing, let us not loose focus on the road of a progressive Dawa- that all are consumed, all must be loved and respected and all must be paid their due as every morsel food donated, every drop of blood spilled and every tear shed will be counted like mountains on the Day of Judgment. 99:7 Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good, see it!

I saw the miracle of life- the cycle of karma. What you sow is what you reap. 18:30 As to those who believe and work righteousness, verily We shall not suffer to perish the reward of any who do a (single) righteous deed. The Berbice DarulUloom and Secondary School building was named Khalid Complex- my insistence as a mark of remembrance for the great sacrifice brother Khalid Khan has made for Islam in Guyana and a recollection for his tragic yet spiritual death on his way to build Lethem Masjid sis years ago. I saw Khalid’s’ two children, now grown, learnt and married teaching in this same institution. The fruits of his labour and the place where those fruits are recognized have married into the meaningfulness of whatever you give back Allah will surely make it worthwhile. 6:160 He that doeth good shall have ten times as much to his credit: He that doeth evil shall only be recompensed according to his evil: no wrong shall be done unto (any of) them.

Salam Alaikum
So keep running my sisters and brothers like the rapids of Kaieteur, you will make it and like the works of many others of whom I have not mentioned and but for whose works and time I have great respect and love for- with the foundations of love and less figure pointing the Dawa in Guyana will fall from struggling and become the blossom of Allah’s divine scheme.