Can Muslims
Be Good Americans?
By Dr. Abidullah A.
Ghazi
(PhD, Harvard)
Executive Director
IQRA’ International Educational Foundation
(Continued from last week: Many
respected Muslim Americans had been approached
by well-meaning Jewish and Christian colleagues
with several confrontational and inflammatory
pieces of writing they had come across via the
Internet. These Muslims felt the need to put together
a response so that those who wanted to know the
true Islamic position on the issues raised could
find satisfactory answers. A lack of rejoinder
from Muslims may allow our non-Muslim friends
to view the allegations as the final position
of our faith. Therefore, as per request from my
friends, I have accepted the responsibility to
reply to these accusations, not only to make my
friends happy, but to use this opportunity to
explain the Islamic position vis-à-vis
these questions; the questions that maybe irksome
for some and perplexing for others.)
“Can a devout Muslim be an
American patriot and loyal citizen?”
5). Politically, no. Because he must submit to
the mullah who teaches annihilation of Israel
and destruction of America, the great Satan.
Two accusations are combined in this accusation:
a) Muslims follow a shadowy figure called “the
mullah” and b) that this “mullah”
teaches the annihilation of Israel and destruction
of America. Let me address this with two additional
points:
1. Islam does not have a priesthood or a divine
institution of “mullah”-hood. There
is no ultimate spiritual leader in Islam, a priest
or “mullah” to whom Muslims are required
to pledge their allegiance. While there is a very
long tradition of theological scholarship within
Islam and that is not to be denied, the declarations
of these individuals have never been considered
unconditionally authoritative. Besides that, Muslim
Americans do not even have a collective leadership
that would require them to rise up and destroy
a foreign power like Israel or their own country,
America, wherein lies their own future and future
of their children and grandchildren. America is
home for more than seven million Muslims, most
of who are highly qualified, motivated and gainfully
employed. They make formidable contributions to
various sectors of the nation’s existence.
America’s Muslim population is also rich
in ethnic diversity, 25% of whom are indigenous
African-American converts to the faith. The record
of loyalty that this community has displayed to
America stands unblemished. Since 9/11 no Muslim
American of any standing has been indicted for
any crime against the state.
2. There is no belief in Islam that calls for
destruction of any state or of any people, even
if that state is at odds with a segment of the
Muslim world, as is the case with Israel today.
Despite popular myth Muslims and Jews have not
been at odds for centuries. Jews in medieval period
were well protected by Muslims during an age when
they were horridly oppressed by Christians. Many
have recognized that the golden age of the Jewish
people coincided with the zenith of Muslim rule
over the Iberian Peninsula. Certainly the conflict
between the Arabs and Israel is agonizing, tragic
and complicated. It has consumed the attention
of many Americans, both Jewish and Muslim, and
we hope it will be resolved peacefully sooner
than later. Despite this divisive conflict, numerous
Muslim and Jewish groups from all over America
are currently busy in serious dialogue and bridge
building efforts. I am personally engaged in some
of these. Our organization, IQRA’ International
Educational Foundation, is playing a leading role
in interfaith understanding here in the Chicago
area and internationally.
The majority of the world’s Muslims admire
America’s efforts to encourage democracy
and political stability throughout the world.
They have also allied themselves with America
in the struggle against terrorism. However, Muslim
Americans are no different that other Americans
in their support or opposition to certain policies
of our government. But is this not the right of
each and every citizen of the United States?
“Can a devout Muslim be an
American patriot and loyal citizen?”
6). Domestically, no. Because he is instructed
to marry four women and beat and scourge his wife
when she disobeys him. Q.[ur’an] 4:34
It is true that Islam allows polygamous marriages
as was the Biblical tradition. But Islam encourages
monogamy (Qur’an 4:3). Polygamy is not an
obligation for Muslim men, nor is it a norm in
Muslim life but rather an exception. America’s
Muslims are monogamous (there may be few exceptions)
and they offer an excellent example of healthy,
value-centered family life. And even if Muslims
did engage in polygamy on a large scale, would
that make them any less loyal to the United States?
How so?
If this is a criterion for loyalty then what are
we to do about the millions of Americans who have
multiple sex partners, something that is acceptable
by today’s norms? An Islamic polygamous
marriage places religious and moral responsibilities
upon a man for equal treatment to all his wives
and any children that may come from such unions.
The relationship between husband and wife in the
Qur’an and Islamic tradition is based on
love, care and compassion (Qur’an 30:21).
The Qur’an describes husband and wife as
coverings for each other (Qur’an 2:187).
As the covering protects, so must husband and
wife be to each other. Again, it is known to Jews
and Christians that polygamy is accepted within
the Biblical tradition. There are several sects
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(Mormons) that practice unlimited polygamy to
this day. But does Rev. Shorrosh dare question
their loyalty to the United States?
“Can a devout Muslim be an
American patriot and loyal citizen?”
7). Religiously, no. Because no other religion
is accepted by his Allah except Islam—intolerance.
Q.[ur’an] 2:256
Islam is a religion for all of humanity revealed
by the One God through his prophets and messengers.
Muslims believe that Islam is nothing other than
a continuation of the primeval and supra-historical
monotheism as revealed since the beginning of
time. This message has everlastingly consisted
of two major themes: a) Tawhid, the Oneness of
God and b) good moral conduct (Qur’an 2:213).
The revelation that was given to the Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him) in the form of the Qur’an
is a continuation of the message of all the prophets,
messengers and spiritual guides, such as Abraham,
Moses and Jesus, who came before. It is part of
a Muslims faith to believe in all of them and
the Qur’an shows the utmost deference to
them.
The Qur’an very clearly forbids coercion
in matters of faith (Qur’an 2:256) whether
such compulsion be by peaceful means or by force.
Historically one would be hard pressed to find
instances of “forced conversion” in
the Muslim world. Rather the Qur’an promotes
mutual cooperation among humanity for good of
all (Al-Ma’idah 5:2). It specially encourages
positive relationship to be built with People
of the Book (Jews and Christians) on the basis
of their common faith in one God (Qur’an
3:64).
“Can a devout Muslim be an
American patriot and loyal citizen?”
8). Intellectually, no. Because he cannot accept
the American constitution since it is established
on Biblical principles, because he believes the
Bible is corrupted.
Stating that the American constitution is based
upon Biblical principles is something that is
wide open to debate. But for the sake of argument,
let us accept this for a fact. Most of the principles
that one can term as being “Biblical”
in origin are religiously and morally acceptable
to Muslims, as they are no different from Qur’anic
principles of morality. But in reality the concepts
of democracy, secularism, federalism, human rights,
the separation of church and state that are enshrined
in the American constitution originate from the
European Enlightenment of the 18th century by
way of the Renaissance, and any historian will
tell you that Renaissance-era thought was deeply
influenced by Islamic civilization, where principles
of human equality, religious tolerance, justice,
and consultation (Shura’) had existed for
centuries.
The constitution of the United States of America
is one of the noblest documents in history and
it provides equal rights and justice to all of
the citizens of this fair land. Muslim Americans
enjoy religious and social rights under this constitution
and they have religious responsibility to follow
the law of the land and contribute to the welfare
of the nation in accordance with the commandments
of the Qur’an.
Muslims accept as a religious principle the divine
origin of both the Torah and the Gospel. The Qur’an
describes the Torah of Moses as guidance and light
(Qur’an 5:44) and Gospel of Jesus Christ
as (Qur’an 5:46) enlightenment and council.
It also asks Jews and Christians to follow their
respective scriptures faithfully (Qur’an
3:23). However as much as the Qur’an confirms
the divine origin of these preceding scriptures
it also points out the changes they went through
over the centuries. Modern academic research has
given witness to this fact. Would Rev. Shorrosh
place the same outlandish charges of treason against
Western academia for their questioning the historical
authenticity of the Bible?
“Can a devout Muslim be an
American patriot and loyal citizen?”
9. Philosophically, no. Because Islam, Muhammad
and the Qur’an does not allow freedom of
religion and expression. Democracy and Islam cannot
co-exist. Every Muslim government is dictatorial
or autocratic except Turkey.
The concepts of human rights and religious freedom
are ideas a little more than two centuries old
in the West. Regrettably notions of modern democracy
and human rights cannot be explicitly found in
the Bible either, so Rev. Shorrosh has become
the proverbial pot calling the kettle black. In
reality, despite the dear reverend’s endeavor
to tie Islam with dictatorship and autocracy,
it is the first world religion to unequivocally
promote freedom of conscience and religion. These
principles are not only guaranteed by the Qur’an
and Prophetic tradition, as we have shown, but
they have been demonstrated throughout Muslim
history. Nearly all Muslim societies are mosaics
of religious communities and cultural diversity
because these freedoms have been historically
guaranteed in Muslim societies. Until the 19th
century Europe was almost uniformly Christian
and there was little toleration for non-Christian
segments of the population.
In one aspect Rev. Shorrosh is correct: there
are over fifty-five countries in the world today
that have Muslim majorities yet only a handful
has democratic institutions. Nevertheless, the
Muslim countries of today have fallen way behind
in fulfilling the ideals of Islam while the West
has jettisoned religious intolerance and autocratic
government enshrining its progressive principles
in constitutions as well as implementing them.
It is in search of these very freedoms and opportunities
that Muslim immigrants have been migrating to
the West and especially to America. And the West
has graciously welcomed them. Therefore it is
the Muslims’ moral responsibility to return
this kindness with appreciation and goodness (Qur’an
55:60). However we cannot ignore some of the major
factors for the lack of democratic tradition in
today’s Muslim world.
• Nearly all the Muslim world (with the
exception of Turkey) was under European colonial
domination in the 19th and 20th centuries (or
even longer in some cases). During this period
their colonial masters never prepared subject
populations for eventual independence or in developing
a democratic tradition.
• Many countries in the Muslim world are
or have been allies of the United States government.
To that end our government turned a blind eye
to human rights and offered its unabashed support
to some of the harshest dictatorships. In many
cases the aspirations of the citizens of these
lands for democracy and basic human rights were
often crushed by our dictator allies with the
tacit support of various US administrations.
• It has been a reputed case in the Muslim
world that whenever the democratic process had
brought a popular government to power that may
not be to the West’s liking, that new government
is undermined and destroyed, as was the case with
Algeria in the 1990s.
• Just one side note: Turkey is not the
only democratically elected government in the
Muslim world. We have Bangladesh and Indonesia
as well, nations with a combined Muslim population
of nearly 500 million! And while the United States
has yet to see a woman president, there have been
four women heads of state in the Muslim world
within the last 20 years: Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan,
Tansu Çiler of Turkey, Megawati Sukarnoputri
of Indonesia and Khalida Zia of Bangladesh.
• Islam as a faith promotes a vision of
popular consultation called shura’. Informal
shura’ can take place within the family,
neighborhood, workplace, mosque or church. Shura
form of democracy is in fact in practice in Muslim
population across the world. It is inexpensive,
informal, effective and rooted in their culture.
• However as the vast majority of America’s
Muslim population is educated, enlightened and
engaged they are participating in the nation’s
political and social process thereby positively
contributing to the democratic process. Muslim
participation in American political process is
a fact and not a matter of speculation and it
will continue.
“Can a devout Muslim
be an American patriot and loyal citizen?”
10). Spiritually, no. Because when we declare
“one nation under God” the Christian’s
God is a Triune God while the Muslim’s is
one entity called “Allah”, who is
never a Heavenly Father, nor is he ever called
“Love” in the 99 excellent names.
Rev. Shorrosh displays great insensitivity not
only for Muslim feelings but for Jewish ones as
well. Yet is Rev. Shorrosh going to paint American
Jews with the same brush of treason because they
refuse to worship a “Triune God”?
How about Americans who are not Christian or those
who are Christians (the Unitarians) but do not
ascribe to the doctrine of the Trinity? How about
Buddhist, Hindu or atheist Americans? Was our
founding father Thomas Jefferson, and avowed Deist,
less than a true patriot? America is a land of
many faiths and it always has been. The theological
variety among America’s citizenry has never
been a criterion for good or bad citizenship.
The fact that Rev. Shorrosh would even claim such
an un-American thing can maybe allow us to call
into question his loyalty to this great nation
and the values it stands for.
It is clear from my refutation of these ill-informed
claims that Muslim Americans have a religious
responsibility to toil for goodness and for the
uplift of their nation. By being loyal to their
homeland Muslim Americans are following the Qur’anic
injunction “Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger
and those in authority among you.” (Qur’an
4:59). Alongside this the Qur’an instructs
Muslims to honor any covenant they may have entered
into (like the oath of naturalization) and fulfill
such agreements (Qur’an 5:1). Immigrant
Muslims are especially bound to this contract
that secured them entry into the country. They
are in general bound by the Qur’anic injunction:
“Comply with your covenants.” (Qur’an
48:10) Everyone who lives in any civilized society
is bound by that nation’s civil laws.
In spite of the negative evaluation of the Muslim
contribution to human civilization and the inconsistent
character of the modern-day Islamophobes, we are
confident that America’s Muslim citizens
are indeed trustworthy, upright and sincere in
their loyalty to this expansive and munificent
nation. Once these dark clouds of war and suspicion
are long past, the West will find in Islam and
its practitioners great allies, benefactors, and
friends on the road of human progress. We Muslims
are here in America to write a new chapter of
the history of our nation which, God willing,
will open new chapter in East-West and North-South
dialogue.
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