Whose Independence Are You TRULY Glorifying?

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem - As salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu yaa Muslimeen Alhamdulillaah, wa'asalaatu wa salaam 'ala rasoolillaah wa ba'ad. I wanted to express in this passage I wrote - please understand the severity of our actions, when we feel that something is harmless but in fact is the most harmful action. Even a corruption which we feel is minor, can have a long-lasting effect on our Islam, in our eeman, in our ibaadah to Allaah.

Muslims in the West in a diverse society - are subjected to many different cultures, holidays and celebrations, glorifying traditions absent of upholding value or meaning. We have developed a numbness to the demoralizing characters of the non-believers around us, choosing to accept or adopt their beliefs into Islam - using varying excuses to justify their need - in an effort of "dawah", choosing to take on a "non-extremist" or "progressive" approach to Islam, or other feeble foul excuses tainting the purity of al-Islaam. Were we not given perfection of deen? The completion of our religion, directly from Allaah subhanahu wa ta’ala... so indeed, how is it that we as imperfect humans, deficient in our behavior and actions, seek to justify our lowly “traditions” in place of practicing the most perfect way of life? “This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed my favor on you and chosen for you Islaam as a religion.” Surah al-Ma'idah 5:3

Culture is beautiful, it makes us diverse, it allows us to adapt uniquely and inclusively with all societies with offerings that benefit us and our Islaam - it has given us varieties of foods, animals, textures, furniture, education and more. Yet when your desire to partake in culture overrides the necessity to follow the orders set by Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala in your Islaam, one cannot help but assume the priorities are out of order.

"If you disbelieve, then verily, Allâh is not in need of you, He likes not disbelief for His slaves. And if you are grateful (by being believers), He is pleased therewith for you. No bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, so He will inform you what you used to do. Verily, He is the All-Knower of that which is in (men's) breasts." Surah az-Zumar 39:7

Those seeking to participate in July 4th - the United States' Independence Day - functions of "patriotic" celebrations, honoring a country's "independence". This practice is PATRIOTISM, NATIONALISM, CULTURALISM. This is the ideology of what Independence Day is based on. Where is the Sunnah? Not a summer enjoyment of school ending; nor a weekend of barbecues, days off work and parades. It is patriotism - by definition - the love and devotion to one's country, the willingness to give your life for country and it's freedoms, devotion to the welfare and service to your country. Only that faith, devotion, dedication and willingness which Allaah azza wa jal Alone without partner is deserving.

Patriotism, placing us closely towards shirk, blindly following the kuffar in their meaningless celebrations and gatherings. Harming ourselves and our families, our children whose actions are reflective of the parents. We, incomplete and fallible humans vehemently denying the commandment of Allaah for our own selfish endeavors and justify with faulty and unworthy excuses... but what excuses will we use on yawm'ul qiyyamah? "And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger, sallallaahu alayhi wa salaam, after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers' way. We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell - what an evil destination." Surah an-Nisa 4:115

Quick history lesson: July 4th marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence... whose independence? The Independence of the United States from rule of the United Kingdom "Queendom and Parliament". Now, a slight Historian error, as the resolution of the Declaration of Independence was actually finalized by on the 2nd of July, after various sparring assumptions amongst officials (Thomas Jefferson, John Adams et. al)... needless to say, the latter date stuck. The year was 1776... make note of this.. as slavery wasn't abolished until December 1865, legally by the 13th amendment. Minding, this is not a racial discussion; not only Africans were taken and brought as slaves to this country - Europeans of German, Scottish, Irish, et.al. descent were also brought over as indentured servants, as well as several Native American tribes forced into slavery. So, I question whose independence?

African Americans were not full citizens until after the civil war and it took until 1870 (94 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed) for African Americans to be able to vote. Asian Americans were barred from becoming citizens in 1790 through the Naturalization Act. Mexican Americans were finally given citizenship after the Mexican American War in 1848 (remember the Alamo?). AND in 1890, The Indian Naturalization Act gives... (wait for it)... Native Americans citizenship... by an application process, of course! It wasn't until 1920, due to the 19th Amendment that women, had the right to vote in the United States. This is no promotion for voting, I personally don't do it and think it has no place in Islam - especially in the matter of voting people into office who follow what is in opposition to Islam. That, however, is for another discussion. This was to show that even when the "so-called" Independence was presented for the American people... it was not presented for ALL people.  So, I question again, whose independence?

For years women were viewed as partial citizens with partial rights and this is not entertaining the unworthy liberal movements made by American women for feminism, but to recognize that it was not the United States that gave us our independence, in fact it is Islaam who has raised our status to one as respected individuals. Even among Christian authorities and still under British law, women were viewed as subhuman and unworthy - St. Jerome, 4th century Latin father of the early Christian Church stated that "Woman is the gate of the devil, the path of wickedness, the sting of the serpent, in a word a perilous object." In United States views of women - well they speak for themselves - it wasn't until 1854 that the United States allowed for women to own any material property separate from their husbands - it was called "Equity law".  Also (historically verified) a pregnant widow did not have rights to her child in her womb, the unborn child became part of the deceased father's estate and taken from the arms of the mother to whomever was executor of estate until other members of the "father's" family came to claim the child. Islaam had rectified the affairs of the unfair treatment of women hundreds of years prior.. whose independence are we celebrating?

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We should also take into account that we are not even to congratulate the people, participate in their activities or even wish them well during their holidays because it shows approval of their actions and their actions are kufr. “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islaam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers” Surah al Imran 3:85

and

Ibn ul Qayyim said: “Congratulating the kuffaar on the rituals that belong only to them is haraam by consensus, as is congratulating them on their festivals and fasts by saying ‘A happy festival to you’ or ‘May you enjoy your festival,’ and so on. If the one who says this has been saved from kufr, it is still forbidden. It is like congratulating someone for prostrating to the cross, or even worse than that. It is as great a sin as congratulating someone for drinking wine, or murdering someone, or having illicit sexual relations, and so on. Many of those who have no respect for their religion fall into this error; they do not realize the offensiveness of their actions. Whoever congratulates a person for his disobedience or bid’ah or kufr exposes himself to the wrath and anger of Allaah” Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah

In an immoral society where debauchery and desire prevail and modesty and humbleness is looked down upon as being meek, weak, tender and gullible what is our incessant attraction to the emulation of the disbelievers?

“Whoever imitates a folk is but among them.” Abu Dawud in al-Libaas. This includes but is not limited to: Purchasing fireworks, entertaining the parades and partaking within the festivities of the crowds and masses. It is best to avoid their rites and characteristics on these days.

****On a side note I can't even begin to imagine why anyone could or would glorify America/The United States... this atrocious, mindless, capitalist... *ahem* democratic society... Land of the Farce, Home of the Destitute. I've been here my entire life and can't begin to imagine that the Land of milk and honey still have citizens who suffer through homelessness, lack of proper care and hygeine, poverty, famine, discrimination, hatred, slander, societal heirarchies AND that people still want to live here or even model their societies after. Yes, I know... I could always leave right? In due time, qadr Allaahu wa maa shaa fa'ala. Iqra, know your history, educate yourselves Islamically and academically.

The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa salaam said: “Indeed the cure for ignorance is to ask” hasan as related by Abu Dawood (332), Ibn Majah (464) and Ahmad (1/380) and declared to be hasan by Shaykh al-Albaani in as-Sahihah (4323).

Last but most certainly not least, our independence is through submission to Allaah Al Wahid, Al Khaliq, Al Bari. Oh Allaah please soften our hearts to your words in full obedience and sincere tawbah in our transgressions of your commandments. Oh Allaah remove the stains of jahiliyyah from our hearts and allow our tongues to increase in worship to you. Oh Allaah allow us to hear and obey what you have obligated and be satisfied with your decree - what is good and bad of it. Ameen yaa Rabb.