It reaches me from time to time that certain people who had personal grievances against me are speaking against me in my absence. Perhaps (just perhaps) I called out their corruption, didn't fulfill their unreasonable demands, didn’t allow them to monopolize the adhan on Jum’ah, or told them to stop packing food for home (or their employees) before people have eaten. These type of cowardly attacks are nothing big for people involved in the field of dawah. In fact, these verbal accusations are insignificant compared to the prison, torture, and exile that many people of knowledge including the Prophets of Allah have gone through.

Anyone who has been in the field of dawah/teaching long enough knows how important it is to have a thick skin. So I just want to make it clear that this doesn't bother me even as much as fly buzzing over my halal cheeseburger.  I am amused that these people cannot forget me even after a long time has passed. One thing they would hate to admit is that It seems that I had a strong impact on their lives. 

Once in a while, the haters stoop to new lows and that might hurt a little the first time. I know for a fact that some of these people have tried multiple times to send misinformation about me into my new community hoping it will cause me some harm. All praise is due to Allah who protected me when I was among them and who continues to protect me. We remind ourselves what Allah (swt) told Prophet Muhammad (saw) when he felt hurt by what the people said about him: "So exalt [ Allah ] with praise of your Lord and be of those who prostrate [to Him]. And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty (death).” (15:98-99)

I am not an angel. I have many sins and very few good deeds. I ask Allah to purify us all. However, the last thing we want to do is to give our good deeds to the one we dislike or take their bad deeds for violating their rights.  So brothers, consider yourself warned.

Also, people who are present when these false accusations are made, sweeping it under the rug is usually the response from most good people. I would like us to consider another approach. How about the next time someone accuses another in his/her absence, instead of sweeping it under the rug, what if we say “We are going to call the brother and ask him what he has to say about your accusation right now. Would you like to take back your words or should we start the verification process?” Knowing the type of people who slander and backbite, they are never brave enough to stand by their false accusations. They are cowards. This will not only shut them up, but also teach a lesson to other people around not to engage in this type of talk. (I do understand that this might not be the best option always because we do not want to fuel the fire.)

Lastly, a common complaint against Imams by people who have a grievance against them is that the Imam is/was “involved in politics.” Similarly, the most common false accusation against masjid management is “there is financial corruption.” If you remember the months and years after 9/11, if someone had a problem with someone else, they would say this person is involved with terrorism. These are the types of accusations that are so hot that one gets arrested first and gets investigated later. That’s exactly what they do with an Imam. 

The funny thing is, the same people who accuse one Imam of being involved in politics, go to another Imam and ask him to come in on their side. If that Imam comes in on their side, he is Sheikh-ul-Islam to them from then on. If he says, you guys are wrong and I am not going to support you, well…you guessed it…. "He is involved in politics.” That’s probably what happened between these guys and the first Imam too.

Just a few thoughts. Now, let me get back to my cheeseburger.