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Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah - the empire strikes back...
2007. All Rights Reserved.
What up Ah-Kees and Ah-Kettes?! What the dilly yo’? Whats the word on the street (or the masjid)? How ya’ll livin’? Whuts good ya’ll? What’s poppin‘? What’s crack-a-lackin’? (don’t worry … its out of my system now)
Well, it appears that I’ve been away for a while. Yep. I know. The two of you who actually bother to visit this pathetic-excuse-for-a-blog might have actually noticed. The rest of you likely don’t care - and I don’t blame you one bit! To put it in a nutshell … this blog sucks. I really mean that. I hate it. Sometimes I hate this blog with a passion. Actually, I’ve even come to hate blogging and bloggers to be quite honest.
As far as this steaming piece-o-crap blog is concerned … I suppose that I have simply lost focus and direction. Blogging no longer means what it once did for me (at least I think it meant something). I actually used it as a release mechanism of sorts - an eOutlet if you will. I think I began blogging either because I felt that I actually had an opinion that mattered (I was obviously way off the mark on that), or perhaps that I could actually “make a difference” (what a bunch of pie in the sky BS that was), or I simply could have been bored (and therefore lacked anything else better to do … yes … I am aware that makes me a loser).
I don’t know if I want to blog anymore. Seriously, what’s the point? There are simply too many damn bloggers out there - especially in the Muslim blogosphere - and I jumped on the bandwagon too damn late. My sheer laziness is also a likely reason why I am not actively blogging at the moment. When I commit to something I usually go all our … or I just give up (which is often the case). I’m an all or nothing kinda guy I suppose.
What has really perturbed me as of late is my disappointment and disgust toward the entire damn Muslim blogosphere. Yep, you read that correctly. The entire damn Muslim blogosphere (with the exception of a couple of you out there - and you know who you are)! There is a profound and overwhelming ignorance about our Deen that has become a reality and has exploded onto the internet. When takes a moment to consider the impact of the digital revolution - the blog (and the net in general)- has become the new battle ground. Or maybe it’s no longer new.
Muslims seem to care more about slogans and senseless campaigns these days - rather than dealing with issues of any substance. I recently came across such nonsense in the form of a misguided campaign titled “Wear Your Keffiyah Day” that intended to send some kind of message to Dunkin Donuts for its corporate decision to pull an ad with Rachel Ray. In the advertisement, Ray wore what appeared to be an Arab head scarf (Keffiyah or Kuffiyah) and far right-wing bloggers took notice.
What the hell? Are you sh**ing me? Are you people really being serious with this stick-it-to-the-man kinda crap? Frankly, I’d still rather put my support behind Dunkin Donuts instead of this ridiculous campaign. If this is the kind of mindless drivel that we are going to promote on the Muslim blogosphere…then I want no part of it! At least Dunkin Donuts provides society with a real service in the form of DONUTS! You campaign organizers can keep your nationalism and cultural mumbo-jumbo to your damn selves!
So that is where I am at the moment. Disgusted with everything.
yep. disgusted. that’s about it.
…hmmm…
still disgusted…
p.s. I forgot to mention that my disgust also includes the following: self proclaimed “moderate” Muslims, Innovators of any description, Sufis, Shia, Hamzah Yusuf Hanson, Nuh Keller, the whole Zaytuna gang, Habib Ali Jiffri, Yusuf “the Cat” Stevens, nationalistic Muslims, Ikhwaanees, Neo-Salafees (Madakhilaah - SPUBS/TROID), secular Muslims (whatever the hell that means), media whores, MAS, ISNA, ICNA, Dar al Hijrah, ADAMS, Deobandees, Asharees, Maturidees, Muslim boy bands, Muslim comedians, etc.
Posted by abu ameerah on Saturday, February 23, 2008
Unfortunately there are those within the Ummah today who feel it is their job - nay - it is their calling to blame Muslims for just about everything in the world. I like to refer to them as the “blame-Muslims-first” crowd. Now, I must admit, I like blaming Muslims for just about everything as much as the next guy… but … when these folks make it a habit of running with rumors and blindly accepting whatever a biased (western) media has to say (on every issue possible concerning Izzlam/Mozzlems/the Middle East/A-rabs/whatever) — I find myself getting more than a little irritated.
I know what you’re thinking … okay… uhhh … actually I don’t know what you’re thinking. However, let us assume (for arguments sake) that - LIKE ME - you enjoy blaming Muslims for a lot of things. Fun isn’t it? Yeah, I know. I particularly enjoy making fun of nationalistic Muslim immigrants who seem to bring all of their back-home garbage to the US. Idiots - pure and simple.
I also enjoy mocking any kind of nationalist Muslim. I essentially look at it this way … I don’t take pride in my heritage/culture and neither should you. I don’t give a damn about what “your people” did many moons ago … or what leaders your nation(s) gave rise to … or in what wars the sons of your nation died. I simply don’t care. I would rather organize my sock drawer, listen to endless hours of bluegrass, or watch reruns of the Britney Spears/Kevin Federfag reality show that aired some time ago, than listen to one minute of such crap. So … it should be clear to the reader … that I don’t hold back on Muslims. When we screw up — and we often do — I won’t hesitate to admit it. I simply choose to do so by putting things into context (something that many of us have completely forgotten about) and to consider the source where I am getting my information from.
Let us look at one such case where some Muslims have chosen to run with media garbage propaganda and consequently look kinda silly for doing it. Does anyone remember the story sensationalist media propaganda about the retarded Iraqi female bombers?
This was a joke from the beginning and had a FOX Noise quality stench about it. It reminded me somewhat of that rumor - that some in the media were pointing to as fact - of female terrorists who were stuffing (either by manual insertion or through surgical implantation) explosives inside of their wombs or genital cavities (poon in scientific terms) so as not to be detected by security personnel at airports. As the story rumor went, these evil Mozzzlem female terrorists were supposed to detonate their poontastic explosives aboard commercial aircraft thus snuffing out the lives of beautiful white people and their little white babies. Oh the horror! Well it turned about to be nothing but crap … and like much of the crap that comes out of the bowels of media in this country the rumor was eventually flushed away and only managed to come back as diarrhea on FOX Noise a few more times.
Posted by abu ameerah on Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Where do contemporary Neo-Traditionalists find the nerve to attack Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah (mainstream Muslims & Scholars alike) with serious accusations of shirk when one of their most famous figures, Ibn Arabi (the deviant mystic), is clearly guilty of such crimes? How about al Hallaj (kaffir mystic)? Rumi, where he states, “I am God.”? Until, and unless, we have real intellectual honesty — and clarity — amongst Muslim scholars (on a whole host of issues including Aqeedah) … I find that “pacts” of any description will easily be rendered meaningless.
Posted by abu ameerah on Friday, September 14, 2007
A new French book is aimed at Muslims fasting during the month of Ramadan. The purpose of this book is to encourage healthy eating so that Ramadan, the month of fasting, does not become the month of feasting (and unnecessary weight gain). I think this book is brilliant! There should be similar books written and distributed by medical professionals throughout the Muslim world. I should be the first person in line to buy this book…
Posted by abu ameerah on Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Have you ever wanted to find answers to some of the most important questions confronting mankind? Do you ever wonder what you’re life means in the grand cosmic scheme of things? Have you ever pondered the meaning of life itself? Have you ever been visited by Extraterrestrial beings? Is George W. Bush really that stupid? Is the the purple Teletubby (Tinky Winky) really gay?
Anyway, do yourself a favor and check it out — if you haven’t already done so. Real Islamic scholars (Sh. Yasir Qadhi and Sh. Yaser Birjas) will be taking YOUR questions so feel free to give it to ‘em … Full-Force!
Posted by abu ameerah on Saturday, August 11, 2007
This following is SouthPark’s humorous take on the beliefs of Scientology, a religion cult founded created by L. Ron Hubbard. While the the creators of SouthPark have relied on the use of humor, to expose some of the obsurd beliefs held by Scientology, they are 100% correct in their presentation of the facts. This is exactly what members the brainwashed zombie masses who adhere to Scientology actually believe! Anyone who follows SouthPark (and believe-it-or-not I do not follow the program and neither would I recommend anyone else watch it) will also remember that Issac Hayes, a member zombie in the Cult of Scientology, left the animated series over a dispute with the creators of the popular series. Basically, the creators of SouthPark have repeatedly mocked Scientology (since they know so much about it) … this angered Hayes who eventually chose to leave the program.
Just came back from the Masjid and it was … well … uhhhhhhh…..
What more can I say? At least I found parking this time. Yep. That’s about it. All I can honestly say that I enjoyed about going to Masjid for salat al Jumuah was the parking.
Yep. That’s more like it. “Beef” … kinda like this …
Beef – [beef] noun, plural beeves [beevz]
–noun
1.
the flesh of a cow, steer, or bull raised and killed for its meat.
2.
an adult cow, steer, or bull raised for its meat.
3.
Informal.
a.
brawn; muscular strength.
b.
strength; power.
c.
weight, as of a person.
d.
human flesh.
4.
Slang.
a.
a complaint.
b.
an argument or dispute.
–verb (used without object)
5.
Slang. to complain; grumble.
Beef? Beef? Who got Beef? Well it seems that a certain blogger, earlier this week, fired what may have been the opening salvo — if you will — in a tit-for-tat internet brawl that only the creators of Myspace and “Who Wants To Marry A Millionaire” could have have come up with. This is a “beef” … but not the kind that is for dinner … more like the kind that has the potential to result in internet jaw-jockeying and a whole lot of “he-said, he-said” nonsense. No, this isn’t an “East Coast / West Coast” thing. It isn’t a Biggie vs. Pac thing (actually if it was…Umar would have to be Tupac and I would have to be the Notorious BIG since I’m packin’ the pounds if you know what I saying).
Anyway, it seems that brother Umar Lee had a conniption earlier this week after reading a post that I had written in reference to the whole Lal Masjid fiasco in Pakistan. Well, wouldn’t you know, after reading the post (and focusing only upon a small portion toward the end) Brother Umar had to respond and…well…um…he GAVE-IT! He gave it FULL FORCE … without warning … without any hesitation … without any reservations whatsoever. He didn’t alert the townspeople of his assault. He didn’t bother giving the women and children time to disembark from the ship. He didn’t even allow the elderly & physically handicapped the time needed to don lifejackets and safely board lifeboats. No, instead he just GAVE IT! He literally gave it Godzilla style. Only in this case … he (Umar Lee) represents Bloggerzilla and I am merely the helpless nation of Japan trying to flee from impending doom.
Well Umar Lee, it seems that you’ve achieved your goal of doing what amounts to a digital drive-by (or an uppercut at the very least) … how ’bout I respond now that some of the hype (or something to that effect) has died down? Actually, I will simply be responding for the sake of clarification Inshallah, and not in the “in-your-face”/accusatory kind of manner, the way you did. There are two reasons for my taking a different approach: 1) I have no desire to be pulled down any further into the mud … as it appears that this is where you and a select cadre made up some of your most rabid supporters and fellow Muslim blog leaders seem to fester 2) I don’t want to add much more “noise” to a situation that could have otherwise (had you chosen) been handled much differently.
So, one might ask, what makes a leading Muslim blogger like Umar Lee with a Technorati ranking of 37,274 come all the way down (to create some mess) to the level of a novice like myself boasting apathetic an atrocious/disgusting/offensive Technorati ranking of 218,155?
Could it be:
a) Anger
b) Revenge
c) Ignorance of the Islamic etiquette in dealing with others when one believes that he/she has been wronged
d) All of the above.
Allah (Azza wa’Jall) knows best, and I would rather not speculate, yet it may be that an online culture of shooting-off at the mouth (to personally attack and denigrate others) and ego may have a lot to do with it. In other words, perceived self-importance at its very worst, if you will. Nonetheless, I was called a number of names and personally attacked by brother Umar Lee, albeit in grade school fashion. I could have simply chosen to keep my mouth shut … allowed the accusations to stand … and just let the big-bad Muslim blog leader get away with it. But, why should I? Am I somehow bound not to respond according to the sacred Law of our Creator (AWJ)? If Umar Lee can hold opinions (and make them known in such a public manner) … why shouldn’t I be able to express my opinions or at least respond to such an attack? What to do? Oh, what to do?
The fact of the matter is that I do intend to respond, inshallah. And away we go…
Umar Lee writes:
“This is what I was thinking about before brother Abu Ameerah, someone who has been repeatedly critical of my writing and written in a pretentious way of the kind of religious “know it all guy” everyone hates to be around, tried to covertly attack Tariq Nelson and myself. In other words, more pompous than pious in his writing.”
“He did not mention either of us by name but anyone who has read what we have written knows who he is talking about and he should have been a man and showed a little courage and just came out and said it instead of doing what is the equivalent to punching a guy in the back and then running before he can turn around and that is the difference between Abu Ameerah and myself; I do not hide behind false pieties and I say what I mean and mean what I say and if I think something I come right out and say it.”
“There may be some truth in this that American-Muslims are often promoted to be a public face for Muslims in America; but more often than not you will find masjids in America ran by people who cannot clearly speak the English language, do not understand the society they live in, and have a whole host of cultural baggage they try and pass off as Islam.”
“There is a saying in English “attack the message not then messenger” and I think that is what Abu Ameerah is doing with Tariq and myself and what is the root of his anger? The root of this that this brother adheres to a “back home” mentality of ignoring problems and not speaking of them and hoping they will go away and if they cannot go away then making a conspiracy to explain them away and that is his cultural baggage. He is more than happy to point out the faluts in others but as soon as someone points a finger and those near to him he gets this mentality.”
“This was first on display when he, along with a few others, accused me of being a Sufi, with no evidence to the claim, during my Rise and Fall of the Salafi Dwah series, and then AA himself basically accused me of being a liar and saying I did not see what I did see but was too cowardly to come right out and say it and the root of his anger was that I was talking about things which he felt should have been ignored and not discussed. Well, sorry akh, I am not shutting up, and your little Internet rants do not impress me, and if you want to shut me up you will have to kill me and I think all of your homeboys who could do the killing are busy doing stupid stuff in Kashmir and blowing themselves up in Pakistan in order to overthrow the corrupt ruler of a falied state created more than a half-century ago by a British puppet.”
1. “…someone who has been repeatedly critical of my writing…“
Hmmm…let’s see. How many times have I been “critical” of your writing? You could probably count the number of times on one hand (likely minus the thumb) if you wanted. In terms of your actual style of writing (grammar & mechanics) … I don’t see much of a problem. However, I think it wouldn’t hurt you to use the spellchecker that wordpress offers.
2. “…written in a pretentious way of the kind of religious “know it all guy” everyone hates to be around…“
I, too, could think of quite a few…shall we say…colorful adjectives to describe you and your blog right about now akhi. Also, today is Yawm al-Jumuah so I’ll do my best to refrain, inshallah. A”religious know-it-all guy” … Moi? I have usually refrained from getting into religious debates with you or your supporters as this ultimately serves no purpose. Also, I think others that actually take your blog seriously have gotten into it with you much worse (in terms of religious matters) akhi.
3. “…tried to covertly attack Tariq Nelson and myself.“
Wow! “Covertly” huh? Was this some kind of CIA sponsored black-op akhi? Get your mind out of conspiracy theory land and try writing something of substance for once. Allow me to be clear on this: When I sat down to write the original post I had no idea what your opinion on the Lal Masjid situation was (and neither would I have cared frankly). I know it is hard akhi … but I want you to keep in mind that THE WORLD DOES NOT REVOLVE AROUND YOU! I realize that I have, unfortunately, commented on your blog in the past. Yet…both you and the blog are really of no consequence to the vast majority of Muslims who do not live for the “Jihad of Umar”. In other words…the world is full of so much more than simply your inane observations. Don’t take it too hard akhi…I tried to break it to you as gently as I could. Here’s a tissue.
4. “…more pompous than pious in his writing…“
My writing is “pompous” akhi? LOL… Have you taken a hard look at your own writing recently? Well, akhi, hate to break it to you … but … the overly opinionated and culturally chauvinistic tone that you have demonstrated in your writing is quite clearly on display and available for all of your many readers to see. The way in which you deal with (and obsess over) issues of race, ethnicity, nationality, and culture is rife with a sense of an “Us vs. Them” notion amongst fellow believers of all people. Well, I suppose that I would be a more pious individual if I did an analysis of The Sopranos … or if I wrote about the movie 300 … or if I made reference to a skanky model in my blog. Sound familiar? It’s that good ‘ole fashion moderate Muslim piety on display, right?! TASTY!
5. “…he should have been a man and showed a little courage and just came out and said it…“
I won’t attack your manhood akhi … but if attacking others and lacking adab in dealing with believers is in any way the mark of a man … then YOU DA’ MAN akhi! YOU DA’ MAN! Allow me to make mention, once again, that the original post was NOT directed toward you! I was merely recalling my own dealings with Muslims in organizations that I have been a part of. Also, as we will see later on … you accuse me of calling you are Sufi. How could I have the courage to do that (which I did not) and yet I would not have the courage to call you out on my own blog? Makes no sense if you ask me.
6. “I do not hide behind false pieties and I say what I mean and mean what I say and if I think something I come right out and say it.”
Nope! No sir! You don’t “hide”. You just rudely go on the attack without giving a brother the benefit of the doubt. I mean … you could have simply dropped me an email. However, I suppose that wouldn’t have garnered the attention and smack-down controversy you were looking for. I mean, if it is your intention to be the Don Imus of the Muslim blogosphere … then go ahead be my guest!
Hey Umar, am I hiding now?
7. “…I think that is what Abu Ameerah is doing with Tariq and myself and what is the root of his anger?”
Again…I go back to the point. How did you know that I was attacking either you or Br. Tariq Nelson? I suppose, you know what is in the hearts of the believers? How can you be sure that I was attacking you? If there was a doubt … couldn’t you have emailed me … or left a comment (in the Lal Masjid posting) for me to respond to?
8. “…this brother adheres to a “back home” mentality of ignoring problems and not speaking of them and hoping they will go away and if they cannot go away then making a conspiracy to explain them away and that is his cultural baggage.”
You have beaten the “back home mentality” point to death akhi. You seem to use it quite often. Particularly, when brothers/sisters disagree with you on a point or simply with the way in which you dealt with a particular issue. I don’t think this tactic works with me akhi. I hold the same citizenship and nationality as you akhi. My skin tone (and that of my parents) may differ from yours … but that doesn’t mean that I ascribe to some kind of convoluted “back home” mentality as you have asserted. See, akhi, my “back home” is right here … just like you … I have nowhere else to go at the moment. My point, akhi, is that as Muslims we should use hikmah in dealing with situations … rather than resorting to a Jerry Springer style airing of the dirty the laundry so to speak.
Since we are on the topic of “cultural baggage” akhi, I think that you should also deal with your baggage. Unfortunately your baggage seems to permeate nearly every post you write about issues related to Muslims (either foreign or native born).
9. “He is more than happy to point out the faluts in others but as soon as someone points a finger and those near to him he gets this mentality.”
I was thinking the same about you akhi. Small world isn’t it?! LOL
10. “…accused me of being a Sufi, with no evidence to the claim, during my Rise and Fall of the Salafi Dwah series…“
When did I ever (directly) accuse of you of being, or refer to you as, a Sufi? I thought the “Rise and Fall…” series was somewhat of a joke … but beyond that I never recall having called you a Sufi. What would be wrong if someone were to call you a Sufi anyway? Do you have something against Sufis? Try to be more clear akhi.
11. “…and then AA himself basically accused me of being a liar…“
Don’t give me “basically” … that nonsense. Did I actually refer to you as a liar? If I did … the bring the proof akhi. I do recall disagreeing with you that you were a regular attendee of The Center for Islamic Information and Education (Dar al Arqam). I know that you attended the dars a number of times as I would often see you there. Once in particular you were telling a group of us brothers sitting on the floor (including Shiekh Ali), after Salat al Isha, about your travels to Israel. I specifically remember that you made mention of the fact that the Israeli authorities did not harass you while you on the actual trip.
12. “…the root of his anger was that I was talking about things which he felt should have been ignored and not discussed.”
Uhhh…No. I have simply disagreed with the central argument that you made in “The Rise and Fall…” series, akhi. That in no way means that I’m in favor of sweeping critical matters (that impact Muslim) beneath the rug — no matter how many times you say to the contrary.
13. “…I am not shutting up, and your little Internet rants do not impress me…“
No one has told you to shut up…even though it seems we’re getting close to that point. Also, what do you call your post about me? If not a “rant” … then was it some kind of UN fact finding mission report? Furthermore, nothing you do or have done up to this point has impressed me “akh” … and I could care less what newspaper you rant write for or what radio show you go on.
14. “…if you want to shut me up you will have to kill me…“
You have also used this line in one of your blog postings before. Only then, you seemed to want terrorists or Iraqis with “sharp knives” and bombs to kill you. Is it me or does someone have a death wish? The fact of the matter is that nobody is trying to kill you akhi. Well, I don’t know how many people you’ve managed to irritate in St. Louis or NYC … so
