Monday, September 13, 2010

Hussein Wario's exposé of Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf

Hussein Wario, raised as a Muslim and intimately acquainted with the esoteric doctrines of Islam, offers an interesting exposé of Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf in "Ground Zero Mosque’s Imam and Tauriyya" (Cracks in the Crescent, September 9, 2010). His detailed analysis of the pretended Sufism of the Imam concludes with this statement:
Imam Abdul Rauf’s recent statements show he knows Islamic teachings but he is exercising Tauriya. There is no such thing in authentic Islam as what he is trying to achieve. It has become very evident he is not a Sufi Muslim. He has been using Sufism as a cover and has just blown it. This man knows very well no one who embraces the Qur’an’s teachings and adheres to Prophet Muhammad’s sayings and deeds can build a bridge with people who believe in human rights and religious freedom. He doesn’t believe in these ideals, just maximizing them to advance his cause of spreading Islam in the West. In the words of a prominent Muslim scholar who, unlike Imam Abdul Rauf, is unashamed of Islamic teachings, “‘Democracy, freedom, and human rights have no place’ in Islam.”

2 comments:

J. Glenn Friesen said...

My friend Charles Strohmer has written an important article, "Truth about the mosque at ground zero." Imam Rauf's Cordoba Initiative is something we should support, not oppose. It aims at inter-faith dialogue among Christians, Jews and Muslims. I was most impressed at what Imam Rauf said in his news conference...
http://www.charlesstrohmer.com/writings/on-international-relations/the-truth-abou...t-the-mosque-at-ground-zero/

Sheldon said...

J. Glenn,

Your link does not work. I am wondering how much you know about Imam Rauf and Islam. Did you read Hussein Wario's piece? Are you acquainted with his published work on Islam beyond his post? Do you know where the money is coming from for the mosque and why?

Whatever your linked article said, and whatever Imam Rauf may have said, you may be sure it was spun for the public consumption of well-meaning and naive political and cultural liberals.

Good will is a wonderful thing. Peace on earth good will toward men is even a Christian thing. But it isn't a contentless thing. It requires specific conditions, just as our Lord in this Sunday's readings praised the dishonest servant for his worldly smarts and as he asks us to be not only innocent as doves but wise as serpents.

The mosque itself is small potatoes. What stands behind it is big. Something so big that wishing things were peachy won't make them so.