FAQ

The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) advised Muslims to be one united body that should be feeling for each other. Islam also describes the body of Muslims as one Ummah who share common belief and common goals and aspirations.

MAS believes that all Muslims around the world, are part of one Ummah, or one body, who have obligations and duties towards each other, and the entire world. This feeling towards the Ummah is part of a circle of obligations and relations to many other circles. For instance, Muslims have duties towards themselves, family, neighbors, society, other Muslims, and the entire world.

Therefore, Muslims in America, MAS included, have an obligation towards Muslims all over the world. This obligation includes assisting the poor, advocating for justice, and being a role model for them.

Islam teaches that a Muslim’s obligation towards his immediate surroundings takes a higher priority over more distant communities. As such, we believe that American Muslims, MAS included, have a deep and binding obligation towards our fellow Americans. Therefore it is our priority to work for the benefit of America, over other global obligations. For instance, engaging in the American society, advocating for social justice in America, and delivering a clear message about Islam in America, takes priority in the goals of MAS over other important international goals. We believe that both priorities can be achieved within a balance.

Hence, while the focus of MAS work is domestic, we are also concerned with international issues. We are guided in this case by universal Islamic values of compassion, justice, peace, and global brotherhood.

There are 3 main types of constants in MAS methodology: fixed, tried and true, and the current practices.

The fixed category of constants are untouchable and not subject to change. These include the five pillars of faith, the 6 pillars of creed, what is considered halal (permissible) and haram (prohibited), essential moral principles, and the obligation of societal reform (enjoining good and forbidding evil), including social justice.

The tried and true category includes elements that have “withstood the test of time.” This includes things like personal development (tarbiya), organized work, gradual change, and working across ethnic and socio-economic barriers (no ethno-centricity or elitism).

The current practices are constant because we have made them so for now. This includes the tools, means and structures through which the above two categories are practiced or achieved. Items in this category are constant only because we want them to be. In this category are organizational structures, educational mechanisms and tools (study circles, courses, etc.), curricula and books that we adopt as educational materials, or even material (other than Quran and Sunnah) that we use as a foundation of our thought.

The first two types should remain constant through time, but items in the third category should undergo regular revision by MAS.

MAS encourages all members to seek sound fiqhi opinions and study fiqh to be able to understand and practice Islam in their lives. Furthermore, MAS encourages the promotion of knowledgeable scholars who are deeply rooted in Islamic sciences, and have a deep understanding of the American context and the application of Islam here.

MAS does not generally enforce or promote any specific approach to fiqh. However, in those areas where the organization does deem it necessary to adopt a particular fiqhi opinion, all members are expected to follow those decisions. MAS leadership makes organizational decisions within the bounds of sound fiqhi opinions, in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah.

Islam is a universal religion that accepts the uniqueness and differences present in any culture, while correcting any wrongs. Muslims also bear a distinct identity emanating from their religious teachings. America is a pluralistic society and holds freedom of religion and expression as one of its founding values-there is nothing in American citizenship that contradicts a Muslim’s religious identity. By being model citizens who are loyal to their country, Muslims are serving the cause of Islam and contributing to the formation of a cohesive American Muslim identity.

Islam is practiced within a culture, and not in a vacuum. MAS believes that people can practice Islam while keeping their cultural practices unless they specifically contradict Islamic teachings or the law of the land. MAS views this as a very important aspect of taking Islam to different communities and groups. We discourage the practice of people changing their culture, thinking that the adoption of another culture, Arab or otherwise, is more Islamic. This hinders Islam from becoming a natural choice for people.

In actualizing its mission and vision, MAS advises American Muslims to achieve a reasonable level of cultural competency, i.e. to be able to interact effectively with people of different cultures. This requires some level of understanding of the cultures we interact with. Furthermore, MAS advises American Muslims to be aware of the difference between religious teachings and cultural practices so as not to alienate people by making one culture dominant over another.

MAS is an active membership organization, and is open to every Muslim American, and stands ready to work with all people of conscience to serve the common good. Three factors guide our promotion and recruitment efforts: quantity, quality (character and expertise), and diversity (gender, ethnicity, age). We aim to strike a balance among these three aspects. Our goal with respect to diversity is to move towards a membership that reflects the diversity in American society. We define diversity by various measures, including gender, ethnicity, age, socio-economic status, thinking and mindset, and skill set.

We believe that societal reform to improve the lives of all citizens is mandatory upon all Muslims, and can only be fulfilled through participation in all aspects of society, including the political. Hence we believe in political participation to enable societal reform.

The scale of liberalism to conservatism from left to right does not apply to us. We are aligned with causes and not specific parties or directions.

Islam permits us to cooperate with any individual or organization with which we share some common goals to achieve societal benefit. However, we will not partner with an organization if the relationship with them will be detrimental to the cause of Islam in America and the greater good.

MAS has no affiliation with any international organizations. MAS is an independent American organization that aims to move people and nurture lifelong God Centered agents of change, striving for a virtuous and just American society. MAS was established by Muslim Americans who envisioned a platform for organizing and positively contributing to American society.

MAS encourages American Muslims to learn the Arabic language to enable a deeper understanding of Islamic sources.

We need to differentiate the use of language in everyday usage versus religious use. Arabic should be used in religious context. However, for everyday use in MAS gatherings and events, English should be our only language. Our everyday interactions and culture need to be open and accessible to all, including non-Arabic speakers. Quoting Quranic verses, Prophetic sayings or scholarly work can be done in Arabic with immediate English translation.

Unity is a religious obligation upon Muslims, as stated in the Quran, Surat al-Imran (3:103): “And hold fast to the rope of Allah together, and be not divided.” Hence, regardless of specific circumstances, Muslims should feel a sense of unity and work towards making it a physical reality. Unity of Muslims should result in their cooperating with one another for the greater good, as stated in surat al-Maidah (5:2): “And help you one another in righteousness and piety.”

Unity is greatly facilitated by a common cause that is too challenging to be achieved without unity, and is important enough to justify the sacrifices for unity. The role of a leading Islamic organization is to identify a rallying call and important bigger goals that can motivate everyone, and demand unity in order to achieve them. We believe that there is no greater call for Muslims than their obligation to call people to God-consciousness and the betterment of society.

MAS believes that no one organization can successfully meet the needs of the American community by itself. We believe in collaborating and establishing partnerships with all those who are interested in working for the greater good. We do not seek to replace others but instead cooperate to work and serve the community in a more effective way. We need each other to achieve greater success. When working with others we follow the rule of cooperating in areas of agreement and excusing each other in areas of disagreement. With our work, we also accommodate differences and celebrate diversity.

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