[hijabihoodlum]

Originally Posted by Haramoobobi

I think this thread's title should change to Who and What Should VTech MSA Represent?

from what i've seen, i think this is relevant to lots of schools.

[Haramoobobi]

Originally Posted by hijabihoodlum

from what i've seen, i think this is relevant to lots of schools.

indeed, but i said it with a humorous light.... on a serious note, this is an intriguing question. Representing Islam...? No one can truly represent Islam and be a "walking Qur'an" ... and if that was the aim then what kind of Islam? Then you start alienating people and that defeats the purpose of MSA, an organization there for their Muslim students in need of a support group and the closest thing to an understanding Islamic/Muslim environment.
By excluding others you make it less likely for them to help your Islamic org (whether MSA or not--as I see this problem not only with MSA's) and thus by not helping the Islamica org it's less likely to help the overall cause of spreading Islam in general (in MSA this is one of the aims: dawah). The goal of an org (whether Islamic or not) is not to create a hierarchy--it should be beyond titles and rather to the cause, to gain the most and spread knowledge. By excluding people that are not on the executive board or categorizing some to be not halal enough, etc. your basically inquiring of people "why are you here" with implemented arrogance and audacity not suitable for any Muslim.

As for leadership.... Islamic leadership is a huge burden. Just imaging the day of Judgment... oye... One who is a leader of an org is not only responsible for their own actions but as well as others in the org while they are the leader. On the Day it is one of the largest burden upon people and will probably be the cause of much demise.

I find much heedlessness in this aspect of MSAs. It's not malicious just unintentional.

Superimposed upon this is that once a leader, you are under the spotlight and microscope. It is a burden beyond description. (But we do have an Islamic obligation to it--but that could be another tangent).
As for those in leadership positions who take a stand to exclude others, it saddens my heart. It is not only a reflection of the MSA (etc) but the Ummah revealing one of it's biggest flaws--that we are not able to share one of the most beautiful of things: Diversity. This is one of Allah's signs.

Chapter 40:

Enter the gates of Hell to dwell therein forever; and how evil is the resort of the arrogant!'(76)
And He shows you His Signs; then which of God's Signs will you deny?(81)

O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a famle, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).
49:13

May Allah forgive me if I have said any wrong or attributed to the wrong things.

[exMember]

salaam

We speak about not limiting MSA membership and not alienating people, but with all that said we still have to keep one thing in mind.

When the "weaker" Muslims that are part of MSA beginning to promote events that are unIslamic, or when meetings and events of the MSA are conducted in an unIslamic manner, the issue needs to be addressed. That is why the leadership of the MSA need to be very careful in how they promote or organize events and meetings. Often, free and unhindered mixing occurs, all for the "sake of MSA". MSA is a Muslim student association, what makes a Muslim is the religion of Islam, hence the MSA members should conduct themselves and their events in a fully legitimate Islamic manner, both amongst each other and with non-Muslims.

[nooni]

Originally Posted by Wolfn

My MSA is having a game night soon. We're going to break out the X-Boxes and play "Halo" and all that stuff.

target practice???
















im kidding!

[Haramoobobi]

Originally Posted by exMember

salaam

We speak about not limiting MSA membership and not alienating people, but with all that said we still have to keep one thing in mind.

When the "weaker" Muslims that are part of MSA beginning to promote events that are unIslamic, or when meetings and events of the MSA are conducted in an unIslamic manner, the issue needs to be addressed. That is why the leadership of the MSA need to be very careful in how they promote or organize events and meetings. Often, free and unhindered mixing occurs, all for the "sake of MSA". MSA is a Muslim student association, what makes a Muslim is the religion of Islam, hence the MSA members should conduct themselves and their events in a fully legitimate Islamic manner, both amongst each other and with non-Muslims.

salaam
I find that a lot of MSAs or Islamic orgs do alienate people so I attempted to address the issue. As for unislamic events or attitudes... this is a touchy and vague concept... unless they are totally out of line. Even if a fellow brother or sister does something wrong I find it completely futile and even destructive to institutionalize conduct. If you truly want to change someone or make them better (by your standards) you must first try to understand them, love them, respect them. It is better and more constructive to be friends for 7 years and then ask your friend to pray then it is to see that they do not get up for prayer when they hear the call and then condemn them.
Humans are precious things,
"Its more enormous in the sight of Allaah that even one drop of Muslim blood should be spilled unjustly than the whole Ka'baah destroyed" ( i am
im gonna rely on memory and say that i remember seeing it in the hadith collection of Tabarani called "Mu'jam al Awsat" (or is it al-Kabir?)<<help!!!

[Haramoobobi]

Originally Posted by Haramoobobi

"Its more enormous in the sight of Allaah that even one drop of Muslim blood should be spilled unjustly than the whole Ka'baah destroyed" ( i am
im gonna rely on memory and say that i remember seeing it in the hadith collection of Tabarani called "Mu'jam al Awsat" (or is it al-Kabir?)<<help!!!

yeah it is recorded by Tabarani in his Mu'jam al-Awsat, on the authority of Ibn 'Amr

edit:
my friend just told me it is also related by
by Bayhaqi in Shu'ab al-Iman thru Ibn 'Abbas
and Uqayli from Abu Hurayra

[Arabatman]

Asalaamualaikum,

I think MSA should be an all encompasing organization, but the leaders have to be practicing muslims. The rest of the membership will look at them as examples and will always scrutinze the heads. Fact of the matter is, if a president or any other exec does something questionable in his or her life away from MSA, it will show up one way or another amongst the members or board. The members will think that it is ok do such and such since the execs do them. I think MSA should represent all Muslims but that should not mean that you are more lenient with the laws of Allah(SWT). Do not judge the individual members, but also make sure that the events hosted by MSA are islamically sound. Have game room nights, halaqahs, lectures ice cream socials, etc, but make sure the rules of Allah(SWT) are followed. There is no point in having an MSA if we are not going to abide by Allah(SWT)'s commands.

Also on a side note, try to be friends with as many people as you can. Always smile and be polite and lead by example.

Asalaamualaikum,

-Zahid

[hijabihoodlum]

imam magid said 'muslims' to the question.

[Haramoobobi]

Originally Posted by hijabihoodlum

imam magid said 'muslims' to the question.

I forgot to tune in ALhumduillah