ASA. I’ve been in the central Jersey ecosystem for the last 20 years and have seen this development before my own eyes. I used to go to NBIC when it was a single curtained room and now I bring my kids there.
The real gem of this place is the leadership of the scholars and people of ilm. May God elevate them and keep us close to centers of knowledge like this.
“(nbic] connects to a specific lineage of centuries-old discourse that offers a framework for engaging with modernity without surrendering to it. While NBIC and Dr. Elmasry have become the most visible faces of this revival, they are part of a broader ecosystem. “
I, too, had the all-inclusive Islamic education until age 8 in the USA, but after that, I have had little to no interaction with any masjids anywhere really ever (nothing personal; I've just been very busy, lol, and am not religious, clearly). However, I am both heartened and enlightened to read this. This is exactly the kind of thing that would be happening over time, I guess, but it is still good to see that it is happening!
Amazing read. Central Jersey has one of the best muslim communities I've seen in America. They always had something special going on and it's only getting better.
I think classical Islam is quite intelligible to the text of U.S. constitution, particularly on things like Rule of Law, protection of basic rights, and restraint on executive authority. There's a reason Prophet Muhammad is depicted among great lawgivers on the frieze of the U.S. Supreme Court.
As for Islam being contrary to the history and fundamentals of the U.S... you may have a point, but that says as much about American history as it does about Islam.
Its easy to see that Islam's theocratic setup including dhimmitude status for the kafir is incompatible with the concept of individual liberty. Some quotes from John Quincy Adams:
"...[Mohammed] declared undistinguishing and exterminating war, as a part of his religion, against all the rest of mankind.... The precept of the Quran is, perpetual war against all who deny, that [Mohammed] is the prophet of God.
"The vanquished may purchase their lives, by the payment of tribute. As the essential principle of [Mohammed's] faith is the subjugation of others by the sword; it is only by force, that his false doctrines can be dispelled, and his power annihilated.
Which is what exactly? The freedoms of the US will result in its own destruction? 400 years of European history on the continent erased after 20 years of lax immigration and DEI?
I wouldn't phrase it quite that way, but I would love to here Humzah's take on how to square Islamic principles with the Enlightenment rights structure created by Locke. Locke's structure is deeply rooted in Aquinas natural Law theology (although he's loath to admit it.) One of the things I tell my civics students is that "all men are created equal" is pretty nonsensical outside of a Judeo-Christian framework. (see Will Durant: "nature has not read the Declaration very carefully.")
As one who takes Islamic legal doctrines seriously, how would you go about squaring Locke and Mohammed, Humzah?
Thanks for this question. I’m a bit out of my depth here, so this is just my best attempt. I also want to stress that my essay discusses a revival movement that isn’t centered around political questions like “what is the nature of political authority?” or “what are the rights of the ruler and the ruled?” In fact, many in this movement would critique the Muslim Brotherhood for prioritizing those political questions over more foundational ones like “Who is God?”, “How do we derive religious law?”, and “What is worship?”
More broadly, I’m not trying to argue that Islam and liberalism are fundamentally compatible. But I do think there are mutually intelligible values that emerge from different sources. Locke might describe “natural rights” as rights not granted by government or society, and Islamic doctrines can offer something that can be similarly interpreted as a source for rights that are God-given (see for example Quran 4:1, 30:21, 35:11, 39:6).
Also, on the point about “created in the image of God”, you might be interested in some of the debates among Muslim scholars and philosophers on wahdat al-wujud, or “the unity of existence.” It’s a major area of contention between mystical traditions and more puritanical ones.
Yes, the idea of everyone bearing the image of God is uniquely Judeo-Christian and is uniquely one of the bedrock axioms of the U.S. project. This idea is totally foreign in the Islamic worldview as women and unbelievers are subjugated in practice. See Lebanon as a great example of political Islam put into practice in the modern world and the resulting decline in that nation's civility and prosperity. Most people in the U.S. are ignorant as to the goals of the Islamic ideology, but the Jewish community is a bit more aware of the threat to their peace and safety - at least down the road. Leadership in the U.S. should do all it can to prevent teachings and practices that are contrary to the historic Judeo-Christian bedrock of this nation. Such things should be confronted and banned. Not all of us are ignorant as to the goals of political Islam and their incompatibility with historic U.S. values.
I agree, and that's what I teach my students. But I teach at a classical Christian coop school. So I'm a little biased. I'm very curious how our host views these things.
To be clear, I happen to believe (with Patrick Deneen and others) that the Enlightenment tends to undermine the Judeo-Christian philosophy of man on which it depends, by elevating "maximal individual autonomy" above personal virtue. Aristotle famously claimed that for a society to be capable of collective self-government (democracy) the members must first learn personal self-government (virtue). H was right, but Locke and Mill tend to foster transgression instead of virtue.
While I know Humzah will bristle at my quoting of a Muslim Brotherhood scholar, the decades since his visit have validated many of Sayyid Qutb's criticisms of American culture. In fact, many modern Christians sound very much like him.
Thank you for this, fascinating read. Are there intellectual developments in Islamic thought occuring? Many new sects of Christianity arose on these shores, is the same process of change happening with Islam?
Thank you for your kind words and thoughtful question. There are intellectual developments happening within Islamic thought today, but most of the currents I’m interested in wouldn’t describe themselves as forming new sects in the way we think of Protestant denominations. These movements tend to see themselves not as innovations, but as revivals, so the shifts are discursive rather than doctrinal.
That said, there have been interesting developments in response to growing Muslim populations in the West. One example is a body of legal thought known as “Fiqh al-Aqalliyat,” or jurisprudence of the (Muslim) minorities. This emerged in the late 20th century through scholars based both in the West and the Middle East. It takes up questions like "Can Muslims vote in elections in non-Muslim countries?", "Can they enlist in a Western military?", "Is it permissible to take out a mortgage with interest?".
I wrote a paper in college some years ago that gives an overview of this and profiles some of the influential figures in contemporary Islamic thought that I'd be happy to share if you're interested!
Thanks, that's interesting. Many Protestant sects also started as an attempt to get to the old lost "core" of the Christian faith that had been discarded, corrupted, or wrongly ignored by people in the past. A revival in a way, at least marketing wise, of a new way of practicing and interpreting the faith. It's probably too soon to tell, but that sounds like it may be somewhat congruent to what you're describing. After all, you can't create it all again and still call yourself a Christian or a Muslim. You have keep some tenets of the faith and it's far easier to call it a revival than an innovation.
Yes, I am curious in your paper. Can you send to me?
Hopefully Islamic thought will develop in a direction away from political theocracy as a all-consuming goal and in favor of pluralism but that would be such a fundamental change in ideology that it would really be a whole new religion
You’ve so eloquently explained the evolution of the Central Jersey Muslim community. Thank you. I’m out of state but have been listening to some fantastic thought provoking lectures by a scholar from New Jersey, Dr Hatem Al Haj. What part of Jersey is he from? I really respect his approach to bridging the Sufi/Salafi divide. I also appreciate that he has studied both the secular and religious sciences rigorously (like many of the young people you mentioned).
Unfortunately, I don't know ICMC too well. It is part of the same broad community and I've been to their mosque several times over the years (I think only once since they completed their expansion project). But as you say, it's just a bit too far south from me.
A delightful read, Humzah! Very well written, with great flow and flair. I especially liked the nuances that you not only observed across the three mosques, but also very effectively articulated to the reader. Plus like a keen observer and expositor, your essay keeps the reader in charge to own their takeaways from the piece. Keep writing!
ASA. I’ve been in the central Jersey ecosystem for the last 20 years and have seen this development before my own eyes. I used to go to NBIC when it was a single curtained room and now I bring my kids there.
The real gem of this place is the leadership of the scholars and people of ilm. May God elevate them and keep us close to centers of knowledge like this.
“(nbic] connects to a specific lineage of centuries-old discourse that offers a framework for engaging with modernity without surrendering to it. While NBIC and Dr. Elmasry have become the most visible faces of this revival, they are part of a broader ecosystem. “
Well done!
Great read, thanks
I, too, had the all-inclusive Islamic education until age 8 in the USA, but after that, I have had little to no interaction with any masjids anywhere really ever (nothing personal; I've just been very busy, lol, and am not religious, clearly). However, I am both heartened and enlightened to read this. This is exactly the kind of thing that would be happening over time, I guess, but it is still good to see that it is happening!
Incredible work, Humzah. Proud to see this getting the attention it deserves.
thank you Henry !!!
Amazing read. Central Jersey has one of the best muslim communities I've seen in America. They always had something special going on and it's only getting better.
The ideology of Islam is seditious to the constitution of the U.S. and contrary to the history and fundamentals of the U.S.
I think classical Islam is quite intelligible to the text of U.S. constitution, particularly on things like Rule of Law, protection of basic rights, and restraint on executive authority. There's a reason Prophet Muhammad is depicted among great lawgivers on the frieze of the U.S. Supreme Court.
As for Islam being contrary to the history and fundamentals of the U.S... you may have a point, but that says as much about American history as it does about Islam.
Its easy to see that Islam's theocratic setup including dhimmitude status for the kafir is incompatible with the concept of individual liberty. Some quotes from John Quincy Adams:
"...[Mohammed] declared undistinguishing and exterminating war, as a part of his religion, against all the rest of mankind.... The precept of the Quran is, perpetual war against all who deny, that [Mohammed] is the prophet of God.
"The vanquished may purchase their lives, by the payment of tribute. As the essential principle of [Mohammed's] faith is the subjugation of others by the sword; it is only by force, that his false doctrines can be dispelled, and his power annihilated.
Which is what exactly? The freedoms of the US will result in its own destruction? 400 years of European history on the continent erased after 20 years of lax immigration and DEI?
I wouldn't phrase it quite that way, but I would love to here Humzah's take on how to square Islamic principles with the Enlightenment rights structure created by Locke. Locke's structure is deeply rooted in Aquinas natural Law theology (although he's loath to admit it.) One of the things I tell my civics students is that "all men are created equal" is pretty nonsensical outside of a Judeo-Christian framework. (see Will Durant: "nature has not read the Declaration very carefully.")
As one who takes Islamic legal doctrines seriously, how would you go about squaring Locke and Mohammed, Humzah?
Thanks for this question. I’m a bit out of my depth here, so this is just my best attempt. I also want to stress that my essay discusses a revival movement that isn’t centered around political questions like “what is the nature of political authority?” or “what are the rights of the ruler and the ruled?” In fact, many in this movement would critique the Muslim Brotherhood for prioritizing those political questions over more foundational ones like “Who is God?”, “How do we derive religious law?”, and “What is worship?”
More broadly, I’m not trying to argue that Islam and liberalism are fundamentally compatible. But I do think there are mutually intelligible values that emerge from different sources. Locke might describe “natural rights” as rights not granted by government or society, and Islamic doctrines can offer something that can be similarly interpreted as a source for rights that are God-given (see for example Quran 4:1, 30:21, 35:11, 39:6).
Also, on the point about “created in the image of God”, you might be interested in some of the debates among Muslim scholars and philosophers on wahdat al-wujud, or “the unity of existence.” It’s a major area of contention between mystical traditions and more puritanical ones.
Yes, the idea of everyone bearing the image of God is uniquely Judeo-Christian and is uniquely one of the bedrock axioms of the U.S. project. This idea is totally foreign in the Islamic worldview as women and unbelievers are subjugated in practice. See Lebanon as a great example of political Islam put into practice in the modern world and the resulting decline in that nation's civility and prosperity. Most people in the U.S. are ignorant as to the goals of the Islamic ideology, but the Jewish community is a bit more aware of the threat to their peace and safety - at least down the road. Leadership in the U.S. should do all it can to prevent teachings and practices that are contrary to the historic Judeo-Christian bedrock of this nation. Such things should be confronted and banned. Not all of us are ignorant as to the goals of political Islam and their incompatibility with historic U.S. values.
I agree, and that's what I teach my students. But I teach at a classical Christian coop school. So I'm a little biased. I'm very curious how our host views these things.
To be clear, I happen to believe (with Patrick Deneen and others) that the Enlightenment tends to undermine the Judeo-Christian philosophy of man on which it depends, by elevating "maximal individual autonomy" above personal virtue. Aristotle famously claimed that for a society to be capable of collective self-government (democracy) the members must first learn personal self-government (virtue). H was right, but Locke and Mill tend to foster transgression instead of virtue.
While I know Humzah will bristle at my quoting of a Muslim Brotherhood scholar, the decades since his visit have validated many of Sayyid Qutb's criticisms of American culture. In fact, many modern Christians sound very much like him.
Thank you for this, fascinating read. Are there intellectual developments in Islamic thought occuring? Many new sects of Christianity arose on these shores, is the same process of change happening with Islam?
Thank you for your kind words and thoughtful question. There are intellectual developments happening within Islamic thought today, but most of the currents I’m interested in wouldn’t describe themselves as forming new sects in the way we think of Protestant denominations. These movements tend to see themselves not as innovations, but as revivals, so the shifts are discursive rather than doctrinal.
That said, there have been interesting developments in response to growing Muslim populations in the West. One example is a body of legal thought known as “Fiqh al-Aqalliyat,” or jurisprudence of the (Muslim) minorities. This emerged in the late 20th century through scholars based both in the West and the Middle East. It takes up questions like "Can Muslims vote in elections in non-Muslim countries?", "Can they enlist in a Western military?", "Is it permissible to take out a mortgage with interest?".
I wrote a paper in college some years ago that gives an overview of this and profiles some of the influential figures in contemporary Islamic thought that I'd be happy to share if you're interested!
Thanks, that's interesting. Many Protestant sects also started as an attempt to get to the old lost "core" of the Christian faith that had been discarded, corrupted, or wrongly ignored by people in the past. A revival in a way, at least marketing wise, of a new way of practicing and interpreting the faith. It's probably too soon to tell, but that sounds like it may be somewhat congruent to what you're describing. After all, you can't create it all again and still call yourself a Christian or a Muslim. You have keep some tenets of the faith and it's far easier to call it a revival than an innovation.
Yes, I am curious in your paper. Can you send to me?
Hopefully Islamic thought will develop in a direction away from political theocracy as a all-consuming goal and in favor of pluralism but that would be such a fundamental change in ideology that it would really be a whole new religion
Buddy, I get it.
Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to hear what the author of this wonderful post thinks.
Agreed!
You’ve so eloquently explained the evolution of the Central Jersey Muslim community. Thank you. I’m out of state but have been listening to some fantastic thought provoking lectures by a scholar from New Jersey, Dr Hatem Al Haj. What part of Jersey is he from? I really respect his approach to bridging the Sufi/Salafi divide. I also appreciate that he has studied both the secular and religious sciences rigorously (like many of the young people you mentioned).
Where are the women?
in the women's section!
lol
Would you have a quick review of the Islamic Circle of Mercer County in Lawrenceville, or is that too far south?
Unfortunately, I don't know ICMC too well. It is part of the same broad community and I've been to their mosque several times over the years (I think only once since they completed their expansion project). But as you say, it's just a bit too far south from me.
Any sufi centers in Virginia btw?
Good post but missing is the elephant in the room! Sectarianism, extremism, takfir and inclusivity, stuff that is ripping the Muslim society apart.
Tanwir Institute in Northern VA led by Ustadh Omar Popal is amazing. They have gatherings every Thursday night.
A delightful read, Humzah! Very well written, with great flow and flair. I especially liked the nuances that you not only observed across the three mosques, but also very effectively articulated to the reader. Plus like a keen observer and expositor, your essay keeps the reader in charge to own their takeaways from the piece. Keep writing!
Thank you so much, that's very kind of you!