It is really helpful, I thank you also. Thank you especially for addressing the issue of the extremists misusing Shariah for their own political purposes.
Seems like American Christians are definitely trying to force their religious beliefs on others these days… Thanks for explaining this! I didn’t know about it, though I have heard it thrown out as a fear tactic (from people who also likely don’t really know what it means!)
Given the state of the USA, I don't think Islam is the religion anyone needs to worry about when it comes to theocracy. The "threat" of Shariah law is non-existent & laughable in the face of Christian lawmakers forcing their beliefs onto the people here. We've already got an actual religiously-motivated threat to human rights. It's just that that movement is led by white people.
Thank you for writing this. Born Catholic, when I was a child the Born Catholic, Mass was in Latin when I was a child. With my Ma's permission I tried at least six Protestant sects only to find the people to be hypocritical ones outside the church.
The last one I tried, the Southern Baptists, turned me into an Atheist. They're the ones responsible for Project 2025 at The Heritage Foundation.
It wasnt until I wss in my early twenties when I learned that the Catholics only use the First Four Books of the New Testament for worshipping Jesus.
I settled into reading those Books in both the Catholic and the King James Version. That was before the King James Version had some changes made.
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each gave the story of Jesus and made it easy to understand.
Even so, I still rejected the idea of a Virgin Birth and Miracles. It was the Word that drew me in. I agreed with everything and even understood His Parables. I loved the Word of Jesus because it happened to be how I personally felt about life to begin with.
Later on I read parts of "The Book of Etiquette" and learned that what was written there combined with Jesus' Word were all words to live by.
I'm still an Atheist as far as believing in the man in the sky who knew how many hairs I had on my head. Nonsense.
Okay. I had a large Coffee Table book entitled "The Five Great Religions". I found each to be equally beautiful.
Now, when people started stepping outside of what I had read about each religion it really concerned me.
When Jihad became a daily practice in the Middle East I didn't believe that could really be a part of the Muslim Faith.
Being raised a Christian, once I understood it, Christianity was thrown aside by countries going to war and soldiers brainwashed into believing we were to kill our enemies, that was insane for any religion stooping to the depths of killing alleged enemies.
I'm a Vietnam Veteran who was fortunate enough to be positioned in an office at the in country Communications Headquarters. I was so against killing that had I been sent to the killing fields I would have come home in a plastic bag.
The wealthy folks playing us against our religious beliefs has to come to an end if we want to save the children of the world from being killed, running for their lives, going hungry, and losing their loved ones to the horrors of war.
Sorry this was so lengthy. That's just how much I appreciate your teaching us what Shariah Law is and what it isn't. I love all human races who aren't responsible for the tragic horrors we all have to deal with.
Thank you for this explanation. It is unfortunate that bad actors have done much harm to a belief that is rooted in justice. I live in NYC and very happy about Mamdani’s success in the Democratic Primary. Sad that it has unleashed Islamophobia on steroids. As a Jew, I am deeply concerned about some members of the Jewish community using falsehoods to oppose Mamdani’s election. I already have a hard time being a Jew who does not make excuses for Israel when its leadership deserves criticism. It is hard to not be welcome by many facets of the Jewish community.
Grateful for your compassion and commitment to justice, Andrea. May we always stand together against the scourges of antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate.
At times you will feel alone. Know that you are not alone. There are many more all over the globe, but they are spread out across nations, states and cities. Being on the right side of humanity is more important than being in the majority. If you look at history, humanists in fact have always been in the minority across all societies. The asshole leaders are great manipulators and they fan out the bad elements hidden in the deepest caverns of the psyche of the masses. That's how the sane, the humane ones become minorities in their own societies.
I cannot adequately express how thankful I am for you Qasim, but I look forward to learning more from you about your faith. Tears of joy from me, of secular jewish background.
Critical point that "Shariah specifically rejects theocracy," Qasim. It is the very antithesis of Shariah to demean or attack someone based on their religious/ spiritual practices. By extension, this point is true of all the world's major religions. It isn't encouraging that so many people miss the message, but it makes identifying the true believers easier.
I'm curious, Qasim. I never heard of Ahmadi Islam until I started reading your Substack. Would you say that Sunni and Shia Muslims would have the same interpretation of Shariah law as you? You seem to interpret it in a individual/personal way (as do some Christians intepret their beliefs). Are there sects that would see it in a less personal light?
Ahmadis are Sunnis in fact. I would present the perspective I’ve shared above as the one taught by Prophet Muhammad (sa) and back it up with facts. Some of course have other perspectives and that’s okay. I don’t mind differences in opinion—I only object to when people want to enforce their opinions on others.
I'd also like to know the differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims; I know it has something to do with a split between the family of Mohammed upon his death, but that's it. Also - wouldn't their riff be akin to the fighting between Catholics and Protestants? Your questions pulled out more questions from me. LOL
Thank you for such an enlightening essay. It is sad how racism, fear, fear mongering, and misinformation can grow in hearts. I appreciate your desire and willingness to teach those less knowledgeable of Islam - like myself.
Thank you for this Qasim! Super helpful. Ignorance and fear is what got us where we are.
And now I can’t get that song out of my head!!
I never really knew that she could dance like this….
She make a man wanna speak Spanish
¿Cómo se llama? bonita…
Mi casa Shakira, Shakira…
So thanks for that ear worm.
Alas...I'm failing at preventing Skakirah law :)
Glad you enjoyed the piece! Thank you for reading and sharing.
😂😂😂😂
It is really helpful, I thank you also. Thank you especially for addressing the issue of the extremists misusing Shariah for their own political purposes.
Thank you! More on combatting extremists soon, I promise.
Much like these “christians” misusing the Bible.
Seems like American Christians are definitely trying to force their religious beliefs on others these days… Thanks for explaining this! I didn’t know about it, though I have heard it thrown out as a fear tactic (from people who also likely don’t really know what it means!)
Thank you, Qasim, for this beautifully written essay. I read the opening aloud to a friend and she could not stop laughing.
Please continue to spread peace through your writing.
Haha thanks Alia. Glad I could bring a smile.
Given the state of the USA, I don't think Islam is the religion anyone needs to worry about when it comes to theocracy. The "threat" of Shariah law is non-existent & laughable in the face of Christian lawmakers forcing their beliefs onto the people here. We've already got an actual religiously-motivated threat to human rights. It's just that that movement is led by white people.
100%
Qasim, the bit about Shakira law made me laugh so much. Thank you so much for this article!
The jokes write themselves ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Thank you for writing this. Born Catholic, when I was a child the Born Catholic, Mass was in Latin when I was a child. With my Ma's permission I tried at least six Protestant sects only to find the people to be hypocritical ones outside the church.
The last one I tried, the Southern Baptists, turned me into an Atheist. They're the ones responsible for Project 2025 at The Heritage Foundation.
It wasnt until I wss in my early twenties when I learned that the Catholics only use the First Four Books of the New Testament for worshipping Jesus.
I settled into reading those Books in both the Catholic and the King James Version. That was before the King James Version had some changes made.
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each gave the story of Jesus and made it easy to understand.
Even so, I still rejected the idea of a Virgin Birth and Miracles. It was the Word that drew me in. I agreed with everything and even understood His Parables. I loved the Word of Jesus because it happened to be how I personally felt about life to begin with.
Later on I read parts of "The Book of Etiquette" and learned that what was written there combined with Jesus' Word were all words to live by.
I'm still an Atheist as far as believing in the man in the sky who knew how many hairs I had on my head. Nonsense.
Okay. I had a large Coffee Table book entitled "The Five Great Religions". I found each to be equally beautiful.
Now, when people started stepping outside of what I had read about each religion it really concerned me.
When Jihad became a daily practice in the Middle East I didn't believe that could really be a part of the Muslim Faith.
Being raised a Christian, once I understood it, Christianity was thrown aside by countries going to war and soldiers brainwashed into believing we were to kill our enemies, that was insane for any religion stooping to the depths of killing alleged enemies.
I'm a Vietnam Veteran who was fortunate enough to be positioned in an office at the in country Communications Headquarters. I was so against killing that had I been sent to the killing fields I would have come home in a plastic bag.
The wealthy folks playing us against our religious beliefs has to come to an end if we want to save the children of the world from being killed, running for their lives, going hungry, and losing their loved ones to the horrors of war.
Sorry this was so lengthy. That's just how much I appreciate your teaching us what Shariah Law is and what it isn't. I love all human races who aren't responsible for the tragic horrors we all have to deal with.
Thank you for reading.
Richard La France
Thank you for this explanation. It is unfortunate that bad actors have done much harm to a belief that is rooted in justice. I live in NYC and very happy about Mamdani’s success in the Democratic Primary. Sad that it has unleashed Islamophobia on steroids. As a Jew, I am deeply concerned about some members of the Jewish community using falsehoods to oppose Mamdani’s election. I already have a hard time being a Jew who does not make excuses for Israel when its leadership deserves criticism. It is hard to not be welcome by many facets of the Jewish community.
Grateful for your compassion and commitment to justice, Andrea. May we always stand together against the scourges of antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate.
That's one of the benefits of the Zohran platform. His plan for investment in combating anti-semitism and anti-Muslim hate.
At times you will feel alone. Know that you are not alone. There are many more all over the globe, but they are spread out across nations, states and cities. Being on the right side of humanity is more important than being in the majority. If you look at history, humanists in fact have always been in the minority across all societies. The asshole leaders are great manipulators and they fan out the bad elements hidden in the deepest caverns of the psyche of the masses. That's how the sane, the humane ones become minorities in their own societies.
I cannot adequately express how thankful I am for you Qasim, but I look forward to learning more from you about your faith. Tears of joy from me, of secular jewish background.
Honored. Thank you Elissa.
It's too bad that this essay can't and/or won't be read by those who need to read it the most. Thank you for this lesson!
Critical point that "Shariah specifically rejects theocracy," Qasim. It is the very antithesis of Shariah to demean or attack someone based on their religious/ spiritual practices. By extension, this point is true of all the world's major religions. It isn't encouraging that so many people miss the message, but it makes identifying the true believers easier.
I'm curious, Qasim. I never heard of Ahmadi Islam until I started reading your Substack. Would you say that Sunni and Shia Muslims would have the same interpretation of Shariah law as you? You seem to interpret it in a individual/personal way (as do some Christians intepret their beliefs). Are there sects that would see it in a less personal light?
Ahmadis are Sunnis in fact. I would present the perspective I’ve shared above as the one taught by Prophet Muhammad (sa) and back it up with facts. Some of course have other perspectives and that’s okay. I don’t mind differences in opinion—I only object to when people want to enforce their opinions on others.
Amen...
I'd also like to know the differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims; I know it has something to do with a split between the family of Mohammed upon his death, but that's it. Also - wouldn't their riff be akin to the fighting between Catholics and Protestants? Your questions pulled out more questions from me. LOL
I think the split was over who should succeed Mohammed. Here's the simple AI-generated explanations. I have had one Muslim tell me that Shia Islam is closer to Catholicism because it has more of a hierarchy, like Catholicism (v Protestantism). https://www.google.com/search?q=sunni+v+shia+beliefs&oq=sunni+v+shia&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgCEAAYgAQyCQgAEEUYORiABDIHCAEQABiABDIHCAIQABiABDIHCAMQABiABDIHCAQQABiABDIHCAUQABiABDIICAYQABgWGB4yCAgHEAAYFhgeMggICBAAGBYYHjIICAkQABgWGB7SAQk1NTc0ajFqMTWoAgiwAgHxBUG8dxy7Zw1G&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Thank you for such an enlightening essay. It is sad how racism, fear, fear mongering, and misinformation can grow in hearts. I appreciate your desire and willingness to teach those less knowledgeable of Islam - like myself.
Thank you for reading, Polly. I appreciate your commitment to growth.
This is excellent. Thank you. I would like to share it, if I may.
By all means. Please do. Thank you.
This was very educational. I am appalled at some people’s cruelty. We are all God’s children.
Thanks, Qasim. When we are given the truth, we have a means to dispel lies and promote love between all people.