The Muslim Mission in America

The Muslim mission in America is expressed in the Qur’an, Chapter 22, Verse 41.

He, the Exalted, says:

الَّذِينَ إِنْ مَكَّنَّاهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَمَرُوا بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَنَهَوْا عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَلِلَّهِ عَاقِبَةُ الْأُمُورِ

“Those whom Allah has established in the land establish the salah, pay the zakah, urging people to do what’s right, and forbidding them to do what’s wrong.”

Given a certain amount of freedom, Muslims are commanded to do four things: (1) develop spiritually by establishing the salah, (2) develop financially by collecting the zakah, (3) develop socially by urging people to do what’s right, and (4) develop politically by forbidding them to do what’s wrong.

Forming neighborhoods supports all four goals.

I. Nearness to each other leads to all five salah taking place in the masjid.

II. Neighborhoods support formation of businesses.

III. Muslim neighborhoods increase educational and physical security.

IV. Muslim neighborhoods increase political influence.

Living within a particular land mass is the basis of governmental, political, and educational structure in the United States. The U.S. government entities are divided into wards or parishes, cities, counties, and states. Being concentrated in one neighborhood rather than being spread out in different cities, gives Muslims the opportunity to choose councilmen, mayors, and county officials. Being concentrated in one neighborhood rather than being spread out in different cities, gives Muslims the opportunity to influence the sales tax. The school system is based on neighborhoods, counties, or cities. What public school a person can attend is usually based on the neighborhood someone lives in. The selection of jurors is based on living in a particular county.

Muslims, wherever they live, are urged to form neighborhoods.

The Prophet (pbuh) said: "I am not responsible for any Muslim who lives among those who associate partners with Allah." They asked: "Oh Messenger of Allah, why?" He replied: "You are not able to see each other's fire (home)." This hadith was recorded by at-Tirmidhi, Abu Da'ud, an-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, and at-Tabarani.

The masjid is supposed to be located in the neighborhood. The masjid should be in the neighborhood to facilitate congregational salah five times a day. This ruling is derived from the following two hadith. Abu Da'ud, at-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah recorded that 'A'ishah said: "The Messenger of Allah (S) ordered the building of the masjid amidst the homes and that it be cleaned and perfumed." It is sahih (Mishkah al-Masabih, 1:223). Al-Bukhari and Muslim recorded that Abu Musa al-'Ash'ari said that the Messenger of Allah (S) said: "The most prominent of people to receive a reward for the salah is the farthest of them. That is, the farthest of them who walks" (Mishkah al-Masabih, 1:220).

Muslim real estate agents are necessary for the forming of neighborhoods. The property tax, the cost of housing, the quality of the schools, the distance from jobs, and the safety of the area are things to consider when deciding where to live. Moving into existing neighborhoods is not the only option. With financing a group may build houses on vacant land or build a sub-division. These are reasons why excellent real estate agents are needed.