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I’d like to begin by saying that leadership positions are not inherently
virtuous, and that we shouldn’t think there is anything to gain from
occupying them. There is much more risk than bene t associated with
holding one of these positions. Those who are concerned with
protecting themselves and their deen often rightfully stay away from
leadership or publicity in general. As uneducated and inexperienced
students, we should be doubly cautious of this. This may sound
absolutist or extreme, but we currently stand at the opposite extreme.
Purpose
Funny enough, you would be hard pressed to nd a uni ed answer
among members to the question: what is the MSA’s purpose?
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what the MSA’s priority should be, and this changes from year to year.
It also creates room for unrealistic expectations of what the community
should work on. As of now, the MSA thinks its purpose encompasses all
of the following:
• Religious education
• Community outreach/charity
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The idea that being Muslim is nothing more than an identity also
prevents us from having conversations about what is permissible and
discouraged in Islam, for fear that it will be o ensive to someone’s
personal interpretation of the faith. Di erent interpretations (not that
it’s our job to interpret) aren’t identities, however. We have lost the
action-based imperative that calling oneself a Muslim commands. As a
result, the space fosters impermissible activities and ego boosting, and
decisions are made based on what is popularly acceptable rather than
what Islam calls for.
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Ego-Driven Activism
On a community-wide level, we lack an understanding of the Islamic
concept of leadership, which stands in such stark contrast to the
Neoliberal, ego-based one. It’s di cult to summarize the issue of letting
our egos direct our actions, but I’ve tried to list some of the ways in
which it manifests:
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A key principle in our faith is that the end doesn’t justify the means. It
can be disheartening to witness the state of our community and failed
e orts to change it. But if we were to internalize the reality of the
akhira, we wouldn’t despair. In the end, we will be judged for our
actions, not their end results. We control our actions and intentions,
and the results are in Allah’s hands. If we understand that the akhira is
our nal resting place and every word, step, and glance will be
accounted for, we will be more cautious about how we try to achieve
our goals. It’s not for the sake of Allah if you do things that are
displeasing to Allah to achieve it.
I won’t go on about this any further, but I would like to end by saying
that we are only responsible for ourselves. If you nd yourself
distraught over another person’s actions, know that in Allah’s eyes they
may be better than you and the fact that your faults have been kept
private is only from His mercy.
Lastly, I urge you to never stop seeking knowledge. I’ve linked some
resources below. Forgive me for the preceding incoherence and my
prior mistakes.
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