Shaykh Hamza Yusuf on President Barack Obama

Author: MR
Filed under: America, Article, Barack Obama, Dawah, Islam
Date: Jun 17,2009 | 12:47 PM

Hamza Yusuf on a Presidency of Descending Grace

It is an extraordinary and momentous event to call you president. Your father was of the Luo clan and, as you know, it would be difficult for a Luo to be elected president in Kenya. In our country, while tribe is not an issue, color often is, but you have succeeded in overcoming both clan and complexion, and in doing so inspired millions of people around the world.

Though you preside over a nation that has drifted away from its foundational principles, you possess the qualities that can begin to change that. Winston Churchill said: “Of all the talents bestowed upon men, none is so precious as the gift of oratory. He who enjoys it wields a power more durable than that of a great king.” Your words have moved a nation-in the right direction, toward a more just, more equal, and more perfect union. Now you must call on Americans to live up to the promise of America. You must challenge them, demand of them great sacrifices, appeal to the better angels of their nature. Remind them that we are a nation founded upon the idea of liberty and justice for all, not just for Americans but for citizens everywhere.

You must restore America’s standing in the world. Resurrect the art of diplomacy that previous administrations have abandoned. Meet with world leaders who pose a challenge-in Afghanistan, in Iran, and elsewhere-and gently but firmly wage peace. Redefine the “war on terror,” so it becomes a pursuit of criminals who must be prosecuted and not nations that must be attacked.

But one of the most consequential things you can do is to call on the Muslims. Challenge them to live up to the ideals of their faith that are rooted in self-sacrifice, charity, and most importantly, the single attribute that every Muslim knows characterizes our Prophet: mercy. Your grandfather converted to Islam because he saw something good in it. But Islam is a religion currently under assault. Like many Muslims who have lost sight of the good of America, far too many Americans fail to see the good of Islam.

But Islam stands alongside its sister religions, feeding the poor, nursing the sick, and teaching the ignorant. Far too many people live in horrific conditions, without potable water, enough food, or adequate housing. Islam challenges us to address the problems of the disenfranchised. You know that faith can be a powerful force for the change we need in the world. While you are not a religious leader but a political one, you are nonetheless one whose family extends to both “them” and “us,” and religion has been central in your life.

Barack in Arabic means “descending grace.” Your middle name, Hussein, is a name that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, gave his grandson after objecting to his father’s desire to name him “Harb,” which means war. While Hussein is a diminutive in Arabic, it actually denotes in this case a superlative and means “great good.”

It is my audacious hope that your presidency is one of descending grace and great good, not simply for this nation, but for the world.

Source: Tikkun Magazine via Shaykh Faraz’s blog

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9 Responses for "Shaykh Hamza Yusuf on President Barack Obama"

PakistaniMD June 17th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Nice view.
Danish Hasan June 17th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Masha’Allah

nice….

very well advised….
Arab ‘Aribah June 17th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Hamza would do better to advise Obama rather than Bush for which he recieved a lot of criticism
Sajed June 18th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Awesome alh
amad June 19th, 2009 at 12:55 am
Mashallah, well-said.

At least no one can deny that both Sh Hamza Yusuf and Moulvi Barack Obama share the art of great eloquence.
The MV June 22nd, 2009 at 12:44 am
No, we need us Muslims to accept the peace Obama is offering.
Al Sudani June 22nd, 2009 at 11:27 am
The MV – Erm, how can he be offering “peace” to Muslims, when Guantanamo Bay Prison is still opened, amongst many secret prisons that are used to torture Muslims, the funds to Israel’s brutal occupation of Palestine is still continuing, he is sending MORE troops to Afghanistan, they are still in Iraq.

Is this what you call offering Muslims peace? Why are we accepting whatever rubbish he barks out? Lets use our brains InSha’Allah, and not be fooled by mere words.
MR June 22nd, 2009 at 1:00 pm
@al-suyuufi -

“Challenge them to live up to the ideals of their faith that are rooted in self-sacrifice, charity, and most importantly, the single attribute that every Muslim knows characterizes our Prophet: mercy.”
-Lol we need a non-Muslim to teach us our religion now?
and whoa whoa whoa, Moulvi Barack Obama? Hilarious!

Of what I understand, challenge doesn’t mean teach. Basically to dumb it down, shaykh Hamza is telling Obama to tell the Muslims to be Muslims. Obviously this isn’t literally.

He stayed pretty neutral and didn’t take a Pro-Obama stance, which was a wise decision.
g June 22nd, 2009 at 10:46 pm
of course you do