In any case, this got me to thinking about dawah and the pyramid selling nature of conversion in Islam.
It seems that in Islam, if you bring one soul to Allah then you get the benefit of all the good works done by that soul. Not only that, you also get the payback from that soul's children's good works.
The nature of this has not escaped Mr Green. But far from being embarrassed that dawah, to all intents and purposes, is predicated on an enormous spiritual ponzi scheme, Abdurraham seems amused and even inspired by the fact.
"You know pyramid schemes? Anyone ever been bitten by one of those? I know I have! (ironic chuckle) You know what? Well you know what, this is a REAL one, but for adja*! This is where you get adja, 'cause if you start at the top and you start this movement, brothers and sisters, everyone you bring on board, everyone you get to bring dawah, every person who comes to Islam, you're getting the adja for it. Does that sound like something you want to meet Allah on the day of judgement with, yes or no?"Now I hate to be the fly in the ointment here, but does that mean that if I bring someone to Islam who turns out not to be such a good bet, I get negative points, so to speak? Let's imagine that with my amazing Yusuf Estes-like powers of persuasion I manage to convince Mr Smith down the road to convert to Islam. Unfortunately for me, Mr Smith turns out to be a bad egg and enjoys the odd drink, flutter and occasional petty theft. Does that sound like something I want to meet Allah on the day of judgement with? And what happens if his kids turn out even worse? Suddenly Allah's pyramid scheme doesn't seem like such a good deal after all.
Just asking.
*adja (sp?)
Allah knows your intentions better than you do. You will not be punished for bringing a soul to Islam!
ReplyDeleteSo why should I get the "benefit" of the good works done by those I bring to Islam? It makes no sense. Whether or not they're good people is NOTHING to do with me!
DeleteIs there any Hadith or Qur'an verse that verifies the claim that one obtains the good from those who you convert? And also why you would not get the bad also?
ReplyDeleteI know there is a Hadith that says if you build a mosque for Allah, Allah will build you a house like that in heaven.
I wonder if these are just bribes to get the gullible to contribute to Muhammad's mission?
Hi Azim,
DeleteI've come across this idea of pyramid selling before and it seems that getting the "adja" is accepted by most followers.
(I was wondering if anyone out there could verify my spelling of adja for me...)
Bismillah,
DeleteOn the authority of Abi Mas’ood ‘Uqbah bin ‘Amr al-Ansaaree al-Badaree -may Allah be pleased with him- he said: The Messenger of Allah -sallahu ‘alayhi wasallam- said: Whoever directs someone to a good, then he will have the reward equal to the doer of the action. Muslim (1893)
That the Believer is the one who is an example and a leader in doing righteousness and performing goodness, the Most High says: "And those who say: Our Lord! Bestow upon us from our wives and our offspring that which is pleasing to the eyes, and make us leaders for the Muttaqoon." (25:74) And the Most High says: And We made them leaders guiding (mankind) by Our command…. (21:73)
It comes in Muslim (1017) from the hadeeth of Jarir bin ‘Abdillah -may Allah be pleased with him- that the Prophet -sallahu ‘alayhi wasallam- said: Whoever introduces a good practice in Islam which was followed after him (by people) he will have the reward like the one who has done it, without their rewards being diminished in the least.*
The hadeeth in this chapter indicates that the person who directs someone to a good whether it be pertaining to the good of the Worldly Life or Hereafter: he will have a similar reward like the one who performed it without their being any decrease from the reward of the doer of the action (the one who is actually doing the act), rather it is a (full) reward because of him being a good model and exemplar in doing beneficence.
Thanks, ahlan.It's good to have someone with such an encyclopedic knowledge of Islam commenting...
DeleteCan you suggest why logically I should benefit from the good works of those I introduce to Islam? (other than to encourage me to spread the word - Pyramid scheme)
My point remains.
Doing good IMHO could mean anything good for mankind, e.g. asking surgeons to adopt better hygiene measures, or anything like that.
ReplyDeleteGod rewards you for calling to it, and taking initiative, for both your intent and the impact you made, even if no one acknowledges you for doing it, even if you forgot that you helped in making it happen.
The same goes for corrupting a politician, any bad they do, you would share responsibility, even if no one knew, even if you confessed to clear you conscience, unless you seriously do something to eradicate it,
I am a believer a Muslim, at least I aim to be, Muslims need something like this to question and filter their belief.
Don't worry about your converted friend, s/he has found a connection to God, that is the truth that we cling to.