Leadership
Learning to Lead

By Faraz Khan
Salam MSA, Rutgers University

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Position of leadership is a trust in Islam. The lecture will discuss some practical aspects of leadership that are necessary for Muslim students to understand.

The Prophet (s) said,

“All of you are leaders (rai’) and you will be asked about your constituents”.

Education is all about Personal Development. A person must understand and develop leadership skills in order to do the ‘right thing’. The talk will focus on leadership in contemporary world and specifically discuss the issues affecting the MSA. The objective for this lecture is to present a brief understanding of what it takes to be effective leaders. Since leadership is a vast topic, we will try to outline those points that relate to the students and the MSA.

Key Points:
What is leadership?
Who are leaders?
Leadership Theories
6 Myths about leadership
Skills needed to be a leader
Knowing Yourself
Creating and communicating a Vision
Personal skills
Character
team player
conflict management skills
alignment of others

Recitation of Surah
al-fatiha & an-najm (audio)

NBIC – Masjid al-Huda
By Faraz Khan

Surah 1. al-fatiha – The Opening

1. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

2. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;

3. Most Gracious, Most Merciful;

4. Master of the Day of Judgment.

5. Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.

6. Show us the straight way,

7. The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.

Surah 53. an-najm – The Star

1. By the Star when it goes down,-

2. Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled.

3. Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) Desire.

4. It is no less than inspiration sent down to him:

5. He was taught by one Mighty in Power,

6. Endued with Wisdom: for he appeared (in stately form);

7. While he was in the highest part of the horizon:

8. Then he approached and came closer,

9. And was at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer;

10. So did ((Allah)) convey the inspiration to His Servant- (conveyed) what He (meant) to convey.

11. The (Prophet’s) (mind and) heart in no way falsified that which he saw.

12. Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he saw?

13. For indeed he saw him at a second descent,

14. Near the Lote-tree beyond which none may pass:

15. Near it is the Garden of Abode.

16. Behold, the Lote-tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!)

17. (His) sight never swerved, nor did it go wrong!

18. For truly did he see, of the Signs of his Lord, the Greatest!

Recitation of Surah al-fatiha & an-najm (audio)

Living Islam
In a Postmodern World (((audio)))

By Faraz Khan
at NYU

What does it mean to live Islam in a particular period? Is there any difference between us and our predecessors who practiced Islam in a different environment?

Postmodernity initiated with new trends in art/culture and human thought after World War II. It rapidly developed into a deconstruction and reevaluation of the modern experience. There are many underlying trends within the postmodern thought. However, there is no agreed upon definition of postmodernity/ism and some elements within this thought are often hostile or anti-modern in their philosophy. Unlike their American counterpart, Europeans philosophers and intellectuals have always had a natural affinity to philosophy. Not surprisingly, the leading pundits of postmodernity/ism are Gellner and Giddens in the United Kingdom. Jean-François Lyotard, Jean Baudrillard, Michel Foucault, and other European philosophers.

My talk at NYU revolved around the Muslim experience and postmodernity. Here’s a brief summary of “Living Islam in a Postmodern World“

• Living Islam.
• Postmodernity/ism definition.
• The difference between modern and postmodern experience.
• The Response of Muslims to modernity.
• The choice between ’shout’ and ’sneak out’.
• The well-balanced approach and postmodernity.

Signs for People of Intellect.
NBIC Khutba: 11 minutes
Faraz Khan
November 23, 2007
“Truly, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day there are signs for people of intellect. Those who remember God standing, sitting, and reclining on their and contemplate in the creation of the heavens and the earth. Our Lord, you have not created this in vain therefore, protect us from the punishment of fire”. Koran 3:190-91.

Bismillah washukru lillah!

In the name of God, all gratitude belongs to Him.

I am thankful for being His slave.

Yesterday I met with members of different faiths at New Brunswick Theological Seminary. The idea of this coming together was to work collectively to provide food for the needy. There were around 20 members of different religious denominations and local food banks and soup kitchen providers. This was a great chance for me to catch up with Gregg Mast, John Larson, Esther Reed, Tasneem, and others. In the past I enjoyed meeting with the interfaith group on topics such as prayer, hospitality, and service to the community.

Last Sunday we came together to celebrate a spirit of giving. There were tons of can goods and food boxes for the local food banks and Elijah Soup Kitchen. It was a very genuine feeling of how we could all work together despite our differences. Our humanity bind us together. I remember Sister Tasneem quoted the ayah from the Qur’an on how God has created people as nations and tribes so we can get to know one another. However, the best amongst us in the sight of God is the one who is most mindful of God. I urged the group to aim for open interfaith sessions so students from Rutgers University and New Brunswick Theological Seminary can join hands with us.

The best way to fight against prejudice and bigotry is to work together. This way we can lay a solid foundation for mutual understanding and respect. As Gregg Mast mentioned, we have to go beyond tolerance of others. We must not only accept but welcome others as partners and members of our community.

At the end of the meeting we read the following statement together from America’s Table, A Thanksgiving Reader, Celebrating Our Diverse Roots and Shared Values:

“We are the stewards of America,
her ideals and institutions, her cities and natural beauty.
We are entrusted to understand America’s past and guide her future.
To create an ever more just America that is secure and free,
abundant and caring for all her inhabitants.
We are thankful for the freedom to worship.
We are thankful for the freedom to speak our minds.
We are thankful for the freedom to change our minds.
We are thankful for the freedom to chart our lives.
We are thankful for the freedom to work for a better world.
We are thankful for the freedom to celebrate this day.
In America, each of us is entitled
to a place at the table”.

Amen!