Liberal Arts Forum

ISLAM: Faith of Reason

Special Guest Speaker:

Faraz Khan, Rutgers Alumni

Free Period 2:30pm

April 15th, 2009

There have been 13 recessions since 1929 – the Great Depression. However, this recession punch has knocked out capital from capitalism. Unfortunately, many have been robed of their life savings but there are no suspects and no arrests have been made. Nor, any heroes have emerged from this crisis. Retirement funds and life long savings disappeared like groundwater in a drought.

In these tumultuous times, when everyone is sensing the downpour of uncertainty, anxiety, frustration, fear, and a sense of loss, how can we uplift our souls and see these epochs as possible harbinger of prosperity that lay hidden from our sight? In what state of mind does one recognize that free dealing days of capitalism is over? And where does a prayer fits into the grand scheme of financial uncertainties?

These are the inescapable questions that each soul yearns to find an unwavering support. It is not the recession that sends panic but a wavering heart that is not grounded in reality. It is the realization that dreams based on greed and corruption laced with usury will only bring nightmares not peace to one’s mind.

However, for those individuals who are rooted in God’s grace – directing their course with patience and gratitude, they have enormous wealth of God’s favor. They have an opportunity to gain gold – a heart of gold. With this golden opportunity in mind, I share with you a genuine call to diversify your assets of good work. The Quran simply states the reality:

“God wipes out usury and increases (the giver of ) charity” (al-baqarah)

faraz