If Liam Turned Muslim…

Hi

The entire Muslim ummah went ablaze yesterday as a story broke out about Liam Neeson’s interest and consideration of converting (reverting) to Islam.  I received several emails throughout the day from friends and family about Liam, with many adding in an “insha Allah” to their message.  Facebook postings went off like fireworks as we Muslims became smitten with the idea of a Hollywood celebrity embracing our beautiful deen.  When I came home from work yesterday, I asked my wife, “Did you hear about…” and was interrupted because she assumed I was referring to Liam, and she was correct.  Looks like her Facebook newsfeeds were filled with the story, too.  I didn't even bother checking twitterverse, as I’m sure a similar reaction followed.  When really thinking about it, I suppose on one hand I find it funny that our community is so taken with this idea because who, in the grand scheme of things, is Liam?  But on the other hand, I don’t blame them...

In fact, I have to admit that Liam’s curiosity in Islam does make for an interesting possibility especially considering his alleged strong Catholic rearing.  What I find fascinating, though, is that he came about this consideration for conversion by spending time in Turkey surrounded by beautiful masjids and listening to the azaan five times a day.  And why that particularly makes it fascinating for me is what it reminds me of:  teachings from our parents and scholars on the importance of surrounding yourself with good company. It reminds me specifically of when my mom would endlessly request me throughout my academic career to surround myself with friends who were like my brother, Umar, which, put more accurately, is to say that she wanted me to surround myself by nerds.  Umar himself was always a nerd regardless of his peers; so much so that he could probably mandate a manifesto on how to embrace being one.  A manifesto that iconic nerds like Bill Gates or Lewis Sklonik would admire.  As a result of his nerdiness, he naturally inclined towards his own nerd ilk (strength in numbers, I suppose), creating a lifetime of close friends who shared his same taste for extreme studying and other pocket protecting adventures.  Indeed, he exemplifies the culture of nerds to this day.  And with the supplementary nerdiness of his wife, he can never actually leave the confines of Nerdia even if he tried.

Ok, so back to my point…

I am also reminded of what scholars in Islam have recommended: to surround yourself with learned, pious people, which will in turn, at one point or another, insha Allah, penetrate your heart and open it to the splendor of contentment and peace that those pious mumins experience by way of desiring to please our Creator and follow in the blessed footsteps of The Rasool (sw).  Much like the idea of dhikr, the constant remembrance of Allah that creates a noor inside and outside of the body and soul, the blessings that the righteous people are gifted with eventually come your way, too.  It’s literally a shower of blessings: if someone stands in the rain and you stand next to that person, the raindrops will inevitably bounce off that person and hit you or, if you’re fortunate, some of it may just fall on you directly.  Similarly, the environment Liam was immersed in and observed, based on the articles I’ve read, had a similar effect.  Liam was quoted to say that he was initially annoyed by the azaan, but eventually by hearing it often and then taking in his environment, his eyes opened to the wonders and happiness that Islam provides.  Subhan Allah.  I find it to be beautifully awesome and a lesson to remember...

But, for now, let’s jump ahead of ourselves and assume that Liam does (insha Allah) become Brother Liam (Liaquat) Neeson (Nisa).  How exactly would he impact our community?  The answer is of course subjective to whom you ask, so let’s break it down according to the following madhabs, if you will:

The Qui-Gon Jinn Madhab:

Br Liaquat will inevitably embrace the path of tasawwuf / purification / Sufism and become a Jedi-Sufi Master.  Jedi Knights, his students who have taken bayyah with him, will come far and wide to seek his counsel and ask for his help via duas.  In his early years, Liaquat will be initially taken by his power and abuse it, but for the good of all.  He will wave his hand across a congregration at Jummah and say, “You will all donate $100 to the masjid,” which will be met with the entire group all responding in unison, “I will donate $100 to the masjid.”  Eventually, he will realize that he was being tested with this power and will immediately stop and engage in deep dhikr.

The Taken Madhab:

Look out, brothers and sisters.  It’s the white brother turned hardcore and potentially Wahhabi.  Despite this, no one has ever been a more effective and serious fundraiser than Br. Liaquat.  His "motivating" talk is simple and to the point.  And if you do not donate money to the masjid, he will leverage his past skills and remind you that it’s important to donate:

I don’t know who you all are and how much money you have.  You should all donate and keep in mind that what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills that I have acquired over a very long career of fundraising. Skills that make me a nightmare for people who don’t donate. If you donate now, that will be the end of it. I will not look for you.  I will not pursue you.  But if you don’t, I will look for you.  I will find you. And I will kill you.

Extreme?  Sure.  Effective?  Oh, absolutely.  I mean, you would be amazed at how quickly people’s hearts change and how the masjids that Br. Liaquat Nisa gives these heart-felt lectures at never have money management issues again.  (Except for maybe having too much?)

Well, I guess one can dream.  Now, ultimately, the decision for him to fully embrace Islam and take the shahada comes only from Allah’s Will, but if we should take anything away from this, perhaps it is the reminder that surrounding yourself in good company and a positive environment can only help.  We should endeavor to take it upon ourselves to strive for such opportunities by going to the masjid more and increasing the time you spend with pious brothers/sisters, scholars, nerds, etc.

May Allah's Rahma be with you.

cheers