Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmat Allah wa Barakatuh,

Subhanallah, the sunnah of all things in life is to be in a state of continuous change, a fact that we have all internalized. However, there are exceptions to every rule. For us Muslims these exceptions that have become axioms that are as self-evident as the sun, is our merciful God, His book, and the sunnah that our beloved prophet (PBUH) has left behind.

As noble and pure Islamic work can be, it fortunately and unfortunately has many qualities that are not immune to the changes it may partake in. Performance changes, constitutions change, members change, intentions change, and last but not least leadership changes.

Throughout these past two years I have become a witness to the prolific changes the MSA has undergone. From an MSA that was nearing complete ostracism from the Ohio State community due to the misguided ultra-conservative actions of members who disregarded the interaction with administration officials, to an MSA in which Br. Mohamed Soltan, community leaders, elected board members including myself have sat countless hours with university officials to try and discuss issues of mutual benefit. From an MSA in which the max number of attendees at the weekly general body meetings was around 4 or 5, to one that has really flourished to a DIVERSE and CONSTANT 50 attendees. From an MSA that had no area to pray but between the shelves of dusty books to a prayer room with an ablution facility that was the result of many emails and personal meetings with university staff. From an MSA lacking ambition in which no goals were ever set, and a constitution that was extremely out-dated, to one that had a completely revised constitution accompanied by a five year plan. From an MSA that rarely ever had any events in which the attendees were over 100 people to an MSA that has at least two events a quarter that far surpasses these attendee numbers (including Allah Made me Funny, Fall Barbecue, Hijabi Monologues, Islam and Love with Br. Alauddin Alauddin, Buck-I-Slam, Islamic Awareness Week, etc.). From an MSA that could not be taken seriously enough by any MSA attendee to give their emails to receive our updates, and give the meager $15 registration fee to continue our operations, to an MSA in which funds are generously donated by members, businesses, community leaders, and MSA board members. And by Allah I have witnessed first-hand the dedication and the loyalty that has been cultivated to the level that a board member has loaned a large portion of his personal savings to the point that he is now unable to eat out for lunch in the break we have between classes. Finally last, and by absolutely no means least, I am a witness to an MSA in which people were begged to take leadership positions to an MSA in which positions have become so desirable that the most competitive elections in years took place for all executive positions.

Referring back to the sunnah of life, science has proven that to go from a state of chaos and disorder (entropy) to a state of orderliness and unity, energy and time is critical. Translated into Islamic terms this is the constant struggle we have against our nafs and Shaytan, and the sabr that must accompany any transformation for the better. It is odd that the critics of almost everything MSA related have nearly never attended MSA events, helped organize the events, or aided in the betterment of the MSA. Essentially no one that has been a staunch critic of the MSA has showed any participation in the struggle, nor has had to endure any of the difficulties that our board has endured until the proximity of the elections was upon us.

I do not believe these critics did what they have done out of malice or evil rather naivety of the inner workings of Islamic work. Naivety of the time-consuming and energy-draining efforts put in to make a resounding and ever-lasting impact. Naivety of the refining process needed to enhance leadership skills through empowerment, rather than being event-oriented. In fact this situation closely resembles a story about two prominent yet opposed scholars, and a naive student. As the renowned scholar Ibn Uthaymeen was referencing his opponent Sayed Quteb about an issue of tafseer, his student stood up in arrogance and contended in a demeaning manner “Why do you reference this man? A man who did not follow the sunnah of the beard!” At which the scholar skipped the process of rationalizing the political reasons why Sayed Qutub was beardless, and sharply refuted him “When you have contributed to Islam and the Ummah what Sayed Qutub has, then you too can shave your beard.”

Unfortunately, the shaytan takes advantage of small cracks like these aroused by naive individuals, by stomping his foot into them and causing them to expand into rifts. Rifts that are far from empty, but full with slander, attacks on character, backbiting, threats, and hatred.

My brothers and sisters in Islam, we employed this election system not to create fitna as is usual in most political campaigns, but as a promotion of the second part of the following ayah, “Had GOD willed, He could have made you one Ummah. But He thus puts you to the test through the revelations He has given each of you. You shall compete in righteousness. To GOD is your final destiny - all of you - then He will inform you of everything you had disputed.” (5:48)

As for the details of the elections, upon verification with the election supervisory committee, that voter who was mentioned in a piece written about the election was actually excluded from the count due to the time constriction. With that vote the final count would have been 39-36, as opposed to the current 38-36. As for the other two voters, completely oblivious of their affiliation, a 5-minute leeway was given for them calling ahead and asking for time because of traffic. I feel this fact is insignificant but must be clarified so that the hearts of the restless may settle.

The votes were counted and the “involved” Muslim community on campus has decided, the same way the “involved” Muslim community decided hundreds of years ago the legacy in leadership that would follow the death of our beloved prophet (PBUH). In conclusion I will narrate the story of the appointment to Khilafah after the passing of the Prophet (PBUH). It had been known that Saad Ibn Obada(rad), representing the Ansar, and Abu-Bakr, representing the Muhajreen, were the only two qualified nominees for this position since Abu Bakr(rad) was who he was, and Saad Ibn Obada(rad) was the head of the Ansar. After the dispute was resolved, the majority gave allegiance to Abu Bakr(rad). Saad ibn Obada(rad), despite his strong belief that he was more fit to be in the position, took the noble route and submitted himself to the will of the Khaleefah, because he knew that it was in the best interest of the Ummah. When Abu Bakr(rad) passed away, the Ummah yet again appointed Omar(rad) to be the next khaleefah. Saad ibn Obada(rad), who was contentious with Omar(rad), was unhappy with the decision and respectfully asked Omar(rad) if he could leave Madinah, for fear that his disagreement with Omar’s(rad) policies, if expressed, would instigate fitnah and give shaytan the sliver of space he needs to divide and disunite the Ummah.

I believe that what Aisha has mentioned, “my main focus during the election and now still remains unifying the Central Ohio Muslim community and restoring Islam in the hearts and minds of our youth,” is honorable as the statement holds tremendous responsibility and burden. This is the collective responsibility of not only those in the MSA but also those around it, just as Saad Ibn Obada(rad) acknowledged his pivotal role in either being an agent of divisiveness, or an agent of unity.

May Allah (SWT) bless everyone who has and continues to work for His sake and His sake only, and make all of what they have done count in their scale of good.

Ameen.

Mohamed Kamal