Dar Al Taqwa Bylaws Emphasize Qur'an, Sunnah, and Definition of Membership Written by Administrator Thursday, 01 December 2005 19:03
By Muslim Link Staff
Dar Al Taqwa, which helps gather Columbia, Maryland’s many Muslims, finalized a visionary plan this past week to codify its emphasis on the Quran and Sunnah within the institution: put it all in the By Laws.
Imam Mahmoud Abdul-Hady addressed the most pressing issue for Muslims here as the “attempt to preserve Islam, in our case the Quran and Sunnah, at our institutions developed by Muslims.” The answer to this dilemma rests squarely for the Dar Al Taqwa community in the almost three year long process of developing by laws that preserve the goals of the institution, “no matter who is on the board or later placed on the shura,” confirmed the Imam.
The bylaws were finalized by the Shura on Friday November 18, closing a lengthy process of dialogue and refinement between community members invited to the shura meetings to discuss the new laws. Local scholars were consulted on the legality of drawing up such community legislation.
Drafts were passed back and forth and made available to everyone interested in the legislation. They were also posted at the masjid and online for people to review. Community concerns quickly surfaced and were addressed by the Shura.
Community members wary of movements taking over their boards with their own agendas or ideologies had their fears addressed by the legislation.
The bylaws have provisions intended to “keep Dar al Taqwa on the principles of the Quran and Sunnah,” added the Imam.
Secondary laws also limit membership of the shura or board to people who have a “physical attachment to the community.” This reference is to members of the community in active involvement and attendance at the masjid. It also works for the community as a buffer against
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Dar Al Taqwa Bylaws Emphasize Qur'an, Sunnah, and Definition of Membership Written by Administrator Thursday, 01 December 2005 19:03
the sort of distant membership of people who belong to other organizations and seek simply to exert external influence for a larger political or ideological cause.
Another protection against this sort of involvement with the community is an emphasis “away from status and money when it comes to membership on the shura.” Imam Mahmoud emphasizes that this is an effort to maintain the principles of Quran and Sunnah and a way to address typical community fears that Board members are elected on matters of class or race -ideas foreign to the principles of Islam.
The bylaws are also explicit with regard to membership criteria for the shura or council, “which at this community are one and the same, because we only want people who are actively involved.” For instance, members are not going to be allowed who hold memberships at other external organizations, which is another attempt to keep the intentions local and pertinent to the community Dar al Taqwa is designed to serve.
Dar Al Taqwa leaders are adamant that the bylaws be specific for the community. This is perhaps best illustrated by the decision to have the shura “elect only on issues that are ‘mubah’, essentially where it is permitted to do so or there is no clear ruling for or against on the matter in question.” This feature of the bylaws, according to the Imam, is intended to keep the roles of the council and shura members clear and within the limits that they have outlined for themselves.
Scholars involved in the process, who out of modesty remained anonymous, were championed by Imam Mahmoud as people who were known for conflict resolution in the Maryland Muslim community. “More than that,” concluded Imam Mahmoud, “they resolved conflicts by suggesting to people that well thought out bylaws were the solutions to most of the community problems. We thought that was a great idea.”
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