The Modernist Menace To Islam by Daniel Haqiqatjou

If “American Islam” just means eating cheeseburgers after Friday prayers instead of biryani, then no one has any issue with that. The “American Islam” that people have a problem with is when deen is compromised for no other reason than to accommodate American sensibilities and culture.

Examples: In America, it is OK for Muslim women to marry non-Muslim men because of x, y, z aspects of the culture. In America, it is OK to have women and men pray side by side because of x, y, z aspects of the culture. In America, it is ok for non-mahrams to go on dates and use hook-up apps because of x, y, z aspects of the culture. In America, it is ok to smoke weed recreationally because of x, y, z aspects of the culture. In America, it is ok for Muslims to attend and participate in the religious rituals of Christians, Jews, etc., because of x, y, z aspects of the culture. In America, it is ok for Muslim kids to go to prom because of x, y, z aspects of the culture. In America, it is ok to consume riba (which is technically not riba anyway!) because of x, y, z aspects of the culture. In America, it is ok for Muslim women to get abortions if they are not financially stable because of x, y, z aspects of the culture. In America, it is ok to support LGBT whatever because of x, y, z aspects of the culture. In America, it is ok to ignore norms of gender separation in the mosque or other religious gatherings because of x, y, z aspects of the culture. And on and on. If this is “American Islam,” count me out. But I will be happy to sit down with you for a cheeseburger. Or biryani.