Zaid Shakir

Zaid Shakir

Co-founder, Masjid al-Islam, the Tri-State Muslim Education Initiative

“On Faith” panelist Zaid Shakir is a scholar-in-residence and lecturer at Zaytuna Institute in Hayward, Calif. A graduate of Syria's prestigious Abu Noor University, Shakir is a co-founder of Masjid al-Islam, the Tri-State Muslim Education Initiative, and the Connecticut Muslim Coordinating Committee. California-born Shakir accepted Islam in 1977 while serving in the U.S. Air Force. He is a graduate of American University in Washington and earned his master’s degree in political science at Rutgers University, where he led a successful campaign for disinvestment from South Africa and co-founded a local Islamic center, Masjid al-Huda. As an American Muslim who came of age during the civil rights struggles, he has brought sensitivity about race and poverty, as well as scholarly discipline to his faith-based work. While Imam of Masjid al-Islam (1988-1994) he spearheaded a community renewal and grassroots anti-drug effort and taught political science and Arabic at Southern Connecticut State University. For the next seven years he studied Arabic, Islamic law, Quranic studies, and Islamic spirituality in Syria, and briefly in Morocco, with top Muslim scholars. In 2001, Shakir’s translation from Arabic into English of The Heirs of the Prophet was published. In 2003, he joined Zaytuna Institute where he teaches Arabic, Islamic law, history and Islamic spirituality. In 2005, Zaytuna published “Scattered Pictures,” an anthology of Shakir’s essays. Close.

Zaid Shakir

Co-founder, Masjid al-Islam, the Tri-State Muslim Education Initiative

“On Faith” panelist Zaid Shakir is a scholar-in-residence and lecturer at Zaytuna Institute in Hayward, Calif. A graduate of Syria's prestigious Abu Noor University, Shakir is a co-founder of Masjid al-Islam, the Tri-State Muslim Education Initiative, and the Connecticut Muslim Coordinating Committee. more »

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Jesus is Not the Son of God

Muslims do not view Jesus as the “Son of God.” We feel that God’s taking a son would be unbecoming His incomparable nature and grandeur. The Qur’an states, There is nothing like unto Him (42:11); and, He begets not, nor was he begotten (112:3).

We do believe that Jesus was one of the greatest prophets, peace and blessings of God upon them all. Like Christians, we affirm the Annunciation (3:45-50); the Immaculate Conception (3:35-37, 42); the Virgin Birth (3:47, 19:20-22); and the Ascension (3:55, 4:157-158).

Many of these concepts were related in the testimony of Ja’far bin Abi Talib, the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, peace upon him, as he addressed the Christian king of Abyssinia, who had provided refuge for the Muslims who had fled the persecution of their people in Mecca.

Ja’far recited the following Qur’anic verses (19:16-21) to his noble host:

And make mention of Mary in the Book, when she withdrew from her people unto a place towards the East, and secluded herself from them; and we sent unto her Our Spirit [Gabriel], and it appeared unto her in the likeness of a perfect man. She said: I take refuge from thee in the infinitely Good, if any piety thou hast. He said: I am none other than a messenger from thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee a son most pure. She said: How can there be for me a son, when no man hath touched me, nor am I unchaste? He said: Even so shall it be; thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me. That We may make him a sign for mankind and a mercy from Us; and it is a thing ordained.

The experience of those early Muslims emigrants to Abyssinia is instructive, for the civility they demonstrated towards those hosting them in their place of refuge is a practical lesson for Muslim emigrants who have settled in these western lands. This is an aspect of the early community’s experience that demands greater study and analysis.

However, this is not the season for sociopolitical ruminations; it is the season for reflection and prayer.

It is my fervent prayer that all of our lives are enriched, and our faith deepened by the spirit of this blessed season. May all of those concerned people who have participated in this forum be blessed, especially those who have respectfully and intelligently disagreed with some of the views I have expressed upon occasion. May all of those who are traveling be conveyed safely to their destinations, and experience a safe return to their homes, and may the coming year witness more peace, greater understanding, and less strife than its predecessor.

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Posted by Zaid Shakir on December 21, 2006 10:25 AM

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