Surviving Salafism: An American Muslim Recovers from Extremism and Makes a Difference
When ReligionWriter reviewed Daveed Gartenstein-Ross’ Feb. 2007 memoir, My Year inside Radical Islam, she was excited to see an American go public with a story about getting sucked into Islam’s radical fringes. Yet Gartenstein-Ross’ reflections were limited by the fact that when he extricated himself from Islam’s dark side, he also decided to leave the religion all together — the reader was not able to hear how he rehabilitated his faith.
Earlier this year, however, RW was lucky to make the virtual acquaintance of fellow blogger and fellow Northern Virginia resident, Tariq Nelson. Tariq’s popular blog covers both local Muslim news — seminars on homelessness, condolences for the deceased — but also takes a hard look at controversial topics like domestic violence and racism in the American Muslim community. He speaks frankly about how he joined the Muslim Salafi movement and learned the hard way that extreme piety can lead to moral emptiness. [Note: Tariq never condoned violence and never involved with any group that did.]
What makes Tariq so interesting to RW, in her journalistic mode, is that he holds points of view that might be considered progressive, even while remaining deeply involved with his local Northern Virginia mosque, which is not known for, shall we say, progressivism. Most American Muslims with views and experiences like Tariq’s are alienated from their mosques and local communities, and thus very limited in the impact they can have —
RW recommends Tariq as an excellent source for journalists reporting on Islam in America. Below, Tariq was kind enough to answer some questions from RW about what attracted him to the extreme Islam and what lessons he wants to share with fellow Muslims.
RW: Could you say a bit about your own religious background? How did you come to Islam?
Tariq Nelson: I was raised in what I suppose you would call a Christian household. I was raised to believe in God and follow the Ten Commandments, but I was never taught any particular religious dogma growing up, and we were not regular attenders of church.
Being a child of the eighties, I grew up seeing a lot of social ills and the deterioration of the black community. I knew many drunks and drug addicts, but my family was blessed to be free from that. By the time I was a teenager in the late eighties and early nineties, we were being bombarded with nightly newscasts of more and more black males being murdered and the problems of the black community. It was a period in which many of us were searching for answers to these massive problems we were seeing. There was also a lot of frustration at the time that led to a “black consciousness” environment, expressed in music, television and movies. The talk on the streets and amongst black university students was about “the struggle” and making changes to the system. This would lead to this generation having an interest in Malcolm X, who would come to personify our frustration and desire for change. The interest in Malcolm X then led many –
including myself - to become interested in Islam and embrace it. A lot of young men and women accepted Islam at this time with the desire to change the world for the better.
RW: You say that at one point you were a Salafist. Can you explain what, in your view, Salafism is? How is it different from the Islam that others practice?
Nelson: By definition, Salafism means following the belief, practice and moral code of the salaf, meaning the First Pious Generations [following the Prophet Mohammed.] The objective is to not invent beliefs and methods of worship that were not known during the time of the salaf. In Muslim countries, this would usually equate to opposition to forms of worship and practices that one may see in some parts of the Muslim world that were not known during the time of the salaf.
Salafists – who come in many different stripes –
can be very literal in their outlook on the religion and life itself, and this is where the problem begins. This manifests itself in some of the extremism that we see in parts of the Muslim world in opposition to getting a secular education (especially for a woman), treating women like soul-less broodmares, romanticizing the past, and demanding a conformity in thought and personality that is impossible to achieve.
In the context of the US, the ‘Salafi Movement’ was an exclusive group of Muslims that saw themselves as above the rest of the Muslims because they attached themselves to the slogan of “following the Qur’an and Sunnah” or “following the Salaf”
- as if all other Muslims were opposed to following Allah and His Messenger (Peace and Blessings be upon him). Because we live in a country in which most are not Muslim, the Salafi Movement was also given to extreme isolation and demanding disengagement from society.
As for differences in practice from other Muslims, they were perceived to pray more and memorize more from the Qur’an and the Hadith – so they were generally regarded to be more religious (which made them attractive to the new Muslim). They also had the appearance of being “real Muslims,”
in that they would refuse to wear Western-style clothing, had large beards (for men) and wore all black with niqaab and gloves (for women). They had a pious appearance about them. Because they were such strict conformists, the rest of the Muslims would generally know them when they saw them or even heard them speak on a recorded lecture.
RW: Tell us a bit about your experiences in Salafism. What was attractive about the belief system and Salafi community? What were the downsides?
Nelson: Shortly after I became Muslim in 1994 I was introduced to the Salafi movement and attended my first Salafi conference a year later. The internet was very new at the time, and the Salafis were already very active on the internet. This was part of what contributed to that movement’s growth in the 1990s. They were also helped by the fact that several American converts had been recruited by the Saudis to go to school at the University of Madinah and Umm al-Qura University in Mecca; they graduated and returned to the United States just in time for this explosion of young people embracing Islam. These graduates, in addition to being from our own [American] background, spoke Arabic fluently and knew a lot about Islam. Also, as I mentioned earlier, they had the appearance of piety in that they wore the Saudi dress and sported big beards. In contrast, the more “moderate”
American Muslims (that had been Muslim for some time before us) and that were opposed to the Salafi movement often did not speak Arabic and appeared not to know what they were talking about.
Things went very well for a few years as the taped lectures, web sites and books spread and more “salafi masjids”
[mosques] were established and the ranks swelled. As more and more new Muslims joined and made that movement stronger, the bonds of brotherhood/sisterhood got stronger and many tight friendships were made.
However, because of the literalism, lack of focus on practical issues, and religious hairsplitting, there were many disagreements and the friendships broke down and the movement eventually fell apart.
There were many factors to the movement falling apart, but one of them –
in my mind - was that many of us were young upon accepting Islam, but as we got older, started having children and increasing responsibilities, the movement ceased to have practical meaning to more and more people. Many, however, chose to turn a blind eye to these things, put their lives on hold (quitting college and trade schools in the name of piety) and ignore their growing families and responsibilities — in fact, they were encouraged to do so by some of the leaders in the name of piety.
In other words, an adult with adult responsibilities could not continue to travel from place to place listening to lectures, hanging out with other movement members, and sometimes even uprooting his family on a whim because some newly formed community is “
on the truth.” At some point a person must establish something tangible for their families and begin to educate their children.
Then there were the disastrous “stranger marriages”
in which people were very strongly encouraged to marry people they knew nothing about after an awkward 15-20 minute sitting with the prospect. Years later they would realize they have no means or skills to support the many children they were encouraged to have by other strangers. This is why there were so many marriages and divorces amongst the converts.
RW: How did you leave Salafism? Did you ever think of leaving Islam all together? Do you now see Salafism as a dangerous version of the religion?
Nelson: I had a series of watershed moments: The first was when my maternal grandmother suddenly passed away. During my childhood, I was very close to her, but after I became Muslim, I was not. I still cry when I reflect on that. After that, I decided I would try to be closer to my extended family, and I went to a family reunion in
Over the years, I’d gotten swept up in traveling to the conferences, distributing tapes and books and translating websites while the world – including my extended family - moved on without me. Some of them have since passed away, and I will never be able to get that time back. It hurts. I’
d accepted Islam, and my own family had not seen a living example of a good Muslim, but instead thought of me as a narrow and dogmatic zealot who distanced himself from the people that loved him in the name of his religion.
Meanwhile, the movement was falling apart, as a sub-group amongst the Salafis began an Inquisition-like witch hunt that demanded groupthink. It got completely out of control and lists of people to boycott were formed. I thought all of that was ridiculous and wanted nothing to do with it.
The thing that makes me the saddest is that, as I mentioned in the beginning, many of us accepted Islam to affect positive change in our communities. Solving issues such as affordable housing, homelessness, drug abuse, lack of education, crime, out-of-wedlock births and the litany of other issues in our own communities got lost in a web of slavish dogmatism, calls for isolation, denial, religious hairsplitting and even foreign politics.
Rather than being a force for positive change, the Salafis (along with other “movement Muslims”
) became the very symbol of social irresponsibility. After the bubble burst and the movement essentially fell apart, many fell into depression, women were left with children without fathers in their lives and seemed to be right back where they started in the early nineties, only 15 years later.
Nowadays you will find men and women now in their mid- to late 30s returning to college and trade school, angry because they could have finished years ago, but instead were talked into quitting by other movement members leaders. I have since met several others – with stories far worse than my own - “recovering”
from this movement and they are angry and bitter.
I see this movement as dangerous to us as converts only in the sense that the members tell you to put your life on hold and live in some carefully constructed fantasy world, seeking some perfect conformity or personality that never existed amongst Muslims [in the first place] and is impossible to achieve. I feel this way about all “movements”
that demand cult-like conformity. I never thought about leaving Islam, but I did go through a short period when I just did not want to be around Muslims because I was bitter. Because many in my old (and much smaller) community were so narrow, dogmatic and conspiratorial (some of them started to accuse me of being a spy,) I felt that I had to leave [that community] to maintain my own sanity. This is one of the main reasons I came to the D.C. area
RW: You agree with blogger Umar Lee’s analysis that Salafism has largely died out in the
Nelson: The Salafi movement amongst converts has essentially fallen apart, and today has only diminishing strength in a few areas of the country –
mainly on the East Coast.
They only have a little bit of strength in a couple of places, but are reviled amongst other groups of Muslims. I think it has received little attention because it was mainly a convert phenomenon and the press largely presents Islam as something alien and immigrant. The thought today is that Muslims are people that are not American.
RW: You remain very involved in your local Muslim community, yet on your blog, you often bring up sensitive issues like divorce rates among Muslims and the relationship between immigrant and African American Muslims. Do you get a lot of criticism? What motivates you to remain involved at the local level?
Nelson: In spite of getting off track in the 1990s, I have always been a person that wanted to solve problems. If I simply wanted to complain about issues or talk about social problems, I could give a new sad story several times a week. However, my goal is not simply to pick at scabs – as some Muslims think – but to bring much-needed attention to these issues so that need to be solved. Unfortunately some would prefer to believe the slogan that we are “one ummah” [nation] in order to gloss over problems - or outright deny them – and say I am “exposing the dirty laundry,” but my response is that the “dirty laundry” –
particularly the problem of extremism - is already exposed. We are human beings with problems just like anyone else, and we need to come together to admit these issues exist and solve them instead of pretending that we are still living under the Muslim Golden Age.
I also get a lot of criticism – particularly from Salafi “dead enders”
(a few individuals still holding on to the sad hope that the 1990s movement will be revived) - who believe we should remain isolated from the community at large, but I remain undaunted. I am also encouraged by the fact that more and more Muslims are speaking out and rejecting this isolationist dogma. However, the most important thing for me is to set a good example for my children to be a person that is involved in the community.
RW: What is your advice to Muslim converts now?
Nelson: Because of the many sad stories I have seen, and because a convert can be blinded by idealism, I tend to give advice grounded in reality. I will tell a young college student that he/she should not only graduate, but strive to excel at the highest levels in all areas of life, not just in their Islamic studies. I would tell an older person with a family and a job to treat that family with kindness and be the best employee they can be. I also encourage them to continue to engage their family and not to cut off old friends –
unless, of course, they are horrible influences. I tell all of them to not get themselves involved in some cult mentality that demands you throw your personality and life away for a pipe dream that does not exist.
Dear Andrea, on your travails into Islam, did you read anything on shia Islam? Dr. Tijani's "When I was guided" ...
Praise be to Allah, discord between muslims is not a new Phenomenon. Looking back at the lives of the Sahaba ...
I am thankful for this reminder forgivness is not only possible and also expected. I had never thought of ...
May Allaah Raise those who uphold The Qur'aan & Sunnah & call to the way of the Teachings of prophet ...
Andrea,
I have to admit I am somewhat embarrassed by my post. I'm afraid I exaggerated a bit much. Some people ...
The greatest part about blogging is the fellow bloggers -- thanks to you all. 
Andrea, I SO hear you about Aug not being a month of inspiration. Last night, my husband and I got ...
Enjoy the break! I look forward to your forthcoming features. 
Thanks Andrea.
Yay for taking a break! You know, I find it absolutely astounding how writing productive you are (with ...
This a very thought-provoking post. I had an opportunity to speak with Professor Narayanan a month or so after ...
Powered by FireStats
Comment by Muslim Thought on 13 December 2007:
Excellent piece!
Kudos to Tariq for having the courage to speak on his experiences regardless of what others think. Also, a salute to RW for accurately rendering Tariq’s story for all of us.
RW and Tariq, keep up the good work!
Pingback by Seekersdigest.org » Blog Archive » Surviving Salafism: An American Muslim Recovers from Extremism and Makes a Difference | Religion Writer.com [Please read disclaimer] on 14 December 2007:
[…] Surviving Salafism: An American Muslim Recovers from Extremism and Makes a Difference | Religion Wri… […]
Comment by UmmFarouq on 17 December 2007:
Wonderful! Great job Tariq and RW. Keep up the wonderful writing and interviewing and most of all, clear-headedness.
Comment by Ankabut on 3 January 2008:
Salafi-ism also affected immigrants Muslims as well who are rediscovering Islam on the American turf.
Comment by Former "Salafi" on 5 January 2008:
I had been a practicing Muslim for about 9 years when, around 10 years ago, I had begun studying what was called “Dawah-tus Salafiyyah”. I was impressed by the peoples, level of scholarship and the call to study the lives and teachings of the first few generations of Muslims.
During my two years of study, I was dismayed that I wasn’t able to really connect with those in the American community who were known to be knowledgable. In what I now believe was a mercy from God, I couldn’t prevent my natural inclination to question edicts (which were given often and seemingly randomly), or practices (which seemed to follow the letter of the law and ignore the spirit of it). I also saw that both these edicts and practices lead to many bitter, angry and spiritless people.
Over time, I also began see that many of the teachings were beginning to simply make no sense. After constantly being told not to “blindly follow” previous (and respected) scholars of Islam, we were expected to blindly follow contemporary “scholars” of Islam. In addition, I noticed that a significant number of the people that I came into contact with (more than I was used to seeing) seemed to have some form of personality disorder or mental health problem.
So, after two years and a near nervous breakdown later, I left the “Salafis” behind…gladly. I had had a “near” nervous breakdown because I couldn’t possibly follow the practices that they endorsed, yet I was constantly warned that I would go to hell if I fell short of following this “call”. I discovered that I wasn’t being allowed to be me.
Two things happened as a result of that experience. The first, is that I am still a Muslim. I had a foundation to fall back on that left me know that Islam is a religion that is meatn to allow people to be who they are within a framework of guidelines that prevents them from harming others. The second is that I left scarred. I am what I can only described as jaded and cynical. I’ve reexamined all of my beliefs, I’m extremely careful about those that I may now adopt, and I look for truth wherever it may be found.
I am now working towards a place that will allow me to serve God without becoming a slave to ideology.
Comment by maryum on 22 January 2008:
I have to agree whole heartedly with the above post.
The salafi movement would like people to follow the letter of the law but do not provide the neccessary requirements for new muslims/salafis to facilitate them.
what I found, as a salafi, was that the scholars and more importantly the da’ees in the west are very uneducated about needs of the muslim community. I live with one of the most highly esteemed da’ee in england and I can personally say that he is not friendly nor caring about the muslim community around him. Yet can travel the world to give preach a version of islam that is shortsighted and narrowminded.
The brother also made an excellent point about not dealing with issues such as marital discord, employment, brotherhood, and realistic problems muslims all over the world face.
when My husband asked to learn arabic at uni .. the answer was NO because it was a mixed community. Yet this same brother holds a phd in biology from a mixed university. That really doesn’t make much sense to me.
that same brother also has contacts when learning arabic.. And has close relationship with the scholars.. Yet cannot even humble himself to teach his community arabic or even visit people to give relief from the practice of Islam.
even more so.. I was very surprised when the brother took a loan for a very expensive house.. while a smaller home would have been sufficient.
unfortunately.. I have learned that the “salafi” movement is very much a insular group.. that one will never break into unless they grovel at these peoples feet. Which is very sad indeed. Even more so.. the salafi’s seem to be arrogant as if they are the best and have the most complete knowledge.
Islam is a very rich religion and One must be able to admit when they have made mistakes and done wrong.. and correct themselves.
I still call myself salafi.. (because of the meaning) and inshAllah I try my best to adhere to the principals.. But I do have very little respect for those who hold such bad manners and arrogance in their hearts. Those who have no mercy for those around them
It is so easy to say salaamu alaikum and so hard to mean it with ones heart.
I pray for these brothers and sisters who fall into this trap.. and hope that they take what they learn that is good and leave that which is bad from this group. Take everything with a pinch of salt.. cuz until one knows arabic himself.. and gains knowledge then we can never be sure these days who is saying the right thing.
I am so much happier now that I have stopped trusting these people and seeing for myself that they actually have very little knowledge!
knowledge mandates action!
Comment by Fadila on 13 June 2008:
Asalamu 3alaykum,
I am a muslim 26 year old woman. I am a born muslim from Lebanon, Middle east, however, I am well travelled and lived most of my life outside lebanon. My fiance is a salafi. As oppose to the description of salafis above, he allows me to carry a very normal lifestyle entailing of a job, moderate interaction with non-muslim friends etc etc. At the same time, he is very religious and so I have become as well. The lifestyle that salafis depict is not that of a dream but its the ambition to always be better and submit more wholeheartedly to God as that is Islam’s bottom line. There is an explanation for every islamic law as small as “A woman is forbidden to wear perfume for anyone other than the husband” or as big as the commandment “alcohol is forbidden”. Often I have seen people say “JUST BELIEVE” NOT bcs there isn’t an explanation but bcs they do not know the answer and do not wish to say so. Yes islam is about submission but there is an explanation for everything. Stereotyping is a very common habit to many people, not only about religion too. My point to all this is that not all salafis are like the description above. Many I know are like my fiance as well. Its sad to see that when someone really lives by every law of islam is seen as an extremist but really can you call a nun or a priest or a monk extremists? I know of many that cut themselves from society but they are not called christian extremists. There are many forms of the same accusations bestowed on islam in other religions but sadly enough, islam just happens to be the target these days bcs of political propaganda. I want to point out that many call themselves muslims but they don’t necessarily follow true ISLAM……not all muslims are good just as with any other religion in this world. Good and bad exits in every country every race every neighborhood.
I AM VERY BOTHERED WHEN SOMEONE EVEN WITH THE BIGGEST DEGREE IN ISLAMIC STUDIES or theological studies (AND HE OR SHE IS NOT A BORN MUSLIM NOR A CONVERT) GIVEs THEIR opinion of Islam or an explanation for the act of a muslim because you really cannot know it until you live it.
The above is my opinion, opinion of a muslim shared by many others as well. I only hope to shed some light of the real status of islam in any community on how we should be seen as we are and not as what people think or assume we are.
Comment by Aisha Khan on 17 June 2008:
Assallamualaikum,
I am sorry to hear that you, among others, had a negative experience with “Salafi’s”. But, know that every person that calls themself “Salafi” does not represent the the correct following of the Salaf us Salih. Many people are caught up in an extremist Super Salafi belief here in the states. American Muslims who have learmed some arabic and hadith have decided to tell everyone to take the safe road and go to extremes, while there should be no compulsion in religion. I have to give you some friendly advice though, hijab is fard-while niqab is not. The Salafi’s that I know treat their women with such respect and honor-unmatched by any other! I have to say that the proof is in the pudding. Search your heart for the truth and you will find it. Ascribibg to the salaf filters out innovations such as: women uncovering to “blend in”, all aspects of interest, etc. When Islam is practiced as it should be, ascribing to the Quran and Sunnah and looking to the best of the Salaf, Muhammad Sallahu Alahi Wasallam, and then the next three generations of the Salaf us Salih- you will find the essence of what Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala has gifted us with these days…the purest form of submission to Allah Azza Wa Jal you can find. And when you find it, you will have no complaints, no arguments about it. All the evidence is there to be followed. Alhamdulillah. So why not follow it as Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala wants us to worship Him? Not as we think we should.
Comment by abdul-khaaliq on 28 June 2008:
peace be upon those who follow the guidance. So some of these post attempt to disfigure salafiyyah and others try to lift it up. The reallity is that salafiyyah can not be disfigured and it needs no uplifting. Because it is the truth. a salafi follows the salaf in the same sense that a sunni follows the sunna (as opposed to being shi’a). So how can following the salaf be extreme?! from them is the best of mankind, the prophet, peace be upon him. and those whom the glad tidings of paradise was giving to while they were still alive. and Allah revealed ayat saying He was pleased with them. Now as far as the so-called salafis that dominate the scene in the west, they are mostly claimants without action. and this is like the saying “everyone claims to have been with layla, but layla does not claim any of them.” so they may claim salafiyyah but salafiyyah may be far away from them in reality. I have been blessed by Allah to see both. I was in a community of “salafis” that were in reallity far away from the way of the salaf in action and where more like non-muslims in their mannors and dealings. I wanted to be far away from this crap. and I said and still say “if that is salafiyyah, I don’t want any part of it.” Then Allah placed me in a community that was salafi in belief and action. It was full of college students, business owners, etc. But most importantly they followed the salaf in truth and even the non-salafis loved them and spoke highly of them and would take their children to them to learn the religion! Allahu akbar. They had mercy, kindness and concern for every muslim (salafi or not). They ARE salafi. If you think I am making this up then go see them yourself at masjid assahaba in columbus, oh. I have since moved and I feel regretful for that almost daily. http://www.assahaaba.net
Comment by muslim-person on 21 July 2008:
Masha’Allah, I agree with the above three posts and am happy to have read them!…just because of experiencing bad things from some people who claim they are salafi, yet act badly or without wisdom, should not make you hate the true essence of what ’salafiyyah’ calls to (which is the middle path). Allah is the source of Guidance. By labeling all salafis in one way is in no way objective nor fair.
Comment by salafilady2612 on 27 July 2008:
Maa shaa Allah its good to see people defend salafiyyah;true islam. On the otherhand I am very saddened that people wish to generalize. Especially when they claim to be upon the book & sunnah, as this is not an action of ahlul sunnah. Have not the muslims & islam seen enough generalizing from those who oppose this guidance, throughout history? So why would we do this to our own brethren? Are you not in actuallity doing the exact same thing you claim to hate about the “salafies”? I use the term salafi loosely in my last sentence. Indeed if they were truly upon salafiyyah their manners would show the beauty that is salafiyyah. I still won’t make tabdi (not for me to do) and call them innovators,but their actions are far from that of a salafi.
If we indeed listened to the ulema, their manners are beautiful and humble. So I refuse to blame them. They do have the most knowledge in regards to this religion. There are some evil individuals who call them and ask verdict without giving the whole story,in order to reach their own selfish objective. They ask in the guise of a genereal situation and then lie & say our precious ulema made a statement upon an indivudual. This is NOT the fault of our ulema, Allah preserve them,ameen! For this reason Shaykh Muhammad Al-Madhkhali,hafidhullah refuses to take calls from the UK & the Americas.
I do not blame him. The problem is NOT nor was it ever salafiyyah. The problem is those individuals who were always seeking the limelight,to be with the ‘in-crowd” before islam,thus they are the same now as muslims. Their character never changes; only their clothing and some broken arabic words. They are status seekers and THEY are the problem NOT salafiyyah. If they sought knowledge to please Allah & to rectify their ownselves & families,indeed they would reap the benefits of this great & true manhaj.
So do not generalize because you are doing the same thing the non-muslims do to us,unjustly making us all criminals due to the errors of some rogue but LOUD few. I agree too that someone who is NOT muslim,let alone not a salafi,should not attempt to speak on something they can never possibly know antyhing about.
Those “salafies” who engage in ribaa & unjust harshness & seek status will get theirs eventually. Allah is not blind nor is He deaf. Neither is He unjust. So if they do not rectify their affairs they risk Allah’s punishment. Thats why even though it makes me sad to see them behave so horribly; I don’t let it bother me so much.
My salafiyya is for Allah not just when its cool to be salafi. Thus, I am now, was always & will die by Allah’s leave, a salafi.
Thank you!
Please excuse & read through my typos. No time 2 revise as I must run & tend to my family.
P.S: I too have heard absolutely wonderful things about the salafyeen of Columbus, OH. May Allah preserve them,ameen.
Comment by Abu yusuf on 8 August 2008:
May Allaah Raise those who uphold The Qur’aan & Sunnah & call to the way of the Teachings of prophet Muhammad sallalahu Alayhi was salaam. Those who with the guidance firstly of Allaah contact the Ulemma to educate us and keep us upon clear guidance. Those who assist in us learning the Fundamentals of this deen, who assist us in keeping away from Biddah. May Allaah guide you and me my brother- shouldnt let personal issues keep you away from the Haqq.
Comment by Abu Sammayah on 16 August 2008:
Praise be to Allah, discord between muslims is not a new Phenomenon. Looking back at the lives of the Sahaba we see even between them they had personal issues but they strived with sabar. I remember a time some Salafi brother organised a 5 aside football tournament in my area and many people came from the muslim comunity. This one brother got into an argument with a Salafi brother during a game and just because of this when speaking to him later he branded all Salafi’s with the samae harshness and said he would never go to a Salafi masjid! This at the time made me just think how one dosent just reflect oneself but the whole jamat.
Sad to hear the brother has been dismayed by his personal experience, all I can say is we are all humans and make mistake and will continue to do so, we need to show a little sabar when afflicted with some trail and know the truth is still the truth. May Allah help me and you in time of hardship and rectify the affair of the muslims.. Ameen