Muslim reality series on Discovery Channel TLC

[sabr*]

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):

The Discovery Channels TLC will air 13 November 2011 a reality series based upon Muslims
living in Dearborn, MI.


http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/all-american-muslim

[.iman.]

I don't see how this is going to help the Muslim community, they should have had the show about Arab American families instead... I didn't see a lot of Islamic practices being represented, just cultural things- women in full makeup, a sister without hijab and an eyebrow piercing, women dancing, an expensive wedding (not to mention lots of intermixing)... lots of haram things going on. Any reality show isn't going to depict true Muslim life because it will be edited, and the producers are only going to pick up on the drama between families.

On another note, I've actually thought about moving to Dearborn just because it is such a large Muslim community.

[sabr*]

I don't see how this is going to help the Muslim community, t
hey should have had the show about Arab American families instead... I
didn't see a lot of Islamic practices being represented, just cultural things-
women in full makeup, a sister without hijab and an eyebrow piercing,
women dancing, an expensive wedding (not to mention lots of intermixing)... l
ots of haram things going on. Any reality show isn't going to depict true M
uslim life because it will be edited, and the producers are only going to pick
up on the drama between families.

On another note, I've actually thought about moving to Dearborn just because
it is such a large Muslim community.

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):

Ukhti .iman.:

This might be a shock but many Muslim around the world are not as religious
as members of a forum.

Just reading the threads and posts provide an indication of how people
go about their daily lifes.

Confusing having Islam by tradition verses faith is a huge distinction.

There are practicing Muslims throughout the world. That would be true
that there are non-religious people who claim to be adherents of Islam as
other faiths.

Muslims are not superhuman. They are subject to the identical failings as
other humans.

[.iman.]

Yes brother I understand that there are all types of Muslims in the world, just like there are many different types of Christians and Jews. Astaghfillah I came off as judgmental towards them, but from the previews I didn't like what I saw. I am just afraid this will be more negative because people will say that Muslims are like this or that based upon a reality show. Or, they might confuse something they see that might be a cultural practice with Islam. As a Muslim, I feel that we should protect our ummah and be careful about the image that we are putting out there.

[aadil77]

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):

Ukhti .iman.:

This might be a shock but many Muslim around the world are not as religious
as members of a forum.

Just reading the threads and posts provide an indication of how people
go about their daily lifes.

Confusing having Islam by tradition verses faith is a huge distinction.

There are practicing Muslims throughout the world. That would be true
that there are non-religious people who claim to be adherents of Islam as
other faiths.

Muslims are not superhuman. They are subject to the identical failings as
other humans.

Thats true, but do you think this programme holds any benefit for muslims?

please provide an answer using Qur'an and Sunnah, no personal opinions

[MartyrX]

Let's reserve judgement on the show until we can see a full episode.

[sabr*]

Yes brother I understand that there are all types of Muslims in the world,
just like there are many different types of Christians and Jews. Astaghfillah I came off as judgmental
towards them, but from the previews I didn't like what I saw. I am just afraid this will be more negative
because people will say that Muslims are like this or that based upon a reality show. Or, they might
confuse something they see that might be a cultural practice with Islam. As a Muslim, I feel that we should
protect our ummah and be careful about the image that we are putting out there.

Ukhti .iman.:

many practicing Muslim of the forum may hold that exact view. But realize how much
it took for a family or group of people who are adherents of Islam to subject themselves
to the eventual criticism that will come from staunch Muslims.

How many within this forum would even open their life to a production company
to film everything and everywhere they go? Not that many.

The practicing Muslims most-likely didn't want anything to do with reality
TV. (Jersey Shore, The Kardashians, etc)

[sabr*]

Thats true, but do you think this programme holds any benefit for muslims?

please provide an answer using Qur'an and Sunnah, no personal opinions

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):

We don't intertwine our personal opinion with Islam.

We have not reviewed an entire episode so we can
only hold judgement. Those forum members who
have intuition without reviewing the
show may have that ability.

The show can be a learning tool of what practicing
Muslim face in tabligh of adherents who only
have Islam by tradition and not faith.

There are practicing Muslims who actually are
involved with their Islamic Communities and
don't devote their valuable time to online
forums 24/7.

The learning tool Allah used with Ibrahim (AS):

Al-An'am (The Cattle)

وَكَذَلِكَ نُرِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ مَلَكُوتَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَلِيَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُوقِنِينَ (6:75)
Wakathalika nuree ibraheema malakoota alssamawati waalardi waliyakoona mina almooqineena

6:75 (Y. Ali) So also did We show Abraham the power and the laws of the heavens
and the earth, that he might (with understanding) have certitude.

Al-An'am (The Cattle)

فَلَمَّا جَنَّ عَلَيْهِ اللَّيْلُ رَأَى كَوْكَبًا قَالَ هَـذَا رَبِّي فَلَمَّا أَفَلَ قَالَ لا أُحِبُّ الآفِلِينَ (6:76)
Falamma janna AAalayhi allaylu raa kawkaban qala hatha rabbee falamma afala qala la ohibbu alafileena
6:76 (Y. Ali) When the night covered him over, He saw a star:
He said: "This is my Lord." But when it set, He said: "I love not those that set."

Al-An'am (The Cattle)
فَلَمَّا رَأَى الْقَمَرَ بَازِغًا قَالَ هَـذَا رَبِّي فَلَمَّا أَفَلَ قَالَ لَئِن لَّمْ يَهْدِنِي رَبِّي لأكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الضَّالِّينَ (6:77)

Falamma raa alqamara bazighan qala hatha rabbee falamma afala qala lain lam yahdinee rabbee laakoonanna mina alqawmi alddalleena

6:77 (Y. Ali) When he saw the moon rising in splendour, he said:
"This is my Lord." But when the moon set, He said: "unless my Lord guide me, I shall surely be among those who go astray."

Al-An'am (The Cattle)
فَلَمَّا رَأَى الشَّمْسَ بَازِغَةً قَالَ هَـذَا رَبِّي هَـذَآ أَكْبَرُ فَلَمَّا أَفَلَتْ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ إِنِّي بَرِيءٌ مِّمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ (6:78)
Falamma raa alshshamsa bazighatan qala hatha rabbee hatha akbaru falamma afalat qala ya qawmi innee bareeon mimma tushrikoona
6:78 (Y. Ali) When he saw the sun rising in splendour, he said: "This is my Lord; this is the greatest (of all).
" But when the sun set, he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from your (guilt) of giving partners to Allah.

Al-An'am (The Cattle)
إِنِّي وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَاْ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ (6:79)
Innee wajjahtu wajhiya lillathee fatara alssamawati waalarda haneefan wama ana mina almushrikeena
6:79 (Y. Ali) "For me, I have set my face, firmly and truly, towards
Him Who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to Allah."
__________________________________________________ ______

Al-Baqara (The Cow)

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَسْتَحْيِي أَن يَضْرِبَ مَثَلاً مَّا بَعُوضَةً فَمَا فَوْقَهَا فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ فَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ كَفَرُو
اْ فَيَقُولُونَ مَاذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِهَـذَا مَثَلاً يُضِلُّ بِهِ كَثِيراً وَيَهْدِي بِهِ كَثِيراً وَمَا يُضِلُّ بِهِ إِلاَّ الْفَاسِقِينَ (2:26)
Inna Allaha la yastahyee an yadriba mathalan ma baAAoodatan fama fawqaha faamma allatheena amanoo
fayaAAlamoona annahu alhaqqu min rabbihim waamma allatheena kafaroo fayaqooloona matha arada
Allahu bihatha mathalan yudillu bihi katheeran wayahdee bihi katheeran wama yudillu bihi illa alfasiqeena


2:26 (Y. Ali) Allah disdains not to use the similitude of things, lowest as well as highest.
Those who believe know that it is truth from their Lord; but those who reject Faith say:
"What means Allah by this similitude?" By it He causes many to stray, and many
He leads into the right path; but He causes not to stray, except those who forsake (the path),-
________________________________________

Those Allah has bestowed with commonsense this can be a learning tool.

No matter how this is presented some will never get it.

This learning tool is like when Kithr (AS) was sent to instruct Musa (AS).

Some will get it and some will not.

[.iman.]

I guess we will see once the show airs, inchAllah.

[MartyrX]

While I agree we need to protect our Ummah, but I feel in this day and age, we need to be more out there. This will be a different view of Muslims, one that most people probably don't see.

[sabr*]

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):


The Discovery Channels TLC will air 13 November 2011 a
reality series based upon Muslims living in Dearborn, MI.

A learning tool for those who are involved with Dawah
in the offline Muslim community.





http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/all-american-muslim

[Tyrion]

There's both good and bad in these kinds of efforts, and I'm curious to see where they take this... As of now, I think that in many ways its a good step forward, but at the same time I can't help feeling uncomfortable with the way some of these programs try to "dumb us down" so that we're accepted by the mainstream. Hopefully it's not the case with this show, but I feel like more often than not, the message turns out being, "Hey, look! We've totally assimilated into your way of life, so even though we're Muslim, we're not "Muslim"... We're JUST LIKE YOU!"... It's good to show that Muslims can be and should be seen as Americans, but sometimes people go too far... Hopefully they can achieve a balance.

[Tyrion]

We don't intertwine our personal opinion with Islam.

We have not reviewed an entire episode so we can

Who's "We"?

(I'm gonna keep asking until I get a satisfactory response. )

[MartyrX]

In all reality, we are just like everyone else. Maybe we pray more than others, but deep down we are the same. I think and hope the point of this show is to show America that Muslims aren't blood-thirsty, women-hating crazies.

[sabr*]

There's both good and bad in these
kinds of efforts, and I'm curious to see where they take this...
As of now, I think that in many ways its a good step forward,
but at the same time I can't help feeling uncomfortable with the
way some of these programs try to "dumb us down" so that we're
accepted by the mainstream. Hopefully it's not the case with
this show, but I feel like more often than not, the message turns out being,
"Hey, look! We've totally assimilated into your way
of life, so even though we're Muslim, we're not "Muslim"...
We're JUST LIKE YOU!"... It's good to show that Muslims can be and
should be seen as Americans, but sometimes people go too far...
Hopefully they can achieve a balance.

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):

Akhi Tyrion:

The opinions of people in a forum is usually limited to
the forum they occupy. The differences in the offline
community varies.

A cautious guide when viewing this reality show is to
separate those who are adherents of Islam who practice
this religion which is usually by faith and those who are
operating on tradition. A difference that many are unable
recognize.

Usually faith and knowledge are inseparable. Many times you view
the deviation of the practice of Islam by those who claim to be Muslim
they usually have the religion by tradition which are combined with
cultural and tribal habits.

If a person doesn't practice Islam or embrace the Quran and Sunnah
how we understand it that isn't a reflection on practicing Muslims unless
we allow it in your mind.

Those who are committed in the offline communities in Dawah usually
use these opportunities to show the obligations of a practicing
Muslim.

Remember there is no one on earth that doesn't sin. The best sinner
is one who repents.

[.iman.]

I saw a rerun last night and I have to say that I wasn't very impressed. The first two people they focused on for this episode was the girl that married the convert and she was talking about how she is a Muslim, yet covered in piercings/tattoos (she was mad her wedding dress didn't show her tattoos in the episode) and the guy ONLY converted so he could marry her (as far as I could tell). The second person they focused on was the blonde woman who wears super tight clothes, and lowcut, skimpy tops and says she has her religion in her "heart" yet she wants to open up a night club in the city.

However, it did seem like there are a few couples who actually are practicing mashAllah like the pregnant lady and the guy that is a football coach. They only showed like 2 second clips of the men in prayers and that was it. I do like in between segments that they have the discussions that talk about Islam and explain it.

Honestly though, I don't see how this show is going to change a person's opinion of Muslims in general. I think it takes a lot more than a reality show to do that.

[YusufNoor]

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):

The Discovery Channels TLC will air 13 November 2011 a reality series based upon Muslims
living in Dearborn, MI.


http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/all-american-muslim

i would say not to bother to watch it. find some really cool lectures about Islam and copy them and keep them in your pocket. then when some non-Muslim asks you what you think about it, and they asked because they watched it because they were "interested in learning more about Islam" you can hand them something more beneficial without being critical about the fellow Muslims on the TV [who we should make dua for].

wa Salaam

[SyrianFellow]

I saw a rerun last night and I have to say that I wasn't very impressed. The first two people they focused on for this episode was the girl that married the convert and she was talking about how she is a Muslim, yet covered in piercings/tattoos (she was mad her wedding dress didn't show her tattoos in the episode) and the guy ONLY converted so he could marry her (as far as I could tell). The second person they focused on was the blonde woman who wears super tight clothes, and lowcut, skimpy tops and says she has her religion in her "heart" yet she wants to open up a night club in the city.

However, it did seem like there are a few couples who actually are practicing mashAllah like the pregnant lady and the guy that is a football coach. They only showed like 2 second clips of the men in prayers and that was it. I do like in between segments that they have the discussions that talk about Islam and explain it.

Honestly though, I don't see how this show is going to change a person's opinion of Muslims in general. I think it takes a lot more than a reality show to do that.

I can't agree with you more. I also watched it and was fairly disappointed. The funny thing about this is that there is a facebook group boycotting the show on TLC because it shows fake views of Islam, after reading what they meant, they said the show doesn't show the "real" islam and the real islam is the radical islam.

SubhanAllah, if only they had real views on the real Islam.

[Galaxy]

I was also disappointed to see the way these Muslims are like such as the Muslimah covered in piercings and tattoos and another planning to open a club. I read somewhere that these group of people don't represent Muslims very well because they are Arab (which only makes up 20% of the Muslim population) and Shia (which only makes up 10% of the Muslim population). Some people on the other hand who believe that this show is attempting to portray Muslims as normal people are disappointed to see this show too.

[serena77]

i watched it today to catch up before the next episode. I'll keep watching hoping it gets better.... i did manage not to say too much about how much i loved the hijabs that were worn as i was watching it w/ my mother... I will say.... at least she didnt make any off comments.. i was thankful of that... and a bit surprised.... and i think she set the next one to tape so even though it covers a small amount of the population... maybe she at least enjoyed it... which for me would be a good thing...
Serena