There are at least three fundamental instructions that we have as Muslims which define for us what tolerance means. The first is "to you your deen and to us our deen." The second is the ayah that there is no compulsion in religion. And the third is the hadith telling us that a believer minds his own business.

We completely uphold the right of others to adopt their own way of understanding and approaching the world, their own paradigms, their own codes of conduct, and so forth; and we do not push them to change or conform to ours. It is your business if you want to be a certain kind of way.

This is tolerance. You are the way you are, and that is your prerogative.

However, it is our prerogative to decide whether or not we will engage with you, because of the way you are. Disengagement or rejection of your way does not constitute intolerance; it is us applying to ourselves the same respect we give to you.

That's us minding our own business.

Salaam all, I have started a new YouTube channel, as the Middle Nation channel is currently under pressure. While content will continue to be uploaded to Middle Nation (book discussions, regions briefings, etc), I will likely focus on the new channel for posting my own content. Your support is deeply appreciated.
https://www.youtube.com/@ShahidBolsen

Premiering in 2 hours:
https://youtu.be/ah9k3hH_JWM

Reposting on the new channel. I think this one is fairly essential
https://youtu.be/nU56hsVIaz4

Premiering in one hour
https://youtu.be/Hca9n0TEStQ

Premiering in 20 minutes:
https://youtu.be/UHQq0UUSRU0

This will seem random, but I want to say something about profanity.

Obviously, in Islam, vulgar speech is disliked. The use of profanity in speech is generally not accepted as befitting a dignified person.

My own objection to profanity, though, has more to do with laziness. I fully believe that profanity is sometimes the most expressive and effective approach in certain circumstances, and in those cases, it does not offend me.

However, the use of vulgarity, bad words, cursing, and so on, has become so completely normalized, so interwoven in everyone's language at this point, that it is simply undisciplined. Speech is degraded, sullied, and it is part of the culturally imposed depletion of our collective lexicon. People cuss for no reason, or simply because they do not know other words to use to express themselves.

Now, even a well-placed cuss word loses its expressive power. And the complete saturation of normal speech with vulgarity lowers the overall quality of discourse. We deserve to speak well. We deserve to be able to employ an elegant vocabulary that accurately conveys our thoughts.

I strongly urge everyone here to make a sincere effort, whether you are Muslim or non-Muslim, to curtail your personal use of curse words and profanity in your speech, in public and in private; and you will begin to feel a greater sovereignty over your own language and expression.

Premiering in one hour:
https://youtu.be/prVIXHon9u0

Beginning today, Middle Nation is embarking on a journey to develop, cultivate, and empower Middle Nation Ambassadors. In order to qualify, our team will be observing content engagement via this telegram channel; with the content-related questions that will be posted in a given timeframe.

After some time and a few videos (usually on a monthly basis), the admins will pick individuals who show understanding of and engagement with MN videos, and can potentially be representatives of Middle Nation as Ambassadors.

We will contact you after personal assessment for a short interview (do not call us, we will call you). The brief interview will pertain to various Middle Nation topics, to gauge how well you are able to represent and articulate Middle Nation understandings and concepts.

In case you pass the interview, you will have access to post your own content under the Middle Nation YouTube channel, have access to over 450 000 subscribers, collaborate with the Middle Nation YouTube account, and be able to use the Middle Nation logo on your own channels and content for anything that comes under the Middle Nation umbrella.

The content will be regularly checked by admins to ensure that as an Ambassador you reflect the Middle Nation ethos and codes of conduct.

We are looking forward to your engagement and possible future content.

The social media brigades will consist exclusively of chosen Ambassadors, that we will meet with, and train for opportunities like content talks, podcasts, and much more.

Ustadh Shahid will be the thought-leader of this initiative, and Ambassadors will participate in developing and carrying the message forwards through content and projects.



The series of questions will start soon. Be prepared.

In your own words, what exactly is being "divided" when Shahid says "separate your hands from our throats," and how does that clarify justice?
How does he define "us vs them" by conduct (actions and beliefs) not identity ("not your skin color… nationality… ethnicity")?
Try in your own words to distinguish the "good separation" he describes from "divide and rule" tactic imposed on us.
When is a generalized stance warranted despite the "one-by-one interview" objection Westerners have ("hold your fire because I think one of those archers didn't shoot his bow"), and what safeguard against bigotry does Shahid himself give (hint: the beliefs/actions criterion)?


Practical application (provide your responses and justification):

a) A local paper/article/headline calls your mosque "divisive" for declining a platform to a war-backing official. How would you frame your reply based on your understanding of Middle Nation?
b) How would you answer the typical "any us vs them mindset is harmful"?
c) Write one sentence that "clarifies justice" without identity labels (Westerner, American, etc...)