Remember Shaykh Azhar Nasser? The hilarious Muslim scholar from Canada?
He made some waves recently when people realized he’s super straightforward and sassy. He’s definitely a very different kind of Muslim scholar. But he’s proven to be witty and knowledgable at the same time.
He always responds to some really interesting queries…
Sheikh, how was my Quranic recitation?
Aside from proper pronunciation it was great.
— Shaykh Azhar Nasser (@ShaykhAzhar) November 6, 2017
…in an equally interesting way.
Sheikh, can you give a lecture about Jinn?
What a great suggestion considering you can be my visual aid.
— Shaykh Azhar Nasser (@ShaykhAzhar) November 4, 2017
Moreover, he’s got the most hilarious advice ever.
My respected brothers and sisters,
Please stop doing wudhu like you're in a Neutrogena commercial.
Jazakumallah#mosqueproblems
— Shaykh Azhar Nasser (@ShaykhAzhar) November 4, 2017
Well, he’s back and he’s sassier than ever with some nuggets of wisdom regarding Christmas. And he’s been sharing them over the course of a few tweets on his account.
He started off with this super sweet message.
Send your Christian and Jewish friends flowers, gifts or cards during the holiday season. It’s a nice gesture and is precisely the type of manners our Holy Prophet taught us.
— Shaykh Azhar Nasser (@ShaykhAzhar) December 21, 2017
But clearly, it wasn’t well-received by many. Which led him to tweet this:
I’m so glad I was introduced to Islam before I was introduced to Muslims. Islam is love, beauty and wisdom.
Many Muslims are intolerant, humorless, and ignorant
Also, stop messaging me about how it’s haram to send gifts to Christians and Jews. I actually studied Islam, u didn’t
— Shaykh Azhar Nasser (@ShaykhAzhar) December 22, 2017
*snap snap snap*
He even retweeted this thought-provoking tweet:
Interesting how if non-Muslims were to greet us on our special occasions and celebrate our Eids with us as a gesture of respect we don't have a problem with it but we seem to be up in arms about reciprocating the kindness!
— Laya Behbahani (@LayaBehbahani) December 22, 2017
Next, he had this to say to the someone who was constantly aggravating him regarding his stance on Christmas.
To the dude who keeps sending me hadith about how I’m going to hell for wishing Christians a happy holiday.
So a couple things. I admire your persistence but dear God your grammar is atrocious.
I’ll buy you something next Eid because clearly someone hurt you.
— Shaykh Azhar Nasser (@ShaykhAzhar) December 23, 2017
The savagery hurts.
But the absolute best tweet revolved around him accepting an offer to attend mass with pastors on Christmas Eve.
I was invited by Pastor Tim Kuepfer to attend Christmas Eve mass. I will be attending with my entire family to spend the evening with my Christian brothers and sisters.
If you have a problem with this, please find the nearest wall and run your head into it. Don’t use a helmet.
— Shaykh Azhar Nasser (@ShaykhAzhar) December 24, 2017
“If you have a problem with this, please find the nearest wall and run your head into it. Don’t use a helmet.”
His sass was acknowledged.
SHAYKH HAS REACHED LEVEL: ULTIMATE SAVAGE
— Naveed Naqvi (@nvdnqvi) December 24, 2017
And he became this Twitter user’s new favorite person.
Hi. Just wanted to say that you’re my new favourite person.
— Nafissa (@TheNafissa) December 24, 2017
As sassy as his tweets were, people understood the message he was trying to convey…
This is the tolerance & peace prophet Mohammed (S)preached to his Muslims. Imam Ali said; our greatest enemies isn't the Christians or the Jews but our own ignorance. Some Muslims need to stop been so ignorant & sectarian. Be tolerant & respect other faith in your own community.
— Savage (@Shia_Kafir_24_7) December 24, 2017
…and appreciated him for it.
Salam Alaykum Sheikh, a beautiful way to recognise respect for fellow brothers and sisters of faith. #OneGod
— Sara (@Hurriyah4) December 24, 2017
Spread love and kindness . Why spread hate while we can spread love and live in harmony ❤️
— =▲sarah▲= (@sarakuroneko) December 24, 2017
In a world that’s already divided, it’s important to look up to leaders who try to bridge the gaps that have come into being. Shaykh Azhar Nasser seems like one of those leaders. Truly, we must remember to spread love and kindness. Unity above all. Merry Christmas to all those celebrating.
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