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This evening, my good friend, Rashid ibn Jeffrey of Hounslow, coined a new phrase to replace the tired out names given to those who embrace Islam later in life, such as converts, reverts and new Muslims.

He proposed, and I accepted, ‘the dekafirnated tribes’. So overjoyed was I by this innovation that I agreed to use this coinage henceforth, wherever I deem it appropriate.

It may apply to individuals – ‘a dekafirnated soul’; to groups of individuals – ‘dekafirnated folk’; and to whole groups – ‘dekafirnated Engs’ (English Muslims), ‘white dekafirnated’ (white converts), ‘black dekafirnated’ (generally West Indian converts) or ‘dekafirnated tribes’ (assorted converts of any background).

Which brings me nicely to the words of another wise friend earlier on this evening, which I am quite certain he will allow me to share:

Islam is something dynamic, not frozen in time. Anything from any tradition or culture that does not clash with the values of al-Islam can be assimilated without fear. To say something is haram or makrouh, you need evidence: ‘it being alien’ is not evidence. Bilal the Abyssinian, Salman the Persian and Suhaib the Roman, all brought something with them to the Muslims.

The use of the car didn’t come from Muslim lands, but most are using it. A woman is not allowed to drive a car in Saudi, but she is allowed in other lands. Surely there are women driving cars who are better than women not driving cars.

There is something that I deeply believe in and that is: The words of Sayiduna Muhammad, salahu alayhe wasallam, were spoken to his immediate companions, but they were meant for people until the end of times. So one cannot claim that he understands the full extent of his words. It is possible that someone deep in Africa, or America or Japan sheds some light on a true meaning in his sayings that we never thought of.

I would say that it is possible for a Muslim in America today to be better than a Muslim in Saudi a thousand folds. Alhamdullilah this Deen is not confined to a certain time or space or race. It is free from all that.

Therefore, O dekafirnated tribes, whether new or ancient, strive in the way of your Lord. As said our blessed Prophet, peace be upon him: ‘Let each of you have an invoking tongue and a thankful heart.’