Muslim Americans and the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America.

Faisal Shahzad, the Pakistani immigrant who tried to detonate a car bomb near Times Square on a busy Saturday evening, has been given a life sentence yesterday in a New York court.

Although his entire case is sickening at many levels, one thing sticks out the most:  Shazad’s admittance of intentional lying at the oath ceremony to become an American citizen.

According to an Associated Press report about the case conclusion yesterday, October 5, 2010, “The judge cut [Shahzad] off at one point to ask if he had sworn allegiance to the U.S. when he became a citizen last year. “I did swear, but I did not mean it,” Shahzad said.”

This reminds me of a conversation I had with someone who told me that at the time of their oath ceremony they were only lip sing the oath instead of saying it properly. “Didn’t you sign the oath?” I asked. “Yes, I did, but I did not mean it,” they replied.  

“But, that’s lying,” I rebuked.

“It’s allowed at the time of desperate need,” they said remorselessly.

I spent an hour in explaining to them that how un-Islamic and illegal such practice is.

In later years, I have found that there are several misconceptions and misunderstandings regarding this matter in the Muslim community and they need to be clarified more often in our mosques and community centers.

People need to understand that false pledging in any court is forbidden in Islam at least for two reasons: it’s lying and it’s illegal.

False pledging and signing an oath just to get American citizenship is intentional lying for the sake of some worldly benefits, which is not permissible in Islam. By doing so, some may deceive Americans, but they cannot deceive God, the almighty.

It’s very hypocritical of people to get benefits of both sides. Gathering benefits of American citizenship and then cursing or plotting against America in the company of its enemies is nothing but hypocrisy. The Holy Quran identifies hypocrisy as the worst disease of heart. There are several chapters in the Quran about the severe torments waiting for hypocrites and liars.

Just like in any other country, it is illegal in America to falsely sign or pledge anything in the court of law. This is also called the contempt of court, which is a major crime. Islam requires all Muslims to follow the Law of the Land where they reside. If there is a law that contradicts their faith, they must struggle publicly and peacefully to have it amended to fit their religious needs. If that does not happen, the Holy Quran guides them to migrate to another land, where they can practice their religion in peace. It does not guide them to be deceitful in any court to join a country that they don’t feel comfortable as Muslims to begin with.

There is no compulsion. Nobody is forcing them to become Americans. They must think a lot and resolve all their inner fights of conscious and sub-conscious before they come to an American court to pledge allegiance to the United States of America.

They must understand that being American is not just about few hundred dollars of senior citizen’s benefits or convenience of roaming half of the world with a blue passport that does not need visa in many countries. Being American is way more than that.

It’s about playing an active role in making this country a better place for everyone. It’s about civic engagement. It’s about improving our schools, neighborhoods, workplaces, courts, congress and so much more through our votes and active participation.

They must also understand that it’s not fun to be a Muslim American these days. It is about carrying double loads. It’s about building bridges between Islamic World and America. It’s about helping Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kashmir and other Muslim lands through participation in U.S. politics. It’s about bringing America back to the right track of justice and accountability in the times of war and peace.

It’s not against Islam. Instead, it’s a noble cause to be an American. That is why, Muslims should be more at peace and uplifted while saying the allegiance:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. So Help Me God.