Islam in America: Invigorated and Refined by Sheikh Jilani
Aside from waking Muslims up to the urgency of coming to the aid of their brothers and sisters in Afghanistan, Sheikh Jilani's first visit to America had a much greater impact. He found there people from all walks of life who, in their quest for the ultimate truth, had accepted Islam with an enthusiasm unmatched anywhere else in the world. However, they were not properly educated in all of the aspects of al-Islam, which is more than just religion, but a perfect way of life which covers its every facet. On seeing this, Sheikh Jilani decided to remedy the situation and bring those American Muslims up to the level which would allow them to attain the higher perfection in living the life of a Believer.
His task was made somewhat easier by the fact that anyone with a good heart, immediately upon casting their first glance at the Sheikh, knew that he was someone special, who had been sent by Allah Ta'ala as guidance and a mercy. All too happily, the Muslims in America accepted him as their Imam and Murshid (Spiritual Guide).
Muslims, who previous to meeting the Sheikh, were known for their laudable qualities of kindness, bravery, generosity, veracity, etc. gladly accepted him. Those who had previously exhibited undesirable traits, and were known as liars, cheats, and backbiters rejected him on some pretense or other. As Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:
Allah guides not the wrong doing people.
That in itself was sufficient proof for his new followers that Sheikh Jilani was on the right path. He taught his students to live according to Deen ul-Islam in letter and spirit, giving them a complete sense of self purpose and understanding man's goal in life: To return to his Creator. With that understanding came a desire to live a more moral and righteous life for self and family. Therefore, Sheikh Jilani encouraged his followers in America to become upstanding citizens of their county, as well as Muslims. They were discouraged from participating in criminal acts of any kind. They were enjoined to obtain education and training skills and stay off the welfare roles as this depleted the dignity of the Muslims [and others]. The majority of Sheikh Jilani's followers purchased land in areas away from the urban metropolis and developed small villages where they could raise their children in a wholesome environment and live a life of pure Islam, free from the decadence of a godless society.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Establishment of Muslims of the Americas and the Qur’anic Open University
To implement his plan of raising the status of his American Talibeen (students), Sheikh Jilani established the Muslims of the Americas and its affiliates, Qur’anic Open University. Many new programs were initiated by MOA especially in the field of Tabligh, the propagation of al-Islam.
Q.O.U. campuses were established throughout the United States, Canada and the West Indies, South America and Pakistan. Through these campuses, arrangements were made to send aspiring believers to Pakistan for intensified training in Islamic Studies, The students studied and received diplomas in Islamic sciences such as Fiqh (Islamic Law), 'Ilm ul-Qur’an (science of Holy Qur’an), Ilm ul-Hadith (science of Islamic traditions), Qiraat (proper recitation of Holy Qur’an), and Arabic studies, in addition to courses which would improve the quality of life and perfect Iman, such as Adab and Ikhlaq-e-Muhammadi (Islamic etiquettes and conduct of Holy Last Messenger, sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam).
Those students who graduated from the course of study in Pakistan, subsequently became instructors in their hometowns. In an amazingly short time, the light of knowledge began to shine all over the country while the darkness of Ignorance was dispelled.