Imam Reda: "A man's greatest asset is his heart."

She called 911 and the police came to her home. And nothing happened, the truth I tell you I don't know what the police did. But the abuse continued. I went to talk to this abusive man. I did not talk to him about Islam or any religious matter. I just wanted to use common sense with him. I talked to him like an ordinary man who really cares about him and about his family. I did not act as an Imam but as a simple and considerate human being. You don't have to be an Imam to serve God and help others. Any good man, any good woman, any good human being can serve God well, if this person gives from his heart and treats others with goodness and fairness. This is what I do. So I spent sometime with this troubled husband and persuaded him to apologize to his wife and to promise God all Mighty that he is going to change his behavior and become a good husband. I am delighted to learn now that both of them., the husband and the wife are living happily." "What else do you do Imam", I asked him.  "Well, my day is full. I welcome everybody and I listen to all of them...I listen to all those who come to see me. Please, you have to understand that I am not a political leader, I do not talk about politics nor do I criticize any form of government. Politics frighten  me and sadden my heart.  

This could be very difficult for some  hardliners to believe  that an imam -in this case, me- cares less about politics. I don't care about politics. I spend my days listening to the troubles of people and figuring out how to help and solve their problems...Today, a man came to me and asked me to introduce him to a good woman who is a good marriage material... and later in the evening, a married woman came to me to complaint about what her husband did to her.  He invited a daughter from a previous marriage to live with them... Two days ago, a waiter rushed to my office to ask me if it is Ok to serve beer in the restaurant where he works. He was concerned because he was Muslim and Muslims as you know -at least good Muslims- don't drink alcohol. Also, there is this Arab Muslim man who asked me if he should give all his inheritance to his children or if he should divide the inheritance between his wife and his children, because our Islamic laws are different from secular laws in the United States. He is an American now but he is still a Muslim, a Muslim who must abide with Islamic laws....You name it, all sorts of things I deal with. Also I spend a great deal of my time visiting people in hospitals, all kinds of people Muslims and non-Muslims....And how about this story, a man came to me and complained about a relative of his who drives fast cars and wears short skirts...I asked him" Do they listen to you, Imam". He replied "Let me tell you this, sometimes, the police catches bad people, people from our Muslim community. You know, they arrest them for something they have done, stealing a T shirt, a small fist fight, overcharging on a merchandise and always this hot dog street business. When the police finds out that they were Muslims, the police tells those bad teenagers, we are going to take you to the Imam. The kids get scared. They know I will be tough on them. They know I will call on their parents and lecture them and put them under constant surveillance. Besides, the kids don't want their parents to know what they did. They are afraid of their parents. So my dear friend, as you see, I am also a family friend and counselor...Yes, they listen to me. Once I lecture those kids, just once, they will never steal again..." A report published by the New York Times said,  "Even the police have used the imam's influence to their advantage, warning disorderly teenagers that they will be taken to the mosque rather than the station. They say: 'No, not the imam! He'll tell my parents,' said Russell Kain, a recently retired officer of the 68th Precinct."  CONTINUES ON P56