Dr. Maher Hathout: Life and Legacy (1936-2015)

By Marium F. Mohiuddin

Dr. Maher Hathout.  Photo Credit MPAC

Tuesday, September 21, 2010, at 10:30AM.

That was the day and time I first met Dr. Maher Hathout. It may sound silly that I remember the day and time; however, it was deeply significant for me. With one greeting of salaams and a handshake, Dr. Hathout assuaged my trepidations about Islam and being a Muslim and changed my life. He reminded me of the ease and beauty of Islam, as he was a living embodiment of that. He reminded me of the dedication we each should have to God, faith and service. At that moment, I knew something had changed, and I owed it to this man, who would become my mentor, teacher and friend.

Though a cardiologist, Dr. Hathout may be better known as an activist, teacher, thought leader and the father of the American Muslim identity. He shared his ideas through op-eds, books, speaking engagements, workshops and podcasts. He served as Chairman of the Islamic Center of Southern California and the Islamic Shurah Council of Southern California, and he founded the Minaret magazine, the first-ever co-ed Muslim Youth Group, the Islamic Information Service, the New Horizon School system and the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC).

It was through my time at MPAC that I became more acquainted with Dr. Hathout. Almost every Tuesday, the staff gathered for weekly Quran classes with him. We poured over verses that had relevance to our work. From examining verses about interfaith relations to verses about how to publically handle criticism, never before had the Quran opened up to me as a living text. I am saddened that my copy of the Quran will no longer be filled with his notes and explanations. As Dr. Hathout would say:

The Quran stimulates the brain and purifies the heart so that you may reach the truth.

This past weekend, Dr. Hathout passed away succumbing to his year-long battle with cancer. With the Shahadah on his lips and finger, he passed away with family and friends by this side. As the news spread across Southern California, the U.S. and the world, a hush fell across the community. A shining beacon had been extinguished, and though we were saddened to see this spirit leave, were thankful for the time we had with him. This past weekend, it was beautiful to see how much this sentiment was shared as thousands of mourners gathered at a memorial service and funeral to say goodbye to a dear friend.

Love is not competitive; it is additive. It is like light; you cannot diminish the light by adding your own.

Born in Cairo in 1936 and raised in Egypt, Dr. Hathout’s progressive views sprang forward during the political activity of his youth. As a college student, his protests against Gamal Abdel-Nasser’s regime oppressive nature led to his arrest and incarceration. It is also thought that during this time he began molding his theology of traditional Islam with a forward-looking, global outlook.

Fear is a wall of ice that blocks us from the fields of peace.

After finishing medical school in Egypt, Dr. Hathout moved to the U.S. in the early 1970s. He first landed in Buffalo and then followed his brother out to Los Angeles, where he started volunteering and shaking things up at the Islamic Center of Southern California (ICSC). He brought about a lot of change: Dr. Hathout ensured that women were fully welcomed; all speeches at the center were made in English; the center’s Imam did not identify with a particular Muslim sect; and the American Muslim identity was embraced.

I’m a better American citizen because I’m Muslim, and I’m a better Muslim because I’m an American citizen.

“Thirty years ago, no Muslim leader other than he was talking about he American Muslim identity, that home is where our grandchildren are raised not where our grandparents are buried,” said MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati.

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.

When I first heard this statement about our home, it felt like the clouds had parted. Dr. Hathout was the first leader within our community to boldly state that Muslims in America need to have a distinct identity. It was a controversial stance that had not been a part of my life, and when I met Dr. Hathout I felt like the American Muslim in me was complete. I had finally met a teacher who spoke to the thoughts that raced through my mind and who embraced our lives as Americans.

There are two kinds of people: young people, regardless of age, who are fascinated by the future; old people, regardless of their age, who gravitate to the past. The people I classify as ‘young’ are people who have their eye on the future. They are the ones who will make a change.

I fully knew and appreciated the wealth I had before me, and when I could I would volunteer to drive him to many of his multiple meetings and engagements. Though my driving was never good enough and I could not show up early enough, this time with him was more than I could ask for. We would laugh and joke around, and I would take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions of his brilliant mind. Though we talked about heavy subjects such as interfaith marriages and the youth movement, there were times of brevity like out-maneuvering awkward social situations.

Through laughter and comedy, we discover our shared humanity and this in itself is a great achievement.

Dr. Maher Hathout.  Photo Credit MPAC

One of the greatest lessons I learned from him was the importance of interfaith work and bringing communities together. He showed us how we as American Muslims can be grounded in our Islamic traditions while promoting a pluralistic path for the community.

Dr. Hathout effortlessly broke free from the cultural bonds that can hold many of us back, and he based his views squarely on the Quran and Sunnah. He challenged us to look at contemporary and personal situations and re-examine the action taken based on what is said in the Quran. He pushed us to look at the Quran for answers; he pushed us to truly be Muslim and live the Quran.

You want to protect and defend the Prophet Muhammad? Do what he would have done in this situation. He was insulted, humiliated and ridiculed, yet he never responded with hostility.

In the interfaith world, he helped found and charters dozens of organizations. Dr. Hathout was a leading advocate for social justice and interfaith relations. Leading the charge, he was often criticized for reaching across the pulpit and living the Quran’s principles of love, mercy and compassion.

I now find myself sitting at many interfaith board meetings knowing that this path is only available because it was co-created by him. I am proud to be part of his legacy with hopes that I can move his work forward.

There are so many colors that have yet to be mixed and music that has yet to be composed and so many wonders we have yet to discover. Through these things is when we find the hand of God.

Dr. Hathout is survived by his wife, Dr. Ragaa Hathout, two children Dr. Gasser Hathout and Samer Hathout-Blackshire, and four grandchildren.

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