Six Imans Could Have Been None

Posted on November 21, 2006 in Morals & Ethics

The details of the story are not yet in, but six imans were dragged off a US Airways flight. Some claim that it was for praying. Others for standing up just before and during takeoff, which is a safety hazard.

Taking them off in handcuffs feels extreme to me, but the men had unbuckled their seat belts and risen into a place of danger. They could have fallen and done injury to themselves or others.

If this is the case, I do not sympathize.

It seems to me that if there is a God, that it is a patient god, not a timekeeper who docks you salvation for missing a scheduled prayer or arriving a few minutes before or a few minutes after the prescribed time.

Islam makes exceptions for the sick and the young during Ramadan. They can do it for the needs of a plane flight.