I get this question often. My short answer is “No”. I will elaborate on this.
On the other hand, can there be a Muslim who is a “good American”? Yes. But he is not a “good Muslim”.
A good Muslim, as far as Islam goes, cannot submit himself to the infidel laws of the Constitution of the United States. He is permitted by the Sharia to obey them, for a time, as he works to overcome them, but he cannot pledge allegiance to laws that Allah did not consent to.
The word “Islam” itself, means “Submission“. “Muslim” means “one who is submitted” to Allah’s religion, Islam. The duty of the Muslim, according to the Sharia, is to establish that Sharia (law) “so that Allah’s religion shall reign Supreme”. I heard a radio advertisement back in 2012, (video version here) when the Kansas Legislature was hearing “American Laws for American Courts“. It said that “We humans have devised laws
ICNA Billboard Kansas City, KS 2012
to govern our country, our workplaces, and our homes. Likewise, the divine laws sent by god to guide humanity to justice and peace are known as the Sharia Laws… Thus Sharia is god’s guidance to establish morality, justice and peace for all.” (This single statement begs to be dissected but we’ll suffice to say that if your laws of morality, justice and peace don’t cross over into your home, workplace, or your country, you live in chaos. It sets up a dichotomy of law that doesn’t make any sense.) Of course, they used the word “god” instead of Allah as a deception, and since “Allah” of the Shariah is not “God” I refuse to capitalize it.
Now, a self proclaimed “Muslim” may be a good American, and many are. They are not “Islamist” (meaning they propagate, or promote Islam politically or culturally), and may, or may not, attend mosque. I refer to these people as “cultural Muslims” (the generally used term is “moderate”) who may loosely hold to traditional diet and traditions, such as the Ramadan celebration. Much like non-practicing or non-committed Christians may attend church on Easter or Christmas. But these ‘Muslim” folks are not committed to the Sharia, and therefore, are disobedient to Allah. The fundamentalist Muslim refers to these as “takfiri” or one who is outside the authority of Islam, or “disobedient”. Some schools would even go so far as to classify this as “Riddah“or “apostate”. The punishment for apostasy can be death, according to Sharia. The takfir can be beaten or jailed, fined or all three. This is how Muslim on Muslim violence can be justified. A Muslim who pledges allegiance to anything but Allah, via Islam and the Sharia, is not a “good Muslim”.According to Islam and the Sharia, a Muslim cannot be loyal to temporal, or earthly, authorities, or non Islamic alliances. Islamic scholar and Muslim Brotherhood leader Seyyid Qutb wrote not even blood relation, family, unless they are Muslim. One is allowed to temporarily submit himself to an infidel authority but his heart must remain submitted to Islam. This is known as “taqiyya” or deception. It is allowed so as to preserve ones self and advance the cause of Islam. It is a military strategy, a feign, so as to throw the enemy off his guard, infiltrate his number, deceiving the enemy until the Ummah (that Islamic community) is powerful enough to overcome the enemy. Herein lies the danger of Islamic immigration. (More on this subject to come)Therefore, a Muslim cannot be a “good American”, and a “good Muslim” at the same time; that is assuming a “good American” gives his allegiance to the Constitution as the basis to the laws of the land (6th Amendment). The “good Muslim” cannot do that.