Critical Eastern Muslim Finally ‘Gets the Message’
Muhammad Speaks Newspaper
P.O Box 44261
Detroit, MI 48244
Phone: 313-371-7033
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Critical Eastern Muslim Finally ‘Gets the Message’
Reprinted from the July 9, 1965 edition of Muhammad Speaks Newspaper
By Abdul Basit Naeem
One day last week I suddenly found myself being subjected to a bit of
ridicule by a brother-Muslim from an Eastern country. Like himself, he is
at present a resident of New York City.
He had read something in a recent issue of this newspaper that apparently
“annoyed and irritated” Him. Aware of the fact that for many years I have
been associated with the Nation of Islam in North America (and “thus
should know something about it”) and that I frequently contributed to the
columns of its official organ,”Muhammad Speaks,” he had decided to call
me and ask me a few “straight questions.
Reluctant to engage in important conversation over the telephone to avoid
being heard by our forever curious and unwelcome “party- line”, I
suggested that I visit with him instead.
When I reached his office. I discovered that a seemingly endless barrage
of questions awaited me. “Now … do you really believe that he (the
Honorable Elijah Muhammad) is God ‘s Messenger? How did he get his
‘Message? In a dream or a vision? Or has he been visited by an Angel?….
And what of this race business? You ought to know that ….Allah does not
permit that…”
Knowing the mental disposition and temperament of our people, I decided,
in the face of my brother ‘s hostile attitude, not to answer him directly
and instead use a bit of diplomacy in dealing with him. I, therefore,
asked him if he would be good enough to first enlighten me with his own
views on Islam and its teachings.
The Answer: “Why, Islam is the youngest of the three great Semitic
religions, the other two being Judaism and Christianity, and it is akin
to both. It was founded by our Illustrious Prophet Mohammed (may the
peace and blessing of Allah be upon him! ) who graced this planet nearly
1400 years ago . . . And it’s teachings consist, in the main. of the
well- known ‘Five Pillars’: Belief in the Oneness of God ; five-times a -
day prayers ; “zakaat” or alms-giving ; fasting during the month of
Ramadan ; and ‘hadji ‘ or once-in-a-life time pilgrimage to Mecca . . .”
My Easten brother’s interpretation of Islam, inadequate indeed though it
was, did not come as surprise to me. I knew that a good many years ago
— before I had given up reliance on European scholars’ writings on
Islam for my own information, I would have answered the question in just
about the same way. I ventured to ask him “But isn’t it true that the
Holy Qur-an speaks of Islam as the Religion of God Himself ? ” “That’s
true,” he acknowledged. I further inquired. “Wasn’t Islam also the faith
of Abraham, Allah’s Prophet of the Ancient Ages? And isn’t it a fact that
in each of our daily prayers we remember Abraham simultaneously with
remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessing of
Allah be upon him ! ) …? Agreement “Sure, “he quickly replied. “. . .
And am I not correct in stating that selfless service to our fellowman
— that is to say, tending the sick, providing food to the hungry,
sheltering the homeless, and even aiding the cause of education and
advancement of scientific knowledge –constitutes, in the eyes of Allah ,
an act of greater piety than regular performance of prayers and others
rituals? ” “Well . . .in a way .. yes ! ” “Doesn’t this, then, contradict
what you said a little earlier . . as being the essence or spirit of
Islam?
While nodding in obvious agreement, my brother, whose brow still
exhibited small signs of displeasure, suddenly turned to another point:
“But what of this racial angle? How can Mr. Elijah Muhammad possibly
justify his teaching of that? ” This was a delicate question. But,
remembering at that moment that I had answered this type of question on a
number of occasions in the past, I felt secure that Allah would enable
me, once again , to dispose of it in a satisfactory manner. Of course, I
could have started off by narrating the history of the European “race,”
pointing out its countless hideous sins and crimes against the innocent
peoples of Africa and Asia thus reflecting on the Europeans ‘ innate
“evil” nature. Or I could have reminded my brother from the East of the
400 long years of slavery in the U.S.A. — the back ground against which
Islam is being offered to the (so-called) “Negroes” of this country as
the “only means of regaining their lost identity, cultural heritage,
power and glory.” I also could have given him a set of my own published
writings of the subject, which can indeed satisfy the curiosity of most
enlightened Eastern Muslims in regard to the Honorable Elijah Muhammad’s
mission and work. But, somehow, I decided upon a totally different
approach. ‘The Reds and Blacks’.
From my briefcase. I took out a handsome little book entitled “The
Islamic Call . ” (Written by a distinguished Arab – Muslim scholar,
El-sayed Mohammed M. Atta, “The Islamic Call” is a publication of the
Selected studies Committee, Cairo, United Arab Republic.) Then, turning
to page No. 201, I asked my brother if he would kindly acquaint me with
the deeper meaning and real significane of the “Hadith” –a saying of the
Holy Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!)
—quoted thereon in Arabic: (In literal translation, it read: “I have
been sent to the Red and the Black.” ) For what seemed to be a long
minute, there was complete silence. then, a mixed feeling of bewilderment
and relief completely changed my Muslim brother ‘s face. Smiling broadly,
he arose from his chair, warmly shook my hands and said, “As-Salaam
Alaikum, my true brother ! ”
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