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Thinks U.S. Muslims Should Aid Islam at Home Before Pilgrimage to Mecca

By Abdul Basit Naeem

Reprinted from the April 14, 1967 issue of Muhammad Speaks

Naturally, as far as the “Nation of Islam” in America is concerned, only
its rightful leader — Honorable Elijah Muhammad — can best advise the
movement’s members whether or not they should take adequate interest in
the “Hadj” (pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina) ritual at this time. The
venerable Messenger alone, again, should have the privilege of
scrutinizing and passing judgment on qualifications of the intending
pilgrims, if any.

AS FOR THIS humble columnist’s opinion on the matter, I believe that the
“Nation of Islam” members should — at the very least — take plenty of
time before deciding to undertake the important Eastward journey. As a
matter of fact, it is my earnest conviction that, at least for now, my
brethren in Islam in this country should prefer investing every cent of
their hard-earned money, every second of their valuable time and every
ounce of their precious physical energies in endeavors aimed at advancing
the cause of Islam (freedom, justice and equality) in America.

I venture to suggest this on the strength of an ancient Islamic edict,
which points out that Muslims residing in countries where they constitute
a numerical minority…or where they are surrounded by openly hostile
elements” must consider themselves as living in a perpetual state of
“jehad” (meaning “supreme effort” — though often erroneously presumed to
mean “holy war”). And those who sincerely and ceaselessly exert “supreme
effort” (in behalf of  ALLAH, His religion, ISLAM, or in direction of
self improvement and self-defense) are exempt from the “Hadj” requirement.

NOW — CAN WE classify the Honorable Elijah Muhammad’s followers as
“mujahids,” i.e., “those who exert supreme effort”? Aware of the nature
of their daily life and routine activities, as I am (and have been for
over a decade), I certainly think so.

After all, what can be loftier and more noble as well as arduous than the
Muslims’ present undertakings and ultimate objective — of “raising” and
rehabilitating the 22 million mentally dead (deaf, dumb and blind)
so-called Negroes of America?

Moreover, since the Messenger’s followers already possess high moral
standards, puritan ideals and precision motives, I do not see how the
“Hadj” ceremonies can be of very great help in improving their spiritual
well-being or personal conduct and discipline.

I DO NOT, of course, wish to minimize the “blessings” attendant upon
those who do participate in the sacred annual event, though I’m convinced
that a “mujahid” is no less deserving of “Allah’s Pleasure and Bountiful
Rewards” than a “Hajjl” (or pilgrim).

Nor can I understate the uniqueness and matchless “atmosphere” of the
occasion: Certainly it is an extraordinary experience to stand before and
walk around the Holy Ka’bah, on the same hallowed grounds where the noble
Patriarch Abraham and a succession of Allah’s divine prophets after him
– once stood.

No less exhilarating is the experience of seeing with your own eyes and
bestowing kisses of devotion upon the ageless Black Stone — the only
remaining relic from the first and original “House of Allah’s Worship”
(Mosque) built by Abraham. The unity and variety and humility and piety
displayed by the multitude of Muslims present in the Holy cities (Mecca
and Medina) is a stirring spectacle in itself.

WHAT I’M afraid of is that the “New World” Muslims, while in Arabia or
visiting other, adjacent lands of the Islamic “East,” would also come
across certain “peculiarities” of the “old” (ie., “orthodox”) World of
Islam which may well puzzle or perplex them.

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