Now That The Sugar High Is Gone
November 12, 2007 | 02 Dhul-Qadah 1428
…and other collected thoughts on the MANA conference.
So, here we are, a full week after the successful MANA conference and we’re already starting to see the mud slinging around the Muslim blogosphere. I was beginning to think real change had in fact come from this conference. But don’t mistake my sarcasm for critiquing MANA. In fact, it’s just the opposite. In fact, I would like to again extend my thanks to MANA for hosting their first conference. God willing, this is just the first of many more successful conferences.
So what should we expect from a conference such as this MANA conference? Should we emerge from it to find the streets paved with gold? Or as Conan so once eloquently put it: “to hear the lamentations of the women”? Perhaps – or perhaps not. I will have to say in defense of MANA I certainly encountered many happy and motivated faces of those who attended the various workshops. And while I didn’t attend any myself I have it on good account that they were well constructed and of value.
It is precisely that last word, value, that keeps bouncing around and around inside my head as I ponder our current condition. If we do not value ourselves then I think very little will change. And from what Dr. Jackson had to say during his speech, that seemed to be one of his underpinning points – we as Blackamerican Muslims are in a unique vantage point, one where Allah has chosen us to be in this spot, this place, and this time, as the receptacles and carriers of Islam to this part of the world at this point in Time and History. So the perduring question is: what we gon’ do?
But to bring us back to the opening point, I’ll speak about some reactions I’ve observed about the conference. One in particular criticism smacks of one of the very issues the conference sought to address: disengagement. Disengagement is the word best word I’ve been able to find to describe the current mood of many Muslims around the country. Instead of seeing Islam as a system of access, it’s been co-opted as an illegitimate excuse to not participate. To help render my point perhaps such colloquialisms will sound familiar:
“Naw, akh. I quit my kafir job – it was too much dunya.”
“I dropped out of college to get a real education in the deen.”
And the perennial crowd pleaser
“I’m going overseas to study in Yemen or Syria so I can get that haqq.”
These should all be familiar to many of us. And while they might produce a giggle or two out of some of us, I believe they speak to an undercurrent in the Blackamerican Muslim pathology that continues to hinder and plague many of our communities from emerging out of the quagmire and starting to produce and participate. In fact, my biggest criticism of these folks is that that is all they do! Arm chair criticisms seldom produce anything and are for the sole benefit for lazy-ass Negroes to sluff off, if you can pardon my French. It is not my aim to take potshots at my fellow Muslims but I do believe we have to starting calling figs, figs. In a conversation with a close friend of mine today, we both lamented at the criticisms that were leveled at the conference, specifically in reference to MANA inviting members of the Nation of Islam to the conference. The meat and potatoes of their argument rests in the fact that “these people do not have the correct ‘aqueedah” and therefore we should just toss the baby out with the bathwater [again…]. How dangerous and slanderous is this. MANA is the only organization that I’ve seen that has taken serious steps to extend the Nation an olive branch to try and bridge the gap in terms of dogma, but also to say, “hey, we as Blackamerican Muslims wish to express our solidarity with our fellow Black brothers and sisters and that we’d like to address the various maladies that attacking our communities”. Please note this: I am not a member of MANA. Nor do I speak for them. Rather, this is how I interpreted their gesture. But to dive in a bit further about this notion of “correct ‘aqueedah”, let’s ask our selves: “Hmm…, what would Muhammad [pbuh] do?”
Despite the efforts of many a pundit on the left and right, from within and without Islam, Islam is not an ahistorical process or entity. It’s inception was born and lived out in the context of 7th Century Arabia. Its characters and actors were real human beings who lived through a lot of real History. Yet, Muslims themselves tend to be woefully ignorant of this fact. The cultural and historical setting of 7th Century must be fully appreciated to fully comprehend all that was going on to understand Islam itself. Alas, this appreciation has been misapplied to a crude mimicking at best. In other words, the setting of Muhammad’s 7th Century Arabia is routinely ignored and instead we have Muslims [Blackamerican in the case of this article] in the 21st Century trying to live like Bedouins, having completely missed the examples that God has tried to lay out for us. Examples? Dress code is interpreted to mean one must wear thobes, robes, and turbans to be “authentically Muslim” – for those of us of opt to done a suit are condemned for imitating the kafir. Moral rectitude? Honesty? Had work? These have fallen by the way side or are totally ignored all together. How else can you explain large populations of Muslims that live complacent lives in areas that are dominated by poverty, crime, and drugs. And let’s not even toss in the Muslims who are participants in the above activities.
But this disconnection goes beyond wardrobe selection. The Prophet himself is severely misunderstood. Muslim education is sorely lacking in providing Muslims an accurate, historical account for his life. In a recent criticism, one Muslim found fault with MANA for having Akbar Muhammad on the panel discussion. The brother’s criticism was thus:
I think to myself: What the heck is a man that OPENLY says that “Fard Muhammad” is his god who appeared in Detroit in the 1930’s (for those wanting proof of their current beliefs it is here) and that a “Messenger” came after Muhammad ibn Abdullah (pbuh), doing here on a panel for Muslims that believe in tawheed and the finality of Prophethood and Messengership?
The brother continued:
This was a tragic and completely avoidable sore point of the MANA Conference Weekend. I must also admit that I was appalled and saddened that Imam Siraj referred to Elijah as “Honorable”. It was all very disappointing and I was hurt to witness this spectacle.
And more:
If we return to the days wherein we lacked clarity regarding tawheed and shirk, we will certainly accomplish nothing even if we solve the many undeniable social problems plaguing us.
Plus:
Sadly, in the end, Siraj lent legitimacy to an irrelevant and illegitimate (not to mention weird) movement.
And concluding with:
Finally, I can only imagine how alienated white Muslims must have felt with the invitation of a man who believes that whites were created in a laboratory by a big headed scientist.
Taking it back to my point about the historical Muhammad [pbuh], how can we explain the Prophet’s behavior in the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah or his invitation that extended to the Quraysh? Indeed, it is an incontrovertible truth that the Prophet’s Message could not have been delivered without the aid and help of shirk-committing, idol-worshipping, kafir Makkans! Yes!, indeed the Prophet collaborated with these “kafirs” on numerous occasions – his flight from Makkah was aided by a boding, idol-worshiping Makkan! And of course there’s the Prophet inviting the idol-worshipping Arabs even when Islam was in a position of power and authority. Never did the Prophet ever make is Message “an Islam thang”. When one steps back and looks at the Prophet as a man, as a human being, one theme that runs through is life is that he was a man who was truly troubled about his people and loved his people and wanted the best for his people. Now if the Prophet could engage in this, and he most certainly had the “correct ‘aqueedah” [for if the Prophet ain’t got it, who do?], then why can’t we do the same? As Blackamerican Muslims, we should feel free to invite, engage and work with members of our community, even if they don’t have the “correct” ‘aqueedah. In my opinion, this is just plain niggardly. And as my friend poignantly pointed out, “what have you done to help out your fellow man/neighbor” in comparison to what the Nation has done? ‘Aqueedah or not, Akbar Muhammad is someone who cares about the plight of Blacks – can you say the same? This isn’t poker and all deeds are cards on the table – no bluffing.
The bewilderment continues as I examine the brother’s post. Imam Siraj’s use of the title, “Honorable”, seems to be a point of contention. But when was the Prophet ever ungracious, even to people that killed his loved ones, slandered his wives, and tried to take his life? Never! If I address the Pope as his Holiness, does this mean that I recognize him as divine or that I believe Jesus is the son of God? This 3rd grade analysis has got to go! And I don’t know how this in any implicates any of the MANA members in condoning shirk. As a member of an interfaith counsel, if I sit and talk with a bishop about improving Christian-Muslim relations, does this mean I’ve condoned the Trinity? More holes than Swiss cheese. Siraj’s engaging Akbar in no way compromises his tawheed or Islam. And since when did a Black conference worry about alienating [just] white folks? I suppose that a Chinese, Japanese, or Mexican Muslim might be equally uncomfortable but I guess those are just throw away groups [?]. And why is it that we as Black folks cannot engage on a subject that might have great benefit for our community without being labeled as nationalists or abandoning our religion?
But let me temper my ending words here; I do not wish the brother any ill will. Indeed, it is my hope we can find common ground. And we need not look any further than our Prophet’s sunnah for the example of finding common ground? If there’s one message that I came away with from the conference it is this: we’ve got a lot more work to do. The road continues down the bend. No rest for the weary. I pray God grants us a beneficial understanding of our noble master and Prophet and that his Message was not in vain – that it sinks into our hearts and minds and allows us to partake in greater engagement and like him, knock down all barriers and return all of our hopes, fears, likes and dislikes to God and not resting them on the proclivities of any other.
And God knows best.
November 12th, 2007 at 6:40 am
Salaam ‘Alaikum
//Finally, I can only imagine how alienated white Muslims must have felt with the invitation of a man who believes that whites were created in a laboratory by a big headed scientist.//
His comment even assumed that White Muslims are not affected by some of the same issues that are affecting Blackamerican Muslims, and couldn’t have appreciated this conference (even though, of course, we all appreciate all the conferences on Palestine and Kashmir). First, if one part of the Ummah is hurting, so the rest of it hurts. Second, I believe that many of the issues that seemed to have been addressed would have also affected White Muslims. We are also pressured by the drop-out mentality and disengagement.
November 12th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Abdur-Rahman,
First - thank you for engaging in the conversation. It is not my intention to character assassinate either. So yes, this is all in the spirit of debate.
I am not constructing a straw man to draw fire. Instead, my criticism is this: why can’t we, as Blackamerican Muslims, engage other members of our community, who, for better or worse, creed or no creed, share a common history with us? Must we deny any engagement with the Nation simply because of their beliefs? Is it a zero-sum gain proposal that if we some how seek to engage with them that we’re either condoning shirk or something equally damning [in the Afterlife]?
As I stated in my post, I am not a member of MANA. I’m a photographer with a pen. I write on social issues and simply wanted to express my support for what MANA did on this initiative. I believe it was the right thing to do. So I am not advocating that if you oppose MANA you oppose progress. To further my point, I’m not even suggesting that you have to agree with me. You are more than entitled to your opinion. If you believe engaging in a dialog with Nation of Islam members is detrimental in some fashion, so be it. Rather, my truck with your post has to do with the scope of your argument. For me, your words are can only be interpreted as hostile and antagonistic towards imam Siraj.
You may disagree but these words sound a bit harsh to my ear. One commenter on your post asked what had you done by comparison deeds to either Akbar Muhammad or imam Siraj. I would have to second the notion.
Second - There’s also some key that seems to be missing from your statement: where’s the love, man? The final point that Dr. Jackson made in his speech is that there is a serious gap in our conduct [perhaps even in our ‘aqueedah?] in that we’ve got no love. No love for one another. No love for our neighbors. Look, man. The Prophet loved his people. He absolutely loved the Makkans and wanted nothing but the best for them. You can read on and on about how he anguished over his people; Muslim, Christian, Jew, and idolitor. And all throughout his prophethood, the man constantly tried to make compromises and deals that would create a psychological space where any Makkan, regardless of class, wealth, etc, could feel free to step into Islam and worship God as he knew they ought to worship him! This directive is woefully missing from our manifesto as [Blackamerican] Muslims. For in all of His Infinite Wisdom, God has chosen Blackamericans to be open receptacles to Islam in this time and place [i.e., in the U.S., the richest, most powerful country on the planet to date]. So, if a few of our brothers and sisters have “gone astray”, shit man, at least they’re trying and striving for some type of dignified existence at a time when so little in our culture offers them an honorable alternative.
So I beg you to reconsider your stance and think of the alternatives and of the benefits. How many of us as aware of a brother or a sister that came out of the Nation into “orthodox” Islam? Hundreds. Thousands. More. So if we have an opportunity to engage with them [and no, I’m not only saying we’re in it to sway numbers - that’s God’s territory] then we ought to do so. The MANA conference we not a theological conference. It was meant to address issues that are confronting the Blackamerican Muslim community. So for me [and many others], Elijah, flying saucers or men from Mars is not the crux of the matter. And besides, such dogmatic debates, though seldom beneficial in book, are best left to the respective scholars of those various traditions. Instead, we need to get down to Brass Tax and build, build, build. ‘Cause I don’ know about you, but I love my people [and yes, I know you do, too
].
Salaams,
November 12th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Salaam ‘Alaikum
Yeah I’m sure some White people find it offensive (many, perhaps?). But did the guy stand up and declare this loudly at MANA? Do you think that White Muslims have never met NOI’ers before or people not in NOI who still believe stuff like this? The presence of a NOI’er has never kept me from eating at Amin’s Halal and it wouldn’t'a kept me from MANA if I had been in the US. I wouldn’t'a said, “Oh man, they have this guy from NOI there. That alienates me as a White skinned Muslim.”
November 13th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
BismillaharRahmanirRahim
as-salaamu ‘alaikum, this is a very strange discussion. I can’t see much benefit coming out of it. InshaAllah, I would like to be proven wrong.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
BismillaharRahmanirRahim
as-salaamu ‘alaikum Marc, of course this is your house, and I do wish to comment with good manners, I pray I have not fallen outside of limits of good manners. This thread just struck me as “strange”. I’ve noticed lately that Muslims particularly African-American Muslims seem, for lack of a better phrase, exhausted and frustrated with their religion. If that is in fact a correct assessment then perhaps debate, an intellectual exercise, is the wrong way to go.
Perhaps what is needed is satisfaction but in order to be satisfied, truly satisfied it is debate and discussion that need be left behind. A turning-in, into ourselves to examine our own sincerity, moving toward satisfaction. Silence, is moving closer to satisfaction than intellectual exchanges. Debate is more pleasing to our insatiable ego than our the depths of our being. Simply being silent and examining ourselves asking,
Is closing in on satisfaction. In that you check yourself. Leave what anybody else says to you. Check yourself. Check your activities. Check yourself how sincere you are with your Lord and with His orders. Check yourself to find out which one is priority to you, Allah and His Prophet (sws) or your ego, or this world. If it is ego or this world then your problem never ends. You cannot find satisfaction that time. If you don’t keep Allah priority then it’s never going to end.
“I disagree”, “I agree”, this argument that argument. It seems to me that if African-American Muslims would be willing to be silent and turn inward, checking the self, the intentions and activities regularly. There would be more progress made, and perhaps some satisfaction coming down from the Lord of the Heavens at that time.
Marc, sincerely my intention is not to transgress the limits of good manners but to merely suggest a possible means to satisfaction for a people who - and it is coming to my heart to say this - seem so dissatisfied. InshaAllah this will be enough for us for you and for me to begin to check ourselves with the intention to reach higher stations of satisfaction in our lives. wa min Allahu taufiq bihurmatil habib bihurmatil fatiha, amin.
-Fulani
November 13th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
BismillaharRahmanirRahim
wa ‘alaikum as-salaam, yes I read the article. Some content from your earlier article was what I was, at least in part, addressing here. You may or may not have noticed my comments referring to tariqat. Unfortunately, the trend, which is actually far from the sunnat of the rasulAllah (s.a.w.s.) is to approach Islam like a profession or trade of sorts. However, this is to be expected in the West which is dominated by compartmentalizing knowledge and creating specialties and specialists as opposed to drawing out a persons inner qualities as a basis for training.
An en masse turning inwards is impossible, this is an individual effort. Tariqat provides the training ground to allow for spiritual growth once a nominee is sincere in the “self checking” described in the earlier comment.
However, today Muslims think that amassing hours at a conference is going to make some kind of breakthrough. When in fact that could not be further from the truth. In order to progress in this way, we must follow the footsteps of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.), the Sahab-e-Kiram and those whom are beloved to Allah ta ‘ala. I will tell you plainly, that the only way to progress spiritually is by association with the Shaykh, the Murshid, the Pir there is no other way. Perhaps you may make small advances based on sincerity alone… but there are limits to how high sincerity alone can take you. Sincere association with the Shaykh is the tariqat way, tariqat and sohbet; sohbet and tariqat. This is our tradition.
November 14th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Salaams
I couldn’t possibly add any more illuminating example than the aforementioned rebuttal; hopefully maybe just to echo or paraphrase, Insha’ Allah.
I personally think you were too kind to this brother. This is why Islam in an American idiom will, from my viewpoint, supplant the now prevalent stigma our brothers and sisters must bare when we go down the corner to buy a quart of milk. Insha’ Allah, with time and diligence.
Jackson was ALL over this one when he likened Islam to a marathon as opposed to a sprint. For my miswak stick, no more eloquent a comparison can be made. And this is in the American idiom. We move toward this thing steadily and surely. Habits dropped new ones absorbed. Friendships die, new ones born. Perilous the journey, for sure; it ain’t easy kids.The struggles of the Sahaba serve as an example to us all and, in my humble estimation, are recognized as fundamental by indigenous Muslims here. Big time.
No more acutely felt, I can only imagine, than by the African American Community.
To be able to plow through to a place in the sun that our parents would have wanted for us and all the while coming to terms with the horrific circumstances that your fore-bearers experienced as program only a generation earlier; for some it isn’t even over and STILL manage an inclusive disposition. Often out right forgiveness of this by some.
This is the American idiom. A strenth most can only imagine. Forgiveness and courage.
The course to this thing is maintained every time the African American ball bearing factory owner from Iowa stresses over product line efficiency but manages to get down on Salat when the time comes in. Whenever a mother or father fall asleep in their childs be while reading them a bed time story.
No Sir, Mr. sword of this religion, there is no room for you or your “methodologies”.
Your voice is lowly but surely being phased out as America at large is experiencing Islam as WE put it down; Bereft of the cultural filth and proclivities that knocked so many of you outta the box early on in the game.
I ain’t mad at you, though.
This feeling of a foreign ideological dead weight on this, our American idiom, is palpable. But, again, Jacksons reaction to it all is simply “pay it no mind”. In my limited capacities I take that as a surety of the gains of this course we as Americans are on.
Salaams
November 14th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Marc,
I didn’t know you could milk sheep, man. Next time I come to Philly, you got to make me a sheep’s milk latte.
Saifuddin, I love you for the sake of Allah, but is it really the manners of ahl us sunnah wal jama’ah to suggest that the MANA conference is a “barn,” or that Marc’s experience as a student of Dr. Jackson is “milking sheep.”