AFRICAN AMERICAN ISLAMIC HISTORY
AFRICAN AMERICAN ISLAMIC HISTORY
Image Credit: echo-of-islam.blogspot.com
Long before most Americans knew anything about Islam or Muslims, a respected Muslim leader whom we referred to as the Honorable Elijah Muhammad made this national statement to the African American Community. “One day Well fare will say Fare Well.” The Muslims under his leadership were warning African Americans to begin pooling their resources and stop squandering their money. In an effort to break the African American’s dependency on Caucasian America; we encouraged them to develop their own businesses, schools, hospitals, and farmlands. We did this because of America’s racist’s policies that often prevented Black Americans from enjoying equal opportunities to improve their quality of life.
Racism then and now continues to stifle African Americans from advancing educationally, socially, politically or economically. In our message of Islam, to African Americans, we encouraged them think independently, and stop depending on other ethnic groups, especially Caucasians to create jobs, businesses, homes, and other opportunities for them.
From 1948 through 1975 Elijah Muhammad was the leader of the largest Muslim community in America. (His son Imam Warithuddin Muhammad assumed leadership after his death). Yes!! Prior to September 11th 2001 and long before most Americans gave Islam a thought; African American Muslims had purchased large acres of choice farmland, cattle, and broiler farms and fruit orchards in states such as Alabama, Georgia and Michigan. In most major cities so-called Black Muslims developed their own schools and begin to properly educate their children. We did these things hoping to set an example for the rest of the African Communities. “If we can do it so can you.”
In 1966 I accepted Islam, became, a part of this community and threw my hold heart felt support behind these efforts. We, as Muslims, were sincerely concerned the welfare of our people whom we identified as Black People who were lost in the Wilderness of North America. “You are lost when you can’t see what you need to see or hear what your need to hear”. We naturally encouraged those to whom we directed our message to except Islam.
When I was a 6 year old child in Memphis, Tenn, I remember my father herding me and my brother onto a pubic bus and I ran to the first seat that I saw. After my father paid our fare, he then directed us to go to the back of the bus. He didn’t tell us at the time but seating in the front of the bus in Memphis Tenn. was reserved for Caucasians. It was against the law for African Americans to sit in the front of the bus. This was my first overt introduction to racism. I was being shaped and molded to accept Islam at a very early age.
Our collective, Islamic message was directed to the African American and any others who were willing to help lift themselves up from ignorance, apathy, and hopelessness. Just as Prophet Muhammad was dissatisfied with the condition of his people in Saudi Arabia, and delivered Allah’s Message, we did the same in America.
I was under no illusions, at the time I accepted membership into the Nation of Islam in Chicago, Illinois. As a Chicago Police Officer, I had observed and experienced many acts of racism. I knew that I would be tested. Allah tells us “Think not that you can say you believe and not be tested.” Outward acts of racism but this did not deter me from my mission, because was determined to deliver this message and live the life of a Muslim.
Muslims; regardless of their race, nationality, ethnicity, tribe or school of thoughts are supposed to stand for Justice even if it is against themselves.. “When you see a wrong you are to correct it with your hands. If you
can’t correct it with your hands you are to speak out against it. And, the least of faith is to allow your heart to speak against it.” This is Al Islam; The Surrender and Submission to Allah.
~ Imam Sidney Rahim Sharif is the co-founder of the Islamic Inmates Corrections Association of America.
I apprectiate the history of the Nation of Islam and the transition with WD Muhammad. I just have one question; what about the other African American Islamic communities, such as Darul Islam, the Islamic Party of North America, and the Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood? We can’t forget about them because they were a vital part to the development of Islam in African American communities.
I agree with you my Brother. There were many Muslims in America long before the “Nation of Islam. Some historians report at least one third of Africans who were captured and forcibly transported to the north west colonies by European slavers were Muslims. Though they were unable to openly practice their religion for obvious reasons; the spirit of Islam was with them. And indeed they were of varying schools of thought. See the Prince Among Slaves. And of course there are contemporary groups such as the Moorish Americans Americans,
However I know of none other Muslim communities, regardless of race or nationality that nationally impacted the African American community like that of the Nation of Islam. This community concerned itself more with the social, economical and educational development of the African American. This community, led in up lifting African American people, while America in general esteemed this community as unworthy. to be unworthy of freedom justice and equality..
Thanks for your comments and insight. They are greatly appreciated.
Respectfully,
Imam S. R. Sharif
Brother Mujahid, I actually have the video.