Calling out to the Ummah
Saturday, October 3rd, 2009Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh to all of my family in Islam.
*taking a deep breath*, so as it were I’ve been sitting here deliberating posting/blogging about this serious issue which has been pushed about without just cause and yet with due ignorance. It took me a bit longer then what I had originally expected because this article was composed from the first letter typed and was written with sincerity masha’Allah.
A lil historical lesson before I make my point insha’Allah:
Bilal ibn Rabah or Bilal al-Habeshi was of Ethiopian decent, born in Mecca during the ending period of the sixth(6th) century. Noted and acknowledged as a Akh(Brother) of African bloodlines; Bilal was also documented to one of the most loyal and trustworthy companions of Muhammad(peace be upon him).
Safiyya bint Huyayy was born in Medina somewhere around 610-670C; but was of Jewish decent was a Jewish woman who was captured from the Banu Nadir tribe at age 17 and not long after converted/reverted to Islam allowing her to become Prophet Muhammad’s(PBUH) 11th Wife.
Yusuf Ma Dexin was a “Hui” Chinese Scholar of Islam from Yunnan, known for his fluency and proficiency in both Arabic and Persian, and for his knowledge of Islam. Yusuf made his journey in 1841 to Mecca for(to preform) Hajj which is one of the pillars of Islam.
After spending almost a decade in the middle east; Yusuf Ma Dexin return back to to homeland and started a uprising of sorts to bring awareness and to advocate to his fellow people under the collective title/name of Panthay Rebellion which comprised of Chinese Muslims in or around the year of 1856, was later executed for making a effort to attempt to serve as a mediator between the Government and the radical movement. Prior to his execution he was primarily responsible for translating the first(1st) documented Chinese version of the Qu’ran.
In the Caribbean; Islam played and still continues to play a major role in the locals; historically speaking over 60,000-75,000 once enslaved individuals of Indian and African decent were brought to the Caribbean from 1845-1917. Muhammad Khan, who came to Jamaica in 1915 at the age of 15, built Masjid Ar-Rahman in 1957.
Another great example whom is highly regarded(and well known) would be that of the English-speaking(Jamaican born, Canadian bred) Muslim scholar, lecturer, author, editor, translator and professor by the name of Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips.
As early as 674 Islam was introduced to Europe via conquering certain areas within Europe, exploration and trade. (more information to be researched and added soon insha’Allah).
Approximately four to five years after Canada was founded(1867) there was already 13 Muslims who inhabited Canada according to the Canadian census, with the first Canadian Masjid/Mosque being built in 1938(in Edmonton, Alberta which during this period have several hundred Muslim inhabitants living within the entire Province).
During the earlier part of the seventh(7th) century; Islam was introduced to India as per Traders of Arabic decent who took interest primarily in the Malabar Region and it was this region which was the first within India as per which is documented to have claims of being the 1st converted/reverted community in India as such. It was around 628-629 A.D that the first mosque/masjid was built at the command of the Tamil speaking King Cheraman Peruma Bhaskara Ravi Varma(who was also the Ruler during/of the Chera Dynasty).
It was a enslaved(muslim) servant of African origins by the name of Mustafa Zemmouri(also known as Estevanico) who first introduced the United States of America to Islam.
Another introduction of Islam to America was that of Abdul rahman Ibrahim Ibn Sori was a Prince who resided in western Africa who was captured, enslaved and brought to the United States, after spending four decades in captivity; he was released by the request/demand of Moroccan Sultan Moulay Sharif Abderrahmane which was granted by President John Quincy Adams.
Prejudice within and out of..Islam
Salaams everybody and in advance just wanting to apologize for only now getting to my point…
Being a Muslim.. isn’t about which Islamic or non-Islamic country we were born nor does it mean or require for us to feel lesser then by divulging how many years we’ve been reverts nor does it mean that if you see/meet a Brother or Sister who is of any of the various ethnicities and/or races; does that mean that they are to be questioned about their place as a Muslim(definition: One who submits to Allah(swt).
Islam isn’t something which is inherited, it is defined as submission to the will of Allah(swt), what is inherited however is the ignorance which is passed down generation after generation.
Countless times I have seen or been greeted by another in the Ummah, of course I would extend with “Assalamu Alaikum” or ” Wa Alaikum As-Salam” and instead of me being able to ask how they are doing or commence dialog( I am instead asked where I come from, where my parents come from and when I reverted(when I reverted I ask myself); who told you that I am a revert/what has given you the reason for thinking as much? – But again culture has overturned knowledge of religion simply by going over those series of questions, don’t get me wrong..I don’t mind being asked..but it is sequence in which is out of order. Astaghfirullah!!
We can not remove such obstacles without first and foremost identifying them and in order to do such more successfully, we need to open more honest dialog with one another in order to educate and elevate our way(s) of thinking. How are we to get angry with the Dunya for the stereotypes in which they create along with the Media and direct towards us when many of us do not contribute in a different manner other then the Dunya?!
We are one(1) Ummah and we cannot keep on merging religion with culture for they are two very different topics/subjects and if nothing else with this Blog entry; I just make dua and will continue to make dua that one day insha’Allah Sisters and Brothers will become more open-minded and not only stand with one another in the Masjids/Mosques, but also on a daily basis as we strengthen and gain knowledge in order to stand more united as Ummah.
In closing, change needs to be made and it needs to be made immediately insha’Allah, we represent one of the largest growing religions in the world; it is for us to pass along the aforementioned to our children and grandchildren insha’Allah so that the deprogramming and reprogramming can begin insha’Allah.
“To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:156)
Subhanallah
Written by Ahdia Reid-Adams
( Do not publish without permission, contact me ahdia@urbanmuslimahs.com)
