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Dawah Monthly A NJ Nonprofit Organization www.DawahMonthly.com • February 2014 FREE Take One FREE From Slavery To Freedom The Story of Bilal ibn Rabah ’s First

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The Muslim Roots The World’s First Accredited of American Slaves TUITION - FREE BACHELOR’S DEGREE with Convenient ONLINE Classes!! www.IslamicOnlineUniversity.com Visit Us Online: www.DawahMonthly.com From Africa to America There is No Racism in Islam The Muslim Roots of American Slaves Prophet (peace be upon him) When many people think of Islam, they think Most of the African slaves sent to North local customs thus the transition was smooth. tells us in his final sermon: of Arabs. Many non-Muslims don’t realize that America came from . They were However the majority of West African people “All mankind is from Adam and Eve, less than 15% of Muslims are actually Arab. men, women and children captured and sold did not convert to Islam until well into the an Arab has no superiority over a And not many Muslims know that out of the to slave traders, forced on to ships, and kept 18th century, which just happened to be at the non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any six scholars who saved the sunnah, only Da- in appalling conditions for the long journey height of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. superiority over an Arab; also a wood was Arab. The others: Bukhari, Muslim, to the Americas. It is thought by modern Across Africa, prisoners of war were taken white has no superiority over black at-Tirmidhi, an-Nisaai, Ibn Maja, were not historians that at the height of the slave trade, as slaves, and others were enslaved in payment nor a black has any superiority over Arab. Salahadin was not an Arab either. Many the 18th century, up to 7 million Africans had for debt or as punishment for crime. This white; except by piety and good of the leaders and many of those who fought undertaken this voyage. It is also estimated enslavement was usually on a small scale. action. Learn that every Muslim is a for Islam, including but not limited to Qutuz, that up to 30% of the enslaved in North Africans usually enslaved ‘other’ people, not brother to every Muslim and that the Tariq ibn Zyad, Imad ad-Din, Zengi, were re- America were Muslim. their own particular ethnic, or cultural, group. Muslims constitute one brotherhood. verts and were not Arab either. This should not To understand the history of Muslim slaves This small scale slave trade was enough to Nothing shall be legitimate to a take away recognition from the Arabs in his- in North America it is necessary to know supply the demand for slaves within Africa, but Muslim which belongs to a fellow tory who have contributed so highly to Islam. something about slavery as it previously existed not enough to supply the demand from outside Muslim unless it was given freely Researching the history of these men in Islam in Africa and the history of Islam in Africa, particularly from Europeans thus warfare and willingly. Do not, therefore, do shows that Islam is for all people for all time. particularly in West Africa. Islam first reached and raids to get slaves and the kidnapping of injustice to yourselves.” Islam connects all nations together with one West Africa by way of traders from North individuals increased. Europeans wanted the does not favor one race over another. message ‘La illaha ill Allah.’ Africa and the Middle East. They settled in the slaves to work on the land they owned on the area from as early as the tenth century BCE and Caribbean islands and in the Americas. They thus began a slow and peaceful process brought were a more plentiful source of labor than about by trade. The journey from North Africa indentured servants. It is possible that Muslims across the Sahara was done in stages. Goods were amongst the 20 Africans brought to the passed through a chain of Muslim traders and settlement at Jamestown Virginia in 1619. were purchased finally by non-Muslims at the For the thousands of Muslims that were southern end of the route. Until the first half captured and eventually settled in North of the 13th century the kingdom of Ghana was America maintaining their religion was a key trading partner with the Muslim North. difficult and often impossible. Many were Over the next five hundred years, assorted forcibly converted to Christianity. Any effort West African rulers and local merchants who to practice Islam or keep their traditional names wanted to do business with the Muslim traders or clothing was quashed and had to be done in adapted themselves to Islam and its customs. Islam itself had a reputation of absorbing Continued Page 4

Dawah Monthly Magazine 2 February 2014 February 2014 3 Dawah Monthly Magazine From Africa to America - Cont’d. secret. However evidence of Muslim origins away from his plantation only to be captured Human Rights and can be found throughout documented history. and put in jail and later returned to his master. Handwritten verses from the Quran have been Filled with sadness he wrote a letter to his found and reveal the high levels of education father and this letter found its way into the Justice in Islam attained by the authors in Africa prior to hands of a British philanthropist named James Islam provides many human rights for the non-Arab is not better than an Arab, and a red enslavement. It is known that slave masters Oglethorpe. This man helped free Job who individual. The following are some of these (i.e. white tinged with red) person is not better often placed Muslim slaves as supervisors then started his journey home via England. On human rights that Islam protects. than a black person and a black person is not over their fellow bondsmen. In addition to the ship journey to England Job was taught to The life and property of all citizens in an better than a red person, except in piety.” this Muslim names can be found in reports write English and whilst in England he wrote Islamic state are considered sacred, whether a One of the major problems facing mankind of runaway slaves and among the rosters of the Quran three times from memory, and person is Muslim or not. Islam also protects today is racism. The developed world can soldiers in the American war of Independence. is reported to have helped with the famous honor. So, in Islam, insulting others or making send a man to the moon but cannot stop man In 1984 the noted scholar of antebellum George Sale translation. He called people fun of them is not allowed. The Prophet from hating and fighting his fellow man. Ever black writing and history Dr. Allan D. Austin to Islam by refuting their claims of Jesus’ Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of since the days of the Prophet Muhammad, published a book called African Muslims divinity and was also elected to the Spalding God be upon him, said: “Truly your blood, Islam has provided a vivid example of how in Antebellum America: A Sourcebook. It Gentlemen’s Society, which may have put your property, and your honor are inviolable.” racism can be ended. The annual pilgrimage explores, via portraits, documents, maps, him in the company of Sir Isaac Newton and Racism is not allowed in Islam, for the (Hajj) to Makkah shows the real Islamic and texts, the lives of 50 Muslim Africans Alexander Pope. Quran speaks of human equality in the brotherhood of all races and nations, when caught in the slave trade between 1730 and The story of Yarrow Mamout has been following terms: about two million Muslims from all over 1860. This book was updated and republished bequeathed to us via conversations he had with “O mankind, We have created you from the world come to Makkah to perform the in 1997 and entitled African Muslims in the artist painting his portrait. His life in Africa a male and a female and have made you pilgrimage. Antebellum America: Transatlantic Stories and is unknown but due to his good and well- into nations and tribes for you to know one Islam is a religion of justice. God has said: Spiritual Struggles. What follows are several mannered behaviour he was freed after laying another. Truly, the noblest of you with God “Truly God commands you to give back brief biographies or snapshots of some of the the bricks for his master’s home. As a free is the most pious. Truly, God is All-Knowing, trusts to those to whom they are due, and Muslims captured and enslaved in the then man he bought his own home in Georgetown All-Aware.” (Quran 49:13) when you judge between people, to judge fledgling nation of the USA. and was known for praying in the streets and Islam rejects certain individuals or nations with justice....” (Quran 4:58) Job Ben Solomon was born Ayyub ibn for his sobriety. being favored because of their wealth, power, And He has said: Sulayman ibn Ibrahim around 1702 in what is In December of 1807, a man known as or race. God created human beings as equals “...And act justly. Truly, God loves those now Senegal. He was from a family of religious S’Quash was brought to South Carolina. He who are to be distinguished from each other who are just.” (Quran 49:9) scholars, and by age 15 was a co-Imam with was known to be an excellent horseman and only on the basis of their faith and piety. The We should even be just with those who we his father. While on a trading expedition, Job literate in . Historians point to his Prophet Muhammad said: “O people! Your hate, as God has said: was captured in enemy territory and sold to marriage to a Muslim slave from Sudan to God is one and your forefather (Adam) is one. “...And let not the hatred of others make the British. He was then sold on to work in indicate that he was also a Muslim. An Arab is not better than a non-Arab and a you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to the tobacco fields of Maryland. He did not Aisha Stacey piety....” (Quran 5:8) convert to Christianity but prayed openly and www.IslamReligion.com The Prophet Muhammad said: “People, adhered to Islamic dietary guidelines. Job ran beware of injustice, for injustice shall be darkness on the Day of Judgment.” And those who have not gotten their rights (i.e. what they have a just claim to) in this life will receive them on the Day of Judgment, as the Prophet said: “On the Day of Judgment, rights will be given to those to whom they are due (and wrongs will be redressed)...” Learn More at www. Islam-Guide.com www.ShareIslam.com

Dawah Monthly Magazine 4 February 2014 February 2014 5 Dawah Monthly Magazine a worldwide, entrenched institution. The laws to God’s remembrance and leave business of Islam sought to emancipate slaves; God aside; that is better for you, if you did but From Slavery To Freedom mentions in the Quran the expiation for many know.” (Quran 62:9) The Story of Bilal ibn Rabah - Islam’s First Muezzin sins is to free a slave, and it is regarded as an In the year 622 Prophet Muhammad, Bilal act of piety. and most of the fledgling Muslim community “I was present.... when Mohammad, him those who rush to his religion.” Bilal loved to be in the company of Prophet migrated to . It was here that Prophet the Messenger of God, walked the earth. I According to biographer Ibn Ishaq and Muhammad and became exceptionally close to Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of heard what he said and saw what he did…” others, Bilal suffered terribly for his immediate him. Various traditions mention Bilal having God be upon him, began the work of setting So begins a book based on the life of one of acceptance of Muhammad’s message. It is the honour of waking the Prophet each morning up the Muslim nation. Bilal was at his side Prophet Muhammad’s closest companions – said that he was beaten mercilessly, dragged and spending as much time as possible in his whenever possible and as one commentator Bilal Ibn Rabah. around the streets and hills of by his company. The story of Bilal is often used to said, “Every event in Mohammad’s life was an Bilal-Ibn-Rabah1.jpgBilal was a black neck, and subjected to long periods without demonstrate the importance of pluralism and event in the life of Bilal”. It is said that Bilal slave, almost certainly the son of slaves, food or water. His owner Umayya ibn Khalaf racial equality in Islam. More importantly it was so close to Prophet Muhammad he had the and is believed to have been from Abyssinia reportedly, “would bring him out at the hottest is an example of piety being the measure of a duty of waking him in the mornings. (now known as ). Being born into part of the day and throw him on his back in man, rather than race, ethnicity or social status. According to authentic traditions Prophet servitude, he probably never expected life the open valley and have a great rock put on Bilal Ibn Rabah’s acceptance of Islam is a Muhammad was concerned and anxious to to offer him more than hard work, pain and his chest; then he would say to him, ‘You will powerful story, involving slavery, conversion, find a way to summon the Muslims to prayer. drudgery. However Bilal walked the earth at stay here till you die or deny Muhammad and torture, and rescue. It touches on aspects of He wanted something unique. It was here that a very momentous time. He was a slave in the worship al-Lat and al-’Uzza”. Bilal would not racism, is a lesson in pluralism, and teaches Abdullah bin Zaid, one of the Companions, city of Mecca when an unlettered man began renounce Islam, and amidst his suffering he us that piety is the only way to measure of a informed the Prophet about a dream that he to call the people to worship One God. This uttered only one word – Ahad (meaning One person’s worth. Bilal’s story is also the story of had. man was Muhammad, the Messenger of God, God) the adhaan, or call to prayer, for Bilal was also ‘There appeared to me in a dream a man may the mercy and blessings of God be upon News of the slave who cried out ‘God is Islam’s first muaddhin who was wearing two green garments, in him, and his message was for all of humanity. One!’ even in the midst of torture soon reached Across the globe, one of the most poignant whose hand was a bell. I said, “O slave of God, When a person is poor or destitute, hungry Prophet Muhammad and his companions. Abu symbols of Islam is the melodious call to will you sell that bell?” he said, “What will you or afraid, or beaten bruised and broken, a Bakr, Prophet Muhammad’s closest friend prayer.Its sublime sound rings out across cities do with it?” I said, “We will call the people to message infused with the concepts of mercy, and a wealthy trader of equal status to Umaya and meadows, on beaches, in fertile fields and prayer with it.” He said, “Shall I not show you forgiveness and justice is very appealing. The was sent to investigate. He came upon the in barren valleys. Once heard, the sound of something better than that?” I said, “Yes.” He down trodden were just the sort of people who open field where Bilal was being tortured for the adhaan is never forgotten and many people said, “Say, Allaahu akbar Allaah akbar …” flocked to the side of Prophet Muhammad, amusement. did not lose his temper, have entered the religion of Islam simply from God is great! God is great! I testify that eager to take comfort in his words, and deeds. for that was not his way, but he remonstrated hearing this soulful sound. Adthaan, which there is no true deity but God. I testify that Bilal, possibly the first African to convert to with the torturers. He said to Umaya, “Have means announcement is mentioned only once Muhammad is the messenger of God. Come to Islam accepted the message whole heartedly. you no fear of God that you treat this poor in the Quran but never the less, it plays an prayer! Come to prayer! Come to salvation! Life for Bilal was about to get a great deal man like this?” He replied saying: “You are integral part in the life of a Muslim. Come to salvation! God is great! God is great! worse. Like a drowning man holding the rope the one who corrupted him, so you save him For those born into Islam it is often the first There is no true deity but God. that will drag him to safety, Bilal clung to the from his plight!” Abu Bakr replied: “Then sell sound they hear. Immediately after birth, the The Tradition continues. ‘Prophet words of the One God and they were essential him to me, name your price.” Umaya, was a father or any other important Muslim in the Muhammad listened to the description of in saving his life. businessman and could not give up making child’s life holds the newborn and whispers the dream and said, “This is a true dream, Bilal heard the message of Muhammad, a profit, so he sold Bilal for a good price. To the words of adhaan into his right ear. The (meaning a dream sent by God). Get Bilal that God is One, the Almighty, All Merciful humiliate Bilal, he added: “I would have sold time for prayer is announced five times per and tell him what you have seen, teach him but he also heard the words of his owner. him to you even if you had offered me only an day, from lofty minarets or from watches and the words so that he can give the call, because Umayya ibn Khalaf, a wealthy Meccan, was ounce of gold.” Abu Bakr answered: “I would computers. When a Muslim hears the adhaan, he has a beautiful voice.” So I went to Bilal worried that his livelihood based around idol have bought him even if you had asked for one preparation for prayer begins. Bilal, because of and told him my dream, so he gave the call worship would be disrupted by Muhammad’s hundred ounces.” his beautiful voice had the honour of being the to prayer. Umar ibn al-Khattab heard the call message. He spoke to others also concerned Bilal was cared for and nursed back to first man in the world to call the Adthaan and while still in his house; he rushed out, dragging about the changes to the political and religious health. Upon his recovery he was taken to call the worshippers to prayer. his cloak behind him, saying, “By the One who landscape of Mecca saying, “Muhammad was Prophet Muhammad and he stood by his side “O believers, when proclamation is made sent you with the truth, O Messenger of God, never a liar, magician, or mad, but we have to giving support and calling others to Islam. At for prayer on the Day of Congregation, hasten describe him this way until we turn away from the time of Prophet Muhammad slavery was Continued Page 10

Dawah Monthly Magazine 6 February 2014 February 2014 7 Dawah Monthly Magazine The Story of Bilal ibn Rabah - Islam in America During the Slavery Years Muslims have been part of American history His owner James Cooper wrote: “He is a strict since pre-Columbus times. Indeed, early Mahometan (sic); abstains from spirituous Islam’s First Muezzin - Continued explorers used maps that were derived from liquors, and keeps various fasts, particularly the work of Muslims, with their advanced that of the Ramadan...” I saw the same dream.” Prophet Muhammad The memories of Madina were too hard for geographical and navigational information of -- Lamen Kebe was a slave who used to be was pleased and said “Praise be to God.”‘ him to live with, and he left for another place. the time. a school teacher in Africa. In the decade after the migration Bilal Later, upon his visit to Madina at the behest of Some scholars estimate that He shared information accompanied Prophet Muhammad on all the Prophet Muhammad’s grandsons he agreed 10-20 percent of the slaves about the texts and teaching his military expeditions, and had the honour to give the Adthaan. Old memories that lay brought over from Africa were methods used in the Islamic of carrying Prophet Muhammad’s spear. deep down in his heart were revived and those Muslims. The film “Amistad” schools of his country. He fought in the , and in the who had experienced the golden days with alluded to this fact, portraying -- Abdul Rahman aftermath he killed his former master, Umaya Prophet Muhammad could not hold back their Muslims aboard this slave Ibrahim Sori spent 40 vessel trying to perform their ibn Khalaf. Bilal was also present at the battle tears. years in slavery before he prayers, while chained together returned to Africa to die. He of Uhud and the . It is believed that Bilal died in between on deck as they crossed the wrote two autobiographies, Bilal’s life after his conversion to Islam 638 and 642BCE. Imam al-Suyuti in his book Atlantic. Personal narratives and signed a charcoal contained many moments of great joy however ‘Tarikh al-Khulafa’ writes, “He (Bilal) died in and histories are harder to sketch of himself by Henry his finest hour must have been in 630 BCE, when he was just over sixty years find, but some stories have Inman, which was featured on an occasion regarded as one of the most old.” Others are of the opinion that he died in been passed on from reliable on the cover of “Freedman’s hallowed moments in Islamic history. After Medina. We can be sure that his eternal abode sources: Journal” and is on display in the Muslim forces had conquered Mecca, Bilal is Paradise for Prophet Muhammad, may the -- Ibn Said (ca. 1770- Omar Ibn Said the Library of Congress. ascended to the top of the Kaba, the house mercy and blessings of God be upon him, 1864) was born in the Muslim state Many of the Muslim slaves of God, to call the believers to prayer. This called Bilal “a man of paradise”. of Futa Toro in Western Africa, in present-day were encouraged or forced to convert to was the first time the call to prayer was heard Senegal. He was a Muslim scholar and trader Christianity. Many of the first-generation slaves Aisha Stacey who was captured and enslaved. He arrived in within Islam’s holiest city. retained much of their Muslim identity, but under www.IslamReligion.com South Carolina in 1807, and was sold to James the harsh slavery conditions this identity was After the death of Prophet Muhammad, Owen of North Carolina. largely lost to later generations. (cont’d pg.10) Bilal never felt the same again. A day after the --Sali-Bul was a slave on a plantation. Prophet’s death, Bilal went to make the usual Dawah Monthly Radio adhaan for morning prayer. While giving the Now Streaming adhaan he broke down and steams of tears 24 Hours a Day at began to roll freely down his cheeks. He DawahMonthly.com managed to finish the rest of the adhaan in a low voice. After that, Bilal stopped calling the Also on Mobile with Winamp - Shoutcast Adthaan in Madina.

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Dawah Monthly Magazine 8 February 2014 February 2014 9 Dawah Monthly Magazine Islam in America During the Civil Rights Era Most people, when they think of Among the reasons why African-Americans have been and continue to be drawn to Islam Islam in America Today African-American Muslims, think of the are 1) the Islamic heritage of West Africa from The number of Muslims in the has the number of native-born converts “Nation of Islam.” Certainly, there is an where many of their ancestors had come; and United States today is estimated to the faith. Among immigrants, historical importance to how Islam took 2) the absence of racism in Islam in contrast to be between 6-8 million. Muslims come largely from Arab hold among African-Americans, but to the brutal and racist enslavement they had According to several surveys and South Asian countries. A major we will see how this initial introduction endured. commissioned between 2006- study conducted by Pew Research In the early 1900s, a few black leaders 2008, African-Americans make Center in 2007 found that transformed in modern times. strived to help the recently-freed African up about 25% of the Muslim American Muslims are mostly slaves regain a sense of self-esteem and population of the U.S. middle-class, well-educated, and reclaim their heritage. Noble Drew Ali started The vast majority “decidedly American in their a black nationalist community, the Moorish of African-American outlook, values and attitudes.” Science Temple, in New Jersey in 1913. After Muslims have Today, Muslims in America his death, some of his followers turned to Wallace Fard, who founded the Lost-Found embraced orthodox represent a colorful mosaic Nation of Islam in Detroit in 1930. Fard was Islam and have that is unique in the world. a mysterious figure who declared that Islam is rejected the African-Americans, the natural religion for Africans, but did not racially-divisive Southeast Asians, emphasize the orthodox teachings of the faith. teachings of the Nation of Islam. Warith Deen North Africans, Arabs, and Europeans come Instead, he preached black nationalism, with a Mohammed, a son of Elijah Mohammed, together daily for prayer and support, united in revisionist mythology explaining the historical helped lead the community through a transition faith, with the understanding that they are all oppression of the . Many of his away from his father’s black nationalist equal before God. teachings directly contradicted the true faith of teachings, to join the mainstream Islamic faith. -- Islam in America - Three-Part Series Islam. The number of Muslim immigrants to the by Huda, About.com In 1934, Fard disappeared and Elijah United States has increased in recent years, as Muhammed took over the leadership of the Nation of Islam. Fard became a “Savior” figure, and followers believed that he was Allah in the flesh on earth. The poverty and racism rampant in the urban northern states made his message about black superiority and “white devils” more widely accepted. His follower Malcolm X became a public figure during the 1960s, although he separated himself from the Nation of Islam before his death in 1965. Muslims look to Malcolm X (later known as Al-Hajj Malik Shabaaz) as an example of one who, at the end of his life, rejected the racially-divisive teachings of the Nation of Islam and embraced the true brotherhood of Islam. His letter from Mecca, written during his pilgrimage, shows the transformation that had taken place. As we shall see shortly, most African- Americans have made this transition as well, leaving behind the “black nationalist” Islamic organizations to enter the worldwide brotherhood of Islam. (cont’d pg. 11)

Dawah Monthly Magazine 10 February 2014 February 2014 11 Dawah Monthly Magazine The Prophet Muhammad’s Last Sermon This sermon was delivered on the Ninth women well and be kind to them for they Day of Dhul Hijjah 10 A.H. in the ‘Uranah are your partners and committed helpers. valley of Mount Arafat’ (in Mecca). And it is your right that they do not make After praising, and thanking Allah he friends with any one of whom you do not said: approve, as well as never to be unchaste. O People, listen to me in earnest, “O People, lend me an attentive ear, for worship ALLAH, say your five daily I know not whether after this year, I shall prayers (), fast during the month of ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat to what I am saying to you very carefully (charity). Perform Hajj if you can afford and TAKE THESE WORDS TO THOSE to. WHO COULD NOT BE PRESENT HERE All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an TODAY. Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab O People, just as you regard this month, nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the Arab; also a white has no superiority over life and property of every Muslim as a black nor a black has any superiority over sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to white; except by piety and good action. you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one Learn that every Muslim is a brother so that no one may hurt you. Remember to every Muslim and that the Muslims that you will indeed meet your LORD, and constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall that HE will indeed reckon your deeds. be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs ALLAH has forbidden you to take usury to a fellow Muslim unless it was given (interest), therefore all interest obligation freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, injustice to yourselves. however, is yours to keep. You will neither Remember, one day you will appear inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has before ALLAH and answer your deeds. Judged that there shall be no interest So beware, do not stray from the path of and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn righteousness after I am gone. ‘Abd’al Muttalib (Prophet’s uncle) shall O People, no prophet or apostle will henceforth be waived... come after me and no new faith will be Beware of Satan, for the safety of your born. Reason well, therefore, O People, religion. He has lost all hope that he will and understand words which I convey ever be able to lead you astray in big to you. I leave behind me two things, the things, so beware of following him in small QURAN and my example, the SUNNAH things. and if you follow these you will never go O People, it is true that you have astray. certain rights with regard to your women, All those who listen to me shall pass but they also have rights over you. on my words to others and those to others Remember that you have taken them as again; and may the last ones understand your wives only under Allah’s trust and my words better than those who listen to with His permission. If they abide by your me directly. Be my witness, O ALLAH, right then to them belongs the right to be that I have conveyed your message to your fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your people”. For Questions about Islam, Comments, Suggestions or other inquiries about this publication please contact: [email protected] Visit Us Online: www.DawahMonthly.com Dawah Monthly is a NJ Nonprofit Organization sharing Islam from Quran & Sunnah