The Time and What Must Be Done (Part 2)
Now, a few thoughts on Malcolm (and I must note that for some, this is the most controversial part of the new books’ title). I posit the question “What Would Malcolm Do?” I did this for a number of reasons. Of all the contemporary civil and human rights leaders and social actors that I have studied, I have the strongest personal and philosophical affinity towards the one that was tragically taken away from us over 40 years ago on February 21, 1965, when I was just one year old: Al-Hajj Malik Shabazz, popularly known as Malcolm X. Seemingly endless volumes have been written about and focused upon him, his life, legacy, leadership style, etc. Space does not allow for a detailed discussion of why, for me, Malcolm mattered, and still is relevant today. One of his most famous speeches was his Message to the Grassroots. Today, over 40 years later, in my mind, it is resoundingly loud and clear that the audience he was seeking to engage then is the same audience that today possesses the best potential to affect systemic, wholesale change in 21st century America. For me, as a community servant, certain things just naturally appeal to me about Malcolm, the shaheed or martyr of our time.
For certain, it is an exercise in speculation to posit what Malcolm would have done had he lived to continue his mission, continued spiritual and political development and the like. Yet, from what he was during the years he served as National Spokesman for the Nation of Islam and the year following his departure until his untimely murder, we can accurately make a number of observations. Malcolm was a mature, pious Muslim and leader. He was the epitome of sincerity. When Malcolm said “a Muslim doesn’t smoke”, he wasn’t going in the back alley of the mosque and lighting up a cigarette. Contrast his example to what we all too often find today. Many are claiming to be imitating the Righteous Predecessors and in many cases are little more than the Modern Day Pretenders.
Malcolm spoke truth to power, and never wavered in his commitment for freedom, justice and equality, both economically and socio-politically. For all of his scathing racial indictments during his NOI days, Malcolm was ultimately killed, in part, for his diplomatic efforts. This illustrates that the process of bridging gaps and working to bring people together around results-oriented action, goals and objectives is a dangerous road indeed. Lastly, and of monumental importance in light of the reality of 21stcentury America which is the central focus of this work, Malcolm was one of the best examples we have seen of a leader not allowing his personal religious beliefs to make him lose sight of his responsibility to humanity; even towards those who did not necessarily share his faith tradition yet agreed with his socio-political and economic vision.
It is well known that even after he changed his name, he often remarked that as long as the conditions that created Malcolm X continued to exist, he would continue to maintain names, identities. For him, his conversion to traditional Islam was not a passport out of blackness or a one way ticket out of social responsibility. I personally find this to be consistent to the compassion and empathy we garner from the Quranic passage that states (translated as): You are the best of people evolved from mankind; you enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil and you believe in God.(Al-Imran, 3/110).
One well known exegesis or commentary on this passage is that the Prophet (pbuh) said this means that we are the best people for others to look at and emulate as an example. This means we have a Divine mandate to serve everyone and to be engaged at every level. I emphatically believe Malcolm would have agreed that leaders have to make hard decisions in challenging times, and Malcolm, even if you didn’t agree with his decision, it would have been well thought out, keeping in mind the best long term interest of his community and people. He would agree that collectively, we can build a better world. If we had a united front, we as Muslims could galvanize the various forces looking for the establishment of good, fairness and justice. And he would most certainly agree that we may differ on particulars, but we need to agree that now is a time for action on all fronts.
April 14, 2008 at 5:41 pm
As salaamu Alaikum the concept that follows, was originally expressed about another subject but it is relevant to todays discussions.
“History is written by the victor.” When the forefathers won the revolutionary war they earned the right to paint the history of Mr. Arnold as they saw fit. Had England won the war and subdued the American insurgents then Mr. Arnold would have been known today as a hero.
The same rule applies in the conflict that exists between the dominant community that consists primarily of Non–Muslims and the Muslim community. As long as the dominant community is able to call the shots, and is able to define the betrayal of the values of the Muslim community, as nothing more than independent thinking. Then people in the Muslim community can be convinced to believe in their collaboration in the subjugation of the rest of the ummah.
As long as the dominant community continues to reward Muslims for their attacks on Shariah and the Muslims that truly have the welfare of the Muslim community at heart remains powerless to mount some kind of defense, or some kind of counter response adequate enough to give the independents cause to pause, the Muslims will continue to suffer and the dominant community will continue to benefit.
An inside approach could be nothing more than a euphemism for collaboration. Somebody could come along and say that Benedict Arnold took an inside approach to the conflict between the monarchy and the insurgency. Somebody could make the argument that Mr. Arnold probably thought he was only doing what he believed in.
But the fact of the matter is that somebody else thought that his independent thinking was enough to get him the distinction of having his name forever associated with betrayal and synonymous with the word traitor.
In some respects, Mr. Arnold had the same goal as the American forefathers. I’m sure they both wanted an end to a war that was lasting for years and looked as if it would last many more. But while the forefathers were hoping for an American victory, Mr. Arnold had a more independent view of a victory. Muslims who believe democracy superior to Shari ah should expect to be viewed as weak by those Muslims who Up hold Deen.
This is part of my concern about the neo muslim trend developing, to quote one of its proponents Ayaan Hirsi Ali
” When a “moderate” Muslim’s sense of compassion and conscience collides with matters prescribed by Allah, he should choose compassion. Unless that happens much more widely, a moderate Islam will remain wishful thinking.”
” It is this order to choose Allah above his sense of conscience and compassion that imprisons the Muslim in a mindset that is archaic and extreme.”
One can tell me about the compassion to let gay lovers marry, or to allow abortion to become a part of concern for the poor.Eugenics was supported by Dubois and other enlighted negros who also believed mulattoes were superior to dark skin blacks.
Earnings from riba can be justified as a way to take the poor out of the ghetto, but it will also take you to hell.
May Allah save us from this foolishness.