Ramadan 1437/2016: Black Muslims Reflect on the Quran – Juz’ 7

by Nisa Muhammad

 

Islam is Not the Problem, Islam is the Answer

 

“Say, “Not equal are the evil and the good, although the abundance of evil might impress you.” So fear Allah , O you of understanding, that you may be successful. Sura Maidah (5):100
This simple mathematical equation may make sense to many. Evil and good are not equal. In some translations it is read as the filthy and the good or pure are not equal. Society has a continuing moving line, a blurring of the lines on what is good and what is filthy that it really is impressive as the verse states. But during this holy month of Ramadan, allow me to be a humble reminder that in fact Allah says, “So fear Allah, O you of understanding, that you may be successful.”

Here are a few facts that may impress you. Today is the grand opening of London’s first naked restaurant. You read correctly, London’s first naked restaurant. It’s so popular that it has a waiting list of 44,000 people. Nearly 50,000 people want to go to a public restaurant and take their clothes off to enjoy a meal. Tokyo’s first naked restaurant opens, July 29, fat people need not come. They won’t be allowed. They will weigh patrons upon their arrival and turn you away. No, you won’t be returned your online only reservation deposit. The line of decent and appropriate attire required for an evening out has completely disappeared at those restaurants. The filthy and the good are not equal, although the evil may impress you.

The birth rate in some countries has gone down so low in the western world that children are growing up with no siblings, no aunts, no uncles and no cousins. What would life be like without Uncle Chip cracking jokes at the family reunion or Aunti Lateefah hugging you so tight you can hardly breathe? Oh, there’s no family reunion.  

Women in the west are delaying marriage and reducing the number of children they have. Around the world everyday, as Imam Siraj Wahhaj explained in a recent khutbah, there are 100 million sexual encounters, 910,000 conceptions, 350,000 STDs transmitted and 150,000 abortions. That’s the world we live in. Pretty impressive? That’s not impressive at all. It’s really quite strange and very sad.

But for the Muslims who received divine guidance, are we impressed with how far we have strayed from the path of Allah? Are we impressed with the misguidance that has overcome our people? What should impress us however is the enormity of the work we have to do to save our people from Allah’s wrath and judgement. Who will rescue our women and girls from Shaitan’s grasp? Who will free our men from a life of irresponsibility? Who, if not the Muslims? Who will help to bring civilization to a people living a beast’s life only interested in food, shelter, sex, drugs, liquor, lying, thieving and so much more that is evil and filthy? Who, if not the Muslims?

Prophet Muhammad, (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam) came as a mercy to all mankind. Not just some, not just the Arabs or the South Asians. He came as a mercy to all mankind. Who will continue to spread the good news of his work? In this Juz Allah also says in 5:83, “And when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they have recognized of the truth. They say, “Our Lord, we have believed, so register us among the witnesses.” Who will go and register more witnesses?

That’s our responsibility and work as Muslims. Every time we walk or drive by our communities we must ask ourselves when will we be inspired to do something for
ourselves or continue to suffer the consequences as the Honorable Elijah Muhammad said.

 

Islam is not the problem, Islam is the answer. Lets get busy and save our people.
:M-U-S-L-I-M I’m so blessed to be with them…
:M-U-S-L-I-M I’m so blessed to be with them…
say :M-U-S-L-I-M I’m so blessed to be with them…
say :M-U-S-L-I-M I’m so blessed to be with them…

One billion strong, all year long,
Prayers to Allah even in Hong Kong
You can never be wrong if you read the Qur’an
Cause it’s never been changed since day one.
Others may brag, say that we lag,
But they don’t know all the power we had
The power we had, the power we have
So Muslimeen don’t you ever feel sad
Take many looks, go read their books,
You’ll see all the facts that your friends overlooked,
So always be proud, you can say it out loud
I am proud to be down with the Muslim crowd!

by Native Deen

 

Nisa Muhammad is Sapelo Square’s Politics Editor and the Fashion Editor for Azizah Magazine