Reflection on Juz’ 23 by Hakeem Muhammad

Our Agency as Black American Muslims 

Islam spread through Black America like a light, transforming those who embraced it.  Those who had turned to drugs to escape the misery inflicted by white supremacists lay their addictions to rest. Individuals who resorted to criminal activities for income abandoned them. Moreover, those suffering from an inferiority complex found newfound confidence. Those who were articulate blossomed into eloquence and learned to speak with power. 

 The transformation that Islam created is best exemplified by a statement from Malcolm X, who said that Islam was resulting in hundreds of thousands of Black people turning away from “… drunkenness, drug addiction, nicotine, stealing, lying, cheating, gambling, profanity, filth, fornication, adultery, and the many other acts of immorality that are almost inseparable from this indecent Western society.” It was this unwavering belief that Islam could solve the social problems of Black America that resulted in many engaging in dawah, believing in the transformative impact of Islam.

In the depths of our hearts, do we still hold unshakable faith in the transformative power of Islam? As we observe the prison industrial complex and its impact on Black men, and as we witness gang violence tearing through communities, do we still believe in the capacity of Islam to effect change and offer solace? As we read through the 23rd Juz’ of the Qur’an, we find potent reminders about compassion and agency. 

…reflect on the experiences of enslaved African Muslims who, despite being forcibly taken to America, never abandoned their faith. Instead, they turned to Islam to inspire significant slave revolts in Bahia, Brazil. Figures like Omar Ibn Said fled plantation life to practice salah, and Ayuba Diallo maintained his connection to the Qur’an, reproducing several copies from memory.

In surah 36, ayah 47, Allah (swt), says, “Donate from what Allah has provided for you.” The disbelievers say to the believers, “Why should we feed those whom Allah could have fed if He wanted to? You are clearly astray!”  

This powerful ayah in the Qur’an demonstrates why indifference to those in need is contrary to the ethos of Islam and serves as a reminder of the agency, duty, and capability that we as believers have to transform the world for the better. The world, as it is, is not how it ought to be, and we must use our power to make it closer to Islamic ideals. We cannot sit back idly or passively watch injustice and oppression. We, as believers, must act upon the world. In the 23rd surah of the Qur’an, we are also reminded to be sincere and grateful to Allah (swt). In surah 39, ayah 8, Allah (swt) says: 

“When one is touched with hardship, they cry out to their Lord, turning to Him ˹alone˺. But as soon as He showers them with blessings from Him, they ˹totally˺ forget the One they had cried to earlier, and set up equals to Allah to mislead ˹others˺ from His Way.”

 This ayah prompts us to reflect on the experiences of enslaved African Muslims who, despite being forcibly taken to America, never abandoned their faith. Instead, they turned to Islam to inspire significant slave revolts in Bahia, Brazil. Figures like Omar Ibn Said fled plantation life to practice salah, and Ayuba Diallo maintained his connection to the Qur’an, reproducing several copies from memory. In conclusion, our history teaches us to turn to Allah in hardship and remain grateful, sincere and diligent in the cause of justice, even when blessings are bestowed and oppression is lifted.

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