يارب دع الكلمات من أفواهنا و نوايا قلوبنا مقبولة عندك. أمين

 Oh My Lord! Let the words from my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you. Ameen

Introduction

The Year was 1968

After becoming Muslim I began having trouble with my father, mostly because what I was bringing into the family was really ‘foreign’ .  A different way of living, of ‘being’.  My dress and my diet had changed and I wasn’t giving up an inch.  And my father was stuck in his ways and couldn’t see what is was I was trying to do.   AND, I couldn’t articulate or explain it to him the way it should have been explained. I was ‘young, dumb and full of ……..’ 

  But part of what I was looking for was a way that we, as black people,  could break out of some of the negative behaviors that I felt that were holding us back from realizing our true potential and live as a new revolutionary people with our own habits, rituals, dress, diet, holidays, ideas and values that were not rooted in the traditions of our oppressors.  But this journey meant ‘leaving’ all of those things that belonged to our previous lives, the negative baggage and taking on a new life that we called Islam. Malcolm X had already suggested that Islam was a total humanitarian lifestyle which held at its core the equality of all men before Allah and to a young black kid growing up in New York City in the 1950’s and 60’s who was well aware of the societal limitations placed on black people, this spiritual and cultural revolution was and still is a perfectly viable option.  And so my journey began…..

I was aware at the age of 16 that the fate of BlackAmerican Muslims was inextricably linked to the destiny of Black People as a whole. The essays that follow are an attempt to aid in understanding the task that we as BlackAmericans have in practicing Islam here in America. I draw a lot of my inspiration from our Prophet Dawud (as) who had to face similar circumstances, that of being the king of a stolen or captive people and the struggle to maintain his obligations to his Lord , his people and to the hostile powers that be. In one lament he recalls the confusion the Israelites had after being asked to entertain their captors by singing one of Israel’s songs of worship.  His meditating upon this particular issue leads him to ask the question, “How can we sing our holy song in a strange land?”

For me, this metaphorical "song" represents not only our religious practices but also our inherent right to human dignity. How do we lead lives filled with dignity as Black Americans practicing Islam in a country that has historically been in the past and continues to be in the present, aggressively hostile towards us? How do we navigate through systemic racism while remaining true to our faith?

These questions have become central themes in my life's journey - both personally and academically. Through various essays that I have penned over time, I have attempted to shed light on these issues and provide insights into how we can navigate these complex waters.

One critical aspect is recognizing that our lives are shaped by the struggles we face and the victories we achieve. We must understand that our intentions, commitments, and actions play a pivotal role in shaping our destiny. As Black American Muslims, it is essential for us to constantly seek knowledge, engage in activism for social justice, and build bridges of understanding with other communities.

Furthermore, I believe that Prophet Dawud's (as) example teaches us the importance of maintaining balance - balancing our obligations to Allah (swt), our people, and the society at large. It is through this delicate balance that we can strive towards a dignified existence both in this world and in the hereafter.

In my essays, I explore various aspects of practicing Islam as Black Americans - from reclaiming our history to addressing issues such as police brutality and systemic racism from society at large and racist attitudes within our own faith tradition. I argue that by embracing our faith fully while also being aware of the socio-political realities around us, we can create meaningful change within ourselves and society.

The road ahead may be difficult; challenges will undoubtedly arise. However, armed with knowledge, an unwavering faith in Allah (swt), and a deep sense of community solidarity among fellow Black American Muslims, we can sing our holy song even in this strange land.

As I continue to write these essays as offerings to my community - hoping they will resonate with others who share similar struggles - I am reminded of Prophet Dawud's (as) words: "How can we sing our holy song in a strange land?" The answer lies within each one of us – through unity, resilience, and an unshakable belief that justice will prevail….and our prayer is  Oh My Lord! Let the words from our mouths and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable to you. Ameen

Essays