Though we are all of different races, nationalities and cultures, Allah (SWT) has bound us together at one brotherhood of Islam, unfortunately many have forgotten what that really means…
By Vincent Skipper
It pains me to admit that I have seen much prejudice within the Muslim community since embracing Islam. Recently I have heard more of these stories of prejudice from other reverts. I have learned from other reverts how they have run across issues with their brothers in Islam. I have heard of issues of what some would call cliques; such as Arabs sticking with each other, Pakistanis sticking with each other, and so on.
I then heard the truth from a born-and-raised Muslim. He said growing up he had been afraid of African American Muslims in spite of being the child of African immigrants. He also said that he had preconceived notions of other revert Muslims. In a prior article for Muslim American, I mentioned very specifically the preconceived notion that all Caucasian converts were financially stable and therefore not in need of any help in the form of Zakat and Sadaqa.
Sadly, the notion that all white American reverts are affluent is not the only preconceived notion going on among Muslims. There are also those that think converts are informants for the FBI or have other similar heinous covert purposes. The preconceived notions do not end with the white American reverts. Unfortunately this issue extends to African Americans, Latinos, and others. What is very troubling is that, upon embracing Islam, many of the new Muslims are indoctrinated with these prejudices by those in the established communities. Instead of focusing on teaching the perfection of prayer and tauheed, our new brothers and sisters are fed suspicion and gossip about other groups of Muslims. This erodes the bonds that the brotherhood of Islam is supposed to have.
One very common misconception is this idea that all African Americans Muslims are members of the Nation of Islam. Another is that they are only coming to the mosque to try and get money. As if Muslims do not have enough problems without being ostracized by fellow Muslims! Even those who recognize that the community of Masjids established by Imam Warith Deen Mohammed (about 200 networked Mosques nationwide) are not part of the Nation of Islam, there are many who incorrectly accuse the community of bid’a and have many false assumptions that the community tolerates many things which are haram. This notion of making assumptions about the imaan or lifestyle of an individual just because of his or her ethnicity is as erroneous as assuming that a Pakistani is automatically an Ahamadiyyah or that an Arab is automatically a wealthy oil baron who could fund a hundred Masjids with the sweep of his pen!
The argument that is most often espoused is that some of it is cultural. Another is that the Muslim community has to be careful and be on guard against scams. Lastly, the excuse is that they are trying to be watchful of potential government agents trying to cause problems. Let us be realistic here; are these really valid reasons? Is our time really in a greater need of security and guard than the early days of Islam when revelation was just beginning to come to the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS)? Yet there is not one example of Muhammad (SAWS) using such bigotry against the hypocrites and those who he knew with absolute certainty were against him. Rather, he dealt with them in kindness. Are we not supposed to follow the life example (Sunnah) of the Prophet (SAWS)? Did the Sahaba (RAA) allow the brotherhood of Islam to be broken due to such problems?
As I reflect on this behavior, I think of the hijra and how there was a great deal of apprehension by the Ansari for the Muhajirun. The prophet Muhammad (SAWS) had them split their wealth and live together so that they might be one community, bound in the brotherhood of Islam. This was not just due to the status of the Muhajirun but in order to unite the community. Reverts to Islam have enough problems dealing with their family and outside world without feeling ostracized within the Muslim community. Even the family that appears to be understanding about an individual changing his or her faith to Islam is not really going to equate to the companionship of Muslims. They are unable to understand many aspects of worship and may guide the new Muslim to apostasy.
When immigrant communities first arrived in the United States and attempted to establish Islamic worship, a limited form of isolationism was needed to secure their own heritage and identity. This was an act of fear and preservation that is no longer needed. Remember, those who have not been raised in Islam are migrants as well, since they have migrated from their past life to the path of Allah (SWT). We must grab to the rope of Allah and hold tight as one community. We cannot be divided and cast out Muslims just because we suspect them or because they are from a different background. With the likes of Robert Spencer, Pamela Geller, and the rest of the Islamophobic circle and those that fund them, Muslims have enough problems. We must remember the words of the final khutba of the prophet Muhammad (SAWS):
All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a White has no superiority over Black nor does a Black has any superiority over White except by piety (taqwa) and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.
This is not meant as a condemnation of my brothers in Islam. Rather, this article is an attempt to try and call attention to a growing problem within the community. It is a chance to look upon a situation that is growing that can be easily solved. It is a call for those who were raised Muslim to take hands and show brotherhood with those who were not and for new Muslims to hold a measure of respect for the established communities. As for possible scams, infiltration or other such things say, “Allahu alim,” and move forward. Invite another Muslim out to eat and get to know him or her. All the best dawah begins with friendship, and on this issue we need to create dawah from within the ummah.
With simple actions we can strengthen the Muslim community within the United States. Remember that you will not be held accountable for the intentions of others, but you are held accountable for your own intentions and actions. Give up your fears, distrust and even prejudice that you’ve learned; set it all aside and submit yourself to the will of Allah (SWT). We are one ummah, one united brotherhood of Islam.
