w.d. muhammad 1933-2008

w.d. muhammad died yesterday,
tuesday, 9 september 2008.
he’s a leader of many muslims in the US,
primarily african-american muslims.
he’s most known for bringing african-american muslims
from the separatism of the nation of islam
– in which he grew up –
into orthodox islam
where God-consciousness is the measure of the person
who submits to Allah.

i usually listen to the jumuah khutbah
at atlanta masjid of al-islam
– which is under the leadership of imam muhammad –
online on fridays.
when imam plemon gives his
often lengthy khutbahs
he habitually references imam muhammad with reverence
and he also reminisces on how the community has
changed, grown and developed.

since neither i nor my parents grew up in that community,
much of this reminiscing leaves me listening politely
as an outsider
waiting for imam plemon to meander to his point.
sensing this, i think, he reminded his listeners that
history gives us the starting part
from which to embark on the world.

isn’t there a quote something like:
you have to be at home somewhere
before you can be at home everywhere.

i thank Allah
that He used imam w.d. muhammad to move
many people from separatism
to the unity of the knowledge of Allah,
alWaahid (the Only One),
alAhad (the One),
alAwwal (the First) and alAkhir (the Last).

may Allah forgive his sins,
make his stay in the grave easy,
and grant him paradise.

ameen

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-obit-mohammed,0,2468553.story

Photo Credit: By Stephen J. Carrera — Associated Press