09/14/2001
IWDM Study Library 
Jumah on Terrorism Chicago, IL

By Imam W. Deen Mohammed
Bismillah Hir Rahman, Nir Rahim Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Al Amin Wa Nasta Inahu Wa Nasta Firahu Wa Inahu Wa Azwajal La Ilaha IlAllah La Sharika Lahu Wa Ashadu Ana Muhammadan Abduhu Rasulahu Sa Alah Alahi Wa Salaam
With Allah's name. The Merciful Benefactor and Merciful Redeemer. We witness that there is none greater, to be worshiped except Allah. He's the only G-d. And we witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger, Prayers and the Peace be upon him, and what follows of that salutation or salute to the Seal of the Prophets, the last of the Prophets, mentioned in the Qur'an as a Prophet that is mentioned in both the Old and New Testament, the Prophet they called in Islam, the Torah, and the Injil. The Torah and the Injil.
We see this time, that we're living in now, as the time of religion, or the day of religion, when man, or mankind, regarding how he should live on this Earth is coming to a conclusion. The Earth is no more an unknown place to be discovered by man. The whole Earth is now known by man. That didn't exist for us in the time of Muhammad, the Prophet. This part of the world had not yet been discovered. But this part of the world is now discovered, and the whole world has come together like a puzzle, and parts of it was missing. The whole continent of North America was missing from it. And the whole continent of South America was missing from it.
And then, man traveled and moved as G-d had already predicted through His Prophets or shown His Prophets that it would come, the day would come and the whole Earth would become one again, as it was in the beginning. We live in the time of the conclusion of things, the day of religion. Never before on this Earth did we have the great religions coming together, their leaders coming together in friendship, and working together discussing the problems of mankind all over the world, and working together for a better Earth community for us all. A better home on this Earth for us all. Never has that happened in the history of mankind.
In the time of Muhammad, the Prophet as we know, G-d guided him with the Qur'an as he also was a man created for the job. He had the logic typical for the universal command of mankind, and G-d guided him to tell the people that the Earth was once one community of people on Earth. The people of Earth were once one community. And then, by tradition, or by allusion in the language of the Qur'an, we come to the conclusion that it is saying also, that mankind has to, one day again, become one community.
So, as He created you in this first instance, so shall we return. And this application is not only to the return from the dead from the grave, but all of us are going to this Earth, and as we become dust or stone, or bones again, we expect a resurrection. But Muhammad the Prophet taught us, Peace, Prayers and Peace be upon him, that whatever is in the Qur'an has a direct application, and the implied one.
That means that as you're reading, it has a reading that is obvious to the average language person that can read it, and it has a meaning that has to be given to you by inspiration. By G-d. By inspiration. He guides me to whatever He pleases. And when we read, G-d guide us, to divine guidance, that's G-d speaking not me, Praise be to Allah.
And Muhammad the Prophet talked with his scholars, and the students became scholars. One of them is his wife as you know. Aisha became a great scholar. One of the Scholars, one of the leaders of his time of the religion of Islam for the whole world. He taught them that his language was to be regarded in the same way when it comes to understanding it. That what he said had an expressed meaning, and an implied one. One that you, anybody, on the face of the earth, they could read. But the other one, only those blessed by G-d would be able to read and understand it. And that they would be taught, and educated, in this religion, and the pure ones would come to the right understanding.
I'm setting the stage for my presentation. Or I'm creating the conditions for you to receive keys in it. Now. We know that Muhammad the Prophet also said that there will come a time when you'll see Jesus, and myself, together. Muhammad the Prophet said that. That there will come a time when the people will see Jesus and the Prophet Muhammad, Peace be upon him, together. I'm sure that this is the time. And, the Prophet also said, in his last address called The Last Sermon, he said, "Listen. For those who are here, presently. Listen, and pass it on to those who are absent. And those who repeat it, pass it on to him first, to others." He said, "And maybe, the last, perchance, the last can get it, or understand it better." Now he said that.
So, it might not be me. It might not be you. It might not be this following that is with me, from The Muslim American Society. But we should be looking somewhere. You see, where is that group that he said, that might understand it better than others? They shouldn't be in the multitudes. That group shouldn't be in the many. That group should be small. Probably most of the many will not have it correctly, according to Prophet Muhammad's prediction.
According to Islam, the many, will not have it correctly. And we see the world of Islam today. Most of it is in confusion. Most of it is not in unity. Most of it does not get an equal or comfortable living. Only a few who are in the ruling position are in a comfortable situation. And the many are denied a comfortable existence. They can't preach their religion. They can't live their religion as they choose to. I'm speaking of the great majority of Muslim lands. And those lands, those Muslims cannot preach and live their religion as they believe they should. If they do, they'll be locked up. They'll be put in jail. They might be killed outright, depending on how much they upset the people that rule. The ruling order. There is no freedom of religion in most of the Islamic countries. The religion is preached according to the government. The government preaches. The government decides how it should be preached.
So, we have to be understanding of what's going on, in the Muslim life and in the Muslim world. If you're a Muslim here in America, you should know the state of Islam in the world. In the Muslim world. That's the whole world of Muslims. And, you should know whether this World Muslim is in line with the Qur'an and Muhammad or not. If I'm being honest, they're not. You don't want to be in line with them. And I am not in line with them. And I could never be in line with them. And most of the Muslims scholars and educators in this religion, they are not with them. They are persecuted in these Muslim lands. And many of them have left the Muslim lands and come to America, and have come to America for the same reasons those who were on the Mayflower came over here- So that they can have a country where they can live their religion, with their G-d and feel comfortable in their heart, that they're living their religion as G-d wanted them to live it. And that's what we want. We in America. And we want that. Because it makes us very unhappy to see our peace and our good relationship with the citizens of America, and the Christians here, hurt by acts of terror. And that’s not making us feel comfortable, because you're in danger.
So, I feel in danger. And if my father was here, he would tell you exactly what I'm going to tell you. This is a time that is very dangerous for you, and it's very critical. Allah does not want us putting ourselves unnecessarily in danger. You sisters should wear loose fitting pants. Long pants. And wear decent jackets, and you should not be able to be distinguished from anybody else out there in the street.
Don't dress where you look like Muslims, it's not the time for it. Dress modestly that's all you have to do. Don't ask for them to have a certain style. Just dress modestly, and don't dress like they expect you to be looking.
My son had stones thrown at him yesterday in the school. Just because they know his name is Muhammad. His name, I said, is out there, in the school. So, one little white boy threw stones at him. If I was there, I'd tell that little white boy, I'd say, "Look. I'm named Muhammad. I'm called Muhammad. And he's most likely a better American than you are." That's what I would like to go tell the white boy.
He comes home, all uptight and nerves all shot, because somebody throwing stones at him. So, this is a dangerous time. Do you want somebody to throw stones at your women? I don't. So, brothers, tell your wife, "Don't go out there dressed in the dress that they're looking for. Dress like them so they can't tell." And, if they speak to you, keep your cool. You'll be hearing "nigger." You'll be thinking, on Allah, SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar." You'll be their niggers. When they speak to you, Allah will have power on you. You'll be able to respond, and not be aggravated. And you will give them a warm look, and say, "I think you're mistaking me for somebody else." And then you move on.
So, they have gotten the courage to tell them to their face. All the way from Los Angeles. East coast from East coast to West coast. And not all from our community. In our community, sisters are assaulted on the street by people who are enraged and angry, and they would have to take it out on somebody that they think is of the same mind of those characters.
They say, well, whatever they believe in is making them behave that way. We know that's not so. It's not their religion that makes them behave that way. It's the desperate situation that they're living in. And they get that their sense from G-d. Allah gave them sense. Can you be sensitive and still keep your Muslim behavior? So, they make that decision.
Now. When Muhammad the Prophet gave his Jumah, his Khutbah, the Jumah Khutbah, his last sermon, he didn't say that, that he wrote, "This is my last sermon." Let me read the Qur'an, and do prayers, go inside the mosque. No. Muhammad said "Let me address the problems of mankind." That's what he said in his last sermon. He addressed the problems of mankind. The treatment of your brother. Respect for his wife. Don't violate his wife. Don't violate his property. Don't violate his family. Don't mistreat the servants. The slaves. The person who’s down. Don't mistreat them. Treat them equally. With respect. This is how he instructed them. You have to address the problems of the world. And your women. Educate them. If you men educate your women, you'll get the blessings of Paradise.
He called it a sermon at that time. And we still call it a sermon now. It hasn't changed. We still have it. Mistreatment of poor people, financially. Our women aren't educated, and the mistreatment of females. We still have all of that. Especially in the Islamic world. We have all that. The Prophet Muhammad wouldn't have been going through this ritualistic formal thing that most of you all insist on in Jumuah. The Prophet Muhammad would be addressing the problems of mankind. The problems of the world. So why can't we do it? We follow him.
So, we're addressing the serious problems today of terrorism. Prophet Muhammad was a reflection of G-d's word, the Qur'an. His wife Aisha, May G-d be pleased with her, she said he was the Qur'an living and walking among us. That's how close he lived it. He lived it so closely, that his wife saw him as the book. Living among us, and walking among us. So, the word of G-d was lived by Muhammad the Prophet. He lived the Qur'an. And we know that nothing should cause anybody to lose their senses and do these terrible things that they have done in these last few days
I was in Washington, D.C. when the trouble started there. Same coincidence. I'm invited by the President of these United States to meet with him at 3 o'clock in the afternoon with a few other selected religious leaders, faith-based leaders, faith-based community leaders, to address the problem of profiling. And we thinking about the average criminal lawbreaker, or else, the innocent person who gets arrested, and they take him, just because he's Black, they take him as a criminal before he even has a day in court. Mistreat him. Et cetera. We were speaking about that. African Americans and others who get stopped, just because they're suspect in an officer's eyes. They're suspect even before they catch them committing a crime.
We told him that we're dealing with subjects like that. No. It's profiling alright. But it's terror. Terrorists. And they have given a certain opinion. And now here is the innocent, who are suspected, because they have the same name, same religion, same dress style, they're suspected, look how quick they shift from the profiling of the person that's in the streets, to their citizens that gets mistreated, to the profiling of all Muslims. All Muslims. Not by a police officer. But they find the names. Or put people's drawings out there. They're insane.
And those who have been insane all along, they were waiting for a time like this to hop out, and do the same things they been wanting to do and say all the time. You have to be very careful. If my father was here, he would tell you sisters to stay in the house. If it's not absolutely necessary for you to be outside, he'd say it's best to stay in the house. I'm telling you that I'm saying that right now. If it's not absolutely necessary, sisters you ought to stay in the house. And if you have to come out, dress so they can't identify you.
You can't wear some mini-skirts, or looking like prostitutes. Otherwise, the brothers will hit you and go to jail for injuring you. You'll be right on the street, and go to jail for ...
Praise be to Allah. It's a serious matter. A very serious matter. I remember the first time when I knew you all had to be prepared to get to the Promised Land. I knew you were going to have to claim your share of America. You cannot get your share of America until you first claim your share of America. You don't have the spirit to get your share, if you don't first claim your share of America. Then you'll have the spirit backing you. You'll have the courage, strength, and piety to help you get your share of America. Without that, you don't have the energy for it. You don't have the spirit for it.
I was raised in this community. I was born a follower, or, the son of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, who was following his teachings, and my mother, Clara Muhammad, who was following his teachings. I was born to that. I was born inside that teaching. You can't separate me from that. I never had another mind. I only had the mind they gave me. A baby. A boy. A little boy. A young man. And I knew what we were capable of doing to others. I knew what I was capable of doing. If I saw some others really wrecking what my father had decided. Or, going against what we really believed in and claiming they were one of us. I know what I was capable of doing.
But I knew it was time. And I thought that if I had talked to you all long enough to at least have the majority on my side for what I did. I think it was something that I read or something I was saying. And I said to those that were present, that like they were on the side of my father, I said, "Our flag, the national flag of the Nation of Islam on one side, and the American flag on the other side. So, I took the American flag, put it on my shoulder. And I said, "If you won't carry this flag, I will." And believe me, I was under mortal fear when I did that. I didn't know, I never felt fear like I felt when I did that.
First time I knew that some brothers or some sisters could take some of that, at the time, and say something. And I didn't know how strong their minds were. I knew some of their minds were not as strong as they are now. So, I took a dangerous chance, that you all would be in agreement with me. Yeah. I knew the brothers would be angry. You know? So, nobody even uttered a word. Not like I did. Like, and from then on, we kept part of that thing.
Cause it's part of where we are now, and we are humble now. We are at home as Muslims, and we are at home as the citizens of America. That's what faith gets you. I don't know how you all feel about it, but that's a big victory. And I knew then, that's a victory not only for your heart, and your soul, and your mind, and spirit, it's a victory also for your pocket. It's a victory for your pocket. You can now have economic growth in the United States of America because you've come to this position.
It doesn't mean the United States of America has become the Qur'an. No. We know it's not even the Bible. You understand? That's why they're Christians, and we depend upon good Christians to live the Bible. And we depend upon good Muslims to live the Quran. We depend upon the government to provide a place for us to practice our religion, and not have this fear some other group denying us our freedom to practice our religion. So that's all we want from the government. You don't want the government to practice your religion for you. That's their business. Do whatever they want. As long as they live up to the honorable responsibility that the citizens of the country have entrusted to them, and that is to have good government, by the people, for the people, and respect the rights of all citizens. That's all we ask for.
That's all we ask for. We don't ask them to propagate Islam. We will propagate Islam, using our method of propagating Islam. We don't have to ask the United States government to give a true picture of Muslims in Islam. That's our obligation. And we strive to do our part to present our own likeness. We will gain the respect of other religions, and the United States government, and we have won their respect. President Bush met with religious leaders and both non-Muslim faith groups, Christians and the Jews went on with President Bush, pleaded to the American people to respect Muslims. Respect the religion of Islam. And we appreciate it.
So, they're doing their part. They can't do much more than that. So, we have to do our part. If you go back in my office you'll see the United States flag, Old Glory, to be a new glory. Because now there's only one glory for us, because they recognize our rights, equal rights in this country. So, it's new glory for me. Old Glory's still there. In my memory Old Glory was there. But this flag is still called "Old Glory." So, Old Glory, in my mind new glory is pasted on my front window. By me. Go by there now and it's the American flag right in my front room window.
By this time the average citizen should display the flag on their front window. So now a lot of Muslim businesses you find the flag on the front window. In my office there is a display, which is my flag and what it stands for is for good people I would die for right now. And any type of people not willing to die for someone who is willing to protect their life, something is wrong with those people.
So, we don't have a home anywhere else, we have a home right here in America. Right here is that home.
So, at one time we were treated as subhuman in the South. And subhuman in the North. And now we have grown to being respected now and given equal opportunity to have life in America and progress in America with all the other groups. And no one can keep you out of that. No one is trying to hold you back. And you can go to court. You would have the support of the courts if you are standing on solid ground. You will be granted a favorable hearing and your rights will be protected.
I am going to bring this Khutbah to a conclusion. Colin Powell is loved so much by the American people who hold positions of power that if he were to run for Vice President or the President, he could win. And he is an African American. We should realize that we have paid big time, here in these United States. We have paid with our life, with our blood, with our life. We have paid with our time and energy. And we are paying with our hearts, with our suffering.
We are paying a big, big price. And now, G-d has rewarded us. With good people of different colors, G-d has rewarded us now. Beautiful people with a big political order, Constitution et cetera that was designed for the special people on this Earth.
Recognized as being qualified to enjoy this with the rest of the people on this Earth. You know white folks who have been watching The Honorable Elijah Muhammad, and watching his son, and watching Farrakhan too?
You know what they're thinking when they're looking at us? They are thinking that we are a people now that can partnership with them and know and that no matter what happens to this country, we are going to stand by it and make it better but not leave it.
Now we know that the country wasn't always beautiful, but the concept is beautiful. As Dr King said. And now that the country is beautiful, and you have awakened in your human nature you have to be ready to live up to your full potential.
We are living in a time where we can expect white folks to work with us, and to live with us. What you call a peaceful co-existence.
We should see the value that we have now, as a people, the value that we have is great. All the people of this country and the world really that has a hand in our oppression. Whoever, is take a look at us now.
They're wrong, they're dead. But if they can hear me, I want to tell them in hell or wherever you are don't you get mad now.
You could've have worked for this 100 years ago.
This is the closest to excellence, it is the closest to the righteousness that G-d wants in us. It Is the closest, it is the next thing it is next to Godliness. And it also suggests if there is a stronger position you can take, it is a position of peacefulness. It is an exposure to and it is also a feat that requires great discipline and patience.
G-d said do not allow yourselves to lower your standards to the other party’s behavior. Sometimes if you can do something which displays better character, you've got to do the job. The Qur'an tells us not to let our hatred for other people cause you to do wrong and to swerve from justice. Be just, for it is the closest to taqwa (Regardfulness for G-d).
So, the language says it is the closest to piety.
Yeah, so look at what they're doing now. G-d said don't be unjust.
It's that behavior that leads to negative consequences. It is wrong they are doing it wrong but they're doing it no more than we do.
When Prophet Muhammad dealt with the elderly people would he do that? We know he wouldn't. That's right.
Now the Palestinians, they have been murdered, those people have been murdered and also fallen victim to the bombing and destruction of the hospitals for the Palestinians. But we know that that's perhaps the situation that is contributing and motivating these people more than anything else. And we are praying for peace and praying for the unfortunate souls that have been murdered.
So let us read from the Qur'an. And I will read it in English because I know most of you do not understand Arabic.
"And know that we have sent down the Criterion". Criterion here means the rule that we are to apply when trying to form judgements or make decisions.
He freed Judaism and he had the Muslims protect their favorite places of worship. The Muslims protected it with their life. The Muslims can protect churches and synagogues with their lives if necessary.
And if you go to Muslim lands, you will find churches that have been there ever since the day of the Prophet. If they were there then, they are there now.
So, we have to understand these things. That he is a Mercy to all the Worlds. And he is also a warner to all the worlds. "Rahmatan lil Al Amin" A Mercy to all the Worlds.
So, we have to understand that Muhammad the Prophet is not just for Muslims. He is for all humanity. He's the last Prophet of G-d for all humanity. And it is his leadership that leads the world today. All of this respect for education, public education did not exist before Muhammad. He is the one that led this movement for freedom of religion and public education.
So, who should have the beautiful constitution about human rights and the dignity of the person which stresses the rights of freedom of religion, the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness, etc. the right to have all that? Who should have all that in their constitution? It's the Muslims!
Fight until there is no more oppression and Religion is for G-d. And who are they fighting? They are fighting those who try to hold others back from worshipping G-d-Those who were persecuting them. So, they were being mistreated and killed for no other reason except that they wanted to worship G-d. So, the Prophet was told to fight those who were persecuting them until there was no more persecution.
We have no control, not only over those who claim to follow Islam, but those who follow the other books.
We have no control over who will get good, who will get bad, who will be hurt, who will not be hurt. It is Allah who decides who will get the good, who will get the bad, who will be hurt. So don't say "Oh, those people lost their lives. We regret it but it couldn't happen without G-d's permission. Those innocent lives could not be taken without G-d's permission and those who are who did those horrible things they could not have done that without G-d's permission.
We have to see this as an awakening for the great powers that be. This awakening for our beautiful and great country, an awakening to help us come back to our better selves, to our best selves. This is the time we lose a lot of our good qualities as an American people. Lives can be lost.
But this great tragedy that took the lives of innocents should not be in vain. I don't want to think that these people died in vain. I want to look at them as unwilling martyrs.
They're martyrs that laid out the path for you. But nevertheless, the life that is lost is going to make America a better America, it's going to make the world a better world. They have not died in vain. This is going to wake up the people in power going to wake up many people who need to be awakened. They are going to look back and research and say, "What could we have done better"?
So, you know G-d's work, and he knows how to provide light for the people and he knows how to wake up the people, calling them back to what's right.
I believe that if the President had been Bill Clinton, the desperate people would not have been as desperate. He would have reached out to them. So, we have a man in power now that knows money and he know government. But he's not a minister. He's not ordained. Bill Clinton was an ordained minister. A Christian minister. So, he knows G-d's word and he has a feel for the people. And I don't believe those people would have been so desperate. So, it's a wakeup call.
But don't think I am soft on the terrorists. No. Lethal injection would be a quick and easy way for them. Because they are no good for themselves and no good for anybody else. So even though G-d has willed that they be used, He has not willed that they be respected. Prophet Muhammad did not set that kind of example for us to follow. But we are not talking about Muslims. We are talking about terrorists.
So now let us read from Surah 25-The Criterion Ayats 45-48.
With the Name of G-d the Merciful Benefactor the Merciful Redeemer.
"Do you not see (the wonderful doings of your Lord) how He stretches out the shadow"? Not only that (We stretch the shadow) We make the position of the sun its indicator.
Then as the sun rises higher in the sky, we withdraw it (the shadow) to Ourselves; a gradual withdrawing.
It is He who has made the night as a covering mantle for you and Who has made sleep for a short rest as well as a sign of eternal rest-the death, and has made the day for rising up and going about to seek the livelihood and also a sign of resurrection.
"We are living in a great day".
And it is He Who sends the winds as happy heralds of His Mercy, and we send down from above water for the purification of the soul.
Going before His Mercy, going before His Mercy,
So pure water is being sent down because it brings life to a dead land. And G-d says that He has created men and cattle in great numbers. Not just people, cattle!
And what did Muhammad the Prophet say about behavior in times of war? Don't destroy that which is useful-Don't destroy trees.
And the servants of G-d Most Gracious are those who walk the earth in humility.
"Humble, not proud or boastful."
And when the ignorant address them they say "Salaam" (Peace).
This is a serious time. When the ignorant address you say with your looks, your heart, your face "I wish you nothing but peace-You got the wrong person" I am not a terrorist. I am a peaceful person, just trying to serve my G-d. And be of service to mankind.
And for those who spend the night in adoration to their Lord. These are Muslims who are standing up and bowing down. Face, toes and knees on the floor.
And for those who say avert from us the wrath of the hellfire, for the hellfire is an egregious task.
Now this has clarification. There will be hellfire for those that deserve it, and the rivers and waters that run underneath-That is the Paradise for those that deserve it. But there is another clarification. We are in hell. This is a burning time for us. This is a burning time for the Prophets people. But we will survive.
"Those who when they spend are not extravagantly or niggardly" They are responsible with their money and do not spend lavishly nor are they stingy. They don't waste money and they are not so tightfisted until they cannot help worthy causes.
"And those who do not invoke another god along with Allah. And do not kill anyone except for just cause. They support their family members and their community and fulfill their obligations to their religion. For those who do anything other than this their chastisement will be doubled on the day of resurrection. And He will drown them in ignominy.
"Punish the guy who bought down the World Trade Center". Allah is going to deal with you and you will have no news cameras, no prime time, no one there to plead your cause. And G-d won't even speak to you. You will just get punishment.
Now isn't this a Mercy from G-d? "Different are those who turn to G-d in repentance for going to those extremes. G-d's Mercy extends even past His wrath. It extends beyond His wrath. Allah will change your evil into good.
The United States government is responsible for killing millions of people. You think life is over for the Klansman who hung and burnt people? No, life is not over for them! They are going to be awakened in a new court!
"And whoever turn in repentance to Allah in true repentance". So, for those who have gone to extremes, they still have a chance to hear the word of Allah, hear the word of G-d and turn back before it is too late. But the only way they can be saved is that they have to turn away from their evil deeds. And cover their evil with good.
Now let us turn to the 72nd verse. "And those who do not give false evidence nor indulge in it but pass on with dignity".
This world is messed up because too many people support falsehood and won't speak out against it. People have to come out of silly and foolish behavior.




