On the Need for a Muslim-African-American Consultative Process or Body (Shura Baynahum)
November 25, 2018
YAHYA IBN MULDROW: As Salaamu Alaikum. I ask this question in the spirit of someone who appreciates the way Earl tackles subjects from his grasp of Imam W. Deen Mohammed's language and teachings. Can Earl elaborate for me, in the fullest scope, how he understands Imam Mohammed's explanation in governing our community through the process of shura bayynahum?
IMAM EARL ABDULMALIK MOHAMMED: As-Salaam Alaikum Imam Yahya bin Muldrow. There is a principle that precedes what we understand to be 'shura baynuhum'. It is obedience to Allah and His Messenger. There is no 'shura baynuhum' without it. There is the disposition in the nature for selection and shared responsibility, but it cannot grow in any spiritual environment. It grows in the spiritual environment that is conditioned by obedience to Allah and His Messenger. When there is obedience to Allah and His Messenger, then the spiritual discipline exists for obedience to those in authority. Then when there is a community matter to be decided it can be referred to Allah and His Messenger and those in authority. 'Shura baynuhum' therefore exists in a progression. It is not a sitting body without first standing on something that gives it a functioning principle upon which to operate. This is the Holy Qur'an teaching.
'Shura' is pointing to a 'shared' responsibility. Maryam was questioned as to the principle which she stood upon and she pointed to Jesus in the cradle. She had the moral foundation to answer but she selected what was best and most appropriate as an answer according to her nature to obey. The nature in obedience to Allah made the proper selection. The word used in the Holy Qur'an to describe this process is from the word that forms 'shura'.
A body can be formed to make decisions but upon what principle? It is given in the Holy Qur'an, that we first stand, then we may sit, then we may relax in our devotional nature. 'Shura baynuhum' cannot exist as Islam presents it except that the parties involved obey Allah and His Messenger (it must stand on this before it becomes a sitting body -'majlis' functioning together for matters or issues to address). Inclinations to organize and convene for decision making that will not respect Allah's Command above man's command (amr or amir) are not cognizable in Islam. Imam W. Deen Mohammed invited to this process but the parties invited could not obey Allah and His Messenger so their interests as a body were corrupted and could not and did not endure as true Islamic 'shura'. That is why neither leadership or 'shura baynuhum' function in the form they should at this time. Not until my voice since Imam W. Deen Mohammed has the leadership part of this progression began to function again. This leads by progression to 'shura baynuhum' (The People of Imam W. Deen Mohammed 2019 National Leadership Conference). Nature demands and defends this process.
Those who will not see this principle cannot be trusted to uphold the responsibility of 'shura baynuhum.' Remember, it was the learned class that accused Maryam of illegitimacy.
Finally, 'khalifa' is trust in variety. Allah trusts the man for which He created everything, and He trusts him in his singular and plural picture. 'ikhtilafaa' in the Qur'an language says 'differences' but its origin as principle is trust in variety. G'd offered the trust to others, but He created it for man in his varieties—nations, tribes, etc.