Earl Abdulmalik Mohammed Speaks

1/11/2019

Imam Earl Abdulmalik Mohammed, Representative of Imam W. Deen Mohammed, was asked about use of the language "People of W. Deen Mohammed."

The following statement is his response:

“In a visit to Howard University in the late 1990's, Imam W. Deen Mohammed concluded his address to the large audience made up of students, faculty, and a large representation of his following including many of its leaders: ‘I pray Allah's Punishment on you if you cheat my leadership.’

I expect criticizers and criticism. This statement of explanation for the use of the phrase ‘People of Imam W. Deen Mohammed’ is not intended to answer those who are enemies of Imam W. Deen Mohammed and his following. Neither is it for those who offer critiques without knowledge or faith. These types of people have negative intentions from the onset, and no matter what clear discussion is presented to them from any source, it does not satisfy their appetite for increasing confusion and forcing unjust burdens upon the Believers. They are full of hate, and they want destruction of the good. They are hypocrites and supporters of wrongdoing and followers of its chief. Allah says that Shaytan commands to evil and shameful acts, and to say of Allah of things of which there is no supporting knowledge.

We intend this statement to serve the best of the People, those who have clean hearts and pure intentions. They deserve our attention and respect, and are entitled to a clear explanation.

It is not advisable or healthy to promote divisions in the human family, and it is especially a sensitive, serious matter to promote or attempt to justify any divisions in the international following of Muhammed the Prophet. However, a recognizable distinction must be drawn between truth and falsehood. The religion of Al-Islam does not accept or legitimize any artificial divisions. As a conscious body of Muslims, we define ourselves as Believers above any other designation. That is to say we are the People of Faith, and we are the People of the Holy Qur'an, and we are the People of Muhammed, we ask the prayers for the highest salute and the peace be on him. These are all descriptions from the Holy Qur'an and the Prophet's teaching.

Allah says that He created us from a common human heritage and that He made us to enjoy the benefits of family lineage and to celebrate that lineage with a humane pride and dignity respecting all others in their lineage, and valuing obedience and regardfulness of Him as the most important component of that human lineage or identity. That which distinguishes man from man, according to Islamic teaching in the Holy Qur'an and Muhammed the Prophet's verified reports, are those qualities and characteristics which qualify as the proper Regardfulness of G'd, and its associated proper and disciplined human thinking and behavior. Informed Muslims know this to be worship. Therefore, it is only correct or incorrect worship that truly distinguishes people from one another in the estimation of G'd.

When we say we are the People of Imam W. Deen Mohammed, we are saying implicitly and simultaneously that we are the People of Faith, the People of the Holy Qur'an, and the People of the Tradition of Muhammed the Prophet. How is this language expressing that? Imam W. Deen Mohammed emphasized that he and his following are a new people on this earth. Honest people looking at us, assessing us, and assessing our use of the Holy Qur'an understanding and language can see this clearly. Learned people in Al-Islam, the ulema, clearly see this. They may not like it, but they see it even more clearly than many of us who embrace it. We have been brought to correct Faith and Practice, not through the teaching of the ulema (many of whom openly and rightly refer to themselves as Salifiyy or followers of the way of the predecessors) of the Arabian peninsula or Indian subcontinent or North Africa, or some other area where there is a density of learned Muslims; but by processes and enlightenment that came unique to our situation in our reality in America.

It is a guided tradition that cannot be separated from the name or person of Imam W. Deen Mohammed and his teaching over 33 public years. We are not ignorant followers. We are conscious, and to say ‘People of Imam W. Deen Mohammed’ underscores and emphasizes that consciousness. Perhaps 10 years from now this language will not be as necessary because we will have succeeded in our purposes for promoting the public use of Imam W. Deen Mohammed's understanding and are not intimidated or delayed from doing so. It is known that most of the criticism is not because of the use of this phrase, but because the people using it are growing in numbers and because they have identified Imam Earl Abdulmalik Mohammed to lead them in this issue. Just as the ulema insists that Muslims refer to themselves in a way that distinguishes them from the disbelief and oppressive acts of ignorant Muslims in this period of difficulty and trial for Islam in the world, we have made an intelligent choice of language that makes clear who we are and what we are committed to within the following of Muhammed the Prophet.

I can excuse the ignorant, but so-called educated Muslims should be ashamed to criticize our use of ‘People of Imam W. Deen Mohammed’ when they comfortably use terms as Sunni and Shia, and Hanbaliy and Hanifiy and Shafiy and Malikiy and Wahhabiy and Saudiy, and on and on, when describing or referring to a Muslim nation or community's use of Islamic knowledge in their distinct religious, social, cultural, spiritual, legal, and political realities. No one questions that use. The label 'Muslim' should be sufficient, but we understand the use of these various terms in their real-world context, and they are not disturbing our Islamic unity or dignity. For those understanding the proper use of the Holy Qur'an's Arabic grammar rules, the term 'Warithuddiniy' would be comprehended very well in the context in which we are saying ‘People of Imam W. Deen Mohammed.’

There are many in Imam W. Deen Mohammed's following that choose not to use this description because they are comfortable in their own places and perspectives, or because it is new to them, or because the reasons for its use are unclear. These are honest people. They do not speak on what they do not know or understand. They do not repeat lies or unverified statements, or say irresponsible, vulgar things in public spaces about persons or events they have no knowledge of. I sincerely love them in the way Believers love each other. They do not have to accept me, but I ask them to recognize in Imam Mohammed's words the role and responsibility he intended for me that I have matured to understand and carry out. I want them to know that I understand their point of view and respect it. I support their excellent works and service. I pray to Allah for their success and preservation. I thank Allah for them. They are beautiful in their Islamic life and choices. They are my brothers and sisters in Faith and in family, but my job is different from theirs.

What is necessary for those who identify with the language ‘People of Imam W. Deen Mohammed’ is distinct from others in terms of role and duty, though we share a common heritage and identity with all Muslims and we share something special with those who identify with Imam W. Deen Mohammed. Allah says that there are ranks and degrees of responsibility and understanding in the applications for progress of Islamic life. There are elevations in perspective and duty. Even the Prophets and Messengers had these ranks and degrees of elevation. Not all of the Prophets and Messengers were given the same uses of knowledge, or the same weight of obligations. Those understanding and using the language ‘People of Imam W. Deen Mohammed’ have an important degree and elevation of duty to the whole of our group and to Allah, the Most High, and we are committed to use this designation until we are satisfied that it has become unnecessary to continue.

I declare now that the People of Imam W. Deen Mohammed are distinguished from those who knew Imam W. Deen Mohammed's leadership but rejected it by their refusal of his direct and open instructions, and are now cursed and under a punishment for cheating and misrepresenting what he taught and lived for.”