Imam Warith Deen Mohammed

By Imam Abdullah El-Amin, MMNS

The world lost ( in the flesh) what many believe to be the most influential Muslim leader to grace our shores in a very long time.

Imam Warith Deen Mohammed passed away on Tuesday September 10, 2008 at his home in Illinois.  Imam Mohammed is credited with, almost single-handedly, turning a whole nation of Muslims from the teachings of the Nation of Islam, to the universal teachings of the Qur’an and the life example of the last Prophet and last Messenger, Muhammad ibn Abdullah (s).

I am happy for the life and teachings of Imam Mohammed.  I accepted Al-Islam in 1976 after hearing his commentary and explanation of the scriptures of the adherents of the Abrahamic faiths.  I am happy because I know it is ALLAH who gives death and life.  And it is ALLAH who ordains our life from start to finish. 

I am also happy because although ALLAH causes a cessation of earthly life, He also allows those remaining in this life to reap the benefits of the spirit left behind by those who make their transition before us.   ALLAH says for us not to think of His servants who die in His cause as dead.  He says they live, though you may not perceive it.   This is an “evolution of the spirit.”  In which ALLAH allows the goodness of a person to remain here for us to utilize and strengthen our lives, for the little time we have remaining on this earth.

To me, one of Imam Mohammed’s greatest achievements was the explanation of the excellence of the human being and the original nature of Adam (human being).     I first became attracted to him through a childhood friend, who is also an imam today.  I saw a picture of him with two fingers pointing to his head with a caption underneath that read “Man means Mind.”   I thought that statement, though simple, was profound.  It instantly elevated human beings from a flesh, physical existence, to a man of intellect and moral consciousness.  He preached on the fact that when Adam was created, ALLAH ordered the creation to be submissive to Adam.  He ordered the angels to bow to Adam.  He ordered the Devil to bow to Adam as well, but he refused because he, Satan, said he was better than man.  No matter, ALLAH still gave us power over him (unless we submit to the devil).  Imam Mohammed put a lot of emphasis on these kinds of  points because he knew them to be basic to the elevation of the human being.  If you don’t know yourself as ALLAH made you, you cannot live as He desires.

Another thing I am grateful to Imam Mohammed for is he never adhered to any of the different schools of thought prominent in the Muslim world today.  He did not lead anyone to the schools of Hanifi, Maliki, Shafi, Hanbali, or any other, not even Suni or Shia.  He only emphasized the Qur’an, as the final revelation from the Creator, and the life example of Prophet Muhammad, the last and universal prophet of ALLAH, peace be on the Prophet.  There is no higher knowledge in existence in the world.

ALLAH also called home another great servant in His cause this month of Ramadan.  Sh. Abdel Warith Said made his transition visiting his family in Egypt.  He was another great leader and teacher who left a great legacy for the world.

So I’m not crying today. I’m not sad.   I’m happy that ALLAH allowed me to have been influenced by these two great men and my life, my outlook, my appreciation for the majesty of ALLAH, is enhanced forever because of their presence, inshaALLAH.

May ALLAH bless their souls and grant them Paradise.

As Salaam alaikum
(Al Hajj) Imam Abdullah El-Amin

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