AN OPEN LETTER TO IMAM VERNON FAREED FROM
Brother Muhammad Siddeeq
THE TIME AND WHAT MUST BE DONE
September 26, 2008
2:67 And remember Moses said to his people: “(Allah) commands that ye sacrifice a heifer.” They said: “Makest thou a laughing-stock of us?” He said: “(Allah) save me from being an ignorant (fool)!”2:68 They said: “Beseech on our behalf Thy Lord to make plain to us what (heifer) it is!” He said; “He says: The heifer should be neither too old nor too young, but of middling age. Now do what ye are commanded!”
2:69 They said: “Beseech on our behalf Thy Lord to make plain to us Her colour.” He said: “He says: A fawn-coloured heifer, pure and rich in tone, the admiration of beholders!” -
2:70 They said: “Beseech on our behalf Thy Lord to make plain to us what she is: To us are all heifers alike: We wish indeed for guidance, if Allah wills.”
2:71 He said: “He says: A heifer not trained to till the soil or water the fields; sound and without blemish.” They said: “Now hast thou brought the truth.” Then they offered her in sacrifice, but not with good-will.
Dear Imam Fareed,
First of all I would like to thank you and congratulate you for having the courage to do what I believe needed to be done the day we all learned of Imam Mohammed’s passing. Your willingness to convene and facilitate a conference call of Imam Mohammed’s Imams was long overdue and I commend you for undertaking this task. However, I must be open and honest with you because while I believe your intentions were sincere, somehow there was a serious disconnect between what you addressed and what needed to be addressed as a CLEAR AND OBVIOUS FIRST PRIORITY.
I dialed into the conference call last night and just listened. I heard you address all of the various Imams who had gotten in touch with you and had expressed some concern and you, person by person, went after and addressed their concern. You even asked for certain Imams to speak up and collectively address the buying of the suites and the sighting of the moon etc. You allowed one Imam to all but lay out his total idea as to what we should do as Imam’s when ever we meet and when you did not find him readily present on the call, you thought it necessary to personally read his concern. When he finally made his presence known, you then gave him a chance to further explain in more detail, first hand, what you had already read to the participants of his concern.
Brother Imam Fareed, all of these things are good and I am not discounting the importance or value of any of them, but what troubles me is, how you could be so conscientious about all of these issues and completely ignore or think not worthy or important the two most serious and most pressing concerns that are on the mind of the majority of Imam Mohammed’s followers and should have been put on the table FIRST AND FOREMOST? These most serious concerns needed to be put on the table as a FIRST PRIORITY for all of the Imams to discuss and establish a position on (so that they can go back to their communities and share this position with them); and they are:
- How did Imam Mohammed die (including the timeline and circumstances surrounding his death and the convening of a community initiated investigation to answer all remaining outstanding questions)?
- Why was (is) his wife dishonored, disrespected and treated so unjustly following his death and what should we, as Imams do about these matters IMMEDIATELY, RIGHT NOW, FORTHWITH WITHOUT DELAY? These, brother Imam, were the issues that begged our IMMEDIATE ATTENTION and necessitated a community wide Imam’s conference call.
2:61 And remember ye said: “O Moses! we cannot endure one kind of food (always); so beseech thy Lord for us to produce for us of what the earth groweth, -its pot-herbs, and cucumbers, Its GARLIC, lentils, and ONIONS.” He said: “Will ye exchange the better for the worse? Go ye down to any town, and ye shall find what ye want!” They were covered with humiliation and misery; they drew on themselves the wrath of Allah. This because they went on rejecting the Signs of Allah and slaying His Messengers without just cause. This because they rebelled and went on transgressing.
BROTHER IMAM FAREED, FOR ANY PERSON TO CONVENE A MEETING OF IMAMS AT THIS MOST SERIOUS AND CRITICAL, TIME (which you chose to do and I commend you for having the courage to do so) WITH MUSLIM IMAMS WHO IDENTIFY WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF IMAM W. D. MOHAMMED, KNOWING THAT NEITHER THE CONVENER NOR THOSE HE HAS CONVENED, AS WELL AS THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP OF OUR COMMUNITY, ARE CLEAR ON OR UNDERSTAND ALL OR MOST OF THE FACTS SURROUNDING THE DEATH OF IMAM MOHAMMED. AND FOR A RESPONSIBLE IMAM TO “GO ON SERVING GARLIC, LENTILS AND ONIONS…” AS A PRIORITY ITEM ON YOUR FIRST CONFERENCE CALL AGENDA WHEN THOSE THINGS OR IDEAS COULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED OR DISCUSSED IN THE PUBLIC ANYTIME AND ANYWHERE WITHOUT ANY CONSEQUENCE WHILE IGNORING THE SERIOUS FESTERING CONCERNS THAT CAN TEAR OUR COMMUNITY APART, IF NOT ADDRESSED VERY VERY SOON. THIS IS QUITE BAFFLING TO ME TO SAY THE LEAST. TO HAVE A CONFERENCE CALL TO TALK ABOUT ISSUES THAT WE WILL NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH FOR MONTHS OR PERHAPS A YEAR AND IGNORE THE REAL PRESSING CONCERNS ON THE HEART AND MIND OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY IS INSENSITIVE AND IRRESPONSIBLE TO SAY THE LEAST.
If you were to pass out a 3×5 card and ask all of the Imams in this community to put on that card exactly what happened to their leader, some cards would come back empty and some cards would come back with confusion and none of them would have the clear and complete facts on it surrounding the death of our leader. So how can any Imam be he a leader, convener or just a facilitator, worth his salt COME BEFORE THE LEADERS and students of this great man two weeks following his strange and untimely death and not mention one word of interest or concern surrounding his death? To come before his Imams at this time and not even offer a prayer on his behalf or raise one question or attempt to set in the future a forum seeking to know and understand more about his death is a serious omission.
Concerning “his wife” not my daughter but “his wife, who happens to be my daughter”, the sad thing about her situation is that when her serious unjust treatment finally came up at the end of the call by Imam Michael Saahir you first ignored it as if he did not say anything and went past it and allowed another brother to make a comment without ever addressing his concern. However when it was re-introduced by Imam Rashad Mujahid, you then ignored the crux of their concern which was, the Imams making and publishing a statement addressing this issue, you stated that in your Masjid, you were committed to giving Khadijah or my daughter, (you did not to my recollection even say Imam Mohammed’s wife and if you did say it that makes matters worst to recognize it and then discou
nt it) “A” donation and anyone interested or who would like to do the same should contact Muhammad Siddeeq. To make a statement like that on such a serious and important COMMUNITY MATTER, NOT MY PERSONAL MATTER, shows that you either don’t understand the gravity of this matter or JUST DON’T GIVE A DAMN. This is the way some people do the street beggars, they throw them a little change just to clear their conscious and to get them out of their hair while they go on to “more important” and meaningful things.
So basically you signaled to the Imams that “THIS IS MUHAMMAD SIDDEEQ’S PERSONAL PROBLEM and that they should handle it as such and you saw no importance in it or any reason to even address it as something that the Imams or the community should be concerned with. It was interesting how everyone was on point as to what the Qur’an or Hadith said about the moon and what Imam Mohammed said about this or that and Imam Mohammed told me this or told me that and no one remembered that Imam Mohammed introduced Khadijah to this community as well as the world as his wife and all of you wore out her phone calling her trying to get information to and from Imam Mohammed. The Qur’an and Hadith were mentioned to support various ideas on this call yet no one recalled, or at least there is no evidence that they recalled that there is more information in the Qur’an and Hadith on the wives of the “Prophet” (which should be our reference model for this issue) then any of the subjects you chose to discuss.
I’ve spoken to Khadijah, Imam Mohammed’s wife, and she agrees with me that she would prefer not to receive any donations from anyone if this is the spirit in which they are donating in. Your so called giving “A” donation would be like the problem so clearly expressed in the enclosed Qur’anic verse, it would be given but not for the right reason and not with the right spirit or attitude. Certainly, we all are thankful to all and any believer who has a sincere concern about the plight of Imam Mohammed’s wife, my daughter Khadijah. However, neither me, my wife or Khadijah are in need of a “sympathy” donation if it is being given as a token to satisfy a troubled conscience and not as a first step in addressing the injustice put upon Imam Mohammed’s present and only wife. To offer charity and not understand that Imam Mohammed’s wife should never have been put into a position to ever need charity is to be so fearful that one has become blind to the reality that is staring them in their face. To offer help to the wife of our late leader and not recognize that her present and future security as well as her protection is A LIFE TIME OBLIGATION AND RESPONSIBILITY ON THIS COMMUNITY and not something that you say “I’m sending “A” donation to and if you want to do the same then contact her father. To see this crisis and approach it with the mind of “if I can …when I’m able…maybe proposition” is not to have come alive as a true believer in Islam. And to fear standing up in front of the world–nevertheless to a community of Imams fearful of some spoiled brat who will stoop to any lie to achieve her wicked end–and telling them that WE THE IMAMS WHO FOLLOW THE LEADERSHIP OF IMAM MOHAMMED CONDEMN WHAT WAS UNJUSTLY DONE TO IMAM MOHAMMED’S WIFE AND DEMAND THAT SHE BE RETURNED TO HER HOME AND HER TRUE PLACE IN THIS COMMUNITY GIVEN TO HER BY HER LATE HUSBAND, OUR GREAT LEADER IMAM W. D. MOHAMMED. This is what I expected would be on the hearts and minds of the true sincere believing Imams in Al Islam. But to spend all of that time talking about sighting of the moon instead of looking into the critical and more serious concerns of this community, is criminal. You would think that we would never eat again in life or starve to death if we didn’t know how to sight the moon based on all of the time we took addressing this subject. Please, don’t misunderstand me, I am not saying that these things that were discussed are not or were not important because they are but are they worthy of a priority position for discussion AT THIS TIME? Look around the world at similar situations…look at Dr. King, Malcolm and JFK. What was the topic on everyone’s mind after their death? The first concern was to understand the events that led to their death and the security and welfare of their wives and children as the first order of business. Was our leader any less important then these world leaders? No. Then why are we so naïve as to not put importance on those dear, honored and beloved by him? Did the wives of these great men face what the wife of Imam Mohammed had to face? No! The world stepped up and put a hedge around these woman the moment they were widowed. These women were revered, honored, supported and stood by until their death.
Brother Imam, I do not believe that Almighty G-d Allah allowed all of these challenging events to happen in order to gain sympathy or charity for any member of my family. I say this because this is what you implied, by directing the Imams to contact me personally concerning fulfilling THEIR COMMUNITY OBLIGATION to the wife of it’s late leader. For me or my family to accept charity under the circumstances that you implied we should accept it under, makes us some kind of beggar or basket case. I believe that Almighty G-d Allah permitted this situation as a test and trial for those of us who claim to be Muslims and Muslim Imams and whose insight has or has not taken root in the true understanding of the serious Islamic work that we claim to be willing to undertake.
Brother Imam Fareed, know that I still love and respect you as a brother and friend but do not desire to receive a donation from you or anyone in your Masjid who would be sending said donation with the kind of tainted spirit and un-Islamic understanding, that you demonstrated last night on that conference call, towards this most serious COMMUNITY PROBLEM THAT YOU IMPROPERLY REDUCED TO A PERSONAL PROBLEM.
As-Salaamu-Alaikum
Brother Muhammad Siddeeq
As-Salaamu-Alaikum,
Ramadan Mubarak!
Dear Believers, Imams and Students of Imam W. D. Mohammed. Allah tells in the Qur’an how we are go about correcting an injustice. Some of us are in the position to correct that injustice with “our hands” because we know the facts, we Fear Allah, and we are close to those who need to be admonished and corrected.
We know who we are. Who do we fear?
Think about it; don’t ignore the signs.
Ma-Salaam
Sabreen
ASA … Bro Siddiq: I truly symphatize with Sister Khadijah’s loss of her husband W.D. Muhammad. I am really disappointed the way it all was handled Islamic, by his immediate family. I am familiar with Islamic laws and lifestyles, but not an expert. However, after 40 years being a Muslim, and living in America, I learned that you have to use more common sense, and rely on ALLAH ALONE!
I think you honestly, and from your heart, believe in Islam, however, the reality is the time and place we live in today. Expecting the Imans, or anyone else, to provide for your daughter may be he Islamic thing to do, however, not practical to expect them to in todays world.
I want to say this with the greatest care and, from my point of view as a pioneer, and Muslim. That is, giving your young daughter into this situation was a mistake on your part, however, Allah’s will,considering the circumstances. I don’t mean this ill-spirited, just opinion. It was W.D.’s duty to provide for his Wife, and handle her with the utmost care at her young tender age. He might have tried to do this, however, selfishly left out the mere fact that at his age he would have to leave and return to Allah soon, and she would have to fence for herself. Thank Allah she has a father, and family willing to stand and give her the justice and honor she deserves.
So, I am just going to say this to be brief. You must realize that this community just came into Islam, just like they we all just left Slavery! The community is working hard to practice Islam on a daily basis, but not hard enough to practice decency in handling one another’s feelings, and respect them. That’s the way it is in a world with the climate as it is! It’s hard to accept, but if you want to survive, you have to be like the Prophet Jesus said…, “Be in this World, but not of It.” I am long winded so I will end it here.
You have a beautiful daughter, and I know she will be working on furthering her education. She is going to be a great asset to the world, I feel this. Let her grow on her own, with your guidance, and prepare her for the real world, not the false one that we are living in!
May Allah continue to Bless you and Guide you. Don’t let anyone take you out of your spirit, as you have an assignment from Allah as well.
Your Sister in Islam
Inez
Assalaamu Alaikum to all reading this.
I find it rather striking to note that, thus far, there appears to be two sisters who have responded to what Muhammad Siddeeq has had to say on this blog – with two somewhat divergent viewpoints.
Of the two, Sr. Sabreen’s view is more on point (in my humble opinion). Sr. Inez’s view is a bit more Islamically problematic. Sr. Khadijah should not have to rely solely on “a father and [immediate] family willing to stand and give her the justice and honor she deserves.” This is the responsibility of her community as well.
It does indeed appear (regrettably) that history is now repeating itself.
I recall the dishonor that the community as a whole had to endure after the passing of the Hon. Elijah Muhammad – when members of his FAMILY took it upon themselves to fight over the spoils of his demise – of what more rightly should have been regarded as “community property.” Now the dishonor comes with a new twist, following the death of his son.
While I am no longer a “member” of this community, I am a concerned and committed Muslim with a deep respect for the life and legacy of this good man and leader of Muslims in America (despite some of his obvious faults). And as this crisis has been brought to my attention, I feel an obligation to respond.
It is also worth noting that I, for most of my adult life, have served the community (both the Muslim and non-Muslim communities) as a human rights advocate; and one of our organization’s mantras over the past few years has been “human rights begins at home!”
I have a great deal of sympathy for the emotional weight that Br. Siddeeq, his daughter (Imam WDM’s wife), and other members of her immediate family must be experiencing right now – particularly with this crisis having erupted right on the back of another personal loss within their family.
I also have great concern for the collective integrity (or the lack thereof) of the leadership (comprising both men and women) of the ASM community.
Allah Ta’ala has mandated in the Noble Qur’an: “Stand firmly for justice, as witnesses to ALLAH even if it is against yourselves…”
Our beloved Prophet(s) is reported to have said: “When you see an evil action you must change it with your hand; if you cannot do so, with your tongue; if you cannot do so, [detest it] within your heart, and that is the weakest degree of faith.” The Prophet also said: “One of the best jihads is to speak truth to a caliph [or governing authority] who has deviated from the right way.”
The “leadership” of this community – comprising imams, respected elders, organization heads, your news organ (The Muslim Journal), etc., – along with ALLAH fearing and responsibile FAMILY MEMBERS of the late WDM – need to address this issue, according to the Book of ALLAH and the Sunnah of the Prophet (s), before it goes any further! Should you fail to do so, you will have no one else to blame, BUT YOURSELVES, for the shame, disrepect, and ill-repute this community will soon come under, esp. from your detractors.
I pray that in the final days of this sacred month, this heartfelt nasiha (sincere advice) from your concerned brother-in-Islam, will find a resting place in the hearts and minds of the truly sincere among you.
In the struggle for peace thru justice,
El-Hajj Mauri’ Saalakhan
Director of Operations
The Peace And Justice Foundation
27 Ramadan 1429 AH
This is the third message I have written, and I pray this one goes through or I will discontinue writing. Allah knows best.
As I have stated in my previous attempts, it is a sin and a shame the way things have turned out with our leader’s death. May Allah reward him with a place closest to Him and our beloved Mohammed the Prophet (SAW). I have gone through several emotions from severe depression to bewilderment. But through all of my emotions, anger at the way his blood relatives have hoovered like vultures after what they deem ‘their due’. Nevermind the majority of them never truly supported what he represented. This is evident by the way they are treating his wife. In his kindness, he may not have legally divorced Shirley, but it was due to the problems he knew she would have caused the community. He chose to spare us. He was kind to Shirly and took care of her until his death. Now she and her children are going against everything he represented to ensure they receive what he struggled for the community to have. It is a shame how the Shaitan continues to use people to further divide. Did we not learn anything from the ‘family’ suing when the Honorable Elijah Mohammed died.
But that is okay. Let them go after whatever they need to, they have lost the paradise in their haste for this world. We have the teachings of our Imam and his life example. Another shame is how these so-called followers jump right on the wagon with the those who seek dissention in the community.
Allahu Akbar. If we didn’t know who to distrust before, the light is on and we know who you are for sure now.
Our leader left us many signs. I know sister Khadijah probably doesn’t even want it, but you have my vote to lead a council of our leader’s true students to take us onward to our destiny as a model community. We never had but a few and we only need a few ‘good believers’ now.
Imam Siddiq and Sister Khadijah, I say you call a special meeting and only invite the students your husband and our leader told you to trust; and let us get on down the real path Allah wants us on.