Why African-American's convert to Islam? The Answer

Submitted by Zaid Shakur (United States), Jun 26, 2007 at 13:42

Because before money-motivated Europeans began the TRANS-ATLANIC SLAVE TRADE we WERE ALREADY MUSLIM. History indicates that 1 out of every 3 Africans sold in the America's into a life of chattel servitude on white plantations WAS MUSLIM before being forced to convert to Christianity. We're just returning to our roots when we convert to Islam! (question makes no sense anyway--it's like asking "why would any African-American call himself an 'American' when the US was built on the un-compensated blood and institutionalized torture of thier ancestors?")

The ancient Arabs held slaves--as did most anient cultures. They were traditionally the captives of war--which is a major difference to the human trafficking industry that reached it's ugly zenith under US development..

The Holy Prophet of God, Mohammed had slaves just as most of the other prophets of the Bible did--captives of battle. Mohammed laid out strict laws on how to treat these 'slaves'. They were not to beaten, were not to be physically mutilated for disobedience(remember Kunta Kinte?), were not stripped of thier culture, language, or heritage(sound familiar?). They could purchase their freedom, marry within the 'owner's' very own family, receive inheritance, and learn to read. It was mandatory that they be dressed in similar clothing as their 'owner' and fed the same food as the owner ate. Furthermore, they were not to be over-worked. Prophet Mohammed would often be seen HELPING his servants with their chores. Furthermore, he had a slave named Zaid who he offered freedom, but Zaid loved him so much that he remained with him. He was then adopted by the Prophet as a son.

Did you see any of this going on in barbaricl America? Chattel slavery and pre-modern or indentured servitude are two different things. American Whites would like to blur this distinction, to alleviate their own guilt by pointing to pre-modern slavery institutions---but NOTHING has every come close to the holocaust perpetrated on the American slaves of African descent. But was it really slavery---or the ongoing institutionalized Jim Crow laws and mentality that really is at issue for African-Americans? Blacks were'nt protesting SLAVERY under Dr. King and Malcolm X just a few years back---they were protesting INSTITUTIONALIZED RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION. Once the Muslims freed their slaves--they could marry into the family. When AMERICAN WHITES freed their slaves the slaves couldN'T even eat at the same restaurant as their former masters, had to yeild the PUBLIC SIDEWALKS when whites were present, had to sit IN THE BACK OF PUBLIC BUSSEuntil just a few years ago--and were just as likely to be lynched for entertainment.

Slavery has nothing to do with why African Americans choose to worship God in the pure Islamic form. God grants His Guidance to whom He wills. But if you want to recall slavery--ask why any African American would ever join the US military? Pledge alliegance to the US flag? Or even refrain from acts of revolution or the seeking of self-autonomy. Those are questions that are much more compelling. It wasn't a Muslim who lynched by great, grand-father---it was one of my fellow countryman--a good American Christian.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".