Famous Muslim converts(who saw the light)

I posted in a previous post because I have always wondered this:

I have always wanted to know why most people turn Muslim in jail? Once out they rarely stick to it. They have a Muslim beard, don't eat pork and say a/a, but it ends just there. This is in America that I am talking. I call it a fad or say they are fake Muslims. Even the ones I asked never had an answer. I think it is a fad and /or they are angry with american government.

I was refreshing my memory on Malcolm X to respond to a different thread and found articles on the Nation of Islam. I know of the group from living in America, but have never been very clear on the NOI. So I decided to read about it further. I could not remember Farrakan and Malcolm X's relationship once Malcolm left NOI so I went digging.

So what I found is the Nation of Islam (NOI) has (some) different beliefs then Islam. I was not aware of how different the beliefs are until I researched. This may be one of the reason some American Muslims seem to follow a different form of Islam. The research has not answered all my questions, but made it a little clearer. If anyone else is interested I just thought I would share with you about NOI.

This is where the NOI and traditional Islam differ:

-God's incarnation
NOI teaches that "Allah (God) appeared in the Person of Master W. Fard Muhammad, July 1930; the long-awaited Messiah of the Christians and the Mahdi of the Muslims.

Traditional Sunni and Shi'a Muslim doctrine is that it is heretical and blasphemous to believe that God would manifest Himself in human form (or any material form). Likening any individual(s) to God is a form of shirk—a major sin in Islam.

-Relations with whites
NOI teaches that the Black man is the original man, and from him came all brown, yellow, red, and white people. By using a special method of birth control law, the Blackman was able to produce the white race.

Islam recognizes the Biblical and Qur’anic figure, the patriarch Jacob, but this Jacob is viewed by Muslims as a prophet, and is not connected to the Yakub of the NOI. Traditional Islam does not teach of the Yakub featured in Nation of Islam theology

-Perspectives on the Quran
The NOI states that they believe in the Qur'an and the writings of all the prophets of God

The vast majority of Muslims, worldwide, believe that it was Allah's final revelation to mankind and that it was given to the Islamic prophet Muhammad between the years of 610 and 632. The NOI states that they believe in the Qur'an and the writings of all the prophets of God

-Status of the Islamic prophet Muhammad vs. other prophets.
(this one I found most interesting)
The Nation of Islam believes that Elijah Muhammad was also a messenger and was taught by God Himself (W. D. Fard).

Mainstream Islam teaches that Muhammad was the last of the messengers that Allah has sent to mankind--there would be no more, and the one for all to follow.

Nation of Islam - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I notice when people on mashada talk of Islam or ask questions they are asking questions from a number of countries. It is important for people to understand that based on where you live practices are different. Each country has a history, a culture and different laws that influence not only Islam but any religion.

So people should keep that in mind when they are asking these broad questions.

[AK 47]

-Relations with whites
NOI teaches that the Black man is the original man, and from him came all brown, yellow, red, and white people. By using a special method of birth control law, the Blackman was able to produce the white race.

Islam recognizes the Biblical and Qur’anic figure, the patriarch Jacob, but this Jacob is viewed by Muslims as a prophet, and is not connected to the Yakub of the NOI. Traditional Islam does not teach of the Yakub featured in Nation of Islam theology

-Perspectives on the Quran
The NOI states that they believe in the Qur'an and the writings of all the prophets of God

The vast majority of Muslims, worldwide, believe that it was Allah's final revelation to mankind and that it was given to the Islamic prophet Muhammad between the years of 610 and 632. The NOI states that they believe in the Qur'an and the writings of all the prophets of God

-Status of the Islamic prophet Muhammad vs. other prophets.
(this one I found most interesting)
The Nation of Islam believes that Elijah Muhammad was also a messenger and was taught by God Himself (W. D. Fard).

Mainstream Islam teaches that Muhammad was the last of the messengers that Allah has sent to mankind--there would be no more, and the one for all to follow.

sugarnspice just want u to note that:

Louis Farrakhan has been the leader of a reconstituted Nation of Islam, the original organization having been renamed and dissolved by Warith Deen Muhammad the son of ellijah mohammed.

W.D. Muhammad was accepted by the Nation of Islam as its leader. He introduced many reforms intended to bring the organization closer to traditional Islam, and renamed it a number of times. He rejected literal interpretations of his father's theology and Black-separatist views. On the basis of his lifelong study of the Qu'ran and the life of the Prophet Muhammad, he accepted whites as fellow worshippers and attempted to forge closer ties with mainstream Muslim communities, including Latino Muslims. He also changed the spelling of his own name.

A number of dissident groups resisted the changes in the Nation of Islam, most notably those who followed Louis Farrakhan in breaking ranks with Wallace and reviving the name "Nation of Islam" in 1981.

but also Louis Farrakhan the current leader has accepted othodox islam and all the member of noi practise othodox islam.

Marking 70 years since the Nation of Islam was founded, in 2000 W.D. Mohammed and Farrakhan publicly embraced, and declared unity and reconciliation, at the annual Savior’s Day convention. W.D. Mohammed said on this occasion:

“ Dear Muslim brothers and sisters, it is not difficult for Minister Farrakhan and Wallace D. Mohammed to embrace each other. That’s easy for us. When I first met him in the early ’50s, I liked him on first sight, and I became his friend and his brother. And I have not stopped being his friend and his brother. Maybe he has not understood, but I have always been his friend and his brother. For me, this is too big a cause for our personal problems and differences. Allah-u Akbar (God is great).

Thanks for that information AK47.

So, is this why I see the different practices in Islam? (would you / do you know).
Meaning I noticed that some African Americans in American (usually ones that have been incarcerated) seem to follow a different Islam versus someone I meet that practices Islam from Morocco. Would it be correct that they were practicing the old teachings of NOI (meaning some of the African Americans)?

This is actually where my interest in Islam came about and I did a bit of my own research on the religion about a year ago.

I had the opportunity to meet and talk with people who follow Islam from different countries that are living in America.
I also took an interest in Hamza Yusuuf.
I think the religion is beautiful. Someone has to have great discipline to follow it. If I had that type of discipline, I would even think of converting (but I know I don't have that discipline).

Although I learned about Islam. I still have question about the way (some not all) African Americans follow the religion.

[al-zalzalah]

Originally Posted by Fulldoz

Famous Muslim converts(who saw the light)

Fulldoz, no offence, but I've never been moved by the testimonies and experiences of famous people. Why don't you also tell us about your own experience? How has being a Muslim made you a better person? If you begin that way, then maybe we can identify with you kidogo. Au siyo?

[AK 47]

Originally Posted by sugarNspice

Thanks for that information AK47.

So, is this why I see the different practices in Islam? (would you / do you know).
Meaning I noticed that some African Americans in American (usually ones that have been incarcerated) seem to follow a different Islam versus someone I meet that practices Islam from Morocco. Would it be correct that they were practicing the old teachings of NOI (meaning some of the African Americans)?

This is actually where my interest in Islam came about and I did a bit of my own research on the religion about a year ago.

I had the opportunity to meet and talk with people who follow Islam from different countries that are living in America.
I also took an interest in Hamza Yusuuf.
I think the religion is beautiful. Someone has to have great discipline to follow it. If I had that type of discipline, I would even think of converting (but I know I don't have that discipline).

Although I learned about Islam. I still have question about the way (some not all) African Americans follow the religion.

sugarnspice my sister:
all muslims in the world practice the same kind of islam(same basic according to quraan).

what can make islam look diffrent among other things might be the back grounds, and culture of the muslims themself.
like in ur example above of the nation of islam n a muslim from morroco

black muslims prefer to clad on suit/tuxedo while from morroco prefer the arab garb(kanzu) but practice same islam,

sorry am in a rush going to break ma fast..
contine tommorow

salaam

Originally Posted by AK 47

sugarnspice my sister:
all muslims in the world practice the same kind of islam(same basic according to quraan).

what can make islam look diffrent among other things might be the back grounds, and culture of the muslims themself.
like in ur example above of the nation of islam n a muslim from morroco

black muslims prefer to clad on suit/tuxedo while from morroco prefer the arab garb(kanzu) but practice same islam,

sorry am in a rush going to break ma fast..
contine tommorow

salaam

Okay, thank you. When ever you have time.

I may have worded that wrong about different practices of Islam. I know the same hold for such things as praying, eating pork, no alcohol etc....

I guess I meant the racial teachings of NOI. I notices a lot of times when someone converts in jail (referring to America) they tend to have a racial edge once released. I was also told this is common in Europe as well.
I also noticed that they try not to drink / smoke once released, but soon start doing this again once released. A lot of times they will grow a beard and this is a sign to show the community they are Muslim. However, they are not following the religious practices but saying they are Muslim.
Someone explained it to me that Muslim are the people and Islam is the religion. So the people I am looking at are Muslim, but not following Islam.

However, I feel like I am still missing a piece. I was just searching for more insight.

(I am talking from personal experience not research based)


But I was surprised when I read "The Nation of Islam believes that Elijah Muhammad was also a messenger and was taught by God Himself "(W. D. Fard). That would be a totally different teaching (if that is true).

So I guess my questions are:
1. Is there a reason why Islam is popular in jail?
2. Would the reason for the racial edge when converting in jail be because they are following NOI?
3. Is that true that NOI sees Elijah as a messenger?
4. When people do things to appear Muslim (such as the beard, the name change), but do not follow the religion what is the reasoning? If you have any opinion. I have seen it as a fad...like a fashion statement. Or maybe they are angry at the US government and it is a way to act out. They are just my own personal theories, but I have no idea of the truth.


***Again, I just want to make it clear I am not talking about American Muslim's as a whole. I am talking specifically of people who tend to convert in relation to a jail experience. And not all do this, but a lot.
Again this is from my own personal experience and not from research.

[Ndigila2]

Originally Posted by sugarNspice

So I guess my questions are:
1. Is there a reason why Islam is popular in jail?

The Nation of Islam targets African American prisoners. So they're heavily involved in "prison evangelism."

Originally Posted by sugarNspice

2. Would the reason for the racial edge when converting in jail be because they are following NOI?

I think its because NOI members were all for the civil rights movement. They needed a religion by the black people for the black people. I think it was impossible for them to Africanize Christianity, but Elijah Muhammad was able to do it with Islam.

Originally Posted by sugarNspice

3. Is that true that NOI sees Elijah as a messenger?

Yes

Originally Posted by sugarNspice

4. When people do things to appear Muslim (such as the beard, the name change), but do not follow the religion what is the reasoning?

The same is seen in most American spinoffs of religion. Their leader picks, chooses and modifies whatever suits them.

[Fulldoz]

Originally Posted by al-zalzalah

Fulldoz, no offence, but I've never been moved by the testimonies and experiences of famous people. Why don't you also tell us about your own experience? How has being a Muslim made you a better person? If you begin that way, then maybe we can identify with you kidogo. Au siyo?

Reading Quran
this divine book is a "universe of intellectual miracle", because it contains treasures of secret sciences. and any of you question i mean any.

i wish you could knew arabic

[Fulldoz]

Originally Posted by sugarNspice

Okay, thank you. When ever you have time.

I may have worded that wrong about different practices of Islam. I know the same hold for such things as praying, eating pork, no alcohol etc....

I guess I meant the racial teachings of NOI. I notices a lot of times when someone converts in jail (referring to America) they tend to have a racial edge once released. I was also told this is common in Europe as well.
I also noticed that they try not to drink / smoke once released, but soon start doing this again once released. A lot of times they will grow a beard and this is a sign to show the community they are Muslim. However, they are not following the religious practices but saying they are Muslim.
Someone explained it to me that Muslim are the people and Islam is the religion. So the people I am looking at are Muslim, but not following Islam.

However, I feel like I am still missing a piece. I was just searching for more insight.

(I am talking from personal experience not research based)


But I was surprised when I read "The Nation of Islam believes that Elijah Muhammad was also a messenger and was taught by God Himself "(W. D. Fard). That would be a totally different teaching (if that is true).

So I guess my questions are:
1. Is there a reason why Islam is popular in jail?
2. Would the reason for the racial edge when converting in jail be because they are following NOI?
3. Is that true that NOI sees Elijah as a messenger?
4. When people do things to appear Muslim (such as the beard, the name change), but do not follow the religion what is the reasoning? If you have any opinion. I have seen it as a fad...like a fashion statement. Or maybe they are angry at the US government and it is a way to act out. They are just my own personal theories, but I have no idea of the truth.


***Again, I just want to make it clear I am not talking about American Muslim's as a whole. I am talking specifically of people who tend to convert in relation to a jail experience. And not all do this, but a lot.
Again this is from my own personal experience and not from research.

1. Is there a reason why Islam is popular in jail?Seriously i dont know much about tha issue..Maybe in America...here in south its sometinh diffrent and(gang) in kenya..we dont perceive in that way..Fact ..islam is popular everywhere anywhere as Islam believes that each person is born pure. The Holy Quran tells us that God has given human beings a choice between good and evil and to seek God’s pleasure through faith, prayer and charity(and more its ...like about rehabilation where everyone is welcomed and not stigmized by the society)In Islam virtue does not connote forsaking unlike other.....and generally, people are not stigmatized or judged according to their past in Islam. Hence prisoners or ex-prisoners find themselves welcomed and rehabilitated threough the moral teachings of the religion.

2. Would the reason for the racial edge when converting in jail be because they are following NOI? i dont think so by now you know that Noi follows islamic orthodox which the main message is to worship God and to treat all God’s creation with kindness and compassion.

3. Is that true that NOI sees Elijah as a messenger?Not anymore

When people do things to appear Muslim (such as the beard, the name change), but do not follow the religion what is the reasoning? If you have any opinion. I have seen it as a fad...like a fashion statement. Or maybe they are angry at the US government and it is a way to act out. They are just my own personal theories, but I have no idea of the truth.

really i dont know much bout that as am not in the US.. i havnt..
our prophet Muhhamad peace be upon him use to put beard,,As the entire message of Islam is derived from the Holy Quran and indeed the Sunnah and Hadith (the traditions and practices of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings on him) it is immutable in the face of change in time and place. It may appear rigid to the casual eye, in actual fact it is most certainly an adaptable way of life regardless of human changes.

Shukran

[Fulldoz]

Originally Posted by Ndigila2

The Nation of Islam targets African American prisoners. So they're heavily involved in "prison evangelism."

I think its because NOI members were all for the civil rights movement. They needed a religion by the black people for the black people. I think it was impossible for them to Africanize Christianity, but Elijah Muhammad was able to do it with Islam.

Yes

The same is seen in most American spinoffs of religion. Their leader picks, chooses and modifies whatever suits them.

If anyone harms (others), God will harm him, and if anyone shows hostility to others, God will show hostility to him.".