04/21/1985
IWDM Study Library
Imam's Meeting

By Imam W. Deen Mohammed
Imam Muneer: He has honored our invitation, and decided to speak with us today, the Imams of the community. While we are on national plugin, we would just like to take this time and say we thank you, brother Imam Mohammed, for being our leader. We thank Allah that you are addressing us for these few minutes. Praise be to Allah. Without further delay, my brothers in Al-Islam without further delay, brother Imam, I would like to bring before you our honorable leader Imam Warithu Deen Mohammed. Takbir
Crowd: Allahu akbar
Imam Muneer: Takbir
Crowd: Allahu akbar
Imam Muneer: Takbir
Crowd: Allahu akbar
Imam Muneer: Imam Warithu Deen Mohammed
IWDM: With the name Allah most gracious, most compassionate. He bestowed on us His gift of Muhammad. The last of the universal prophets. We pray and peace upon him, upon his descendants', his companions, the righteous, all. Ameen. And upon us be peace. Dear brother Imams, it's an honor for me to address you by telephone hookup on this second day of our 10th year anniversary, observance or celebration.
First, let me say that this religion is the main interest in our lives if we are Imams. The main purpose for us being in this particular involvement is to represent the religion of Al-Islam as it is revealed in the Quran the book of all Muslims on this planet earth. And to respect to the best of our ability the principles, the behavior, the excellence of human nature after the model of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Of whom Allah says in the Quran, that he is the most excellent model for any who believe in G-d and in the last day. Let me quickly call your attention to the community interest that we should have as Muslims and that we should always champion as Imams.
When Prophet Muhammad was brought by Allah to establish a small community governed by the Quran under his leadership in Medina; the first thing that he did was build a Masjid. But we must understand that the Masjid was not only a place for prayer in the beginning of the Islamic community under the prophet, but it was also a place that served as a school setting and the prophet was the first teacher. Peace be upon him. And it also served as a community center, where the affairs and the needs of the community were addressed. Then we can understand that all of the other important institutions grew out of that Mosque or Masjid environment that Prophet Muhammad established when he was given invitation and accepted invitation to establish the Islamic community in Medina.
When we study the life of Prophet Muhammad and the history of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessing be upon him, we don't find him being a president of a cooperation or one directly responsible for the business activities, or one directly responsible for agricultural activity. We don't find him being one directly responsible for anything except delivery of the message, the Quran. Its teaching, its explanation and the demonstration of that with his knowledge and the values and principles contained in the holy book in his own life. We find him being a teacher, a warner, and a teacher and a model of what G-d had sent for all men. We did not find him accepting direct responsibility for the business life or material life of the people.
In fact, we have in the Hadith, where people asked the prophet about their agricultural situation and need and the prophet gave advice to them, because it was asked of him not that he was heading the department of agriculture. And later, the people came complaining that his advice had not produced the expected result. And he told them to go on then doing as you had been doing before. That is, "Disregard what I've told you. Go on and do what you had been doing before."
Now I have studied that Hadith and I'm convinced that the prophet was addressing something else and the wise who heard his address would have understood that he didn't mean to carry it out literally what he said. But he was giving them an understanding of something else. What he said was that they could not put manure or dung that kind of fertilizer on the plant. And when they followed his advice, they didn't get the yield, that they expected. So, they came back to the prophet and complained and then the prophet told them, "Well, continue to do as you were doing before."
Many Imams, students in the religion they conclude that that message is saying to us that the prophet was given the knowledge to lead us in spiritual matter but not in material matter and that's a terrible mistake. The prophet was given the knowledge to lead humanity in every matter, in every interest but they misunderstood his wisdom when he said do not dung the plant.
For human life itself is compared to a seed and the cultivation of human life is compared to the cultivation of a garden. So, that's the one you don't dung. There is very clear language in the Quran supporting what I just said. Thank you. I'm thanking a brother for bringing me some tissue. It’s a little warm in cold Chicago today. It's nice down here, it’s cool, down here. I was sweating upstairs, yes.
Now let me continue. It's not that the prophet didn't lead the people. To directed them and advise them in the matters of business, but he did not accept responsibility for the run of the business. Every person is free to go into business as they had done before the prophet began preaching. But there was the business ethics or laws for the purification of the business environment. And we know that if you don't have such laws, the business environment will be taken over by corruptors, by greedy people who care nothing about anything but making a profit. The prophet as the leader of the humanity and leader of the Muslim, he led the ethical movement for business. That is, he led the Muslims into proper business ethics. But he did not take over business like the communist party has done or like some others have done. Like big business has done in the communities of the little people.
But he left business, open and free for all to engage in. And the people were to exercise Islamic knowledge, Islamic principles in the spirit of the religion so that they would always conduct the business in a proper way that would not break the peace or corrupt the land. Again, the prophet himself was a businessman before he was given the office of prophet. He was dealing in commerce, trading, and he worked for the noble lady, may G-d be pleased with her, Khadija, who became his wife after sometime serving her in business or as a business representative.
And the prophet, peace and the blessings be upon him, did not stop being a businessman. The prophet bought property. He benefited from the property. He supported his family from the property. He did not stop being a businessman. But this is only a small part in the prophet's life, for the prophet was the leader for all people and we're not to look at him as a private businessman but as a leader for business and everything else, for the whole society or the whole world for that matter, but particularly for the Muslims community or society.
The prophet didn't expect zakat and taxes to take care of all of his relatives. In fact, he said that the charities are not for my relatives. His relatives were not to have access to the charity. And upon his passing, peace and the blessings be upon him, none of his relatives were able to inherit any of the monies that he was trustee over. Whatever, they had earned as private people, private individuals that was theirs.
Whatever assistance he had given them from the community treasures or the zakat that was theirs, but they had no right of inheritance. This is Hadith and this is sound hadith. They had no right of inheritance. They could not inherit zakat, charity. Therefore, they were left at the mercy of the community at the passing of the prophet, just as they were when the prophet was living. They could not dictate or tell those who had been having responsibility for charities or Zakat how to distribute it, they could not demand a share in it.
As Imams, we're following the Imam. Muhammad the prophet is the Imam. So, none of us can favor our relatives from the Zakat. None of our relatives can inherit the zakat, or inherit any masjid property or any community property, it's forbidden.
If we want to establish ourselves materially, if we choose to follow this religion and to follow Muhammad the prophet, peace and the blessings be on him, then we're going to do exactly what Muhammad and all good industrious men do, find a way to go on business on your own. And build your own private business, then that's yours, it's personal. You can give it to your children, you can give it to your wife. You can do what you want with it. I'm not dictating to you. I'm merely advising you as your Imam.
The material concerns cannot be left out of the Imam responsibilities. The worst damage we could do to our own office, our own role as Imam is to follow the silly notion of many people in religion, that the business of religion is after life and spiritual matters. No, the business of religion for us is community, man's life as G-d intended for it to be. And that's best understood when we see the needs of man in a community setting. G-d says you are a community, you are one community. And He says, that “you're the best community raised up for all people. That is raised up to be a model of what G-d wants for all people on earth. We can't be a model for all people if we're only going to pray, take care spiritual needs and spiritual matters and leave the responsibilities for promoting business and material growth to other people. Lead a community of sheep that wants nothing but quiet place away from all the trouble. That's not Al-Islam, and that shouldn't be the image for the Imam.
We turn now in concluding the introduction of the matter that I have to present for you today by going to the chapter of the Quran, it's titled the Jumah. Just a moment, give me a moment here to put on my glasses and find the reference.
This is not the copy of Quran that I normally use. This is the one that was here and I had to get it because I left mine at home today, and it's taking me a little time to find the reference here. All right. Here in the 9th ayah or verse of this chapter the Jumah; the Friday congregational prayer.
G-d says, in english the translation is given here. “Oh, you who believe, when the call is proclaimed to prayer on Jumah, on Friday," and it's given in brackets here, "the day of Assembly”, hasten earnestly to the remembrance of G-d, and leave of business and traffic that is in traffic in such matters, that is best for you. That is best for you if you but knew"
Now in this verse, the ninth verse, G-d is pointing out to us our priority. Obedience to G-d is above worldly gain. However, there is a requirement. And G-d brings that to us. Now, let's read the tenth ayah or verse. “And when the prayer is concluded, then may you disperse through the land and seek of the bounty of G-d”. Now, G-d says first things first. Be obedient to G-d, put Him above the business gains. But after you have done that, then disperse you, go out into the ways of prophet. That’s what G-d is saying. He doesn't say, “Now, you're free to go back”. But He says, “wabtagu”, which means, search for it. How many of you all are searching for some profit? However, that kind of involvement will put you back under the influences that may cloud your mind and take you away from the remembrance of G-d. So, G-d comes behind it, before and behind. Before He said, “Put this duty to worship Me before worldly gain.” And then He says, “Go out and seek worldly gain, seek the profit in the world.”
The He comes behind it and says, “And reflect on G-d much that you may be successful”. So, this is the proper vision in our Al-Islam. This is the proper vision in our Al-Islam for Muslims and for the Muslim community to capture in one focus. This is in one focus, is it? G-d has put it in one focus. The spiritual needs and the material needs. He has put it in one focus. So, the obligation then for us is to keep it in one focus as Imams.
You were supposed to be leading the congregation, to keep these in one focus the spiritual needs, the devotional needs to G-d, and also the material needs, knowing always that G-d is preferred to worldly gain. Praise be to Allah who has revealed the truth and the perfect guidance. We can't come up with better. It’s been tried for ages. They've never done it, never will. Dear beloved Imams, praise be to Allah, feel very good today.
We return now to the Masjid community, the Masaajid where you reside as Imams. Where I used to refer to as the American Muslim Mission, but I dropped that language, as you perhaps have heard.
It's up to you to keep up whatever you like, because I'm not responsible for your affairs. This is the way that I believe Allah intended it to be, and I would invite you to take the same position.
As resident Imams, you have to do the same thing the prophet did, may peace and blessing be on him. The best Imam will be the Imam that keeps the Quran before the people, and keeps the sunnah of the Prophet before the people. Because Allah didn't only reveal revelation but He also revealed the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. Yes, indeed.
For G-d says- Maybe I should go through it and read it directly from the book. Let's see. Seventh chapter, 157th verse. Allah, Most-High says in His book, “And those who believe in him”. That means in Prophet Muhammad. “And honor him”, that means respect Muhammad, the Prophet, peace be upon him. “And help him.” You know it's talking about Muhammad now because G-d says in Quran, “He needs no help”. "And follow the light.” That's the Quran, because G-d says, “the light is His light, not Muhammad’s. “Which is sent down with him." It didn't say sit down to him. “Sit down with him”. So, G-d didn't reveal just the Quran, He revealed the sunnah of Muhammad also.
Praise be to Allah. Now, this promise one, what it says that he would do in the scriptures that came before? Because G-d has established it in the Quran that this is no new interest, and no new promise being fulfilled. But it was given to the people before in the Torah and in the Gospel that that would occur. Muhammad, the Prophet would come, the true Liberator, with the light for all time.
So, of him, G-d said, as it was given in the scripture before, "That he would teach the book and the wisdom." Right? He would teach the book and the wisdom, so Imams, what is your obligation? To follow prophet Muhammad, teach this book and to teach the wisdom. Don't just teach the book and hide the wisdom from the fools among you. "I'm afraid if I let them have this, they'll be making too many demands on me." Don't be that way, Allah will get you out of your position sooner or later.
“To teach the book and the wisdom”. And to do what? Wa uzakkihim, and to purify them. So, your responsibility is to give knowledge but also wisdom for making decisions and judgement. For hikma, is wisdom that can need in order to operate a government. It's just not any kind of wisdom. “To teach them the book and the wisdom”, it means the scripture, the book and the wisdom that is needed for operating government.
In, Christian religion isn't the church a government. And hasn't the constitution of this land provided that the Christian government be free to operate upon the Christian doctrines, and not be dictated to by any other doctrine or laws? You have the same right as Muslims. You have the right to Islamic government within your Masjid and within your Muslim community, as long as that Islamic government does not put in danger or threaten the constitutional life of these United States.
And if this religion was a threat to the constitutional life of these United States, President Madison and others wouldn't have praised it, they wouldn't have accommodated its growth, the prospects for it by saying noble things of the religion and paying tribute to such nations as Morocco.
The very recent president, president Carter wouldn't have said to a body of distinguished men that he addressed that he recognized the three great strands of revelation, Judaism, Christianity and 
Al-Islam. So, don't think that religious freedom in this country is a monopoly of the church. Religious freedom in this country is for all the great religions. And we are entitled to have our own religious government in our personal lives, in our Masjid lives, and to carry that into our daily lives. A Muslim is not forced to operate a business in a non-Islamic way. This country gives us the freedom to have halal food, to have halal business. It recognizes the demands on the religious adherent coming in the content of the scripture.
You should pick up that responsibility, assist the individuals who are struggling to establish business, encourage that kind of industry on the part of the members of your community. Recognize excellence, good standards in business or good business practices when you find them among the members of the community or among the members of your Masjid.
And encourage the members of the Masjid or the community to support all Muslim-invested interests, whether it's be Masjid property, school buildings, private businesses operated by individuals. Allah has obligated us to respect, honor and protect the interests, not only of the Masjid but also of the members, the Muslim brothers and sisters.
Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings be on him, he said, "Your brother's blood and his property are sacred." And he said that during his farewell address. During that address he attended the most important issues for the Muslim community. So, if he addressed that need to respect and not violate the person, the life, the blood or the property of your brother, then you know the importance of supporting business investments by members of the community.
I have found from experience that when you preach this religion in its true spirit, the spirit of openness and honesty, freedom, G-d is with it. He blesses that community, and what you were fearing G-d takes care of it. You say, “Well, we don't want them to take their money and put it into business and do these things, we need that money into charity, I can't pay the rent, I can't pay the phone bill this month”.
So, fearing that you won't have money to pay phone bill or rent or whatever, you will discourage the members of the community from investing in things outside of the Masjid, that's shortsightedness on the part of the Imams, the leaders. I have found some experience that when you encourage industry in this membership, on the part of the individual person, they come back to you with more Zakat.
None of you are Christians, and you know it says, “cast your bread on the water, it will come back to you”. Praise be to Allah. And we must understand too, that Zakat is much bigger than our charity needs as Imams or as leaders of a Masjid following or community. Zakat is so big, it's so broad that if we were in a situation to be responsible for the land, the nation where we are, this government, Zakat would also become the tax for this government, wouldn't it?
Zakat is much bigger than the area of influence that you have as leader of Masjid community or Masjid population. So, you should understand then that you are to promote Zakat by promoting industry in the person, in the individual, in the community. That's how you promote Zakat.
How are those people going to respond to their family needs? Zakat is to take care of the members of your family first. How are they going to carry out responsibility of Zakat if they don't have income? If we have still a great percentage of our men not employed, how are they going to carry out that great duty, that great responsibility of Zakat? They can't do it.
The only way for us to realize the materialization of our responsibility for Zakat is for us to promote industry, business, investment, material investment, et cetera.
We have Sadaqa Eidan, the charity on the two great Eids. Eidul Fitra and Eidul Adha. Those are charities too, but they're called Sadaqah and not Zakat. They are different forms of charity. Zakat is the broadest one, it covers all, but it refers more specifically to the charity that come from industrious persons, working people, business people. People who are realizing income or profit from their investments or their businesses. That's what Zakat specifically addresses or refers to. Where Sadaqah is referred to the that, that is given from the heart in the spirit of celebration, where you don't want to see another poor Muslim not having the good kind of life you have or the day at Eid.
So, you put the money into the central pot or the collection so that those that didn't have any money will still be able to enjoy the Eid just like you. That's Sadaqa, right? Or you'll give something to your child. Your child is not poor, your child is not needy, but because this is the Eid day, you buy your child a new suit or get him that bicycle, or get the daughter that dress that she's been looking at. So that's Sadaqah too.
Zakat is so broad, that Zakat include giving imparting knowledge to a person that needs it. Sharing your knowledge with somebody that can benefit from it. Zakat is so broad that it even covers small courtesies, small courtesies. Because the Prophet has called small courtesies Zakat. He says, "The Muslim who meets his brother Muslim with a smile”, he gives Zakat.
It's a form of Zakat that he has a smile to offer. So, that word is so big but we must understand that it specifically refer to or directly refers to shares that are demanded of a Muslim or a good person from his business investment, from his profits, from his material investment to come back into the community to raise the level of life, of material life for the total community. So, that's an obligation mainly on working business people, working people, industrious people.
You may say, “What about people who don’t have anything, should we be giving Zakat? I've explained to you, my dear friends, that Zakat is very broad. It also covers that responsibility on the poorest member in the community to give something, if it is no more than a nickel. Yes! Because G-d, He points to those that are excellent in that particular principle or that particular virtue. And He says, "And they give, whether it's in times that are good or in times of deprivation." Whether they're doing well or whether they're suffering deprivation, they give.
We should encourage the establishment of community structures, material structures. We should be strong leaders out front, lending our moral assistance, contributing to the good morale of the business community. And always remembering that G-d, "Put the hereafter, obedience to G-d first. However, don't forget your share of the material world."
Now, isn't that a true liberator? Oh yes. That's the true liberator. That’s Allah. And Muhammad was the living mortal man, the mortal man. The exemplary example to us. Purity is a concern for all Islamic community interest. Purity. If you understand the five principles of this religion, upon which this religion is structured, and therefore the very design and structure for Islamic community life. If you understand those five essentials or five pillars, you’ll understand that they are really given to the Muslim community in the form of purity. And the obligation upon the Muslim community is to keep them pure. “And keep religion purely for G-d”. That's the command of G-d in the Quran, right? How do you keep the religion purely for G-d? Surah Iklas.
[00:47:04] [END OF AUDIO]
Speaker: -they give me the meaning to [unintelligible 00:00:10]. But if [unintelligible 00:00:10] means purity. Purity of text. It means it cannot be made holier than that. That's what [unintelligible 00:00:25] means. It can't be made holier than that.
The beginning of this purity for us is to worship G-d in the state of purity. Not having any inclination to do wrong, to change all [unintelligible 00:00:46] of G-d has given or to take advantage. The worship of G-d intends for you to worship. That is the purity of worship, the worship of G-d.
La illaha Illa Allah, Muhammadun rasulu Allah. The first pillar La Ilaha Illa Allah. Salat, prayer. What is Salat? Purification. What is Shahada? Purification. What is Sawm or Siyam or Fasting? Purification. What is Zakah? Purification. For Allah said "and take something of their wealth that they gained to purify them". What is Hajj? Purification. Thank you.



