04/06/2008
IWDM Study Library
SHAHADAH AND UNDERSTANDING
By Imam W. Deen Mohammed

[background conversation]

00:19 Imam W. Deen Mohammed: The Prophet said, "In Islam there's no priesthood." So we are a community of brothers and sisters, and no one is above the other in the sight of G-d or Allah. And there's no big thing and big to do, and a lot of rituals to go through, or display for one to become a member or a Muslim, a member in the Muslim community. A Muslim or a member in the Muslim community. No fancy ceremonies, all right. In fact, we're witnesses, we're only witnesses. We didn't... We couldn't make anybody a Muslim. Only Allah can have people become Muslim. All we can do is do the best we can, passing on the message of information regarding Islam and Muslim life. They make the choice themselves, and they are only...

01:39 IWDM: They're witnesses too! They're witnessing their return to their original nature. Yes, you know the slaves, they had something inside that they had to express, it spoke for them, and one of their songs went like this, "On yonder's hill stands an old rugged cross." For them, it was the very emblem of suffering, shame, and death. And they said, "One day I hope to change that cross for a starry crown."

02:23 IWDM: I hope one day my intelligence won't be checked, but will be free to engage the whole creation of G-d. So that my intelligence, my mind and my intelligence feed on the whole creation of G-d. And Allah says in the Quran, "The paradise that they will inherit, that they will inherit is width or expanse, is as the width of the heavens and earth." And it is the starry sky, starry crown... It is the starry sky that connects us with the universe. You can't be connected in the day time, you have to wait till the night appears, and the sky clears, and you can see the world, unlimited stars and endless space.

03:31 IWDM: So what is this saying to the intellect that life checks us on this earth, and prevents us from connecting ourselves with the whole creation of G-d. But, one day, if a people remain faithful, one day G-d will connect them with the whole creation, with the whole creation, and their mind and understanding and vision will not be checked or limited to what the world assigns us to.

[background conversation]

04:15 IWDM: This is the fulfillment of that, when they come into Islam by way of faith and reason, the order of Abraham. By faith and reason, not separating human intelligence from faith, reconciling spirituality or faith with human intelligence, the power to reason, and we cannot force them to do this. We cannot tell them you have to take Shahada. We have to wait until they're ready to take Shahada. Yes, and this is a beautiful occasion. We have two males and one female standing with us, I don't know how many are going to take Shahada but we are ready to have you take Shahada. You simply witness that there's only one G-d, not three. You can put three in one all right. But, you're going to have three thirds.

05:22 IWDM: You're going to have a fraction. Whole fraction, they call it. You have a whole fraction, and that's what they have done to us. They have fractured our whole mind, and given us to skin color and complexion, and left us with the burden by the complex. [chuckle] I love it.

05:57 IWDM: We only say, "La ilaha illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah. I witness. Can you all repeat after me? I witness.

06:04 S?: I witness.

06:05 IWDM: That there is but one G-d.

06:07 S?: That there is but one G-d.

06:09 IWDM: And we call him in Islam Allah.

06:11 S?: And we call him in Islam Allah.

06:13 IWDM: Meaning "The G-d."

06:15 S?: Meaning "The G-d."

06:16 IWDM: Yes. And I witness that Muhammad is the messenger of G-d.

06:21 S?: And I witness that Muhammad is the messenger of G-d.

06:25 IWDM: Yes. So, you are now recognized by us as declared Muslim.

[applause]

06:46 IWDM: And Allah is with you. If Allah wasn't with you, you wouldn't be here.

06:50 S?: That's right.

06:51 IWDM: [chuckle] And I pray Allah increase you and all goodness from his endless bounty and treasures of goodness. I hope he opens to all of you.

07:02 S?: [07:03][inaudible].

07:06 IWDM: Congratulations.

07:07 Speaker 2: Thank you sir.

07:09 IWDM: Give me a hug, my man.

[laughter]

[applause]

07:18 S4: Paula Flowers. The sisters, Paulette Flowers.

07:23 IWDM: Marcus Lee.

07:25 S4: Marcus Lee.

07:28 S4: [07:28][inaudible].

07:29 S?: Darin.

07:29 S4: Darin what? 

07:30 S?: Darin [07:30][Shahid].

07:30 S4: Darin [07:31][Shahid].
