“In Fourteen Hundred and Ninety-Two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue…”

…and conventional wisdom, as taught to us in our childhoods, tells us that America was discovered with his expedition.

For most of the twentieth century, this “conventional wisdom” went unchallenged.  But in his years of research, Dr. Jerald Dirks – a former Harvard Divinity School Minister turned Muslim Comparative Religion scholar – began to see the “Age of Exploration” in a new light.  His research and the analysis he brings forth in Muslims in American History: A Forgotten Legacy, goes into some of the historical evidence that contemporary researchers have discovered with regards to the sizable Muslim contributions to the New World, prior to Columbus’s voyage across the Atlantic.  His book is nicely written (read: easy to read) and highly annotated by the research that others of have contributed into this field of study, including a plethora of references to Dr. Abdullah Hakim Quick’s book, Deeper Roots: Muslims in the Americas and the Caribbean from before Columbus to the Present.  Dirks, himself a meticulous master of research methodology, confronts the prevalent myth that Islam in America is a relatively recent phenomenon.  “In reality,” he asserts, “there is a centuries-long history of the Muslim presence in America.”

The book is divided into logical sections that delineate an ongoing Muslim presence in America since about the mid-12^th century and before.  His chapters include sections on “The Pre-Columbian Era” which touches on various groups of Muslims in America prior to Columbus.  This section is deeply insightful and quite thorough, with stories of Muslims from Andalusia, the Ottoman Empire and Muslim Africa.  He then continues to define some of the “European” explorers who may have actually been Muslims, although are not credited as such (an example would be the Moriscos of Spain).  Then, he confronts the harsh realities of the genocide of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, and even discusses African-based Native American tribes in the Americas (the ethnically-mysterious Melungeons are given a chapter to themselves in this book).  Finally, Dr. Dirks discusses the contemporary role that Islam plays in shaping the American culture and context, taking into consideration everything from Islamic rituals among non-Muslim African Americans to the waves of Immigrant Muslims to America in the last half of the last century.

What is most impressive about Dirk’s book is that in the past there have been individual scholars who have addressed the issue of pre-Columbian explorers to the New World (including Sylviane Diouf, Abdullah Hakim Quick and others), but Dirks compiles the various research that has been done up to date into one volume.   At times, there does seem to be quite a bit of “circumstantial” evidence, as opposed to hard evidence, but Dirks’ premise is that the circumstantial evidence is simply too much to ignore.  For me, one of the most compelling “evidence” for a continued Muslim presence in the New World were the numerous references to world maps that were created by Muslims in the early 16^th century, showing details such as the Andes Mountain range and South American rivers.

At the end of the day, what is the real value of such a book (or even such a class)?  Aside from challenging conventional wisdom and the “status quo”, Muslims in American History: A Forgotten Legacy depicts a part of our own tradition that has been overlooked, and indeed re-written, over the centuries.  In order for us to understand where we, as an American-Muslim Ummah are going, we need to clearly understand where we come from – and the struggles of those in this land before us.  The book is peppered with personal biographies and stories of individuals that contributed to the exploration and advancement of the Western world.  For anyone who is interested in truly realizing the wisdom of Ali’s (radhiAllahu anhu) statement, “A man who knows history has added ages (wisdom) to his age”, this is a must-read.

Dr. Dirk’s own personal history is as intriguing as some of the facts that are presented in this book – his personal journey to become a Christian theologian and minister led him to accept Islam as the true calling of Jesus Christ (peace be upon him).  Yet – perhaps it is most fitting that Allah chose a religious Christian American who thought he was rejecting his American roots by becoming a Muslim to tell the story of how Islam may be just as integral to American history as “American Pie.”

“Allah makes the way to Jannah easy for him who treads the path in search of knowledge.” [Saheeh Muslim]

The first meaning of path is a path that one walks on, such as when people leave their home to any location to gain knowledge.  The specific destination does not restrict the meaning.  Thus, the meaning includes a person traveling to a masjid, school, university, or any other location where knowledge is being dispensed. This meaning also includes a student of knowledge traveling from his city to another city to seek knowledge as the first meaning includes anyone literally ‘treading’ a path (stepping the steps on a path) towards knowledge.

A secondary meaning of path is defined as a process by which an individual seeks knowledge from scholars and books. Therefore, treading a path is not contingent on the actual movement of an individual-for example, one who investigates rulings without leaving his city or attends classes with scholars is indeed treading a path in search of knowledge according to this definition.

In summary, “treading on a path” is categorized into two primary definitions:
a)      Physically walking upon a path.
b)      Intention to connect oneself to knowledge, irrespective of ones physical state.

Whosoever treads this path, Allah subhana wa ta’ala facilitates for him a path to Paradise.   This is due to the significance placed on learning knowledge of the Shariah (Islamic Law), which enables an individual to understand the rulings that Allah has sent down. With this type of knowledge, both prohibitions and commands can be understood in there proper light, identifying the path that pleases Allah, and connect oneself with Paradise.  This connection will manifest itself in the obedience of Allah in ones life, and every time the desire for treading on the path increases, so too will ones connection with Paradise.

In this hadith, describing the fruits of the path to gaining knowledge, we learn that it is critical to take advantage of the opportunity to seek knowledge, specifically in times of our lives when we may be free from other difficulties. If the goal is to tread a path to your Lord by seeking knowledge, the efficient student would take heed before the obstacles of life litter his path (and distance his goal).

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said in a well-known hadeeth, “A person will be with whom he loves.” [Bukhari] Companionship, as we learn from the Qur’an, can help one attain success in the hereafter or bring them great loss.

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam stated that loving for the sake of Allah is one of the three ingredients needed for the slave to taste the sweetness of emaan [Bukhari], showing us the elevated status and the magnitude of the blessing of loving for the sake of Allah Alone. This bond of the believers is so strong that Allah declares friendship on the Day of Judgment will only be for the Muttaqoon. [Surah Zukhruf]

On the other hand, Allah gives the example of a person who took an evil companion in the dunya and will cry with regret on the Day of Judgment. [Surah Furqan]

In this talk  which was given a few months ago at MCC (Muslim Community Center) in Maryland (and was recorded by a special Nurayn “pearl” :) ), Br Nouman discusses in detail the types of friendship found in the Qur’an and the importance of company.

Listen and download it here – jazakum Allahu khayran to HalalTube for posting it for Qabeelat Nurayn.

May Allah grant us righteous companionship and allow us to be in the company of His Prophet and the believers on the Day of Judgment.

Promo Video

Divine Link – Fiqh of Salah Promo Video

Online Books

The Prophet’s Prayer Described – Albaani Rahimahullah

The Prophet’s Prayer Described – Abridged – PDF – Albaani Rahimahullah

Online Website Resources

abdurrahman.org (click on Salah for resources)

7 Common Mistakes Made in Prayer – Slideshow

33 Ways of developing Khushoo’ in Salaah – Shaykh Munajjid

The Importance of Prayer – Shaykh Jamal Zarabozo

Books for Online Purchase

Dar Us Salam – Salah Page

Salah from A to Z (Software) – Dr. Mamdouh N. Mohamed

Online English Audio Lectures, Admonitions & Reminders

Salah Lectures (see Pillars of Islam section) – Shaykh Saleh AsSaleh rahimahullah

The Book of Prayers – Bulugh Al-Maram – Shaykh Muhammad Adly – 32 Lectures

Why Don’t You Pray – see Shaykh Yusuf Idrees

Camp Taqwa – Prayer – Imam Suhaib Webb

Nasheeds/Videos/Reminders/Flash Presentations

Learn How to Pray – Flash Presentation

Last Breath – Ahmed Bukhatir – Flash Version

Last Breath –Ahmed Bukhatir – Video

Pray Before It’s Too Late – Reminder – Video

Everyone is in search of guidance, and in search of people who will lead them to the success that they want in life. Tycoons, sports heroes, celebrities, politicians…all are looked up to by millions of people who hope to emulate them and walk in their footsteps.

What then, of following the footsteps of the greatest man to ever walk the face of the earth?

(33:21).

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A great new khutbah by Shaykh Yasir Qadhi. Jazakum Allahu khayran to Qabeelat Wasat for sharing.

(PS- This is NOT about marriage. Sorry to disappoint.)

[audio http://www.wasatstudios.com/audio/yasir_qadhi_uncomparable_love.mp3]