When I was in Philadelphia several years ago for the anniversary of the Million Man March, I remember having the opportunity to shake hands with the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan after he spoke at a small event. I was standing on post near the door during the entire talk. At the time, the Minister was the first male to appear on the cover of Virtue Magazine (2011). When he reached to shake my hand, he gave me the greetings and called me a “soldier.” I wasn’t sure why he used the term, but I always cherished the term “soldier” after that.
What does it mean to be a soldier?
A soldier is usually one that is considered disciplined, dutiful and level-headed. A soldier knows how to work as part of a team and follow orders regardless of “whom or what,” as long as it doesn’t conflict with their religion. As I recently reflected on the term soldier in this present climate, I saw the importance of developing a daily “soldier” routine to keep me mentally and physically strong. My father told me how he used to do 50 push-ups every morning. (He was in the army for a few years but kept his discipline and standards of being physically fit.).
I decided to start off by performing 20 push-ups every morning and now I have moved up to 50 pushups, 30 on my toes, and 20 on my knees (“girl push-ups”). So far, I have only missed one day; but have developed a positive habit along with my regular exercise routine.
A soldier must also be professional and know his or her orders. Therefore, a soldier must be well-studied and constantly learning. Studying also keeps the mind sharp and allows us to feed on the word of God and develop the tools and characteristics to be a soldier in the Army of God. Each day we are blessed to live is an example of Allah (God)’s Mercy on us. In the Holy Qur’an it states, “O you who believe, keep your duty to Allah and believe in His Messenger–He will give you two portions of His Mercy, and give you a light in which you shall walk, and forgive you. And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (57:28)
The other day I was reviewing a letter that the Minister wrote before Saviours’ Day in 1988. In the letter he says, “There are five (5) major steps that MUST be taken immediately by us, the Believers, in order to put ourselves in the desired position:
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Prayer
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Fasting
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The Dietary Law of One Meal a Day
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Charity and Sacrifice
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Work
Although I have studied and practiced “How To Eat To Live” for the last 20 years, I am always learning something new that reinforces my dedication. Recently, I watched the documentary “The Game Changers.” It is a film that came out in 2018 that describes numerous benefits of eating a “plant-based” or vegetarian diet. It includes a number of scientific studies, but also basic things that we don’t think about. For example, beef comes from cows, but cows are vegetarians. Cows don’t eat meat to build meat.
Most of the animals that we eat or ones that we consider strong, get their protein from plants or vegetables. Plants are the best source of protein. This movie bears witness to “How to Eat to Live” where the Honorable Elijah Muhammad said that, “No meat is good for us.” The declaration is backed up by scientific data. The Messenger’s information in “How to Eat to Live” is backed by God in Person. He said, “Allah (God) has brought us this knowledge, in the Person of Master Fard Muhammad. Believe in Him, obey and follow His teachings, and you will always be happy” (p. 76-77, How To Eat To Live, Book I). However, because we were initially “trained in another man’s army,” we went along with what was taught to us. Nevertheless, today is a day to increase our training and our study to develop the mind and body of a soldier and think like a God. May Allah (God) bless us all with peace, health, wealth, love and happiness.
Audrey Muhammad is an educator and an aerobics instructor. She is the author of How to Set Worthy Goals. To order How to Set Worthy Goals, send a $12 money order to Get Fit to Live, P.O. Box 61402, Raleigh, NC, 27661. Her new book, Fear, Faith, and the Truth About Food and Fitness, will be out in 2020. Please consult a physician before beginning any new exercise or dietary program.
