[Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint that was published online on October 4, 2005.]
“Let us remember that we must understand the truth of prophecy, the sayings of the Holy Qur’an and Bible … and then place them where they belong and not try to fit them in some place where they do not belong.” (Message To The Blackman, by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad)
This concludes the open letter of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, dated August 22, 2005, which was an appeal “to all those who would be a part of The Millions More Movement.” He wrote:
“I cannot fault a Christian pastor for standing on his platform to preach what he believes, nor a Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu or a member of any religious or political party. All of us must be true to what we earnestly believe. I cannot fault a gay or lesbian person who stands on their platform to preach what they believe of self and how the world should view them. Although what we say on our platform may, in some way, be offensive to others, we must not allow painful utterances of the past or present, based on sincere belief, or based on our ignorance, or based on our ideology or philosophy to cripple a movement that deserves and needs all of us–and, when I say all, I mean all of us. We must begin to work together to lift our people out of the miserable and wretched condition in which we find ourselves.
“Let us remember in this process that not one of us is qualified to judge the other, for none of us fully understands the circumstances, conditions and realities of each other’s lives that make us to think and act as we think. Therefore, Allah (God) alone is our judge.
“It is written in the scripture, ‘Judge not, that ye be not judged.’ (Matthew 7:1) Jesus again instructed us, ‘How canst thou say to thy brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.’ (Luke 6:42)
“These principles, if followed, will allow us to come into a common room with a purpose bigger than self and, in the process, create lawful dialogue to help us understand each other, that we may be shaped and molded, or reshaped and remolded, by our association with each other.
“The Millions More Movement, in causing all of us to be together for a common cause, allows the process of lawful dialogue to begin to help us in our exchange with one another in the best way. For the Civil Rights Advocates, Nationalists, Pan-Africanists, Christians of every denomination, Muslims of every sect, students of every fraternity, Masons, Shriners and Elks to come into the same room and begin the process of lawful dialogue; by our being able to exchange with one another in the best, most peaceful and loving manner, we can help to shape and reshape each other’s thinking. We are allowed to challenge each other’s thinking if we disagree with each other in the spirit of love. Based upon truth and rational thinking, we come to an equitable agreement. When we do this, we can begin to make ourselves into a mighty and powerful force for change.
“Unity, love of self and love for one another have always been my desire. We stand on the threshold of the realization of our potential unity and the potential power that our unity can unleash to bring about a positive change today because of the Millions More Movement.
“I am hoping that each of us will rise above our personal pain, hurt or anger at one another for what we have said or done in the past or present to offend each other that we might strive for reconciliation, understanding and agreement. Our very lives and the future of our people depend upon this; and this is why we say, ‘Long Live the Spirit of the Million Man March.’
“Let that spirit be the spirit of the Millions More Movement, and together we will achieve for our people and others in 10 years what we have not been able to achieve in the 450 years of our sojourn in this hemisphere.
“It is written in the scriptures of the Bible: ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit saith the Lord.’ (Zachariah 4:6)
“It is written in the Holy Qur’an: ‘And hold fast by the covenant of Allah (God) altogether and be not disunited. And remember Allah’s (God’s) favour to you when you were enemies, then He united your hearts so by His favour you became brethren. And you were on the brink of a pit of fire, then He saved you from it. Thus Allah (God) makes clear to you His messages that you may be guided.’ (Surah 3, verse 102)
“Thank you all for reading and striving to adhere to these words.
“The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.”
***
Several decades ago, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad was telling me of a few of the hardships he experienced (in the 1930s and 1940s) in fulfilling his assignment that was given to him by his Teacher, which was written in the scriptures.
I was deeply moved. I began my response with: “Wow! Fulfilling prophecy is hard work, isn’t it.” He reacted with a hearty laugh to my childlike response.
Years later, from the moment that Minister Farrakhan told me he had determined to rebuild the Nation of Islam, I had a better (not perfect) understanding of prophecy and how it is fulfilled. I was totally confident that he would absolutely succeed in what he determined to do, with the help of Allah, as it was clear to me he was fulfilling unconditional prophecy that was written of him–regardless to how hard the task would be. He had determined to do that which Allah wanted him to do and was with him to do.
But I still say to myself and others, at the things Minister Farrakhan says and does, “Wow!”
***
So let’s reflect on two sets of Minister Farrakhan’s words above: “I am hoping that each of us will rise above our personal pain” and “Our very lives and the future of our people depend upon this.”
My point here is that, what he is asking us to do is the will of Allah, Himself. It is Allah’s will that we all make the effort to “rise.” It is the will of Allah that we have the future He wills for us.
Minister Farrakhan is a great example of a man who has risen into the mind of Allah, by accepting and following his Teacher’s wisdom and example.
He is a great example of what’s written in such places in the scriptures, as in Philippians 2:5, which reads: “Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]”
Minister Farrakhan has earned the right to say, as Paul did, “Pattern yourselves after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah).” (1 Corinthians 11:1)
Then, scholars say the meaning of angel Michael’s name is “Who is God?” Why?
To be answered, next issue, Allah willing.
