The most recent U.S. government shutdown is reportedly the second-longest in American history. The shutdown is impacting millions of everyday people and with the pending stoppage of SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), which provides low-income families and individuals with assistance to purchase food, hunger could be on the horizon for many. Unless Congress reconvenes and reopens the government by November 1, over 40 million people who get federal food assistance could see their benefits stopped.
The shutdown has also impacted federal employees who may not receive their paychecks. Once again, the American public, particularly those who are often the most vulnerable in our society, is being played by partisan political discord and the greed of the wealthy. Despite some federal employees not receiving pay, members of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Senate, and the president continue receiving theirs.
The U.S. government has never been a friend to Black and poor people. Yet, we have been warned of times such as these and taught that we must do for self or suffer the consequences. These warnings have come from two Divine Servants, the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan—both backed by Almighty God, Allah.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, one of the definitions of “warning” is “serving as an alarm, signal, summons, or admonition.” Another meaning is “a notice or bulletin that alerts the public to an imminent hazard.” A warner is defined as “a person who gives a warning or caution to others in advance, especially of danger or a potential problem.”
Moses, Noah, Jonah, Jesus and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) were all raised by Allah as warners and guides to their people.
The Holy Qur’an—the Islamic book of scripture—and the Bible are filled with accounts of Allah (God) raising servants and messengers as warners from among their people to keep them on the right or straight path and to point out the repercussions of disobedience to Allah. These servants also taught and prepared the people for what was to come.
The Holy Qur’an states that Allah sends a warner to every nation. In Surah (Chapter) 14, Ayat (Verse) 4, it states: “And We sent no messenger but with the language of his people, so that he might explain to them clearly. And then Allah leaves in error whom He pleases and He guides whom He pleases. And He is the Mighty, the Wise.” And, Surah (Chapter) 35, Ayat (Verse) 24 states: “Surely We have sent thee with the Truth as a bearer of good news and a warner. And there is not a people but a warner has gone among them.”
It is seemingly easy for us to understand, accept and believe that Allah (God) raised and sent warners to people 1,400 or 2,000 or 6,000 years ago. But as it states in the Holy Qur’an, Allah sends a warner to every nation (people), and this includes the Black man and woman of America and the world.
The book of Lamentations in the Bible, Chapter 3, Verse 37, in the New International Version, states: “Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it?” The Amplified Bible states it a little more plainly, stating: Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass, Unless the Lord has authorized and commanded it?”
The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and His National Representative, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, have forewarned us that the U.S. government would not have enough jobs or resources to provide for its White citizens, let alone Black people. What is happening in America has been taught and spoken of by both men and what they have spoken has and continues to come to pass.
The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad taught us the importance of storing nonperishable food items and supplies in our homes. He taught us to unite, acquire land, grow our own food, and open businesses to serve our people. “We must remember that we just cannot depend on the White race ever to do that which we can and should do for self,” the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad wrote on page 169 of “Message To The Blackman In America,” in the chapter titled, “A Program for Self-Development.”
He warned that the plagues and hardships prophesied in the scriptures would come to pass in America, but He also gave us the formula and solution to prepare for these inevitable times of hardship.
“The fact is that we are now facing the grim reality that everything that the Honorable Elijah Muhammad predicted has now come to pass,” Minister Farrakhan said of his teacher in his 2013 Saviours’ Day message, “Muhammad’s Economic Blueprint: Ending Poverty & Want.” In his message, which also took place during an economic downturn in America, Minister Farrakhan shared many statistics that adversely affected Black America, including unemployment, poverty, food stamp rates, and the unequal wealth gap.
“The Honorable Elijah Muhammad foretold of the coming of this great and dreadful day, and he preached about it for nearly a half a century. But he also tried mightily to prepare us for the inevitable: He set down for us a way to overcome our terrible condition and lift ourselves into true independence and self-sufficiency. He called it ‘Muhammad’s Economic Blueprint.’ In “Message To The Blackman in America,” the Chapter “Program and Position,” under the section ‘An Economic Blueprint’ on page 17, he said that if we followed this Plan, it would make us strong, firm warriors in the battle to end ‘poverty and want in the midst of plenty,’” Minister Farrakhan stated.
The good thing about warnings and warners is that, if heeded, they can be lifesaving for us, our families, and our communities. During these times of hardship and while there is still light in a country and world that are becoming increasingly dark, let us hold fast to the Rope of Allah and continue to heed what we have been given by these two Divine Warners—the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and share it with the world.