By Corey X -Guest Columnist-
“And those who have been given knowledge see that what is revealed to thee from thy Lord, is the Truth and it guides into the path of the Mighty, the Praised.” Holy Quran 34:6
In the spring of 2002, I was sentenced to serve life in the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC). My world, as I knew it, reached its end. Over time, I developed the need to better myself because I became very unhappy with the choices I had been making.
One day, something within me led me to ask the laundry porter for a Bible to read. He said he had a special Bible for me. The next day as I sorted through my laundry, I discovered what he termed was “The Blackman’s Bible.” It was the book “Message to the Blackman in America” by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad.
Over the years, I had one foot in and one foot out along my spiritual journey. It wasn’t until I attended the Study Group at Mound Correctional Facility in 2007 that my transformation fully took root. A brother gave me the Will of God (Study Guide) to read and an invitation that unbeknownst to me would change my life forever.
That night we watched Saviours’ Day 1998 “What is Islam?” The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan said, “Islam is the basis for building a world that would never see an end.” I thought that was so profound because every road I had taken in my life led to an end. But when he said “…well if you want something better for your life you got to stand in the light, but the agency that will make the light penetrate and make you look and act different is that, at last, at last … you must make up your mind today, ‘I will begin to obey God,’ that is the beginning of the transformation in your life,”–it felt as though he was talking to me, like a father speaking directly to his defiant son.
In that very moment, he taught me exactly what’s required to become a better me. I knew then, without doubt, this is where I belong.
Shortly after, I began striving in the way of Allah. I began to pray, fast and understand the purpose of both. I started seeking knowledge. I learned the right foods to eat. I learned the purpose of being clean externally and felt the power of being clean internally. My superstitious thoughts were eradicated. I learned who the True and Living God is and who’s the devil and that I have divine protection from my enemies. I learned that the Restrictive Law of Islam is our success at any time. I felt fearless! I was no longer selfish. My savage ways no longer existed. I felt civilized for a change. Allah bestowed upon me His Grace and Mercy, blessing after blessing. In 2013, I got married to a beautiful sister that I thank Allah every day for bringing into my life. And the list goes on and on.
I participated in every positive program the MDOC had to offer. I would even intervene and defuse conflict between individuals on the prison yards because of the love that had grown inside me for my people. I truly want for my brothers and sisters what I want for myself.
Being obedient to Allah has certainly brought me from a state of mental and spiritual death into life. I thank everyone that I encountered along the way who were examples and who taught and helped me understand the teaching of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad as taught by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. All praises are due to Allah.
After serving close to 17 years, I was released by Allah’s permission. I could do nothing but thank Allah as my wife and I walked FAST to the vehicle. To be able to embrace my two sons and the rest of my family on the other side of prison walls is indescribable. I’m able do for self and care for my family through the business my wife and I started.
Then it was an honor to finally step foot in the Great Muhammad Mosque No. 1 and to soldier with the Believers. I was blessed to take part in the history made in Detroit (Mecca). I helped distribute the gift of love (90,000 free Final Call newspapers) from the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan to the hands of the people of Detroit during the “home going celebration” of the late great Aretha Franklin. May Allah be pleased with her.
I saw in person our Divine Leader, God’s Man at the 23rd anniversary of the Million Man March held at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheater in Detroit. I have met, interacted with, and became a brother to many different laborers and even pioneers who I used to read about in The Final Call or watched/ listened to on DVDs/CDs while incarcerated.
The timing could not have been any more perfect. I have worked directly with community activists along with government officials all in the Name of Allah. Student Minister Abdullah Muhammad, the Student National Prison Reform Minister, embraced me with open arms and inspired me to share my story and I am forever grateful.
It is my supplication that all my brothers and sisters that’s incarcerated and free who have been introduced to Islam to hold fast and to continuously share all you have learned. It may seem as though doors are locked and there’s no key, but the Honorable Elijah Muhammad said that Islam is the master key to unlock every door closed on the Black man and Black woman and I bear witness.
To those who may doubt this great Truth, Holy Qur’an 71:13 says: “What is the matter with you that you hope not for greatness from Allah?”
I encourage you to believe. Mentally, spiritually, and physically I am Free. I am forever indebted to Allah for all the above mentioned because THIS IS WHAT ISLAM HAS DONE FOR ME!
