LARI DAWAN: As-Salaam Alaikum Brother Imam. May Allah continue to bless and guide you in your leadership of the People of Imam W. Deen Mohammed. Imam W. Deen Mohammed, May Allah grant him the Mercy, taught "words make people." I have noticed in your addresses, and answers to questions presented to you, the distinctive use of the phrase "People of Imam Mohammed" as opposed to the phrase "Community of Imam W. Deen Mohammed" which was and is still commonly used by many associated with his leadership. Can you share your insight as to the difference and the implication of the usage of the one over the other? Thank you. As-Salaam Alaikum
IMAM EARL ABDULMALIK MOHAMMED: As-Salaam Alaikum and thank you Sister for your thoughtful question. Allah says in His Book, the Holy and Generous Qur'an: "...We bring out of each Community a witness, and We brought you out as a witness to these."
There is a great number of people that identify as Muslims in America, and they identify as a Community within the line of our leadership from the Honorable Elijah Mohammed to Imam W. Deen Mohammed. This is the great majority. Then, there is a smaller group, a minority within that big number, who represent special and defined points of reference, interest, and expertise. They are the minority for which the big number is valued and named. They are the ones who are thinking their way through the difficulties for the whole. They are the ones insisting on addressing and keeping strong the group identity in all measures of importance. You will find them to be the most sensitive in the spiritual interests, the most outstanding in the cultural interests, the most productive in the material interests, the most thoughtful and responsible in the leadership interests in serving the collective life of the whole Community.
We identify with Imam W. Deen Mohammed, so as a record of history going forward, his name will be known as a Community. However, the special features which bring out the most important aspects of his leadership are registered in 'witnesses.' This is not the general association with his name and the big group. This is the very specific association with his teaching in their fine specificities, and precise areas of distinction. These are the People of Imam W. Deen Mohammed, and from this group comes the leadership, if the body is to remain on the path of that identity. If it gets off the path, it is this group that warns the whole, and re-aligns the whole, with the Help of Allah, to the areas that need attention.
Imam W. Deen Mohammed was certainly sharing everything equally with all of his following, the whole community. He would also often pay special and public recognition to the 15%. He would say "I am speaking to the 15%." That 15% were his People within the Community. These were the 'witnesses' reading the Signs, sensitized and looking for the meaningful and symbolic gestures, obeying his specific way, and listening for the fine-tuned instructions of language and emphasis and strictly adhering to them. It is these, the People of W. Deen Mohammed, that would recognize where the community is going right, or not.
The leaders of the Community appeal to the weaknesses and vulnerabilities. They take advantage of the sentimental nature. The People demand the strength, the best representation, and will not permit weakness to influence their commitments to truth. It is these that are the most sensitive in this time to the need for leadership. It is these that Imam W. Deen Mohammed was talking to in describing the characteristics of his successor. And it is these that would insist on finding his successor, recognizing that person, and supporting that person because of the special obligation they feel to address the needs of the whole and save them from a painful destruction.
It is these whose souls will not permit a corrupt individual or group Order to rise in influence without checking them with the best of what they had been taught, if not with their hands and tongues, then with their conscience. It is these that will diligently and devotedly search the record of Imam W. Deen Mohammed 's teaching and will not deviate from what they know, or are 'witnesses' to that which he intended. It is these that can sense and hear in language whether a person is truly with Imam W. Deen Mohammed's teaching, or if they are an impostor riding on name-recognition or a perceived close proximity to our late leader. These are a special group who Imam Mohammed trained. They, like all innocent People, can be mistreated, because they want to see and appreciate goodness and sincerity in their leaders. But, they will not be fooled and trapped forever. Because of their faith, goodness and decency, and intelligence, G'd eventually saves them and brings them to their desired establishment.
Does this not remind one of the story of Joseph and his younger brother in relationship to his older brothers? The Community and its leaders had locked up the People, and Allah has been Fully Aware and in Control at all times. There has not been a time in the history of this country more than the present where Imam W. Deen Mohammed's teaching is needed. Where is his Community? Conflicted, confused, and declining. Where are his People? Addressing the condition of society with his teaching on the eve of their new rise in the arteries of America with Imam W. Deen Mohammed's successor leading the way.