2 year anniversary of the demise of ‘America’s imam’

DawudWalid 2 Comments

Two years ago, a shining star in the America Muslim community passed away, Imam Warith Deen Mohammed (RA), who was the son of the Hon. Elijah Muhammad that led the Nation of Islam from 1934 to 1975.

Since Imam Mohammed’s death as with most leaders, there have been internal divisions and conflicts among his students.  An internal family conflict immediately after his death led to a courtroom confrontation over his estate. Furthermore, some have claimed authority in certain matters because of their personal relationships with him or that they were told “something special” that he didn’t tell anyone else.  The “something special” comments reminds me of the old “ancient Chinese secret” adage that I used to hear as a kid.

Such shenanigans took place after the death of Prophet Muhammad (SAAS), so such was to be expected.  The real shame is that there is a void of leadership within this circle of knowledge as taught by Imam Mohammed to advance his perspective in an authoritative, , systematic and recognized manner both domestically and internationally.

I believe that over the years, however, an organic process will evolve in which a religious office and a socio-political office with recognized, legitimate leaders will come into being.  This leadership, G-d willing, will not hold Imam Mohammed (RA) up as an infallible leader, who gave timeless fatwas (as some speak of him today), but will advance and exemplify his methodology regarding the overall practical application of Islam in America.

Imam Mohammed was very adamant that he should not be compared to Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) and that he would give examples of the mistakes that he made or when not to come to him for counseling or advice.  Running business enterprises and the issue of marriage are two such instances.

Nonetheless, he was the greatest American Muslim leader to date in my analysis though many who were not his students would rank Malcolm X over him.  In these days of mosque protests and proposed Qur’an burnings, I miss a voice such as Imam Mohammed’s advising the community and weighing in on the public discourse.

DawudWalid

Dawud Walid is currently the Executive Director of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), which is a chapter of America's largest advocacy and civil liberties organization for American Muslims and is a member of the Michigan Muslim Community Council (MMCC) Imams Committee. Walid has been interviewed and quoted in approximately 150 media outlets ranging from the New York Times, Wall St Journal, National Public Radio, CNN, BBC, FOX News and Al-Jazeera. Furthermore, Walid was a political blogger for the Detroit News from January 2014 to January 2016, has had essays published in the 2012 book All-American: 45 American Men on Being Muslim, the 2014 book Qur'an in Conversation and was quoted as an expert in 13 additional books and academic dissertations. He was also a featured character in the 2013 HBO documentary "The Education of Mohammad Hussein." Walid has lectured at over 50 institutions of higher learning about Islam, interfaith dialogue and social justice including at Harvard University, DePaul University and the University of the Virgin Islands - St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses as well as spoken at the 2008 and 2011 Congressional Black Caucus Conventions alongside prominent speakers such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Congressman Keith Ellison. In 2008, Walid delivered the closing benediction at the historic 52nd Michigan Electoral College in the Michigan State Senate chambers and gave the Baccalaureate speech for graduates of the prestigious Cranbrook-Kingswood Academy located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Walid was also a featured speaker at the 2009 and 2010 Malian Peace and Tolerance Conferences at the University of Bamako in Mali, West Africa. He has also given testimony at hearings and briefings in front of Michigan state legislators and U.S. congressional representatives, including speaking before members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in Washington, D.C. Walid has studied under qualified scholars the disciplines of Arabic grammar and morphology, foundations of Islamic jurisprudence, sciences of the exegesis of the Qur’an, and Islamic history during the era of Prophet Muhammad through the governments of the first 5 caliphs. He previously served as an imam at Masjid Wali Muhammad in Detroit and the Bosnian American Islamic Center in Hamtramck, Michigan, and continues to deliver sermons and lectures at Islamic centers across the United States and Canada. Walid was a 2011 - 2012 fellow of the University of Southern California (USC) American Muslim Civil Leadership Institute (AMCLI) and a 2014 - 2015 fellow of the Wayne State Law School Detroit Action Equity Lab (DEAL). Walid served in the United States Navy under honorable conditions earning two United States Navy & Marine Corp Achievement medals while deployed abroad. He has also received awards of recognition from the city councils of Detroit and Hamtramck and from the Mayor of Lansing as well as a number of other religious and community organizations.

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2 Comments

  1. @”The real shame is that there is a void of leadership within this circle of knowledge as taught by Imam Mohammed to advance his perspective in an authoritative, , systematic and recognized manner both domestically and internationally.”

    Imam Mohammed actually left clear, documented directions on what to do after his passing. You’ve probably read the Dec. 30,1983 article. If not I can send it to you. The Imam’s comments here are so logical and so much inline with how things should be done Islamically.

    Its so unfortunate that Imam Mohammed and most of his association wasn’t pleased with most of the Imams who claimed to follow him. This has prevented any trustworthy shura to come forth and select a leader and representative for our community. As a result, his son, Wallace II is going around saying that he is the leader of our community and brothers are walking around either saying bayaa to him or claiming they dont need a leader and they’re their own leader.

    Last thought, I think many in our community equate leader to successor or savior. This is not the nation of Islam. This is Islam. And what community do you know of that has no representative body, no shura, no Imam, or leader. Let’s be practical. I mean, for the sake of the social-political arena…let’s be real.

    I agree with you though, that there will be a natural evolution for this community. But we have to step up and do our part. The legacy is now.

    just my thoughts

  2. Also, @ This leadership, G-d willing, will not hold Imam Mohammed (RA) up as an infallible leader, who gave timeless fatwas (as some speak of him today), but will advance and exemplify his methodology regarding the overall practical application of Islam in America.

    I agree with the underlying point of this statement, but I would be careful as to devalue the perspective and logic that Imam Mohammed brought to understanding and connecting scriptual knowledge. This is an integral part of his legacy as well.

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