I really enjoyed this weeks session at DMH,multiple concepts and topics were discussed in the time spent with all the other fellows and allies. Some including the animal-like treatment of people in the society through rewards and punishments,how belief leads to action, the similarities of El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X) and Omar bin Al-Kattab, and we also debated the statement "Fear is an effective motivator in changing peoples behavior".
It was amazing how we took two seemingly different historical figures, Malcolm X and Omar bin Al-Kattab, and compared them,talked about their characteristics, discussed what it was that made them who they were, and found out that they were more alike than they were different. They were both deeply involved in the life of sin and crime before their acceptance of Islam and they were both amongst the best of the people after it. They were both people who always had a strong inclination towards acting out what they believed and this did not change when they embraced Islam.
Omar was once a devout idol-worshipper and enemy of Islam, so much so that he was going to try and kill Prohet Muhammad (SAW), but once his beliefs changed his actions swiftly followed suit and he went on to become one of the best men and muslims to walk this earth after the Muhammad (SAW) himself.
Malcolm was the same way to an extent,he would not give Islam the time of day, he did'nt want to hear about it, even if it was coming from his own brother. Malcolm's beliefs soon changed while in prison and so did his actions. He embarked on a path of transformation, in doing so he put what he believed into action. He later became the top preacher in the Nation of Islam and had amassed a large following. Even with this high stature of his he did not let it stop him from changing and implementing his beliefs again once he had discovered and embraced the true message of Islam while making the pilgrimage to Mecca called Hajj.
In conclusion, as I marvle and reflect upon these two great men, I also try to figure out what it was that gave them that spark to go on and do so many great things and also how I can find and utilize this spark within myself. I assume it had alot to do with their strong faith in Allah and the simple fact that they were very self- reliant and self-motivated, but I am convinced that there is more to it than that. Maybe i'll never really know what it was or maybe I already do. I will not stop trying to be the best person I can possibly be nor will I stop trying to make this world a better place, and maybe one day I will be mentioned among these historical giants. Either way I plan on continuing on my own path of belief and action.
Sincerely yours, Jabril "El-Shabazz bin Al-Kattab" Ahmad.
It was amazing how we took two seemingly different historical figures, Malcolm X and Omar bin Al-Kattab, and compared them,talked about their characteristics, discussed what it was that made them who they were, and found out that they were more alike than they were different. They were both deeply involved in the life of sin and crime before their acceptance of Islam and they were both amongst the best of the people after it. They were both people who always had a strong inclination towards acting out what they believed and this did not change when they embraced Islam.
Omar was once a devout idol-worshipper and enemy of Islam, so much so that he was going to try and kill Prohet Muhammad (SAW), but once his beliefs changed his actions swiftly followed suit and he went on to become one of the best men and muslims to walk this earth after the Muhammad (SAW) himself.
Malcolm was the same way to an extent,he would not give Islam the time of day, he did'nt want to hear about it, even if it was coming from his own brother. Malcolm's beliefs soon changed while in prison and so did his actions. He embarked on a path of transformation, in doing so he put what he believed into action. He later became the top preacher in the Nation of Islam and had amassed a large following. Even with this high stature of his he did not let it stop him from changing and implementing his beliefs again once he had discovered and embraced the true message of Islam while making the pilgrimage to Mecca called Hajj.
In conclusion, as I marvle and reflect upon these two great men, I also try to figure out what it was that gave them that spark to go on and do so many great things and also how I can find and utilize this spark within myself. I assume it had alot to do with their strong faith in Allah and the simple fact that they were very self- reliant and self-motivated, but I am convinced that there is more to it than that. Maybe i'll never really know what it was or maybe I already do. I will not stop trying to be the best person I can possibly be nor will I stop trying to make this world a better place, and maybe one day I will be mentioned among these historical giants. Either way I plan on continuing on my own path of belief and action.
Sincerely yours, Jabril "El-Shabazz bin Al-Kattab" Ahmad.