When you wish to live peacefully in this country, and have an opportunity to present Islam to the host community, you will need to influence and manifest qualities not just inside the masjids, but also outside in the streets, in the markets, in daily activities, and at home. Lives of taqwah (piety) will immediately attract non-Muslims towards Islam. When we do not live an upright life, if we continue to live an insular lifestyle, or when we fail to manifest the beauty of Islam to non-Muslims, then we face real dangers. When or if the fire of race, religion or nationalism rages here, then we will not be saved.
Islamic Spain had masjids a hundred times more beautiful than ours, however when the flames of religious sectarianism raged, then the masjids and madrasahs became deserted. Regrettably the Muslims did not invite the native non-Muslims of Spain to see the Truth of Islam, to warn them of the dangers of disbelief, with the result that religious violence subsequently consumed.
We are still earning our place in this country. We must leave an imprint on the host community of our usefulness. We must continue to demonstrate our existence here is beneficial. We must impart to them the lessons of humanity. We should demonstrate how noble and principled we are, and that there cannot be found more upright humans elsewhere besides you. We are to continue our struggle to establish our worth for Allah, Prophet Muhammed (SAW), and ourselves.
Remember we are guests here. We should attain mastery of Arabic and our national language and become proficient so that we can effectively propagate Al Islam. We must prepare writers and orators who can communicate effectively. While we distance ourselves from their religion, do not distance yourself from them.
African American Muslims, we must present a new pattern of life in this country beyond material gain. When we can 1) show our fellow citizens that we are worshippers of Allah and not wealth, 2) we do not bow before power but only before virtue, 3) we are compassionate humans concerned about our children AND the path of destruction non-believers have chosen for their children, we will then earn their respect.
Please strengthen your position in this country and earn your recognition. Display such noble character that you enslave the natives, then see how these people will stand to defend you.
May Almighty Allah grant us the ability to understand what is right; may He bless and protect us. Ameen.
(Based on the 1982 speech of Maulana Abul Hassan Ali Nadwi)
