(this is fully written from memory)
I read Malcolm X’s autobiography at around 19, and it left a deep impression on me that I harbour to this day.
Alex Haley, in the preface, tells about the first time he met Malcolm-
That he had a presence about him, that he likened to being in the room with a panther. *1
Malcolm’s story is remarkable precisely because it shows us the power of transformation.
But this is not a transformation that is directly attributable to belief, rather when you read his autobiography you realise that he was fearless.
For when he toured US campuses, as a member of the Nation (*2), he had no qualms calling out the White Supremacists for who they were, and that is even within the Deep South.
And this fearlessness was also present with him during his convulsive youth when he was known as “Detroit Red” for good reason.
The lesson that I took from his life story, even at my tender age of 18-19, was that God guides those who are fearless.
Malcolm was a firecracker who listened to his intuition.*3
Recalled to me is a story from Readers Digest from those heady 80-90s days of a black African American son whose father had been murdered by White Supremacists, how when his fathers body was being exhumed for forensic examination- how the boy insisted against all protestations on being present.
They had justifiably worried that the body would be teaming with worms and decayed beyond recognition. *4
When they opened the cask, the father lay as if he had only that day passed away and been buried.
Do you think the Shuhudah are only of those who profess?
What of those who believe, but had not the opportunity to profess, and died in the struggle of right against wrong?
And so, Alhamdolillah in my early 20s, I knew who I wanted to be.
And that fearlessness is not just of brawn and sinew, but is more importantly of the mind.
That being intelligent, and not being scared to be intelligent, is also part and parcel of being brave, just like Malcolm.
And so I did not pursue formal certifiable studies of the religion, but left the Most Gracious to guide me- knowing that He guides those who are fearless. *5
And this is directly by His Grace, and not the staid ways of formalism that suck the life blind from the heart of this religion.
And it is for this reason that I know He will guide Andrew Tate, and neither do I advocate watching his videos or his interviews. For guidance is a process, and not an end in itself.
And to the Most Gracious is our return.
And to Him is due all glory and praise.
Knowledge is sought through fearless pursuit and contemplation.
Not lectures and formalism.
But by living life to the utmost, and then allowing yourself to be guided.
NOTES
*1 Alex Haley wrote Malcolm X’s autobiography from first hand interviews with him. He also famously penned “Roots” which became a land mark series detailing colonisations impact on the African Americans.
*2 the Nation of Islam was as far from traditional Islam as anything could possibly be.
Muhammed (saw) has the title seal of the Prophets because he was the last to be sent.
Remarkably Malcolm X fell out with Elijah Mohammed, who had claimed Prophethood. He then visited Mecca on Hajj and found pure Islam where there are no racial barriers.
The Nation had since inception promulgated the idea of segregation between colours, as a means of the black man realising his true identity.
Whereas pure Islam advocates all men finding their identity in the worship and service of the Infinitely Gracious.
*3 in the autobiography he narrates one incident where his intuition told him to drop the piece that he was packing, only a little later to be stopped and searched by the police.
In Islamic theories of knowledge ilhaam (inspiration) is brother to Wahiy (revelation).
*4 This is not Malcolm X’s father.
Although he too was murdered because he was too uppity, when Malcolm was a child. This eventually destroyed the family.
*5 see the last verse of Ankabut.
And then read the whole of it.
Alhamdolillah.
