HAhmed.com

Note: Imam Siraj Wahhaj is a Sunni Muslim and not a member of the Nation of Islam! This could indeed be quite the historic moment…

Source: Meer’s Facebook Note

I think this is great news. Imagine a step towards unifying Black Sunnis and the NOI… a resurrection of its own kind- a religious revolution. Imagine a development towards Black Theology- a paradigm shift. Imagine the establishment of a strong indiginous muslim authority in the US. Imagine the possibilities… Subhanallah. May Allah Bless the efforts of Imam Siraj and his constituents. May Allah guide those who seek guidance. May Allah triumph the guided in this world and in the Hereafter.
- Meer Abdul Waali

“Invite (all) to the Way of Thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious. For Thy Lord knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.” (Quran 16:125)

(Lexington, KY, Feb. 20, 2007) The Amir of MANA, Imam Siraj Wahhaj, has accepted an invitation from Minister Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam, to deliver the Salah al-Jum’ah Khutbah this Friday, Feb. 23rd, as part of that organization’s “Savior’s Day” activities.

Commenting on this historic event, Imam Siraj Wahhaj stated:

“A prime aspect of MANA’s mission to humanity is da’wah (calling or inviting all of mankind to the Way of Allah ), which Allah tells us in His Book to do with ‘wisdom and beautiful preaching’. Further Allah makes it clear that those who in faith take one step toward Him, He will take several toward them, and that He knows best who has strayed and who receives guidance”

“We of MANA are encouraged by the incremental increase in knowledge and clarity of ‘aqeedah (binding Islamic beliefs), which continues to come to the indigenous Muslims of America. We see it as being part of our responsibility to our people to contribute to that process, whenever and wherever we can clearly do so. We seek the pleasure of Allah .

“To that end and after taking naseehah (consultation) with Muslim leaders of the Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah in America generally, and those of the MANA Executive Committee in particular, I have chosen to accept the Minister’s invitation to deliver the Khutbat al-Jum’ah (Friday worship sermon). We pray that nothing but good will come from it.”

Members of the Diwan (Executive Committee) of MANA and others met within the past month with senior leadership of the Nation of Islam. At that meeting we addressed forthrightly our position and concerns on issues of ‘aqeedah and their primacy in Al-Islam. Those present agreed to continue dialogue towards clarification and resolution of any existing differences in that regard.

MANA’s ‘aqeedah is that of the Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah (The people of the prophetic practice of the Messenger of Allah , Prophet Muhammad [May Allah ’s peace and blessing be upon him], and the Unified Community). We do not endorse nor support any views that are not consistent with those of our illustrious predecessors from the Salaf (early Muslims from the first three generations) or the Khalaf (those who follow their Path).

We have evaluated the pros and cons of our decision, and have decided that if we must err (and we pray that we have not) that it should be on the side of mercy and good intentions.

And Allah knows best.

Insha’Allah , the Khutbah will take place at 1 p.m. on February 23 in Cobo Arena, 1 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI.

Contact information:

Ihsan Bagby, General Secretary, MANA, 859-494-3743 or mana@manaoffce.net