Modest code

Do they not ?

Ramadan Mubarak

It is no news that Islam has empowered women and continues to stand for justice for women.

Unfortunately, society reclaimed its injustice towards women. Culture shrouded in religion continues to be used to silence women. However, when Muslim women took to studying Islam more seriously (without reactivity) , they have come to realize the fallacy.

Today, Muslim women are taking up space and are doing so through collective healing. For some, healing looks like retelling their experiences and for others, it’s creating a new path forward.

It is important to realize that, healing should be done through love and kindness. That we should be honest with ourselves as we are on this journey. Also make room for others to tell their truths and be ready to listen to their truths with kindness.

What does black history month mean for Ghanaians/Africans?

While many Ghanaians living in Ghana may not understand blackness, they may have internalized inferiority complex due to their study of Islam from an Arab point of view. They only heed to Arab scholars when it comes to their study of Islam.

Throughout our study of Islam in makaranta( and I use this term to make a point), the only black person we are taught about is Bilal (r.a). However, there are many other companions of the prophet male and female who contributed to Islam. Some of whom are, Umm Ayman- the prophet called her his second mother. Sumayyah bint khayat, Usamah bin Zayd, Julaybib, Abu Dharr etc.

According to history, prophet Musa’s mother was black. However, in Arab culture, the child takes the identity of the father and not the mother. In this case, Black women who birthed these children are not mentioned in talks about the identity of these figures.

Black people have always only been regarded when they contributed “greatly” to a cause, but what happens if they don’t? They are sidelined.

I write this to remind us to learn about Islam and the contributions of black people to Islam.

In the last sermon of prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) he said to be mindful of our differences.

“All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor does a black have any superiority over a white, except by piety and good action.”

Studying this difference and Black Muslims contribution will make us appreciate ourselves more and no less than an Arab Muslim.

To learn more, read Mustafa Briggs book on “Beyond Bilal”. There are biographies of Shehu Usman Dan Fodio and other great scholars of Islam here in Ghana.