Holy Koran of the MSTA Chapter 38:13 in part,” Knoweth not the dog the footsteps of his master?”
The Holy Prophet Noble Drew Ali, the day star from on high, came and revealed to us those things that we need to better ourselves. He instructed us in our Divine Constitution and By-Laws that we are to be taught our nationality and Divine Creed for it was in our best interest to stay; be still and listen when he speaks; for he is the living Oracle of Allah.
Those who have been placed as officers within this Divine and National Movement represent the shepherds of his flock. And to be a good teacher, one has to be first a great student.
The Prophet illustrates throughout our Koran continuously a master/servant or hierophant/neophyte relationship. As coal is transformed into diamond through pressure, as human flesh can be transmuted into flesh divine, we too have great possibilities to change our lots spiritually and mentally by adhering to what our Prophet brought us. As this is the School of Ali, we must obey what he told us. That which hinders us is our lowerself, the carnal nature that sprang forth from fleshy things. Nafs or ego must be placed under control. To do that, let’s look at the teachings of the Moor Sidi Muhammad ibn Sulayman Al-Jazuli.
Sidi Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Jazuli al-Simlali (died 1465) was a Marinid Sufi leader of the Berber tribe of the Jazulah who lived in the Sus area of nowadays is Morocco between the Atlantic Ocean and the Atlas Mountains. He is especially famous for compiling the Dala’il al-Khayrat, an extremely popular Muslim prayer book and he is known by many Moroccans as one the seven saints of Marrakesh.

He studied locally and then went to the Madrasat As-Saffarîn in Fez where his room is still pointed out to visitors today. In Fes he memorized works of usul al-fiqh and Maliki law, such as Ibn al-Hajib’s Mukhtasr al-Far’i and Sahnun’s Al-Mudawwana al-Kubra. He also met the famous jurist and mystic Sheikh Ahmad Zarruq. After settling a tribal feud he left the area and spent the next forty years in Makkah, Medina and Jerusalem. After his long journey, he returned to Fez where he completed the prayer book Dala’il al-Khayrat.

Aquire the 10 attributes of the dog—the example of the dog is to get rid of any feelings of self-importance:

In the dog are ten praiseworthy attributes that are found in the sincere disciple:

1. He sleeps only a little at night; this is a sign of the lovers of God.
2. He complains of neither heat nor cold; this is a sign of the patient.
3. When he dies, he leaves nothing behind which can be inherited from him; this is a sign of the ascetics.
4. He is neither angry nor hateful; this is a sign of the faithful.
5. He is not sorrowful at the loss of a close relative, nor does he accept assistance; this is a sign of the secure.
6. If he is given something, he consumes it and is content; this is a sign of the contented.
7. He has no known place of refuge; this is a sign of the wanderers.
8. He sleeps in any place that he finds; this is a sign of the satisfied.
9. Once he knows his master, he never hates him, even if he beats or starves him; this is a sign of the knowers.
10. He is always hungry; this is a sign of the virtuous.

In Islam, there is a term known as tarbiyah. Tarbiyah is derived from the verb rabbi meaning “to make or let grow; to raise, rear, bring up (so); to educate, to teach, instruct (a child).” The root verb is raba/yarbu, which means “to increase, to grow” (Wehr 324). Therefore, tarbiyah is all about education, teaching, and cultivating, with regards to children. Another derivation of raba/yarbu is the verbal noun riba (interest or increase), which according to the Qur’an is heinous and an abomination. Those who practice riba are equal to parasites in Islam and present a complete opposite to those who practice tarbiyah because the former enslave people rather than help them to grow and reach their Allah-given potential.

Everything that the Holy Prophet gave us, taught us, and instructed us to do are the footprints that he left that are clearly cut. It is the al-Mustaqim.

Sirat al-Mustaqim is the Arabic term for the straight path. In an Islamic context, it has been interpreted as the right path, Islamic faith or that which pleases God. It can also refer to the Sirat al-Jahim, the bridge of hell.

That which the Prophet didn’t intend for us is not pleasing to God and should not be prescribed for us as a people. That which is forbidden is termed “disliked innovation” or Bida Mustahjina. Examples include:

The Holy Prophet Noble Drew Ali stated that his sheep know the sound of his voice; and a stranger will not follow. So, who are we following? Who is teaching you your nationality and divine creed? Are we able to control our ego and do what’s right for ourselves and nation? Do you hear the footsteps of your master?

The Moorish Science Temple of America
The Moorish Guide Newspaper

Peace and Love,
Bro. Malik El, GS

After reading the Holy Instructions of Unity and meditating on unity and religious tolerance, I thought about the words of wisdom expressed by the Prophet Mohammed while instructing his companion and blood relative Ali Ibn Abu Talib about exhibiting patience…
One day Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him), accompanied by the Commander of the Faithful, Ali (as), had been heading towards the mosque of Quba when they happened to come across a lush green garden. Witnessing it Ali (as) commented: “O Prophet of Allah! It is a nice garden.” Prophet Muhammad (saw) responded: “Your garden in Paradise is nicer!”

Ali (as) inquired: “O Prophet of Allah! What should I do?” He (saw) advised: “Patience and fortitude. If you fail to exhibit patience you shall fall into far greater difficulties.” Ali (as) said: “Do you fear the destruction of my faith and religion?” Prophet Muhammad (saw) replied: “Your faith and religion’s existence lies in patience.”

The Prophet Noble Drew Ali taught us that Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) was the founder of the uniting of Islam, by the command of the great universal God–ALLAH. He came to fulfill the works of Jesus of Nazareth; the teaching of Jesus was to the common people, to redeem them from under the great pressure of the hands of the unjust. The ultimate culmination of these teachings would produce a situation where the lion (rulers and the rich) and the lamb (common people) could lay down together and neither would be harmed in the morning. Some say that there has always been division among people in their faith and religion, but we know that Islam was founded by our forefathers for our earthly and divine salvation. So, it has been placed upon us in this present time to be useful members of the global Islamic community. Because we have been scattered around the world and now it is up to us to remember the relation that binds us to love and unity and not to prefer a stranger before our own brothers and sisters.

The origins of division among Muslims in the Islamic community after the passing of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) may be traced to the issues related to succession in the Islamic community. According to the message and teachings of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad was the Seal of the Legislative Prophets (khatim al-anbiya), and he could not be succeeded by another legislative prophet. However, a successor was needed to assume the Prophet Muhammad’s functions as leader of the Islamic community and state, to ensure that the unity of the Muslims continued under a single leader.

So, when Prophet Muhammad changed form in 632, the funeral services (washing and shrouding the body) were carried out according to the Prophet’s testament by Ali as well as by some of the other relatives of the Prophet. According to some Muslims, the Prophet had not explicitly designated a successor, and it was of major importance for the unity of the Islamic community that an appointment be made. It seems that after some heated debate among the leading Muslim groups, which included some of the companions of the Prophet from among the Meccan emigrants (Muhajirun) and his helpers from Medina (Ansar), the communal decision was placed upon Abu Bakr, who became Khalifat Rasul Allah, successor to the Messenger of Allah. This title was soon simplified to khalifa, from which the word caliph originates. This caliph held the temporal and spiritual authority as ruler of the whole Islamic community. By electing the first successor to the Prophet, the Muslims had founded the unique institution of the caliphate.
Abu Bakr was the first caliph (632-634 CE), then ‘Umar (634-644 CE) was the second and ‘Uthman (644-656 CE) the third; they were all installed to the caliphate by various elective procedures. All three of these caliphs belonged to the influential Meccan tribe of Quraysh and they were among the early converts to Islam. They were companions of the Prophet on his historic journey from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. Only the fourth caliph, ‘Ali Ibn ‘Abu Talib (656-661 CE), who occupies a unique position in the annals of some, belonged to the Banu Hashim, part of the Prophet’s own clan, the Quraysh; he was the cousin and son-in-law (married the Prophet’s daughter Fatima) of the Prophet. In fact, Ali would demonstrate his sincerity, faith and religion in patience. Ali was born in the Sacred House (Kaaba) in Mecca on Friday, the thirteenth day of the month of Rajab, thirty years after the Year of the Elephant (c.570); this is something that I think has never happened to anyone before or after him. Being born in the House of God, the Most High was a mark of honor placed upon him by ALLAH, the ONE.

When the Prophet was endowed with the Divine gift of prophecy and for the first time received the Divine revelation in the cave of Hira’, as he left the cave to return home he met Ali on the way. He told him what had happened and Ali accepted the new faith. Again in a gathering when the Holy Prophet had brought his relatives together and invited them to accept his religion, he said the first person to accept his call would be his vicegerent and inheritor and deputy. The only person to rise from his place and accept the faith was Ali and the Prophet accepted his declaration of faith. Therefore Ali was the first man in Islam to accept the faith and is the first among the followers of the Prophet Mohammed to have never worshipped other than the One God.

Ali was always in the company of the Prophet until the Prophet migrated from Mecca to Medina. On the night of the migration to Medina (hijrah) when the opposition had surrounded the house of the Prophet determined to invade the house at the end of the night and kill him while in bed, Ali slept in place of the Prophet while he set out for Medina. Ali was present in all the wars in which the Prophet participated, except the battle of Tabuk when he was ordered to stay in Medina in place of the Prophet. He did not retreat in any battle nor did he turn his face away from any enemy. He never disobeyed the Prophet, such that the Prophet said of him, “Ali is never separated from the Truth or the Truth from Ali.”

Upon the death of the Prophet, Abu Bakr was elected as the caliph; Ali did not make any claim to the caliphate after Abu Bakr was elected as the first caliph. Some thought that Ali should have been the first Caliph because of his spiritual insight, knowledge and leadership skills; they considered that revelation and/or inheritance were factors for the election of the first caliph. On the other hand, they believed that Abu Bakr had the ability to maintain the order and unity among the Muslims and to defend and expand the borders of the Islamic state.

Here are the words of Ali about the division of the community, taken from the book entitled the Book of Eloquence:

So now, certainly, Allah did not break the neck of any unruly tyrant in this world except after allowing him time and opportunity and did not join the broken bone of any people (ummah) until He did not inflict calamity and distress upon them. Even less than what sufferings and misfortunes have yet to fall upon you or have already befallen you are enough for giving lessons. Every man with a heart is not intelligent, every ear does not listen and every eye does not see. I wonder, and there is no reason why I should not wonder, about the faults of these groups who have introduced alterations in their religious pleas, who do not move on the footsteps of their Prophet nor follow the actions of the vicegerent. They do not believe in the unknown and do not avoid the evil. They act on the doubts and tread in (the way of) their passions. For them good is whatever they consider good and evil is whatever they consider evil. Their reliance for resolving distresses is on themselves. Their confidence in regard to dubious matters is on their own opinions as if every one of them is the Leader (Imam) of himself. Whatever he has decided himself he considers it to have been taken through reliable sources and strong factors.

During the reign of the first three caliphs, Ali neither accepted any administrative post, nor participated in battles or expeditions – except acting as military governor of Medina during the reign Umar, when he traveled to Palestine and Syria. Ali preferred to reside in Medina and indulge in religious sciences and meditation. He was deeply knowledgeable about the Quran and hadith, both Abu Bakr and Umar often resorted to his opinion, particularly in matters relating to fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). When Umar was caliph, Ali suggested that the Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina should be taken as the start of the Islamic calendar (a proposition which was then accepted). Under the caliph of Uthman, he never supported the upheavals or rebellions against the caliph which took place during his reign. He criticized the caliph for some of his policies, in particular, for ignoring and/or not applying the principles of the Quran, Sunnah of the Prophet and the penalties sanctioned by the Shari’a.

During the brief 6 year rule of Ali as caliph, he had to deal with corruption, rebellion by his governors and officials, and treachery by his own followers. He fought several wars to defend his principles and to maintain the integrity of the Muslim Empire. He ended up changing form as a martyr at the age of 63 on the 21st of the month of Ramadan, 40 A.H., after being mortally wounded while he was praying in the mosque. His words when he was struck with the sword were:
“I thank thee O’ Lord for rewarding me with martyrdom. How kind and Gracious of Thee. May Thy Mercies further me to the Glory of Thy realm.”

Useful knowledge is knowledge that shows us our own shortcomings. Knowledge is a pure light from ALLAH that drives us towards patience, generosity, kindness, purity of worship and a sense of decency. It leads us towards loving the truth, spiritual retreat, meditation, contemplation and pure thoughts; this type of knowledge instills fine spiritual virtues and other discernable qualities. It is this type of knowledge which inspires the fear of ALLAH and prompts us to put our entire trust in HIM; while at the same time inciting us to asceticism, hope and withdrawing from society so that we devote out time to the LORD. Our hope is that ALLAH leads us out of excessive desires and out of relying on the creatures by a knowledge that cures us of jealousy, arrogance, going astray, hatred, self-conceit and encourages us towards assisting and maintaining good relationship with our Muslim brethren for the sole countenance of the ETERNAL-ABSOLUTE…

So to approach an understanding of the knowledge bestowed upon us from our ancient forefathers, we want to review the six (6) kinds of patience that they taught and demonstrated in the schools throughout our Moorish Empire:

1- Patience in bearing steadfastly the efforts required for the adoration of the MOST GRACIOUS
2- Patience in restraining oneself from transgressing; specifically at the onset of the ordeal or temptation
3- Patience in resisting temptations and all forbidden pleasures
4- Patience in avoiding bad thoughts
5- Patience in practicing extreme sobriety and even cease from eating delightful food for the countenance of the ALMIGHTY

The Prophet Muhammad said, “Once the harm has already struck, a behavior liable to make our patience finer consists in concealing it from people and in behaving as usual; as if everything were in perfect peace…”

CHAPTER XXVI – HOLY INSTRUCTIONS OF UNITY

The gifts of the understanding are the treasures of Allah; and He appointed to everyone his portion, in what measure seems good unto Himself. Has He endowed thee with wisdom? Has He enlightened your mind with the knowledge of truth? Communicate it to the ignorant, for their instruction; communicate it to the wise, for your own improvement. True wisdom is less presuming than folly. The wise man doubts often, and changes his mind; the fool is obstinate, and does not doubt; he knows everything, except his own ignorance. The pride of emptiness is an abomination; and to talk much, is the foolishness of folly; nevertheless, it is the part of wisdom to hear with patience their impertinence, and to pity their absurdity. Yet do not be puffed up in your own conceit, neither boast of having superior understanding; the clearest human knowledge is but blindness and folly. The wise man feels his imperfections, and is humbled; he labors in vain for his own approbation but the fool peeps in the shadow stream of his own mind, and is pleased with the pebbles which he sees at the bottom; he brings them up and shows them as pearls and with the applause of his brethren delights himself. He boasts of attainments in things that are of no worth; but where it is a shame to be ignorant, there he hath no understanding. Even in the path of wisdom, he toils after folly; and shame and disappointment are the reward of his labor. But the wise man cultivates his mind with knowledge; the improvement of the arts is his delight, and their utility to the public is crowned with honor. Nevertheless, the attainment of virtue he accounts as the highest learning; and the science of happiness is the study of his life.

Your brother in Love, Truth, Peace, Freedom and Justice!!!

Shiloh Shaeed El, Adept
Indianapolis, Indiana U.S.A.
Medina of Peace (Madinatoul Salaam)

“The Head of every Temple must by Law, Obey the word of the Prophet; and if any Leader or head of any Temple, fails to Obey the Laws; Embezzlement is his charge, and is subject to Enforcement of the by The Grand Body; And the penalty may be a Fine or removal from Office, or placed under a heavy restriction of the Law.”–Supreme Words of the Prophet Noble Drew Ali

The following members were removed from Office under heavy restriction of the law for EMBEZZLEMENT OF THE FAITH, EMBEZZLEMENT OF FINANCES, MISCONDUCT etc.:
E. Braswell-Bey, ex. S.G.S; G.S./Temple No. 1
Doc#: 0612218011

Islam. I give all praises due to Allah and honors to his last Prophet. I give honors to the forerunner Marcus Mosiah Garvey. I give honors to the first Supreme Grand Sheik E. Mealy El and I also give honors to the present Supreme Grand Sheik D. Bailey El. I give honor where honor is due and i give honor to each and everyone of you. In the Voice of the Prophet dated Friday, September 18, 1928 the Prophet stated If you have race pride and love your race, join the Moorish Science Temple of America and become a part of this Divine Movement, then you will have power to redeem your race because you will know who you are, and your forefathers were. Because where there is unity there is strength. Together we stand, divided we fall. The Prophet let it be known that this is a field open to strong men and women to uplift the nation and take your place in the affairs of men. Now the first thing you receive when you join the Moorish Science Temple of America is your Nationality and Identification Card for the Moorish Science Temple of America and Birthrights for the Moorish Americans, etc. The nationality card should have an all white background. In the upper left hand corner should be a blue crescent and star with the words ISLAM under it. Next to the crescent and star should be the words UNITY in red with the red hand clasp under it. In the upper right hand corner should be a blue circle 7 with four quadrants around it and the words ALLAH in blue under the Circle 7. If your nationality card does not look like this then you should trade it back in for the Prophets nationality card, which can be received from the Moorish Science Temple of America Home Office and all Subordinate Temples and Study Groups under the Home Office in Chicago, Illinois. Our nationality card does not have the name Jonah on it and the other side of your nationality card should be blank. The nationality card does not have a picture because a picture does not define who are, your free national name does, which is Moorish American. Your nationality card should be carried with you at all times and should be secured in such a manner to preclude mutilation. Moors should also remember that changing the Prophets nationality card is a deviation because it is one of the best documents brought to us by the Prophet. We have to recognize what we have on our nationality card and meditate upon it. This nationality card speaks for those that cant speak for themselves and it automatically connects us to the Divine Constitution and Bylaws. Our National and Identification Card identifies us a free national beings and the Prophet warned us to stop trying out our cards with the Europeans, for it causes confusion and that there had been much confusion caused by members trying out their cards. Our nationality card is not anything that you can download off of the internet, it is something you receive once you join the Moorish Science Temple of America, so says our Prophet Noble Drew Ali. This is my measure of understanding. Peace and Love.

Saadiq Abdul Haqq El, Chairman

The Moorish Science Temple of America
The Moorish Guide Newspaper

How did the Prophet begin to uplift the Moorish Americans?
By teaching them to be themselves.
In the past, we had an incident within our local temple group where we had an unbelieving member who invited an Imam to our meetings to debate me. Even though this Imam was somewhat knowledgeable of Islam, he unfortunately suffered from self-hatred or what the Prophet called “mental slavery”.
He attempted to tell the Moors that they didn’t need to know their history, that they didn’t need a nationality, and that the only thing that he read was the Quran of Mecca. The only Asiatic that believed this was this former member, who ironically is calling himself a Bey Moor to this day and has a blog on the internet ridiculing the Holy Prophet Noble Drew Ali, The MSTofA, and those whom he left in charge of the Moorish situation.

The reason why I point this out is because as the Holy Prophet Noble Drew Ali stated in our Questionnaire, being oneself has an uplifting quality and what the Holy Prophet was doing was re-establishing our historical continuity.
Cheikh Anta Diop stated in his work Civilization or Barbarism,” The historical conscience, through the feeling of cohesion that it creates, constitutes the safest and the most solid shield of cultural security of a people. The essential thing for a people is to rediscover the thread that connects them to their most remote Ancestral past. In the face of cultural aggression of all sorts, in the face of all disintegrating factors of the outside world, the most efficient cultural weapon with which a people can arm itself is this feeling of historical continuity.”

An oppressed group having the ability to define its own ideology and culture represents primary resistance. The God given right to define one’s own reality and place in the world is the essential reason why Allah blessed the Asiatics of the Americas with a Prophet in this era of time. How we see ourselves and those that are against us is what’s important in analyzing our condition and plight today. The Holy Prophet Noble Drew Ali resurrected our cultural identity, collective personality, and our right to define ourselves.

In the Quran of Mecca, Surah 11:120, the precedence is given for the study of history as a genuine social science from the words of Allah. He says:”Verily, I narrate to you some of the tidings of the messengers in order to make it firmly established in your mind, that you may bring from this Truth clear lessons and reminders to those who believe.”
The scholars take the concept “the tidings of the messengers” as a clear license for the study of history as a form of individual and social transformation. Allah also says in the Quran of Mecca, Surah 12:111: “There is certainly in their chronicles a lesson for those of understanding.”

We take pride in studying the traditions and customs of our forefathers and see its importance. Not only in studying them, but to also make them a part of every part of our entire being.
In the Koran Questions for Moorish Americans, The Holy Prophet Noble Drew Ali stresses this continuity in #41,”What is the Everlasting Gospel? It is a saving power that comes from ALLAH through our Ancient Fathers, by His Prophet”.

Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) once said,”Learn from your lineage that which will connect you with your family heritage.” So, What is our lineage? The Holy Prophet Noble Drew Ali(PBUH) teaches us that our dominion and inhabitation extended from North-East Africa and South-West Africa, across the great Atlantis even unto the present North, South and Central America and also Mexico and the Atlantis Islands; before the great earthquake, which caused the great Atlantic Ocean. The Prophet also tells us in Chapter 48:5,”That the world may hear and know the truth, that among the descendants of Africa there is still much wisdom to be learned in these days for the redemption of the sons of men under Love, Truth, Peace, Freedom, and Justice.”
This is what makes Islam a universal faith and this is what Prophet Muhammad meant in the Quran of Mecca, Surah 22:67,”To every nation We appointed acts of devotion, which they observe, so let them not dispute with thee in the matter, and call to thy Lord. Surely thou art on a right guidance”.

When a people are cut off from their own history and are forced to look at themselves from the perspective of others, then the result is cultural aggression, imperialism, and domestic colonization. Allah has provided us with the means to return us to the state of mind of our forefathers. Let us take heed by adhering to the tenets and precepts handed down to us by our Holy and Illustrious Prophet.
In closing, this is a poem taken from a 15th century Timbuktu scholar and it describes the deep psychological trauma a people faces when they lack knowledge of self:
“Whoever does not inform his children of his grandparents has destroyed his child, marred his descendants, and injured his offspring the day he dies.
Whoever does not make use of his ancestry, has muddled his reason.
Whoever is unconcerned with his lineage, has lost his mind.
Whoever neglects his origin, his stupidity has become critical.
Whoever is unaware of his ancestry his incompetence has become immense.
Whoever is ignorant of his roots his intellect has vanished.
Whoever does not know his place of origin, his honor has collapsed”.

The Moorish Science Temple of America
The Moorish Guide Newspaper

Peace and Love,
Bro. Malik El, GS

And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive, with sincerity and under discipline. He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the faith of your father Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this Revelation; that the Messenger may be a witness for you, and ye be witnesses for mankind! So establish regular prayer, give regular charity, and hold fast to Allah! He is your Protector – the best protection and the best helper! Sura 22:78

Our Beloved Prophet Noble Drew informed us that as the fallen sons and daughters of the Asiatic Nation of North America, we need to learn to love instead of hate; and to know of our higher self and lower self. And if we consider ourselves parents, the importance of our trust; the being(s) that we have produced, it is our duty to support. And it also depends upon us whether the child of our bosom be a blessing or a curse; a useful or a worthless member of our Moorish Community as well as the larger Islamic Community. We are to prepare them early with instruction, and season their mind with the maxims of truth so that they are sincere in their duty towards ALLAH. We are to watch the bent ways of their inclinations, set them right in their youth and let no evil habit gain strength with their years. Our prophet also informed us that we are to unite our teachings with the Holy Koran of Mecca, for teaching and instructing our nation. So let us draw off of Sura 15:26-42 to establish a level of certainty and understanding about ALLAH, Iblis (Satan) and the sincere servants of ALLAH…

We created man from sounding clay, from mud molded into shape; and the Jinn race, We had created before, from the fire of a scorching wind. Behold! The Lord said to the angels: “I am about to create man, from sounding clay, from mud molded into shape; when I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My spirit, fall ye down in obeisance unto him.”

So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together, not so Iblis: he refused to be among those who prostrated themselves. (Allah) said: “O Iblis! What is your reason for not being among those who prostrated themselves?” (Iblis) said: “I am not one to prostrate myself to man, whom You did create from sounding clay, from mud molded into shape.” (Allah) said: “Then get thee out from here; for thou art rejected, accursed. “And the curse shall be on you till the Day of Judgment.” (Iblis) said: “O my Lord! Give me then respite till the day the (dead) are raised.” (Allah) said: “Respite is granted thee till the Day of the Time appointed.” (Iblis) said: “O my Lord! Because Thou hast put me in the wrong, I will make (wrong) fair-seeming to them on the earth, and I will put them all in the wrong, all except Your servants among them, sincere and purified (by Your Grace).” (Allah) said: “This (way of My sincere servants) is indeed a way that leads straight to Me. For over My servants no authority shall thou have, except such as put themselves in the wrong and follow thee.” Sura 15:26-42

After reflecting on the above suras, I immediately thought about when our beloved Prophet instructed us to, “teach your children sincerity, and their own heart shall not reproach them”; because “blessed are the pure in heart; for they will love and not demand love in return.” The basic teaching during the burial and death of Elizabeth allowed us to understand that a crisis had occurred in John’s life when his mother changed form and he was told that he must have a clear conception of the work that he has been called to do as the harbinger; because he is to go before the Messiah’s face to pave His way, and make the people ready to receive their King. We are told that, “this readiness is purity of heart and that none but the pure in heart can recognize the king.” And, “to teach men to be pure in heart, you must yourself be pure in heart and word and deed.”

In the not so distant past there came a forerunner of our Prophet, who was divinely prepared by the great God-Allah just like John the Baptist and his name is Marcus Garvey, who taught and warned the nations of the earth to prepare to meet the coming Prophet; who was to bring the true and divine creed of Islam. It is this Prophet (Noble Drew Ali) who was prepared and sent to earth by Allah, to teach the old time religion and the everlasting gospel to the sons of men. So that every nation shall and must worship under their own vine and fig tree, and return to their own and be one with their Father God-Allah.

Noble Drew Ali wanted us to learn of our Forefathers Ancient and Divine Creed (Love, Truth, Peace, Freedom and Justice), so that we learn to love instead of hate and start to uplift fallen humanity. He taught us that, the Holy Breath cannot be seen with mortal eyes; nor can men see the spirits of the Holy One. But in their image man was made, and he who looks into the face of man, looks at the image of the Allah who speaks within. And when man honors man, he honors Allah, and what man does for man he does for Allah. And we must bear in mind that when man harms in thought or word or deed another man, he does a wrong to Allah. If we would serve the Allah who speaks within the heart, just serve our nearest of kin, and those that are no kin, the stranger at your gates, the foe who seeks to do you harm. Assist the poor, and help the weak; do harm to none, and do not covet what is not yours. Then, with our tongue the Holy One will speak; and he will smile behind our tears, will light our countenance with joy, and fill our hearts with peace.

Men need a pattern for their lives; because they love to follow, not to lead. We know that the man which stands upon the corners of the paths and points the way, but does not go, is just a pointer and a block of wood can do just the same as them by pointing. So as parents and teachers we are not to point but tread the way; and on every span of ground we are to leave our footprints, clearly cut, so that the children of our nation can see and be assured that we are following the way of our master. Since men comprehend the inner life by what they see and do; they come to Allah through forms and ceremonies. So, when men learn that sins are washed away by purity in life and that the lower self is confined by our sincerity two symbolic rites may be introduced – the rite of purification and the rite of sincerity. The rite of purification with water was understood to be the purification of the soul from our last discussion and it is here that we will focus on the rite of sincerity which incorporates the obtaining of the science of ethics (akhlaq) for the attainment of virtues and morality which lead us towards noble conduct/character (adab) which results in purity in life, purity in word and purity in deed. In this rite we utilize and practice applying the tools in the workshop of the mind where things were made of thought and where we build up character through the science of ethics. Know that science and its practice are two invaluable jewels that generate happiness in both the physical plane and the plane of the soul. So, we use the:

• Square to straighten out the crooked ways, and make the corners of our conduct square.
• Compass to draw circles around our profane passions and desires to keep them within the bounds of righteousness.
• Axe to cut away the knotty, useless and ungainly parts and make the character symmetrical.
• Hammer to drive home the truth, and pound it in until it is a part of every part.
• Plane to smooth the rough, uneven surfaces of joint, and block, and board that go to build the temple for the truth.
• Chisel, line, plummet and the saw are all used in this workshop.
• 3 step ladder with its trinity of steps (faith, hope and love); upon which we ascend to the dome of purity in life.
• And on the twelve step ladder, we ascend until we reach the pinnacle of that which life is spent to build the Temple of Perfected Man.
We ascend by demonstrating and teaching the twelve steps of the 12 step ladder:

1. Obedience – so that our children may bless us
2. Modesty – so that they shall not be ashamed
3. Gratitude – so that they receive benefits
4. Charity – so that they may gain love
5. Temperance – so that they have health
6. Prudence – so that fortune shall attend them
7. Justice – so that they are honored by the world
8. Sincerity – so that their own heart shall not reproach them
9. Diligence – so that their wealth shall increase
10. Benevolence – so that their mind shall be exalted
11. Science – so that their life shall be useful
12. Religion – so that their death shall be happy.

And we know that salvation is a ladder reaching from the heart of man to heart of Allah. And that Allah’s meeting place with man is in the heart, and in a still small voice he speaks; and he who hears is still. He will lead them by science and adoration, to abandon the negative habitual practices over time. And when man meets ALLAH in the heart, this creates a condition and circumstances where the pure in heart out of fear and reverence of ALLAH will not accuse; so if it is purity that you seek, always speak in sincerity so that you may hear as instructions, the words of ALLAH (40 Hadith Qudsi is a set of 40 hadiths in which the Prophet Mohammad narrates statements directly from ALLAH).

“Whoever bears enmity to My saintly servant I will proclaim war on him. The thing that I like most among the acts that bring My servant closer to me is his performance of the acts that I enjoined on him. At the same time, My servant keeps coming closer to Me through optional worship. In the end he attains My Love. And when I love him I become the ears that he hears with; I become the eyes he sees with, I become the hands that he holds with, I become the feet that he walks with (I become the heart that he reasons with, and I become the tongue that he speaks with). When he asks for anything from Me, I immediately grant it to him. When he seeks refuge in Me, I safeguard him. I never hesitate about anything as I do in taking the life of a believing servant: He dislikes death, and I do not like anything he dislikes…” Hadith Qudsi 25

Our ancient forefathers distinguish three organs related to spiritual communication: the heart (qalb), which knows God; the spirit (ruh), which loves Him; and the innermost aspect of the soul (sirr), which contemplates Him. The heart or qalb, though connected in some mysterious way with the physical heart, is not a thing of flesh and blood. Unlike the physical ‘heart,’ its nature is intellectual rather than emotional, but whereas the intellect cannot gain real knowledge of God, the qalb is capable of knowing the essences of all things, and when illumined by sincerity, faith and knowledge it reflects the whole of the divine mind; therefore the Prophet Mohammad reminded us that ALLAH said, “My earth and My heaven contain Me not, but the heart of My faithful servant contains Me.”

Know that when we have been overwhelmed and overcome by the carnal world, carnal self, profane passions and Satan (Iblis), the heart is ‘veiled,’ blackened by sin, tarnished by sensual impressions and images, pulled to and fro between reason and passion: a battlefield on which the armies of God and Satan contend for victory. Through one gate, the heart receives immediate knowledge of God; through another, it lets in the illusions of the senses. Therefore man is potentially lower than the brutes and higher than the angels, but his ascension depends on his purity and his sincerity…

By the Night as it conceals (the light);
By the Day as it appears in glory;
By (the mystery of) the creation of male and female;-
Verily, (the ends) ye strive for are diverse.
So he who gives (in charity) and fears (Allah),
And (in all sincerity) testifies to the best,-
We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Bliss.
But he who is a greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient,
And gives the lie to the best,-
We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Misery;
Nor will his wealth profit him when he falls headlong (into the Pit).
Verily We take upon Ourselves to guide,
And verily unto Us (belong) the End and the Beginning.
Therefore do I warn you of a Fire blazing fiercely;
None shall reach it but those most unfortunate ones
Who give the lie to Truth and turn their backs.
But those most devoted to Allah shall be removed far from it,-
Those who spend their wealth for increase in self-purification,
And have in their minds no favor from anyone for which a reward is expected in return,
But only the desire to seek for the Countenance of their Lord Most High;
And soon will they attain (complete) satisfaction. Sura 92

So be aware my brothers and sisters that to attain complete satisfaction and rise above the station of the angels, we must overcome the 4 enemies – the carnal soul/lower self (nafs), the carnal world (dunya), the accursed Satan (Iblis) and the profane passions. These enemies prohibit us from obtaining sincerity, purity and junction with ALLAH in our heart.

But through purity and the attainment of virtues that our ancient forefathers taught us the science of overcoming each of these enemies and the weapons that each of them uses against man. So know that we must defeat each one of the enemies by being released from their prison and overcoming their weapon; consequently, if we take control of their weapons and imprison them, we will be saved. As for the carnal soul, it is imprisoned by lengthily endured hunger, and it does not have an additional obstacle known apart from this one. In regards to the weapon with which it diverts a worshiper from the proper way, it is the appeasing of hunger. The dungeon of this carnal world is sealed and locked by retiring in science and religious practices. In regards to its weapon with which it harms, it is doing things out of habit that do not bring any profit (materially or spiritually). And the prison of Satan without divergence is the repetition of the most beautiful names of ALLAH, specifically those that protect and bring about peace and protection. In regards to the weapon with which he attacks a worshiper, it is negligence. And as for the prison cell of the profane passions, it is to be in a state of silence while in seclusion from those things that are neither profitable, nor beneficial. In regards to the weapon with which it subjugates a person, it is chattering about vain things.

So it is with sincerity and discipline that we approach our duty to ALLAH as we strive to overcome the 4 enemies of man and remove them from our circle as we work on manifesting the 7 attributes of perfection that were given to us directly from ALLAH: Life from the Ever-Living, Will from the All-Willing, Power from the All-Powerful, Knowledge from the All-Knowing, Sight from the All-Seeing, Speech from the All-Speaking and Hearing from the All-Hearing. So shall the fortunes of our father contribute to the support of our whole race; and his care be continued to us all, in our love to each other…

Your brother in Love, Truth, Peace, Freedom and Justice!!!

Shiloh Shaeed El, Adept
Indianapolis, Indiana U.S.A.
Medina of Peace (Madinatul Salaam)

This organization of the Moorish Science Temple of America is not to cause any confusion or to overthrow the laws and constitution of the said government, but to obey hereby. –Act 5 of the Divine Constitution and By-Laws of the Moorish Science Temple of America (Our Free National Constitution)
Within “Moorish Leader’s Historical Message to America”, the Holy Prophet Noble Drew Ali called the American Constitution,”one of the greatest documents of all time”. Reason being, because of religious privileges as American citizens specifically noted in Amendment One.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Because we are a Religious Society, we are self-governing because the European separates Church(Religion) from State and as such, he cannot interfere with our divine way of life. The Holy Prophet Noble Drew Ali instructed us to,”Keep the European out of our business, and we out of his”.
So, this is why the Prophet said that we are a Nation within a Nation(based upon the constitution;ie.see Picture of Prophet in Mexico with Moorish Flag and US Banner). The confusion aspect is in the fact that we are not to overthrow His or Our Government. This is why He told us in Key 34 found within the Questionnaire, that our Ruler is in Morocco.
I’ll try to elaborate:
Definition of Charter:
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified. It is implicit that the granter retains superiority (or sovereignty), and that the recipient admits a limited (or inferior) status within the relationship, and it is within that sense that charters were historically granted, and that sense is retained in modern usage of the term. Also, charter can simply be a document giving royal permission to start a colony.
The Holy Prophet instructed us that He was the one to issue Charters. Some of these Moorish Leaders have instructed their membership to go to the European state and receive their Charter.
In essence, they have gone back into slavery and now are under the yoke of the European and His jurisdiction. By adhering to what the Holy Prophet Noble Drew Ali established and what he said when he stated,”The Nations of the world will not recognize the Movement(The MSTA/MDNM) without I the Prophet(Sovereign Authority) being Head”, we are then recognized Internationally as Free National Citizens within our Free National Government, The Moorish Science Temple of America. We also, utilize titles such as Sheik, Grand Sheik, etc. within this Body of Politic which removes the confusion with the European Political Construct.
Definition of Islamism:
Islamism (Islam+-ism; Arabic: الاسلامية ‎ al-’islāmiyya) also Arabic: إسلام سياسي‎ al-Islām al-Siyāsiyy, lit., “Political Islam”) is a set of ideologies holding that Islam is not only a religion but also a political system; that modern Muslims must return to their roots of their religion, and unite politically.
So, when one is a Grand Sheik of a Temple, he or she is equivalent to a Mayor. When one is a Governor of a Branch Temple, he or she is equivalent to a Governor of that State.
We can cast our free national ballot at the polls because we reside here, but we are to be part and partial to this said Government(The MSTA/MDNM).
If that wasn’t the case, the Prophet would’ve never said,”Moors you are home. The European is 3000 miles away from home and he’s going to have to take some water”.
This is what these renegades, bootleggers, and fakers get wrong by using UCC, strawman, right to travel, the dissolving of birth certificates,etc. to obtain their so-called freedom.
When one proclaims their nationality in this government, those issues have been resolved and have nothing to do with our sovereignty.
See below for the emphasis and reference to this known truth:
An Inquiry into the Character and Tendency of the American Colonization and the American Anti-Slavery Societies” By William Jay 3rd edition 1835,” It says; “thus an act was passed in Massachusetts on 6th of March, 1788, forbidding any Negro not a subject of the emperor of Morocco , or a citizen of the United States, from tarrying in the Commonwealth.” This for one shows that those who were referred to as “Negroes” were actually Moors and that they were on the same footing or status as “State Citizens”.
Lastly, Many of these renegades that are outside of The Moorish Science Temple of America are responsible for returning his brothers and sisters back into slavery. They have created their groups and made them a 501c3 non-profit corporation, they instructed them to go to the European to get their charters, etc.
This is why the Prophet said,”The streets will be filled with fezzes and turbans”. Then, he turned around and said,”Only a few shall be saved”. Why did he say that? Because there will only be a few that will be adhering to what He established for us.
Exercising my five, this is why he said,”If you try to tell what a person is by looking at him,you are burnt up from the start”. Turbans, Fezzes, El or Bey do not make a Moorish American. Adhering to what the Prophet said does.
In all truth and honesty, the only real Moorish Americans are here in the Prophet’s Grand Body because everyone else has cut themselves off from Home Office and don’t understand what The Holy Prophet Noble Drew Ali established under home rule authority(A lesson that we’ll put together at a later time).
It’s truly a blessing and humbling to recognize this divine and everlasting truth.
May Allah Be Pleased.

Peace and Love,
Bro. Malik El, GS

The Moorish Guide Newspaper
The Moorish Science Temple of America

Surah 3:103 Muslims (Moors) exhorted to Remain United
“And hold fast by the covenant of Allah all together and be not disunited. And remember Allah’s favour to you when you were enemies, then He united your hearts so by His Favour you became brethren. And you were on the brink of a pit of fire, then He saved you from it. Thus Allah makes clear to you His messages that you may be guided”.
The Arabic word for covenant is habl, which means primarily a rope or a cord, and hence a bond, a cause of union, a bond of friendship, a covenant or a compact by which one becomes responsible for the safety of a person or a thing.
The rule of interpretation, which must be borne in mind in interpreting all Divine Books, is that every allegorical statement must be interpreted in such a manner that it may not contradict any of the clear principles laid down by Divine Revelation.

The context in which this verse was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was when different factions had secretly joined forces with idolaters of Arabia to crush Islam. WHAT IS THE SIMILARITY IN THIS ERA OF TIME?
In this era of time, we find our people here in N. America have been destroyed intellectually, morally, nationally, and socially. Our people have been stripped of all knowledge of self. Because of foreigners, and customs that are not of their own, unity amongst our people had utterly eroded away which resulted in our people hating themselves and each other. Literally, they became their own worst enemies.
On January 8, 1886, Allah bestowed the descendants of the Ancient Moabites, Canaanites, and Hamathites, here in North America, a form of mercy and grace in the person of our Divine Prophet Noble Drew Ali.
Chapter 48:8,9 of the Holy Koran of the Moorish Science Temple of America ”While we, the Moorish Americans are returning to Islam, which was founded by our Forefathers for our earthly and divine salvation. The covenant of the great God-Allah: “Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be longer upon the earth land, which the Lord thy God, Allah hath given thee!”
The true cord that binds us All is that which came from Allah: our Holy and Illustrious Prophet Noble Drew Ali, his teachings and the Faith of Muhammad.

Chapter 25,”Ye are the children of one father, provided for by his care; and the breast of one mother hath given you suck. Let the bonds of affection, therefore, unite thee with thy brothers, that peace and happiness may dwell in thy father’s house. And when ye separate in the world, remember the relation that bindeth you to love and unity; and prefer not a stranger before thy own blood. If thy brother is in adversity, assist him; if thy sister is in trouble, forsake her not. So shall the fortunes of thy father contribute to the support of his whole race; and his care be continued to you all, in your love to each other.”

That which the Holy Prophet gave us re-establishes a familial bond. It erases the desire to hate each other and teaches us what Allah intends for us as a people and a nation. All we have to do is apply it to every aspect of our life. The five divine principles which we know as our Divine Creed are those fundamental laws that supposed to control our conduct. How can we not unite if we are truly adhering to the issues and principles of our Ancient Forefathers? How can we continue to practice segregation and hatred, slander,and lewdness if we are truly honoring our Forefathers? We can’t be enemies if we are one family bearing one free national name.

On the back of our Questionaire, The Holy Prophet Noble Drew Ali instructs us to establish the faith of Mohammed in America. Through the Faith of Mohammed, we can establish a relationship between the self and our Creator. By devotion, submission, and humility, our soul becomes purified, and the spirit-man within becomes the ruler of our very being.
Prophet Noble Drew Ali said in What is Islam,” The object of man’s life, according to Islam is its complete unfoldment. Islam teaches that man is born with unlimited capacities for progress. Islam does not support the idea that man was born in sin. It teaches that everyone has within him the seed of perfect development and it rests solely with himself to make or mar his fortune.”
By not adhering to that which came from Allah, we are securing our inevitable demise and destruction. It is surely a blessing to now know that our condition can be better and that we can learn from the mistakes of our forefathers. May Allah Be Pleased with our Endeavors.

Peace and Love,
Bro. Malik El, GS

http://themoorishguide.com
http://themoorishsciencetempleofamerica.net

During the preparation age of soul, the age of Allah in man; there will be those that will tell the news, and teach the gospel of good will to men, and peace on earth. They have a great work to accomplish; because carnal men do not want the light. Carnal men love the dark and when the light shines in the dark they can not comprehend it…

We claim to be Revealers of the Light, but we must have the light before we can reveal the light. And we must be taught the light and have our souls set on fire with love and holy zeal, and make us conscious of our missions to the sons of men. We are to teach that Allah and man are one; but through carnal thoughts, words and deeds, man tore himself away from Allah and debased himself. Let us demonstrate how the Holy Breath can make things one again, restoring harmony, balance and peace.

In Chapter IV Death and Burial of Elizabeth; Matheno’s Lessons – The Ministry of Death (Line 30) we learn of the first textual mention of a brotherhood in this dynamically esoteric chapter of our beloved teachings. This chapter is esoterically inclusive of the teachings of the purification of the heart, mind and body of a Moor. The topic of purification is a major component when we discuss the battle of higher self and lower self which is key in our development as individuals, families and as a nation. This battle of higher and lower self which is mentioned in the Quran of Mecca is called by the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) “the Greatest Jihad” because it is not against an outside enemy, it is you against your self (lower self); this is our mission – to become perfect and demonstrate the attributes of ALLAH.

In Chapter IV the economy of life is explained within lines 1-7 which inform us that John is 12 years old and that his mother has just recently passed. And has he is grieving deeply with Matheno when he learns about the ministry of death and how a noble life is strength and an inspiration unto all humanity.

Then in lines 8-13, we find out that John learns that he must have a clear concept of his work as harbinger; he is to teach men to be pure in heart, work and deed. But he must himself be pure in heart word and deed. We learn more about his vow during his infancy as a Nazarite; which is a vow to let no razor touch his face or head and not taste wine or fiery drinks.

As we get to lines 14-28, we learn that men need a pattern for their lives; that men love to follow, not to lead. And then we learn about the pattern of two types of men that assist in showing the way; the 1st assist by pointing the way (like a piece of wood) and the 2nd by teachings (leaving his footprints clearly cut to show that this is the way that he went). We are introduced to the science of teaching an approach to the inner reality which is understood by what is seen and done; usually through ceremonies, ritual forms and symbolic rites. In the Holy Koran of Mecca, it reads:

“O you who believe! when you rise up to prayer, wash your faces and your hands as far as the elbows, and wipe your heads and your feet to the ankles; and if you are under an obligation to perform a total ablution, then wash (yourselves) and if you are sick or on a journey, or one of you come from the privy, or you have touched the women, and you cannot find water, betake yourselves to pure earth and wipe your faces and your hands therewith, Allah does not desire to put on you any difficulty, but He wishes to purify you and that He may complete His favor on you, so that you may be grateful.” Sura 5 verse 6

“O you who believe, do not observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) while intoxicated, so that you know what you are saying. Nor after sexual orgasm without bathing, unless you are on the road, traveling; if you are ill or traveling, or you had urinary or fecal-related excretion (such as gas), or contacted the women (sexually), and you cannot find water, you shall observe Tayammum (dry ablution) by touching clean dry soil, then wiping your faces and hands therewith. GOD is Pardoner, Forgiver.” Sura 4 verse 43

Our Moorish teachings ensure us that the symbolic rite of washing away sins by purity in life is demonstrated as the bodies of the people are washed who would turn away from sin and strive for purity in life. This preparation rite is for those for all those moors that compromise the temple of purity and are called the sons of purity. This rite of cleansing and this temple are but symbolic of the cleansing of the soul, which does not come from outward show, but is the temple within. We should never point the way and tell people to do what we have not done; but we must go and demonstrate the way. We are to teach that men must wash symbolic of the cleansing of the soul.

And within lines 29-31, Matheno and John travel to the temple of Sakara in the valley of the Nile; Matheno was a master for many years in the temple of the Brotherhood. He told the story of John’s life, his mission and he was received by the hierophant and called the Brother Nazarite. John lived and wrought within these temple gates for 18 years; it is here that he conquered self and became a master mind and learned the duties of the harbinger.

Our ancient forefathers taught and transmitted the science of the purification of the soul (tazkiyah al-nafs) from master to disciple through the science of ethics (ilm al-akhlaq) and culminating the soul through knowledge of the disposition of the soul (malakah al-nafs). The same moors that were the sacred keepers of the secrets of the Egyptian sciences were now teaching this under the cloak of sufism through the relationship of a initiated student and a disciplined master. The same type of master and disciple relationship that is mentioned in Line 30 that John studied:

For many years, Matheno was a master in this temple of the Brotherhood, and when
he told about the life of John and of his mission to the sons of men, the hierophant
with joy received the harbinger and he was called the Brother Nazarite.

But through modern research we have found that in Senegal there is a Holy City called Touba with a plethora of Authentic African Sheikhs. They even have a spiritual authority that has the respect of both the highest authorities in the Holy City of Mecca and the Beloved City of Medina that is almost reminiscent of the old relationships between the Kingdom of Fez in the West and the rest of the Islamic East. We have to keep in mind that Senegal is within the Moorish Empire and was founded by a Moorish clan called the Zenega (Sanhaja); which was one of the largest tribal confederations of the Maghreb. Our Ancient Forefathers taught that we were given seven (7) active attributes directly from ALLAH, nine (9) sacred the trust through the members of the body and 4 known enemies to struggle against in order to obtain the cleansing of the soul.

The cloak of sufism is the science by which one knows the methods of travelling towards ALLAH. It is also the means to the purification of the soul from defects and its adornment with all types of virtues. Sufism has its beginning in knowledge, its middle is action and its finality is Deific Life or Oneness with ALLAH. This can be understood by the example of a rain drop falling into the ocean; never to be an individual rain drop, but now part of the ocean….

At the time of the Prophet and his companions, the term sufism (called tasawwuf in Arabic) did not exist as a distinct discipline. Rather it was inseparably present in the spirituality of Islam and especially in the Folk Islam of West Africa. It was called ‘a reality without a name’ as it was practiced in the daily lives of the companions through their spiritual initiation at the hand of the Prophet. He was their ‘living model’ and source of inspiration just as our beloved Prophet Noble Drew Ali is our model and example.

The ‘People of the Bench’ (Ahl As Suffa) can historically be regarded as the first Sufis as they regularly held gatherings of invocation of ALLAH (Dhikr) and received the blessing of being alluded to in the following revelation;

‘Restrain yourself together with those who pray to their Lord morning and evening seeking His Face. Do not turn your eyes away from them in the quest for the good things of this life; nor obey any whose heart we have made heedless of Our remembrance who follows his own lust and gives loose reign to his desires.’ Sura 2 verse 28.

The Prophet received the divine order to be present with this group of companions and to call upon ALLAH with them. The People of the Bench were companions of the Prophet Muhammad of which many were of foreign origin (i.e. Bilal from Ethiopia, Salman from Persia and Suhaib from Rome). They had suffered much injustice and maltreatment from the nobility of the tribe of Quraysh. Both their material poverty and their high spiritual aspiration qualify them to be described as ‘Faqir’ meaning poor in front of GOD and as a ‘Murid’ (A Murid is one who wants to reach the knowledge of Allah. This term is used in the Quranic verse, ‘Yuridoune Wajhahu’ (wanting the vision of His face). This contains the verb “Yuridu’ meaning ‘to want’. The one who is in the state of ‘wanting’ is known as a ‘Murid’ which is also a name of ALLAH (AL-MURID = The ALL WILLING).

The seven (7) active attributes from Allah are: Power from the ALL Powerful, Will from the Ever Willing, Knowledge from the All Knowing, Life from the Ever Living, Speech from the All Speaking, Hearing from the All Hearing and Sight from the All Seeing. The four (4) gates that must be traversed are: the Law (Sharia), the Spiritual path (Tariqa), true knowledge (Marifa) and the Inner Reality (Haqiqah).The eight (8) Sacred Trusts of the human body are: Heart, Hands, Feet, Stomach, Sex Organs, Mouth, Ears and Eyes. And the four (4) enemies of man are: Nafs (Ego/Lower Self), Hawa (Profane Passions), Dunya (Carnal World), Satan (Shaytan)

The human seed that came forth from the heart of Allah was full ordained to be the Lord of plane of soul, and of the plane of things made manifest. So Allah, the husbandman of every thing that is, threw forth this human seed into the soil of soul; it grew apace, and man became a living soul; and he became the Lord of all the kingdom of the soul. Hark, now, let every creature hear, the plane of soul is but the ether of the spirit plane vibrating not so fast, and in the slower rhythm of this plane the essences of life are manifest; the perfumes and the odors, the true sensations and the all of love are manifest.

And these soul attributes become a body beautiful. A multitude of lessons man must learn upon the plane of soul; and here he tarries many ages until his lessons are all learned. Upon the boundary of the plane of soul, the ether began to vibrate slower still and then the essences took on a final garb; the perfumes and the odors and the true sensations and the all of love were clothed in flesh; and man was clothed in flesh.

Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Matthew 28:19

Surely, those who pledge allegiance to you, are pledging allegiance to Allah. Allah approves their pledge; the Hand of ALLAH is over their hands. Those who violate such a pledge, commit the violation to the detriment of their own soul. As for those who fulfill their pledge with Allah, He will grant them a great reward. Sura 48 verse 10

GOD is pleased with the believers who pledged allegiance to you under the tree. He knew what was in their hearts and, consequently, He blessed them with contentment, and rewarded them with an immediate victory. Sura 48 verse 18

Peace and Love,

Shiloh Shaeed El

Egyptian Adept

Prepared January 20, 2010

Updated February 16, 2010

Islam. I give all praises due to Allah and honors to his Prophet Noble Drew Ali. I give honors to the Forerunner Marcus Mosiah Garvey, I give honors to our 1st Supreme Grand Sheik Edward Mealy El and i give honors to the Present Supreme Grand Sheik, Brother David Bailey El. I give honors to all present officials of the Moorish Science Temple of America. To everyone I say Islam, Islam, Islam, The issue at hand is imitating the Prophet. The Prophet said that we should imitate him. And the way we imitate him is through following his laws to the letter and doing what he said do(and not doing what he didnt say to do). But some think that they can reinvent the wheel, and change the direction of our Divine and National Movement. Some have tried in the past and all that was accomplished was division amongst a Nation. But the time has come to unite as one Moorish American Nation, under the Home Office of the Moorish Science Temple of America. Thats the way that the Prophet left it and thats the only way we will have it. Some have joined splinter groups but there is no real salvation in something made up. The Prophet said that there was only one Moorish Science Temple of America and it was his. We have to walk the straight and narrow path to reach the shores of salvation. We have drowned in the cares of the world for way too long. Now is the time for us to be industrious and take our places in the affairs of men. If you are a card carrying member and you are in a State that has no Moorish Science Temples or Moorish Science Temple Study Groups then you should contact the Home Office so we can see how we can be of some aid and assistance. All who are outlaws of the Movement know that your activities will not be tolerated any longer, so says me, so says the Prophet and so says the Prophets Grand Body. With that I will leave in Peace. Peace and Love.
Bro. Saadiq El