April 2016

The United Peoplehood of Righteousness

I've been in prison for 25 and a half years now. I converted to the religion of Islam in 1992, after just 2 years of incarceration. There are many reasons that black men convert to Islam in large numbers while in prison. I will touch briefly on just a few of them. But, at the outset, let me say that Islam never needs to coerce, catch or seduce anyone, let alone use any kind of force to sway anyone into its ranks. A sincere study of what the Holy Quran actually says, and the example left by the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH)- the most documented and verifiable of all prophets is extremely persuasive, if one is sincere about understanding god, and not simply following the traditions of our fathers, mothers and forefathers, and grandmothers.
Prison is segregated, for the most part. Afrikan-Americans are relegated to their own race as far as social interaction goes. Blacks only play card games, dominoes, basketball, etc with other blacks- at least on the mainline (That is: in regular, average-normal prison. Not sny, sensitive needs year, or EOP- Enhanced Outpatient Program. Men and women of African decent in America have historically had to deal with racism, prejudice and inequality being levied against them. Being socially excluded from the ranks of others is an additional factor, as well as bring targeted for attack. Afrikan-Americans, and other "races" as well, group together socially for protection, safety and familiarity.
Prison has historically held to the mantra that only the strong survive. Since there is power in knowledge, it became a common practice for prisoners to study their history and the history of the world. Whites, i.e. Europeans, studied the history of Europe and particularly places with a history of conquering:Germany and the Nazis, Nowray and the vikings, etc. Mexican-Americans studied Atzlan and the history of the people of the land of Mexico before colonization by Spain. Afrikan-Americans were introduced often for the very first time to an Afro-centric version of history, a thorough understanding of the institution of slavery in American, and a Revolutionary solidarity that transcends the "Normal" tribal separations in Life on the Street. For example, is there is a "race riot" in prison, the racial group that is attacking the blacks in not attacking them because of the neighborhood they are from, nor for any ideology they may hold. It's simply because they are black. So blacks, who were being persecuted (as was historically usually), banding together for safety and protection also were delving into knowledge that was not common in our lives on the street but supported strength and unity, being exposed to Islam and having the opportunity to compare its tenets to Christianity, and getting a clear-eyed and sober new perspective on the psychological damage done by Christianity to the Afrikan diaspora, black men in prison began to feel that Islam was something far more true to who we are. And, it was something of our own. We'd been fed religion that was a blonde haired, blue-eyed Jesus as the Physical son of God The Creator. And upon closer inspection there are many things that can only be believed and accepted by faith because they are against reason and logic. Islam has a more universal approach, a non-racial altruistic egalitarianism. A plain and simple fact is that Islam preached and promoted equality of the "races" from its inception.
Islam's American offshoot, The Nation of Islam, was geared towards re-establishing the Black Man's positive self-image, and was also of great influence in introducing black men to the religion of Islam. Malcolm X, having began with the nation of Islam, graduated into universal Islam after his trip to Mecca. He was very influential on the prison mindset for Afrikan American men.
In my own study of Islam I've found there is great disparity between the way the Holy Quran is written, the example of its application, which is the life of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), and the way it is practiced. There is so much to say about this subject that it would take volumes. I'll hone in on the point. But I do suggest that if anyone has any questions you send them in. Email me on the site and it will get to me and I'll respond. I'll also address this later. The point I want to discuss is PROGRESS: in 2 of its aspects: innovation and retardation.
By progress I mean simply this: the entire world is moving forward. The information available to the average human being grows exponentially on a regular basis. Please don't misunderstand me. I love the religion of Islam as a whole, But I have a problem with some common practices that I feel an honest reevaluation in the present light or day would dis-spell.
I'm an American and I embraced Islam in prison, in America. But wherever one us, one must make religion serve the highest purpose possible. I believe the Quran reveals that all good and true knowledge will evolve with mankind. I'm saying that "truth" will always be true at its core, but times and circumstances change, we as a civilization change, grow, evolve.
Progress: there was a time when Christians were fed to the lions, or made to fight to the death for simply the entertainment of the public. This was one "normal." More recently, in America, it was considered "normal" and "acceptable" to lynch a person, for whatever the reason or non-reason. But, as a society we've evolved and now hold life at a higher value- even for our criminals.
In the Holy Quran, there is a story about the Prophet Moses meeting one of God's special envoys. He is known as Khidr. IN the translation "the meaning of the Holy Quran" by Abdullah Yutsef Ali, there are extensive footnotes about this story, found at 18:65. The first line of verse 65 says" "So they found one of our servants." There is a footnote #2411, which reads- in part- "One of our servants." His name is not mentioned in the Quran, but tradition gives it as Khidr. Round him gathered a number of picturesque folk tales, with which we are not here concerned. Khidr means 'Green': His knowledge is Fresh and Green, and drawn out of the living sources of life for it is drawn from Allah's own presence... He has the secrets of the paradoxes of life, which ordinary people do not understand, or understand in the wrong sense..." "Green" is a good way to refer to the knowledge that comes to us then the Prophets (PBU Them All). It is for all time in its essence, but not in all of its aspects. For another example, slavery no longer exists as an acceptable custom. There may be pockets of it here or there, but it's not publicly and socially an avenue for commerce and production any more. The treatment of the subject in the Quran has always been valid, but has become unnecessary. Progress.
Conversely: Retardation (the verb, not the noun). The Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) demonstrated how women were to be treated and he made progress for his time. But about 75-100 years after the prophets death, old customs and bad, repressive habits crept back in. One would logically think that with the religion of Islams fresh insights and envelope pushing and boundary expansion, women would not be treated the way there are today. Prophet Muhammed's wives had jobs and were teachers- in his lifetime. This is the example that was set over 1400 years ago. And yet progress of that time was overcome by ignorance.
Even if that example had not been set, there are teachings in the body of Islamic knowledge that promote learning and advancing in all ways that don't challenge a ore truth revealed by Allah (SUT). There was a time when it was the Islamic movement that broke new ground in Science, Mathematics and Architecture. I am speaking about having the outlook that positive change is a good thing. IT seems people have gotten stuck in the trap of observing the letter of the law and forgetting about the spirit of the law. Each time we mention Allah (SUT), we speak of just how merciful and gracious he is. But we fail to show the same mercy and grace to one another.
In the time I've been incarceration I consistently found that Prison Islam, at least in the California prisons I've been incarcerated in, have a particular homophobia. As is well known, there is no permission for homosexuality, or such "marriages" in Islam. The point I'm making is there is tolerance for gambling and intoxication. By tolerance I do not mean that they are embraced or encouraged. But being involved with them, though frowned upon is seldom punished and is not severely punished when punished at all. While on the other hand, should a fellow Muslim ever be accused of sexual activity with another male, punishment is certain and severe. I want to point out that the word "abomination" is used in Youser Ali's interpretation of "the meaning of the Holy Quran"when referring to "intoxicants and gambling..." 5:90 but not in regards to sexual interactions "unlawful."
The Quran talks about people having genuine differences, when both sides are sincere and not simply being contentious. I'm just relating what I feel, what I've observed and the positions that I feel are obviously correct. I'm not debating this issue on a scholarly level. But I believe that we are supposed to use our reasoning ability. The rules of Islam are the same for every person, male or female, single or married. No one is allowed to have sexual contact publicly. Everyone is supposed to have a certain amount of privacy. In Islamic society , you are not allowed to spy on another person. You are not allowed to enter a person;s home without knocking at the door and waiting to be invited in. Otherwise= no entrance. To accuse someone of sexual misconduct violation you have to have four witnesses independent of each other. They must be people respected by the community. Look at how much protection Allah has given the individual. One would pretty much have to intend to expose one self to wind up in trouble. And besides not spying or violating people's privacy, Muslims are to be tolerant of not only each other, but other religions. Referring to Sutah 22:78, the Noble Quran page 431 footnote 1: "religion is very easy. and the statement of the Prophet (PBUH) the most beloved religion to Allah (SUT) is the tolerant- Hanifiyyah- (i.e. Islamic monotheism, i.e. to worship Allah alone and not to worship anything else along with him. Tolerance, especially of the people that choose to worship Allah (Jenivah/Yaweh/Jah) through this established body of laws, knowledge, history and worldview.
In the West, through study and observation over a considerable amount of time, it's become known and accepted that a certain amount of human beings will be oriented towards the same sex from childhood-at least0 some say from birth. It is a naturally occuring factor. Surely the Creator of Life knew this.
There are many offshoots and cults that are somewhat based on Islam. THer was an organization called "Al-Fatiha" that was oriented toward Gay-Muslims from about 1997-2011/ The organizer received threats and a so called "fatwa" was issued against him. In fear for his safety, he disbanded the organization. Thousands of people had come into the organization from all over Europe and America. There were people who are Muslim and they are gay-whether they are sexually active or not.
I do not believe in hyphenated Muslim. I don't believe that should be a hyphen before the word Muslim: No "Sunni-Mislim", no "Shia-Muslim" no "Armenian-Muslim", no "American-Muslim, and no "gay-Muslim." I would never advocated for an organization for Gay-Muslims. This is because i believe that you are either Muslim or you are not IF you are Muslim you must amend your conduct like all Muslims. No one should be able to watch your personal interactions after Isha (The last prayer of the day). But I do advocated for, and I do and I will seek to establish a place where nobody cares if you are straight of gay, just like no one cares if you are black of white. This will be the Universal Peoplehood of Righteousness. It is for progressive, modern, sincere people of God in all stripes and colors.
-More about this next time-
Yours truly, Saint Michael
Zawadi Diamond

4/17/2016
Michael Lloyd Young
E95993 CSP-SAC b5-101
P.O. Box 290066
Represa, CA 95671