Gareth Bryant Writes

One of the Many-Flaws which I see via Muslim-America, particularly/especially amongst Muslim Afro-Americans, is that many of us have allowed ourselves to be so pseudo concentrated on being “Tullāb-ul`Ilm/Students-Of-Knowledge” that it’s literally the Only-Thing which we cling to. It’s literally become a Religio-Culture, complete with: a Kunyah/Arabic-Moniker (Abū-This & ibn-That)…Fashion-Trends (Saudi/Khalījī-Style Dress, Azharī-Style Dress, West-African Style Dress, etc.)…speaking English with Foreign-Accents…a Bunch of Pens in the Left Chest-Pocket of Thobes to indicate that one is a “Tālib/Student”…buying a Bunch of Religio-Books in Arabic to appear as though our “Knowledge-Of-Arabic” is really that prestine…claiming to be “under the Feet of the Scholars with Isnād (Religio-Scholastic Chains connecting to Muhammad [Peace be upon them])”…etc.

But, the Irony is that we collectively (not all of us but too many of us) have self-invested via this Religio-Culture & yet we end-up still just as Religio-Ignorant as those whom we deem “Religio-Superior” to. Even those whom may actually be Religio-Knowledgeable: just because they don’t externally fit-in with/comply with the “Student-Of-Knowledge” Starter-Pack they’re deemed to be Religio-Ignorant. I’ll give an Example. I remember distinctively, Some-Years ago, a Muslim had wanted to speak with me while at a Masjid/Mosque. They literally began saying this&that concerning the Importance of me keeping my Beard (now keep in Mind that: a. I haven’t shaved my Face since 2002, C.E. & b. My Beard was literally lengthier than theirs).

I didn’t shut the Person down…I allowed them to speak. It wouldn’t have benefitted them, for me to “Pull-Rank” on them. I simply let them have their Say, and then proceeded to educate them via ar-Rahmah/Mercy&as-Sabr/Patience. My Point is that had I been donning the “Student-Of-Knowledge” Starter-Pack, they probably would’ve never even approached me via That-Manner. This isn’t the 1st-Time which I’ve been faced with those Types/Kinds of Scenarios. It’s something which I’ve simply grown to accept as a Sad-Reality of the Muslim-American Landscape & as I navigate through This-Landscape I know that Scenarios such as these will be very commonplace.

Gareth Bryant 1443, A.H./2022, C.E.