[Hanbali]

Excerpted from "Why I Left the Nation of Islam"


The First King of Islam Was Black

Although the Prophet of Islam was a white man, the first Muslim King was in fact a black man. His name was Ashama ibn Abjar An-Najashi, and he was the emperor of Abyssinia. An-Najashi converted to Islam after Prophet Muhammad ibn Abdullah sent him a personal letter declaring his prophethood. An-Najashi saved Islam by opening up his kingdom to persecuted Muslims who fled from Mecca with their lives; this is known as the first hijrah (emigration), a momentous day in Islamic history. The pagans chased the Muslims to Abyssinia where they demanded An-Najashi to hand over the Muslim refugees; An-Najashi refused and promised to protect the Muslims. It is no exaggeration to say that although Islam was established first in Arabia, it was Africa which saved the fledgling Muslim community from utter destruction.

An-Najashi—the black African—thus became the first King of Islam, and has forever been memorialized by the Muslims. It was he who solemnized Prophet Muhammad ibn Abdullah’s marriage—such was the bond of closeness between the white-skinned Prophet and the black-skinned king. When An-Najashi died, Prophet Muhammad ibn Abdullah conducted his funeral prayers in absentia, the first time any such prayer had been done in all of Islamic history. The mutual friendship and love between these two great men typifies the racial equality that the Islamic faith enjoins on its followers.

[Good_ol_JR]

Yes he did save the Muslims who immigrated to Abyssinia from their deaths; but it would be a stretch to say he saved the Muslims remaining in the Arabian Peninsula from utter destruction who fought and conducted their own military campaigns despite being outnumbered without any foreign assistance.

[Unity]

Wasn't he a christian?
When did he revert?

[Variable]

Isn't the whole idea of a kingship 'unIslamic'? I always hear that when people talk about present day Middle East.

[Unity]

"Get that khwhitey awhay from me!" Jessie Jackson
AHAHAHAHAAHa

[Jamroll]

Originally Posted by Variable

Isn't the whole idea of a kingship 'unIslamic'? I always hear that when people talk about present day Middle East.

It's not unIslamic per se. I don't think there's anything that strictly says Muslims cannot have a king in order to be a viable Islamic society.

But if we're talking about the ideal Islamic model then kingship (in terms of the way it's normally understood - heriditary succession, greater priviliges of the king over his subjects and so on) falls short of the ideal model.

It depends on how the king was selected to be king. The people, or their representatives, have to affirm the leader, whether he be called Caliph, King, Sultan, Prime Minister or whatever, by pledging allegiance. Essentially the ruler has to be accepted by the people. No acceptance from the people means he will probably become a tyrant. Tyranny is oppression, and oppression is one of the worst things Islamically.

[AmroodWaala]

the first muezzin was black

what's the point of this thread?

[Hanbali]

Originally Posted by AmroodWaala

the first muezzin was black

what's the point of this thread?

What's the point of most of your posts?

[AmroodWaala]

the point was you are preaching to the choir re. the idea of racial equality

[Hanbali]

Originally Posted by AmroodWaala

the point was you are preaching to the choir re. the idea of racial equality

There is nothing wrong with preaching towards the choir. The choir needs reminders.

[AmroodWaala]

Originally Posted by Hanbali

There is nothing wrong with preaching towards the choir. The choir needs reminders.

true.
-----

[Allahsangel]

Originally Posted by Unity

"Get that khwhitey awhay from me!" Jessie Jackson
AHAHAHAHAAHa

you know to bring up everything that a people have done or said is not right. So people in Glass houses shouldn't throw brick get what I'm saying

[Allahsangel]

Nice Thread
Well I found this on him so if anyone whould like to read up on the story here it is
http://abdurrahman.org/qurantafseer/.../48.49516.html

[genieyclo]

actually you guys, i think we have to step back and see how this is unislamic or not. think about it, were the rules on Islamic Khalifa or governance revealed or set up then during the early years of Islam whilst in Makkah? i think not.

so it's not "unislamic" to have a Muslim king, at least is wasn't yet then.

[genieyclo]

Originally Posted by Variable

Isn't the whole idea of a kingship 'unIslamic'? I always hear that when people talk about present day Middle East.

i know, i know i should have quoted it the first time, but my time-rewind button is jammed, as it should be for the rest of you.

now,

actually you guys, i think we have to step back and see how this is unislamic or not. think about it, were the rules on Islamic Khalifa or governance revealed or set up then during the early years of Islam whilst in Makkah? i think not.

so it's not "unislamic" to have a Muslim king, at least is wasn't yet then.