Bismillah Ir'Rahman Ir'Rahim
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Peace be upon you,
Excellent story brother. Yoruba has something to do with "Ifa" is that correct? Someone was showing some of the comparisons in a DVD i was listening to about Kamitic philosophy.
Don't waste your time on Ansar, he is not here to liberate his NAFS, only to try to bring us all back to ignorance.
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Peace be upon you Osulanya,
What I meant to ask on my last post was what happenned when you were studying Yoruba that caused you to see sectarianism, and what were the basis of those differences by which they seperated others?
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Peace be upon you Osulanya,
What I meant to ask on my last post was what happenned when you were studying Yoruba that caused you to see sectarianism, and what were the basis of those differences by which they seperated others?
As'Salaam Alaikum Idolfree1,
I see your point about Ansar.
The tradition practiced by the Yoruba people of Nigeria is correctly called Ifa. During the diaspora it underwent various changes. When it came to the United States it was syncretized with the Catholic religion (because the slaves were forbidden to practice their ancestral tradition) and became known as Santeria or the worship of Saints. In Cuba it became Lucumi (Yoruba for "my Friend") which was how the practitioners greeted each other. It is also called Candomble in Brazil. These different groups discriminate against each other, often arguing over which is the "true" tradition. Those who practice the tradition as it is practiced in Africa condemn the Santeros for mixing Christianity into the tradition. The Nigerians who come to America chastise the American Yoruba for not being "african" enough. The Americans condemn the Nigerians for initiating caucasians, the list goes on. One man named Oseijiman Adefunmi, who practiced Lucumi (he was the first African-American initiated into the tradition in Cuba) decided to go to Nigeria and learn the original tradition, when he came back he established an african village in South Carolina called Oyotunji village. The Santeria community actually sent people to the south to try and assassinate him because they felt he turned his back on their tradition. Even amongst the American Yoruba communities there exists a competition over who will be recognized as the caretakers of the tradition, with individuals vying for personal power. Like the Ulemas and Alims they tend to keep their followers in the dark, more or less ignorant so that they can control them, instead of enpowering them in the tradition so that they can develop themselves.
I found it extremely frustrating for someone seeking to develop their spirit and relationship with the Creator.Ma'Salaam,
Olusanya -
Peace be upon you,
Thank you for the response, that was very intersting and informative. From other responses of yours on this forum, I can tell you have brought what was beneficial from that experience with you. All that is good comes from the God, no matter what "title" people try to put on it.
I'll see you later on another thread, Peace.
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As'Salaam,
My introduction to the "tradition" of Islam was a black nationalist group called the Five Percent Nation of Islam (now known as the Nation of Gods and Earths) an offshoot of the Nation of Islam.
You should read the biography of malcolm x http//store.yahoo.com/islamicbookstore-com/b2634.html (nice online bookstore; i've ordered from it)
It shows how he discovered true islam.
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As'Salaam,
My introduction to the "tradition" of Islam was a black nationalist group called the Five Percent Nation of Islam (now known as the Nation of Gods and Earths) an offshoot of the Nation of Islam.
You should read the biography of malcolm x http//store.yahoo.com/islamicbookstore-com/b2634.html (nice online bookstore; i've ordered from it)
It shows how he discovered true islam.
Salaamun Ansar,
I have read the autobiography of El Hajj Malik Shabazz. What is your point?
We do not know if El Hajj discovered true Islam because his life was cut short, before he could expound on his transformation after leaving the Nation of Islam.
Ma'Salaam,
Olu'sanya -
Salaamun Ansar,
I have read the autobiography of El Hajj Malik Shabazz. What is your point?
We do not know if El Hajj discovered true Islam because his life was cut short, before he could expound on his transformation after leaving the Nation of Islam.
Ma'Salaam,
Olu'sanyaMy point is that you should act like he did. And believe me...he clearly said he was a SUNNI and followed islam like other muslims in the world at that time. The muslims of the east.... I guess you havent read that book at all, otherwise you wouldnt have stated that.
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Salaamun Ansar,
I have read the autobiography of El Hajj Malik Shabazz. What is your point?
We do not know if El Hajj discovered true Islam because his life was cut short, before he could expound on his transformation after leaving the Nation of Islam.
Ma'Salaam,
Olu'sanyaMy point is that you should act like he did. And believe me...he clearly said he was a SUNNI and followed islam like other muslims in the world at that time. The muslims of the east.... I guess you havent read that book at all, otherwise you wouldnt have stated that.
Salaam Ansar,
I told you I read the book, so that is not open for debate. My name is Olu'sanya, therefore I should not "act" like "any" man, other than myself. That is what truth is... El Hajj had his truth, at the time his autobiography was written he had just recently returned from his pilgrimage, his understanding of Islam was changing. He may have said he was Sunni back then, that in no way means he would be today, besides... who said Sunni was true muslim? He was evolving his understanding of Islam, obviously wasn't afraid to change his perspective as his perceptions developed, the same way you should be evolving yours, based on your "own" experience of Islam, instead of talking about what someone else did. All of my actions are based upon my understanding of Islam, my experience of Islam, not conjecture about someone who cannot speak for themselves. I don't live my life based upon what someone said... who heard it upon good authority that someone said... they hear from so and so that... they heard Olu'sanya doesn't "act" like a true "muslim".
You have no idea about how I should act because you don't know me. Any idea you have of me that is not in my writing is pure conjecture. I have the Qur'an as a guide, and my experience is the best teacher, so autobiographies and hadeeth are just the stories of men, that may or may not inspire me in my growth and development, I have Allah as a guide.Ma'Salaam,
Olu'sanya