The Promise of Allah (God): Friendship in All Walks of Life

By Student Minister Robert S. Muhammad | Last updated: Feb 3, 2015 - 4:39:03 PM

In the Lost-Found Muslim Lessons, the 13th problem in the Problem Book points to “some benefit” derived from learning and applying a particular process identified as “Mathematical Theology.” One benefit mentioned is “friendship in all walks of life.” This mathematical process is the quintessence of “OUR ASSIGNMENT,” which is the mental and spiritual resurrection of the Black man and woman of North America and the World.

In my first year as a student minister, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan advised, “Don’t worry about the big shots brother; go after the little man in the streets and one day the big shots will come looking for you.”

Lawmakers Rep. John Lewis and Rep. Shelia Jackson-Lee greet Robert Muhammad. Photos: Glenn Rushing

The Minister’s prophetic words were fulfilled some 27 years later, as I received an invitation to be the special guest of U.S. Congresswoman Shelia Jackson-Lee of Texas in Washington, D.C. for the State of the Union address by President Barack Obama. After notifying our national headquarters and receiving approval from Minister Farrakhan, I accepted the invitation and traveled to the U.S. capital.

For the record, my host, Representative Jackson-Lee is one of the most irrepressible personalities in the United States Congress. She has been described as a mercurial figure who has ruffled plenty feathers in local Houston politics and while serving in the Congress for the past 20 years. For example, she is unapologetic in her unconventional quest to secure an aisle seat in order to greet the President and members of the cabinet as they enter the House of Representatives’ chamber for the State of the Union address. The Congresswoman explained the significance of State of the Union thusly, “Every word in the speech is historic.” This is because behind every word referenced in the speech there is legislation or policy being formulated, proposed, negotiated, or presently in effect. Here is why references to criminal justice in the State of the Union are especially important to Mrs. Jackson-Lee. The Congresswoman representing the 18th Congressional District of Texas is now the first woman of either party to lead the House Judiciary subcommittee on crime, terrorism, homeland security and investigations.

Amelia Boynton Robinson and Robert Muhammad

While in Washington, I was asked by the Congresswoman to give an assessment of the criminal justice system to her chief counsel and staff. I shared what I have been taught by Minister Farrakhan and have gained from my doctoral research, experiences in street activism and Prison Reform Ministry involving death row inmates. I humbly offered our perspective on long term systemic inequities and suggested policy solutions to mitigate and eliminate the negative impacts on our community.

After learning I was in the Capital city, another longtime friend and supporter, Congressman Al Green of Texas, invited me to be his guest in the members’ dining hall for dinner and dialogue. During my short visit, both staffs of Representatives Jackson-Lee and Green were very helpful in facilitating my registration with the Library of Congress for future research projects. Later in the evening, Congresswoman Jackson-Lee personally gave me a brief tour of the U.S. Capitol. During the tour, I was humbled to meet and greet Representative John Lewis of Georgia, a civil rights icon and companion of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I met several members of the Congressional Black Caucus, some of whom inquired about Minister Farrakhan and asked me to convey their personal greetings. I was then escorted to two VIP receptions, where a Who’s Who of community, business, politics, and media assembled. It was there, I was introduced to 105-year-old Amelia Boynton Robinson, a leader of the Civil Rights movement in Selma, Ala., and pivotal figures in the 1965 march known as “Blood Sunday.” Her character and prominent role in the historical events of our struggle are portrayed in the Academy Award nominated movie “Selma.”

Representative Jackson-Lee did not limit her introduction of me to Democrats or Black people alone. One of the most interesting moments of the evening occurred when the Congresswoman unashamedly introduced her “brother and friend, Minister Robert Muhammad” to the United States Ambassador to Israel, Daniel Shapiro. After a brief conversation with the ambassador about tearing down walls, building bridges, mutual respect and justice for all, I was led by the Congresswoman to my seat for the State of the Union address.

Later, I asked the Congresswoman why, as a strong supporter of Israel, did she go out of her way to introduce me in such a glowing fashion to the ambassador to Israel knowing full well our strong disagreement with U.S.-Israeli policy and the Nation of Islam’s conflict with some members of the Jewish community? The representative said without hesitation, “I will not step back from my friendship with you or my dear friend, the Minister (Farrakhan). I appreciate his contribution to the advancement of America. I stand with my friends!” She went on to remind me of how she stood proudly on stage before the world at the Million Man March in 1995 during her first term in Congress while others, including then President Bill Clinton, left town.

Mrs. Jackson-Lee extended an invitation to the Southwest Regional Representative of the Nation of Islam to the State of the Union address because “every fight we have been in, you were there with the activists, listening and standing in the gap, particularly for criminal justice reform.” She emphasized the importance of my presence at this particular State of the Union address believing President Obama’s speech was going to refer to criminal justice or the Black community-law enforcement divide in America. She was correct.

For me, the take away lesson from this experience was not how great or lucky I am to have been invited to the State of the Union to mingle with big shots. No, the lesson is to be a servant to “the little man in the streets” then Allah’s promise of “friendship in all walks of life” will be fulfilled. And verily, Allah never fails in His promise.

Brother Robert S. Muhammad is the Student Minister of Muhammad Mosque No. 45 in Houston, Texas and the Southwest Representative of the Nation of Islam. He is a doctoral student, urban planner, and radio talk show host on KPFT FM and KCOH AM in Houston. Follow him on Twitter @dotsconnector.

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