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Message to the Grassroots

The Elements of a Successful Grassroots Movement

A Presentation by

Imam Abul Qayyim Faheem ibn Saul LeaThe Quba School & Islamic Center of Camden, NJ

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The Theme: Naseehah

The Prophet said:

There is no person whom Allaah givesauthority over others and he does not look

after them in a sincere manner except that he

will not even get the scent of Paradise.

[Bukhari & Muslim]

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What is the meaning of grassroots?

Arabic- the common people

Grassroots - the ordinary people in acommunity or the ordinary members of anorganization, as opposed to the leadership

The common people - the main toiling part of

the population who determine the groupcharacter and preserve its customs from onegeneration to the next.

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The term grassroots first appeared as a

political statement of the Progressive Party in

1912 (This party has come from the grass

roots. It has grown from the soil of people's

hard necessities.)

Popularized by the famous speech in 1963 of

El Hajj Malik Shabazz, aka Malcolm X, one of

his last as a member of the Nation of Islam

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Some of the highlights from the

speech

Identifying the problem

Getting rid of differences

The common enemyAbsolute unity

Revolution

Defending our own

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Identifying the Problem

Americas problem is us.[Black, Muslim]

According to statistics at the end of 2006,Muslims now represent 19.2 percent of theworld population, while Catholics represent17.4 percent

The Prophet said: Marry, so that I will be

delighted by your outnumber other nations(on Judgement Day). [Bayhaqi & others]

Success element: large numbers

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Getting Rid of Differences

All of us catch hell for the same reason.

One tree, many branches

Imam Tahawi: We follow the Sunna of the Prophet and the

Congregation of the Muslims, and avoiddeviation, differences and divisions.

Success element: Differ, but dont divide

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The Common Enemy

Hes an enemy to all of us. Indeed, the

disbelievers are ever to you a clear enemy.[4:101]

Indeed, Satan isan enemy to you; so take him as an enemy.

[35:6] Success element: Distinction between kaafir

and non-Muslim, repelling the Shaytaan

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Absolute Unity

Don't let the enemy know that you've got adisagreement.

Imam Tahaawi:

We agree that holding together is the true and right pathand that separation is deviation and torment.

Synergy comes from the Greek word synergia, meaningjoint work and cooperative action. Synergy is when theresult is greater than the sum of the parts. Synergy iscreated when things work in concert together to create an

outcome that is in some way of more value than the totalof what the individual input is

Arabic Success element: Strength in unity, weakness in disunity

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Revolution

No, you need a revolution. The greatest revolution in our generation is that of

human beings, who by changing the inner attitudes oftheir minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.

Marilyn Ferguson Indeed,

Allah will not change the condition of a people until theychange what is in themselves. [13:11]

Success element: Make the change, get the help

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Defending Our Own

Then it is right for you and me to dowhatever is necessary to defend our ownpeople right here in this country.

Fight in the way of Allah thosewho fight you but do not transgress. Indeed.Allah does not like transgressors.

Success element: Fight for our right, theAmerican way!