Yo yo yo, I'm diving into my identity as a Black African Muslim Man today. A BAMM!! (is that a thing? If not, it should be! I'm a BAMM)

For as long as I can remember, my deen and knowledge have often been questioned by Muslims who did not look like me. Because I do not fit the stereotypical image of a Muslim, Light-skinned, full beard, kufi, what else? Instead, I'm a black man who stands six foot five inches and usually dresses like DMX from that opening scene of the film BELLY. If you know, you know. All these outside perceptions reduced my faith to an external identifier. This label failed to capture the essence of my spiritual journey.

In the Last Sermon Of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.), after praising and thanking Allah, the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) says: "There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, or of a non-Arab over an Arab, and no superiority of a white person over a black person or of a black person over a white person, except on the basis of personal piety and righteousness."

Why is it that centuries later, Muslims worldwide have let these words go on deaf ears and continue to oppress their brothers and sisters in Islam because of their race and skin color? Navigating this dunya as a black man is like walking in a minefield with blindfolds on because you may pay the price for your mere existence at any moment without notice. If that isn't enough already, when you come into a Muslim space, you hope to be less on guard. Still, it's even worse because, in these spaces, they’re hurrying you to leave. Because they're afraid of you or do not see you as an equal to them. Like, bro, where do I go? Where do we go? And you can't escape this even in non-muslim spaces because they bring this energy there also.

Take today, for example, at work during Ramadan, I add a badge on my calendar that says "Observing Ramadan," then I leave some notes about the month in there for my colleagues to get more educated. So, earlier, I jumped into a meeting with another man who happened to be Muslim. We both jumped into the call a few minutes early. He must've seen the badge on my calendar, so to start a conversation, he goes:

Him: You're Muslim?

Me: Yes, Al’hamdulilah. How are you doing?

Him: O wow? When did you convert to Islam?

Him: You're fasting, right? you know the rules?

Him: You should probably take your hoodie off; Islam is about cleanliness.

Me: Goes camera off until the meeting starts

This experience today is not novel, I've experienced these microaggressions so much that I had even forgotten that this happened today.

We have to do better. Islam belongs to no one. Stop feeling entitled to this religion. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) did not teach you this.

But I know anyone that moves like this and operates like Islam is theirs are people going through it. Allah has them on a journey, and I'm happy I'm not being tested that way. Can you imagine? The challenges I face, the questioning glances, the subtle and not-so-subtle interrogations about my piety and understanding of the deen, are but stepping stones on my path to spiritual fortitude. These experiences have taught me that true knowledge is not acquired through reciting or memorizing the Quran but through the lived experiences of faith, compassion, and the relentless pursuit of understanding and peace.

I have lots more to say on this. But I got work tomorrow.

May this Ramadan empower all Muslims, regardless of race or background, to embrace their identities and live their faith with pride and purpose.