3.3 Sunni Islam in the African American community

Sunni Islam has played a significant role in African American history and identity. From its arrival through the transatlantic slave trade to its resurgence in the 20th century, Sunni Islam has offered a path for spiritual growth and empowerment for many African Americans.

Today, Sunni Islam is the dominant form of Islam among African Americans. With a growing and diverse community, African American Sunni Muslims continue to shape Islamic scholarship, activism, and culture in the United States, while grappling with challenges of discrimination and identity.

Origins of Sunni Islam

• Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam, followed by approximately 85-90% of the world's Muslims
• Sunni Islam emerged in the 7th century in Arabia, following the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE
• The term "Sunni" comes from the Arabic word "sunnah," which refers to the practices and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad

Emergence in 7th century Arabia

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• After Muhammad's death, a debate arose over who should succeed him as leader of the Muslim community
• The majority of Muslims believed that Abu Bakr, Muhammad's close companion and father-in-law, should be the next caliph (leader)
• This group became known as the Sunnis, while those who believed that leadership should pass to Muhammad's descendants through his son-in-law Ali became known as the Shia

Sunni vs Shia split

• The Sunni-Shia split is the oldest and most significant division within Islam
• Sunnis believe that the first four caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali) were the rightful successors to Muhammad
• Shias believe that Ali and his descendants were the rightful successors and that the first three caliphs were usurpers

Sunni beliefs and practices

• Sunnis follow the Quran and the Sunnah (the practices and teachings of Muhammad) as the primary sources of Islamic law and guidance
• They believe in the Five Pillars of Islam: shahada (profession of faith), salah (prayer), zakat (charity), sawm (fasting during Ramadan), and hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca)
• Sunnis also accept the six articles of faith: belief in one God, angels, holy books, prophets, the Day of Judgment, and predestination

Sunni Islam in Africa

• Islam spread to Africa through trade routes, particularly along the East African coast and across the Sahara Desert
• Sunni Islam is the dominant form of Islam in most African countries, with significant populations in North Africa, West Africa, and East Africa
• African Sunni Muslims have contributed significantly to Islamic scholarship, art, and culture

Spread through trade routes

• Muslim Arab traders began to settle along the East African coast in the 8th century, establishing trading posts and cities such as Mogadishu and Mombasa
• The trans-Saharan trade routes also facilitated the spread of Islam to West Africa, particularly to the kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay
• Muslim traders and scholars brought Islamic ideas, practices, and culture to Africa, which gradually became integrated with local traditions

Influence on African cultures

• Sunni Islam has had a profound influence on African cultures, particularly in areas such as language, art, architecture, and social norms
• Many African languages, such as Swahili and Hausa, have incorporated Arabic loanwords and script
• Islamic art and architecture, such as the Great Mosque of Kairouan in Tunisia and the Djinguereber Mosque in Timbuktu, Mali, are important cultural landmarks in Africa

Prominent African Sunni scholars

• Africa has produced many influential Sunni scholars throughout history, such as:
  • Ibn Battuta (1304-1368), a Moroccan explorer and scholar who traveled extensively throughout the Islamic world
  • Ahmad Baba al-Massufi (1556-1627), a Malian scholar and author who wrote over 60 books on Islamic law, theology, and history
  • Usman dan Fodio (1754-1817), a Nigerian scholar and reformer who founded the Sokoto Caliphate, one of the largest empires in African history

Sunni Islam in African American history

• Islam arrived in North America through the transatlantic slave trade, as many enslaved Africans were Muslims from West Africa
• Despite the challenges of slavery and oppression, some African American Muslims managed to maintain their faith and establish early Muslim communities
• Sunni Islam has played a significant role in African American history and identity, particularly in the 20th century

Arrival through transatlantic slave trade

• Estimates suggest that 15-30% of enslaved Africans brought to the Americas were Muslims, many of whom were Sunni
• Enslaved African Muslims came from various ethnic groups, such as the Fulani, Hausa, and Mandinka
• Some enslaved Muslims, such as Omar Ibn Said and Bilali Muhammad, left behind written accounts of their experiences and faith

Early African American Muslim communities

• Despite the efforts of slaveholders to suppress Islam, some enslaved Muslims managed to maintain their faith and pass it on to their descendants
• In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, small African American Muslim communities began to emerge in cities such as Chicago, Detroit, and New York
• These early communities often faced challenges, such as isolation from the broader Muslim world and discrimination from both white and black Americans

Challenges under slavery and oppression

• Enslaved African Muslims faced numerous challenges in practicing their faith, such as the lack of access to Islamic texts and resources
• Slaveholders often suppressed Islamic practices and forced enslaved Muslims to convert to Christianity
• Even after emancipation, African American Muslims continued to face discrimination and marginalization from mainstream American society

20th century Sunni movements

• The 20th century saw the rise of several influential African American Sunni movements, which sought to promote Islam as a means of empowerment and liberation
• These movements often blended Islamic teachings with black nationalist and pan-Africanist ideologies
• The most prominent of these movements was the Nation of Islam, which attracted many African Americans but also generated controversy and criticism

Rise of Black Nationalist Islam

• In the early 20th century, several African American Muslim leaders began to promote Islam as a means of black empowerment and self-determination
• These leaders, such as Noble Drew Ali and Elijah Muhammad, blended Islamic teachings with black nationalist and pan-Africanist ideologies
• They argued that Islam was the original religion of African people and that embracing Islam was a way to reclaim their true identity and heritage

Nation of Islam vs Sunni Islam

• The Nation of Islam, founded by Elijah Muhammad in the 1930s, became the most influential African American Muslim movement in the mid-20th century
• However, the Nation of Islam's teachings deviated significantly from traditional Sunni Islam, such as the belief that Elijah Muhammad was a divine messenger and that white people were inherently evil
• Many Sunni Muslims criticized the Nation of Islam as heretical and not true to Islamic teachings

Conversion of Malcolm X

• Malcolm X, one of the most prominent members of the Nation of Islam, underwent a transformative spiritual journey in the 1960s
• After making the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and encountering the diversity of the global Muslim community, Malcolm X left the Nation of Islam and embraced Sunni Islam
• He founded the Organization of Afro-American Unity and became a vocal advocate for Sunni Islam and racial justice until his assassination in 1965

Contemporary Sunni Islam

• Today, Sunni Islam is the dominant form of Islam among African Americans, with a growing and diverse community of followers
• African American Sunni Muslims have made significant contributions to Islamic scholarship, activism, and culture in the United States
• Sunni Islam continues to play an important role in shaping African American identity and social movements

African American Sunni demographics

• Estimates suggest that there are between 1-3 million African American Muslims in the United States, the majority of whom are Sunni
• African American Muslims are a diverse community, with followers from various ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic backgrounds
• Many African American Muslims are concentrated in urban areas, such as New York, Chicago, Detroit, and Philadelphia

Prominent African American Sunni leaders

• Several African American Sunni leaders have gained prominence in recent decades, such as:
  • Imam Warith Deen Mohammed (1933-2008), the son of Elijah Muhammad who led thousands of former Nation of Islam members to Sunni Islam
  • Imam Zaid Shakir (b. 1956), a scholar and activist who co-founded Zaytuna College, the first accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the United States
  • Imam Suhaib Webb (b. 1972), a popular preacher and social media influencer who has been named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world

Role in African American identity

• For many African American Muslims, Sunni Islam is an important part of their cultural and spiritual identity
• Embracing Islam is seen as a way to connect with their African heritage and resist the legacy of slavery and racism
• African American Sunni Muslims have been active in social justice movements, such as the civil rights movement and the Black Lives Matter movement, drawing on Islamic principles of equality and justice

Sunni religious practices

• African American Sunni Muslims follow the same basic religious practices as other Sunni Muslims around the world
• These practices are centered around the Five Pillars of Islam and the daily rituals of prayer and worship
• African American Sunni mosques serve as important centers of community life and religious education

Five pillars of Islam

• The Five Pillars of Islam are the core practices that all Muslims are expected to follow:
  1. Shahada: the declaration of faith, "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God"
  2. Salah: the five daily prayers performed facing towards Mecca
  3. Zakat: the annual charitable donation of a portion of one's wealth to the poor and needy
  4. Sawm: fasting from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan
  5. Hajj: the pilgrimage to Mecca that all able-bodied Muslims are required to perform at least once in their lifetime

Ramadan and Eid celebrations

• Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a time of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection for African American Sunni Muslims
• During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset
• The end of Ramadan is marked by the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, a joyous holiday that involves special prayers, feasts, and gift-giving

Sunni mosques in African American communities

• African American Sunni mosques serve as important centers of community life, offering a space for prayer, religious education, and social gatherings
• Many mosques also provide social services, such as food banks, job training, and health clinics, to meet the needs of their congregants and the wider community
• Some notable African American Sunni mosques include Masjid Malcolm Shabazz in New York City, Masjid Al-Taqwa in Chicago, and Masjid Maryam in Oakland

Sunni Islamic education

• Islamic education is an important part of African American Sunni life, with a growing network of schools, programs, and resources
• African American Sunni scholars and teachers play a vital role in preserving and transmitting Islamic knowledge to future generations
• There is also a growing body of African American Sunni literature and media, including books, magazines, websites, and social media content

Traditional Sunni schools and curriculum

• Many African American Sunni communities have established Islamic schools, which provide a traditional Sunni curriculum alongside secular subjects
• These schools aim to instill Islamic values and knowledge in young Muslims, while also preparing them for success in American society
• Some notable African American Sunni schools include Clara Mohammed Schools, founded by Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, and Zaytuna College, the first accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the United States

African American Sunni scholars and teachers

• African American Sunni scholars and teachers play a vital role in preserving and transmitting Islamic knowledge to their communities
• Many have studied at traditional Islamic institutions in the Middle East and Africa, as well as at Western universities
• Notable African American Sunni scholars include Imam Zaid Shakir, Dr. Sherman Jackson, and Dr. Jamillah Karim

Sunni Islamic literature and media

• There is a growing body of African American Sunni literature and media, which seeks to educate and inspire Muslims and non-Muslims alike
• This includes books on Islamic history, theology, and spirituality, as well as memoirs and fiction by African American Muslim authors
• There are also numerous African American Sunni websites, blogs, and social media accounts, which provide news, commentary, and resources on Islamic topics

Challenges and controversies

• Despite the growth and vitality of African American Sunni Islam, the community faces several challenges and controversies
• These include ongoing issues of racism and Islamophobia, tensions with other Islamic sects and movements, and debates over how to balance Islamic identity with American citizenship
• African American Sunni Muslims are also grappling with issues such as poverty, crime, and social inequality, which disproportionately affect their communities

Islamophobia and discrimination

• African American Sunni Muslims face significant levels of Islamophobia and discrimination, both from the wider American society and from within the African American community
• This includes hate crimes, profiling, and negative stereotypes in the media and popular culture
• Many African American Sunni Muslims also face economic and social marginalization, with higher rates of poverty, unemployment, and incarceration than the general population

Tensions with other Islamic sects

• African American Sunni Muslims have sometimes had tense relationships with other Islamic sects and movements, such as the Nation of Islam and the Ahmadiyya community
• These tensions often revolve around issues of theology, authority, and authenticity, with each group claiming to represent the true teachings of Islam
• In recent years, there have been efforts to promote greater unity and cooperation among African American Muslims, regardless of sect or affiliation

Balancing faith and American identity

• Like other American Muslims, African American Sunni Muslims face the challenge of balancing their Islamic faith with their American identity and citizenship
• This includes navigating issues such as political participation, civil rights, and cultural assimilation
• Some African American Sunni Muslims emphasize the compatibility of Islam with American values, while others argue for a more distinct and separate identity
• There are ongoing debates within the community about how to engage with American society and politics while remaining true to Islamic principles and values