Crossing the Siraat

 

An open letter to the Shabazz Family honoring the life and legacy of El-Hajj Malcolm Latif Shabazz

by Charles “Talib” Brooks

In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful

“There is not one of you who shall not come to it (the Siraat Bridge that leads to eternity). This is the absolute decree of your Lord.” – Holy Qur’an 19:71

Dear Shabazz family, as salaam alaikum.

Allah ta ala says: “Think not of those who are slain in the cause of Allah as dead. They are alive with their Lord” (Holy Qur’an 3:169). And, in a well-known hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Their souls are inside green birds that have lamps which are hanging below the throne (of Allah) and they wander in Paradise wherever they wish” (Muslim 3:1502).

Malcolm-Shabazz-with-Malcolm-X-portrait-at-LA-Sentinel-0710-by-LA-Sentinel-web, Crossing the Siraat, News & Views As we take a moment to honor the short but strong life and legacy of El-Hajj Malcolm Latif Shabazz, let us remember that success is truly with Allah. That it is He, the One Creator of everything including human beings, from whence we come and must all return. I pray that Allah ta ala replace any grief with love, strength and peace and guide my words to you and yours.

First, thank you for unselfishly sharing your family’s life sacrifices and strong legacy with us. El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X) gave his life demonstrating and speaking truth as did his scholar warrior and noble wife, Dr. Betty Shabazz. Their examples transformed the lives of many and I believe this society owes your family a great debt of gratitude.

In regards to El-Hajj Malcolm Latif Shabazz’ return to Allah – at the tender age of 28 – I do not believe in the mass media’s distorted chain of events. However, I do believe the positive legacy he left, as covered in the June 2013 issue of the San Francisco Bay View newspaper. Reading this multiple page layout of his life, which includes photos and undisputed travels in this nation and around the world preaching positive change is the legacy I choose to cherish and remember.

As a parent and your brother in faith, I implore you to remember: It is said that when a child enters this world, the child comes out crying while all around him are happy. Yet, when that same child leaves this world, the child is happy while all around him are sad. That said, please realize as one of our great African scholars stated, “Children are a trust from Allah to their parents … for if the child is educated with excellent courtesies (adab), then organically he will be reared based upon excellence and educated courtesies. The child will, as a result, be joyous (sa’ada) in this world and the hereafter and, more important, his parents, his teachers, his educators will share in the reward of that worldly and celestial joy.”

May Allah engulf your entire family in His love, mercy and strength, and may He grant your re-unifications with all of your family in Paradise, insha’ Allah (God willing).

As salaam alaikum,

Your brother in faith

Charles “Talib” Brooks, a former San Francisco Bay View and San Quentin News journalist, is a compiler of Islamic orientation books and author of the 2010 U.S. Congressional award-winning “Mr. President Educational Coloring Book.” He is currently in college and hard at work on his first novel and memoir, “Life Parole.” He can be reached at: Charles “Talib” Brooks, E-90514, San Quentin State Prison, San Quentin, CA 94974.