X

Recently I read the Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Hailey. It was a wonderful story, and I really enjoyed learning more about this complex man's life. I was aware of the injustices done to black Americans, but this book brought them to new light. It is amazing that things like that happened such a short time ago.

One of the first things that really struck me in this book was how Malcolm X was able to immerse himself in learning while in prison. He read anything and everything, trying to get a new understanding of how his race had been treated over the years. This studying formed some of his most profound ideas later in life and allowed him to fully express himself.

Another interesting thing I learned was how strange the beliefs of the Nation of Islam are. I can see how at that time in history SOME of the NOI doctrine seemed to make sense to black Americans, but I honestly don't know how anyone can belong to it now. To think that 6000 years ago a 'big headed' (not my words) black scientist created the evil white race by doing recessive gene experimentation seems ridiculous to me. The way that it was explained in the book was almost laughable. I'm probably going to get in trouble with a few people for saying that, but it honestly makes no sense what so ever. I also never understood how anyone could read the Quran and think that any of that was true. How could you possibly think that WD Fard was Allah himself? And that Elijah Muhammad was his prophet? I also learned that members of the NOI do not pray 5 times a day and they don't pray like Muslims do at all.

Ok, now onto my favorite part... Malcolm X goes to Mecca and sees what TRUE Islam is. There is no color, no class, no gender... just Islam. I got tears in my eyes reading about all of his experiences while in the holy City. It was amazing to read the descriptions of him first learning to pray the right way. He even mentioned how his toe hurt from the sitting between sujood posture!

Now I'm not black, but I do feel that I can relate to Malcolm X because he discovered the true Islam and became passionate about it. I read in another blog somewhere that the poster didn't like it how non black Muslims 'use' Malcolm X for their own issues. Now for one thing I don't think that there is such a thing as white and black Muslims. There are only Muslims. If someone is that obsessed with their color, I think they have some issues of their own. Why is it that the same person that will rant and rave about equality will want to put separating barriers between the Ummah by color? Yes, most of Malcolm X's notoriety comes from his stance on race issues, but to me, A MUSLIM, I admire him for finding the true Islam, and digging himself out of that hole of shirk that he was in.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about the life of this great MUSLIM. May Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala guide us all... black, white, brown, yellow, red....