Rethinking Malcolm X’s Mission

by Mahmoud Andrade Ibrahim 

Malcolm X, also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement during the 1960s. His advocacy for Islam among Black Americans can be seen as a means to galvanize his community against the oppressive forces of racial discrimination and to instill a sense of identity, purpose, and pride. By highlighting Islam's principles of self-dignity, self-reliance, and justice, Malcolm sought to empower Black Americans in their struggle for equality and civil rights. Malcolm X's conversion to Orthodox Islam was undoubtedly sincere and deeply rooted in his quest for identity, spiritual growth, and social justice. His encounter with the Nation of Islam while incarcerated provided him with a sense of purpose, empowerment, and the belief that true freedom and equality could be achieved through religious means. Malcolm's commitment to his faith was evident in his adherence to Islamic practices, such as praying five times a day and fasting during Ramadan. His sincere dedication to his newfound religion is reflected in his pursuit of knowledge and his role as a dedicated advocate for the rights of Black Americans. However, it can be argued that the Black American Muslim community, on the whole, has not actively participated in the efforts to uplift the living conditions of Black Americans, instead prioritizing religious pursuits over socio-political struggles. 

One of the core aspects of Malcolm X's advocacy for Islam was the emphasis on self-dignity. By embracing Islam, Malcolm argued that Black Americans could break free from the mental chains of racial inferiority that had been imposed on them by ‘white’ society. Islam provided a framework for self-empowerment and pride in one's heritage, as it presented a historical narrative of civilizations and achievements that were often absent from mainstream education. Through Islam, Malcolm believed that Black Americans could reclaim their dignity and challenge the dehumanizing effects of racial discrimination.

Furthermore, Malcolm highlighted the principle of self-reliance within Islam. He argued that Black Americans needed to depend on themselves rather than relying on the white-dominated power structures that had historically oppressed them. Islam's emphasis on personal responsibility and accountability resonated with Malcolm's ideology, as it provided a framework for self-improvement and economic empowerment. By encouraging self-reliance, Malcolm aimed to break the cycle of dependence on social welfare systems and promote economic self-sufficiency within the Black community.

Equally important was the concept of justice within Islam, which Malcolm X used to rally support for the civil rights movement. He argued that Islam demanded justice for all individuals, regardless of their race or background. By framing the struggle for equality and civil rights within the context of Islamic principles, Malcolm aimed to unite the Black American community and inspire them to fight against racial discrimination. Islam's teachings on social justice and equality aligned with the goals of the civil rights movement, providing a moral and philosophical foundation for the fight against systemic racism.

However, it can be argued that the Black American Muslim community as a whole has not actively participated in efforts to improve the living conditions of Black Americans. Instead, there has been a tendency to prioritize religious observance and emulate the early community of Believers. This focus on more conservative interpretations of Islam, characterized by a strong adherence to religious practices and texts, has often taken precedence over socio-political activism. Rather than engaging in grassroots movements and addressing structural inequalities, many members of the community have become preoccupied with memorizing canonical texts or imitating the outward appearance of the early Muslim community, thereby creating a physical and emotional separation from the day-to-day lives of average Black Americans.

This preoccupation with religiosity, while not representative of the entire Black American Muslim community, has, to a large extent, rendered the efficacy of socio-political struggle null and void. In some cases, it may distract individuals from engaging in the essential work of fighting for social justice and equality. This is not to say that religious practice should be disregarded or dismissed, but rather that a balance must be struck between religious pursuits and socio-political activism.

Malcolm X's advocacy for Islam among Black Americans aimed to galvanize his community against the oppressive forces of racial discrimination and instill a sense of identity, purpose, and pride. By highlighting Islam's principles of self-dignity, self-reliance, and justice, he sought to empower Black Americans in their struggle for equality and civil rights. However, the focus on religious pursuits, at times, has prevented the Black American Muslim community from developing an agenda to address societal inequality, making the potential for Islamic vitality, seem in actuality, flaccid.

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Looking Back:

Malcolm X died at the age of 39yrs of age. Its fair to suggest that because of the ‘bubble’ of indoctrination regarding the Nation of Islam in which he lived, in many ways he was still, an impressionable young man. Street-wise but not world-wise. He was introduced to mainstream Islam through the lenses of traditional or conservative thought. The conservative force of tradition stems from a deep longing to preserve the elements of the past that are cherished and considered fundamental to the identity of a society. It finds solace in customs, attitudes, and traditions, believing that they hold the key to the idealized past. The force of tradition seeks to maintain stability, continuity, and a sense of rootedness within society.

Tradition plays a crucial role in providing a shared sense of identity, cultural cohesion, and social order. It fosters a sense of belonging, creating a shared narrative that binds past, present, and future generations. This force often manifests in practices such as adherence to religious dogmas, preservation of language and cultural artefacts, and the perpetuation of intergenerational customs.

However, the force of tradition can sometimes be stifling, impeding progress and hindering the exploration of new ideas. The desire to recreate the past can result in resistance to change, perpetuating social inequalities, and inhibiting social, economic, and political advancement. Therefore, the unilateral adherence to tradition can potentially create a static and regressive society, stifling the overall growth and development.

The Question asked, given this reality ( from the essay: Have we Abdicated )…..an excerpt from the book : Islam and the Black American by Sherman Jackson

“In one of her essays recollecting her experiences as a foreign student in America back in the 1970’s, the Morrocan Muslim feminist Fatima Mernissi* (1940-2015) recalls her surprise to find that Islam was spreading among Blackamericans. This was strange, according to Mernissi , because while Blackamericans seemed to be finding in Islam a message of equality and social justice , (she found) inequality and exploitation of the disenfranchised had always operated in her experience as accepted norms.

Having lived and traveled throughout the Muslim and especially the Arab world, Mernissi was well acquainted with the rigid class divisions and social stratification that characterized Muslim societies. This in fact was the source of her amazement. For if societies that held up Islam as the ideal sustained inequities and exploitation, how was one to explain the tendency among Blackamericans to turn precisely to that ideal as a basis for alleviating their sociopolitical woes?”

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Numerous nations with Muslim majorities have encountered substantial economic difficulties, leading to diverse levels of inequality and socio-economic divisions. Although Islam as a religion does not inherently endorse economic deprivation or inequality, Malcolm X's familiarity with Islam might not have sufficiently equipped him to grasp the wide array of socio-economic elements that impact Muslim nations. His fervor might have shielded him from acknowledging the truth of poverty, corruption, and oppression in specific regions, which hindered the likelihood of Islam being perceived as an immediate solution for the injustices faced by Black Americans. These injustices primarily arise from racial inequities and deliberate systemic economic disparities.

Another aspect that Malcolm failed to account for was the gender bias prevalent in many Muslim societies, rooted in patriarchal cultural norms rather than Islamic teachings. Although Islam emphasizes equality between men and women before Allah (swt), the realities of gender discrimination within certain Muslim majority countries challenge the notion of Islam solely being a viable alternative for addressing the injustices experienced by Black Americans. Malcolm's perspective on Islam as a solution for racial injustices did not sufficiently address the complex role of gender bias in shaping societal structures and inequalities.