بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

SM: Spreading Haqq (حقّ, Truth) and Adl (عدل, Justice) are two complex projects in your daily live. Both depend on the kind of person you are. Let's begin there. Prior to starting work within the Taliyah, what factors were most influential in shaping your character?

Abu Jamal: Since the earliest ages i can remember i was concerned with the plight of those who were oppressed and unjustly affected by the conditions of their surroundings. As a young child obviously one's worldview is going to be somewhat limited. Unfortunately there were many aspects of the struggle for Justice and Equality that i was not aware of, there were plights that i simply had no access to information on. Of course in many cases that lack of information was part of a larger plot involving media, corporate and government misinformation and restriction on the Truth.

In the same way that the media was recently kept out of the Jenin refugee camp in Palestine - so that they could not document and report on the unseen Holocaust that is being perpetrated there - so too are many injustices concealed from the eyes of the public. But just as the sun is covered over by the clouds, rays of light do shine through and escape the concealment. So too is this the case with Truth. You cannot conceal it entirely; it is like trying to conceal water in the palm of your hand. It will seep out from between your fingers until finally it has all been released. The more firmly you grasp, the more the water slips away from your control.

Little by little, my eyes were opened to what was going on in the world around us. Moreover, from a very early age i understood that the injustice and oppression being wrought in the United States and throughout the world, were not merely "isolated incidences" but were actually part of a bigger picture. For as long as i can remember, i have understood these to be oppressions wrought not by one isolated nation or another, but by a Global Entity, that transcends the boundaries of continent and nation; "Beast" in the terminology of the Book of Revelation. A Beast with 10 "Horns" or Governments, seated on all 7 "Heads" or continents.

As it is written: “Then I stood on the sand of the Sea. I saw a beast coming up out of the Sea, having Ten Horns and seven Heads. On his Horns were Ten Crowns, and on his Heads, blasphemous names.” Revelation 13:1

וָאֶעֱמֹד עַל־חוֹל שְׂפַת הַיָּם וָאֵרֶא חַיָּה עֹלָה מִן־הַיָּם אֲשֶׁר לָהּ שִׁבְעָה רָאשִׁים וְעֶשֶׂר קְרָנָיִם וְעַל־קַרְנֶיהָ עֶשֶׂר עֲטָרוֹת וּשְׁמוֹת גִּדּוּפִים עַל־רָאשֶׁיהָ

Scriptural prophecies played a large role in shaping my worldview and my perception of what is happening in the world today and in times now past. These things were written for a reason; as a warning, as signs by which humanity could tell "where" we are at in terms of the unfolding of history.

In a similar manner, when one is on a road they will encounter signs that say “so many miles until...” such location. These are to help guide you on your journey. i have never been in a state of dissolution from living in this society. i never believed that the United States was truly "the land of opportunity." i never believed that a nation founded on the enslavement of another people could be "great" nor counted as righteous in this Eyes of Allah. i never believed that a nation that committed genocide against the indigenous people of its region could ever have any hope of "God blessing" them or supporting them in any way.

`Isa Al-Masih (عليه سلام) once spoke of a poignant parable of a house built on the sand. A house built upon the sand will not weather the coming storm. The Storm comes and the house is beaten by the wind and the waves. Eventually it is smashed to pieces or flooded by the torrent. Yet a house that is established on the Rock, on a firm foundation that is solid and uncompromised, will weather the Storm. The wise will take refuge therein and will not fear. The Western powers are like this house built upon the weak foundation of the sand. They were not established upon the Rock of Truth, Justice, Wisdom and Faith. They were built upon the foundation of slavery, genocide, oppression, colonialism and the like. Such a house may be built up big and fancifully. But when the Storm comes it will not endure. In this day we are seeing the Storm clouds gathering, and the pockets of thunder and lightening. We are hear the rumbling off in the distance. What is coming next is inevitable and cannot be turned away any longer.

SM: Any books in particular influence your thinking?

Abu Jamal: i have been primarily focused upon and extremely influenced by Scriptures of all traditions. My earliest encounters were with the Jewish and Christian Scriptures. As a child i studied them to no end, gaining insight and inspiration from them.

As i grew older, around the age of adolescence, i became interested in the beliefs of people of different religious traditions. i studied whatever i could get my hands on about their beliefs and practices. Interestingly i found that there was a common thread woven through all of them. There were similarities, "Universal Truths," that were inescapable and undeniable. “Evangelical” Christianity would have us believe that these are just coincidences, or worse yet, that Iblis himself created them to "trick" us by telling us rational things that universally appealed to our reason. This in spite of their Paul's own claim that we can come to know our Creator from the evidence throughout creation, "so that men are without excuse."

"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities - external power and Divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Romans 1:20

apokaluptetai gar orgh qeou ap ouranou epi pasan asebeian kai adikian anqrwpwn twn thn alhqeian en adikia katecontwn, dioti to gnwston tou qeou faneron estin en autoiV: o qeoV gar autoiV efanerwsen. ta gar aorata autou apo ktisewV kosmou toiV poihmasin nooumena kaqoratai, h te aidioV autou dunamiV kai qeiothV, eiV to einai autouV anapologhtouV:

i have asked many preachers and Christian scholars this question, that if this is true - which their book of Romans says it is - then what "evidence" is there in the created world that when we commit transgression and INNOCENT person should pay the price for our crimes? What "evidence" is there in creation that "God" must become a created being (thus absurdly meaning that the Creator would create Itself), and die in order for people to go to Paradise in the HereAfter? i have looked around. i read this verse and i looked around the room... no evidence. i looked out the window... no evidence. i looked in the forest, in the desert, on the beaches, in the fields, and still... no evidence of this doctrine of "blood atonement."

So where is this evidence that Paul was talking about? He said that this evidence was so pervasive and omnipresent that "men are without excuse." In the absence of such evidence, i ask Paul, as a witness against him, are men not in fact WITH excuse from his hellenistic doctrine of "trinitarianism" and redemption of the guilty through the murder of the innocent?

Paul did not "practice what he preached." He did not really believe his own words. If he did he would have been a Muslim, one who Submits to the Divine, like `Isa Al-Masih (عليه سلام) and his true disciples (رضي الله عنهم) were. He would not have founded Christianity, he would not have created the bastard child of Roman paganism meshed with the Islam that was practiced by the righteous among the Bani Isra’il.

If he was true to his words then he in fact took the Naziri vow to abstain from flesh and intoxicants, as he said he would and as he commanded all Christians to in 1st Corinthians 6-11. But we know that this man who ate and defended eating food sacrificed to idols of pagan gods was not a man of his word. We know that in 1 Corinthians 13:4 he defended the murderous anti-Christ Nero. Therein he claims that the insane Roman emperor, who ruthlessly slaughtered Jews and those whom the Church would later define as "Christians," was "God’s servant." We know that in 2 Corinthians 12:16 he says: "...crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit." It is no wonder why in the Dead Sea Scrolls, Paul is referred to simply as "the Liar."

However, if we take his words at their meaning, then he was clearly saying that all people, regardless of their exposure to the direct teachings of Al-Masih (عليه سلام) or of the Prophets (عليهم سلام) of the Tanakh, would be capable of having a real and tangible relationship with their Creator. If we take his words at face value then we must believe that the Laws of the Creator are evident through the creation and that through reflection and observance of these Laws, we can Seek the Truth, find it and Submit to it; thus attaining redemption, "so that men are without excuse."

This is the conclusion that i came to. This is the natural conclusion that all minds of reason and discernment will come to if allowed. This is what so many millions of young Christians naturally conclude, but when they ask regarding this in their churches, the priests and pastors contradict the words of their Paul and say that this Natural Law is in fact NOT enough to attain salvation. They tell them that you must also believe a doctrine that is found throughout the natural world; that in order for forgiveness of transgression to occur, an innocent man must be tortured, mutilated and murdered to pay the price for another man's crimes.

The similarity is of a man who molests and kills a child. He subjects this child to unspeakable suffering, rape and mutilation. Any rational person would say that there is NO atonement for these crimes. In Hebrew Talmudic terms they are "Yoter Midai" (יוֹתֵר מִדַּי) or "more than too much." They go beyond reasonable forgiveness and the perpetrator must be punished. But instead of punishment, the individual is allowed to go free, and an innocent man who lives next door to him is imprisoned and sentenced to death.

Now i ask you, if the family of the victim knew that this was an innocent man, and he was not the killer of their child, would they be at his execution? Would they feel that justice had in any way been served? Of course not. No human civilization would define the prosecution and execution of this innocent man as "justice." This is the epitome of injustice. Any who teach that this is justice are either ignorant, brainwashed or they are liars and imposters; wolves in sheep's clothing.

So having rejected such ridiculous notions which contradict universally accepted notions of Justice and Reason, i came to the same natural conclusion that the Creator is evident and is knowable through the creation. That is not to say that the correct theological worldview is pantheistic in nature. It is not to say that when we look at a tree or a rock that we are "seeing" Allah, far exalted is Hu above all that is created. But rather, what we see has come into being by the Dint of Divine Will. When we see it we will naturally ask "How did it get here" and even "Where and what is 'here'." Through mindfulness and observance of nature, we can come to know our Creator. If the questions that naturally arise to mind are approached and answered objectively, then the conclusion which we will come to is Islam. That is what is meant by Islam being the "Din Al-Fitrah" (دين الفطرة) or the "Natural Religion."

With such a theological view that the Creator manifests Its Will and Law through Its creation, then it becomes impossible to say that one culture holds the corner on spiritual Truth. It becomes literally ridiculous to imagine that one tribe of humanity is "chosen" in a racialistic sense, by the Creator. It becomes incomprehensible to believe that the Creator would send Messengers and Prophets to one people and not to another. The only rational conclusion would be that the Creator sends such Messengers and Prophets to all peoples and nations, to illuminate the minds of those who have an earnest desire to see, and to admonish the wicked for their disbelief and acts of oppression that run counter to the "Natural Law" of the Creator. Truly it is for this reason that “men are without excuse.”

Islam is the only Din, the only spiritual practice and system of belief, that proclaims that Truth is Universal, that the Creator sent Prophets and Messengers OF THAT SAME FAITH to ALL nations and lands, teaching the same Universal Faith. Islam is not an `Arab religion any more so than it is an African one, a European one, an Asian one, an Indian one, or an indigenous American one.

"We believe in Allah, and what has been sent down to us, and what has been sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), and Isma'il (Ishmael), and Ishaq (Isaac), and Ya'qub (Jacob) and the Tribes, and in what was given to Musa (Moses), and 'Isa (Jesus), and the Nabiyyin (Prophets), from their Rabb (Lord). We make no difference between them." Qur'an, Sura 2:136

قُولُواْ آمَنَّا بِاللّهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالأسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَى وَعِيسَى وَمَا أُوتِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لاَ نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ

The Holy Qur'an is unique among other traditions in one striking detail above all others. That being that Islam requires a belief not only in its own Truth and to the Prophet who brought it, but also in the Truth of previous Scriptures delivered to the Prophets of different nations of the world. At its commencement the Qur'an explains this clearly:

"And those who believe in that which has been revealed to you and that which was revealed before you." Qur'an, Sura 2:4

والَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ وَبِالآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ

Furthermore the universality of what was revealed before is unequivocally accepted:

"Surely We have sent you with the truth as a bearer of good news and a warner; and there is not a people but a Nazhir (Warner) has gone among them" Qur'an, Sura 35:24

إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ بِالْحَقِّ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَإِن مِّنْ أُمَّةٍ إِلَّا خلَا فِيهَا نَذِيرٌ

"And every nation had a Rasul (Messenger). So when their Rasul came, the matter was decided between them with Justice and they shall not be dealt with unjustly." Qur'an, Sura 10:47

وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولٌ فَإِذَا جَاء رَسُولُهُمْ قُضِيَ بَيْنَهُم بِالْقِسْطِ وَهُمْ لاَ يُظْلَمُونَ

And to ensure that no one would be misled by the relatively short list of Prophets mentioned in the Qur'an, it was affirmed that:

"And, indeed We have sent Rusul (Messengers) before you; of some of them We have related to you their story; and of some We have not related to you their story, and it was not given to any Rasul (Messenger) that he should bring a sign except by the Leave of Allah. So, when comes the Commandment of Allah, the matter will be decided with Truth, and the followers of falsehood will then be lost." Qur'an, Sura 40:78

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِّن قَبْلِكَ مِنْهُم مَّن قَصَصْنَا عَلَيْكَ وَمِنْهُم مَّن لَّمْ نَقْصُصْ عَلَيْكَ وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُولٍ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ بِآيَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ فَإِذَا جَاء أَمْرُ اللَّهِ قُضِيَ بِالْحَقِّ وَخَسِرَ هُنَالِكَ الْمُبْطِلُونَ

“And Rusul (Messengers) We have mentioned to you before, and Rusul (Messengers) We have not mentioned to you, - and to Musa (Moses) Allah spoke directly” Qur'an, Sura 4:164

وَرُسُلاً قَدْ قَصَصْنَاهُمْ عَلَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَرُسُلاً لَّمْ نَقْصُصْهُمْ عَلَيْكَ وَكَلَّمَ اللّهُ مُوسَى تَكْلِيمًا

"And We have revealed to you Al-Kitab (the Book) in Al-Haqq (the Truth), verifying what is before it of Al-Kitab (the Book) and a guardian over it, therefore judge between them by what Allah has revealed, and do not follow their low desires (to turn away) from Al-Haqq (the Truth) that has come to you; for every one of you did We appoint a Law and a way, and if Allah had pleased Hu would have made you a single people, but that Hu might try you in what Hu gave you, therefore strive with one another to hastn to virtuous deeds; to Allah is your return, of all, so Hu will let you know that in which you differed." Sura 5:48

وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَمُهَيْمِنًا عَلَيْهِ فَاحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللّهُ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءهُمْ عَمَّا جَاءكَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَمِنْهَاجًا وَلَوْ شَاء اللّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَـكِن لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَا آتَاكُم فَاسْتَبِقُوا الخَيْرَاتِ إِلَى الله مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ

This is the nature conclusion and the natural religion, the Din al-Fitrah that Allah, Al-Hadi, Guided me towards. This was the Din i was naturally born into, as all are born as Muslimin, and are only made "Jews" or "Christians" by environmental conditioning. In my quest for Truth, i studied every Scripture of every Prophet of every nation that i could lay my hands on. From these i gained the Ilham and Guidance to formally declare my Faith (Shahadah) in Submission to Allah, or "Islam."

If anyone comes to any Scripture objectively and without preconceived notions and conclusions already made, then they will be guide towards the Din of Islam. The words of Lao Tzu, Buddha, Confucius, Krishna, or any of the Hebrew Prophets (عليهم سلام) that are more traditionally known to those in the West are nothing other than Islam in their original and unadulterated form. Now that does not mean that all of their Scriptures have been as carefully preserved as others, and it does not mean that men of ill-intention have not corrupted some of them. For the Tanakh says this about itself:

"Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration. But my people do not know the requirements of YHWH. How can you say, 'We are wise, for we have the Torah of YHWH,' when actually the lying pen of the Scribes has handled it falsely? The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the Word of YHWH, what kind of Wisdom do they have?" Yirmeyahu 8:7-9

גַּם חֲסִידָה בַשָּׁמַיִם, יָדְעָה מוֹעֲדֶיהָ, וְתֹר וְסִוס (וְסִיס) וְעָגוּר, שָׁמְרוּ אֶת עֵת בֹּאָנָה; וְעַמִּי--לֹא יָדְעוּ, אֵת מִשְׁפַּט יְהוָה. אֵיכָה תֹאמְרוּ חֲכָמִים אֲנַחְנוּ, וְתוֹרַת יְהוָה אִתָּנוּ; אָכֵן הִנֵּה לַשֶּׁקֶר עָשָׂה, עֵט שֶׁקֶר סֹפְרִים. הֹבִשׁוּ חֲכָמִים, חַתּוּ וַיִּלָּכֵדוּ; הִנֵּה בִדְבַר יְהוָה מָאָסוּ, וְחָכְמַת מֶה לָהֶם.

SM: The other important thing about your background is that you grew up in a western system. How does someone who comes up through this system emerge with what higher values? Does the culture you live in help you to realize these even better or do you experience them as a millstone around your neck?

Abu Jamal: As a Muslim i believe that Allah is in ultimate control. Even when the human mind and the nafs (ego-self) may protest and cry out, "Why was i put here, in this age of such filth and decadence" a true Mu'min should know that while men plot and plan, Allah is the best of Planners. If Allah puts you in a certain culture or context that you realize is wicked and iniquitous, then it is not for you to look at this as unfortunate, but rather as a blessing.

For the Prophets, the "Nevi'im" of the Tanakh were sent repeatedly to a wicked people who wore the mask of monotheism, yet practiced nothing but paganism. They were rejected, humiliated and killed for speaking the truth. Ironically, generations later they were revered for their words which are not held as Divinely Inspired by the majority of the world.

Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) himself was sent to a wicked and murderous people. He was sent to a pagan society where women were given no rights whatsoever, where a man could kill a woman at will and have no charges leveled against him, where female infants were killed at birth, where vendetta killing was the norm, where theft and raids on other tribes was a common occurrence, and where the Circle of Unity, Tawhid, was divided into 360 "gods" of the people's own creation. He faced opposition and rejection at every turn. He was violently opposed, not only by the pagans, but also by those who claimed to be monotheists, whom the Qur'an gave special status as "People of the Book" or "Ahl'ul-Kitab." Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) could have easily thrown up his hands and said, "Why me? Why here? Why now?" But instead he acknowledged that Allah had put him in that land, in that time and in that context because he was the man for the job of spreading the Message, the Risalah of Islam, and planting the Seed of an Era that will soon come.

So while it is difficult at times to bear living amongst this culture of filth, decadence and inequity, we must persevere - not for our own sake - but for the sake of Islam and the sake of future generations that will benefit from our work. For a Garden cannot be planted before the weeds and thorns are cleared away. This is the time for the difficult work of uprooting the thorns and weeds from this Earth that was created as a Garden and a Paradise. Once these have been uprooted and purged from the land, like a disease is purged from the body, then there will be room for the Seeds to naturally grow and to grow in Abundance.

SM: Which current politician or world leader do you admire most? What in particular about him?

Abu Jamal: Iran and the political leadership of Iran, continues to impress me. However, i do not wish to single out any specific individual for praise nor for criticism. If they did not have any flaws in their governing then they would be Al-Qa'im (عجل الله تعالي فرج الشريف). Certainly none are perfect, but they are nonetheless moving in the right direction.

In the Iranian leadership, not only do we see resilience in the face of the world's strongest military power threatening and slandering them, but we see both their spiritual and political leaders speaking out boldly against injustice and oppression. We see the terrorist government of the United States call them the "Axis of Evil" to which they respond by categorically declaring the crimes of the United States and the supporting western colonial forces, against humanity. They do not bow to the United States or the imposter state of so-called "Israel." When United States politricktions try to put together meetings to "work things out" with Iranian leaders, there is no compromise, there is no apology to the Great Satan. There is no remorse for funding the Hizbullah, there is no remorse for giving assistance to the resistance fighters of Palestine. What other nation has been so bold and faithful to the Truth?

Any leaders of the nation of Iran who continue to move forward with the Islamic Revolution that was begun by the Saint Ayatullah Ruhullah Khumayni (رضي الله عنه), are admirable in my eyes. Any who continue to refuse compromise with the system of Dajjal, any who look forward to the day and strive to pave the way for the future government of our Imam Al-Mahdi (عجل الله تعالي فرج الشريف), are admirable in my eyes and are worthy of all of our respect and support. Such individuals are unparalleled by the leadership of any other nation.

SM: What do you think about turning Taliyah into a political force?

Abu Jamal: The Taliyah al-Mahdi is a movement, belief system, ideology and underlying ethic. When the Imam Az-Zaman (عجل الله تعالي فرج الشريف) Rises in the capacity of military and political leadership, then a branch of that Movement will become political. Until then we will continue to train, gather, unite and prepare those who are the Jaysh Al-Mahdi (عجل الله تعالي فرج الشريف). As it is written:

"Verily! We sent down the Qur'an over a gradual period of time. Therefore be patient and submit to the Command of your Rabb, and obey neither a sinner nor a disbeliever among them. And remember the Name of your Rabb every morning and afternoon. And during night, prostrate yourself to Hu, and glorify Hu a long night through. Behold those who love this fleeting life and remain forgetful of the Heavy Day." Al-Qur'an, Surah 76:23-27

إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ تَنزِيلًا فَاصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تُطِعْ مِنْهُمْ آثِمًا أَوْ كَفُورًا وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَاسْجُدْ لَهُ وَسَبِّحْهُ لَيْلًا طَوِيلًا إِنَّ هَؤُلَاء يُحِبُّونَ الْعَاجِلَةَ وَيَذَرُونَ وَرَاءهُمْ يَوْمًا ثَقِيلًا

We know that Al-Qa'im (عجل الله تعالي فرج الشريف) has said that if his Shi'a were sincere in their commitment then our meeting would not be delayed. All delay in the Rise of Al-Mahdi (عجل الله تعالي فرج الشريف) is inextricably linked to the lack of Iman in the so-called "Shi'a" today and the Ummah at large. It speaks volumes that there are not yet even 313 true Mu'minin who are of the caliber necessary for the Jaysh Al-Mahdi. For if there were then Imam Az-Zaman (عجل الله تعالي فرج الشريف) would have already Risen.

So Allah tells us that just as Hu Revealed the Qur'an in a gradual progression of stages, so too should we "be patient and submit to the Command of your Rabb." In accordance with the Divine Will and the Manifestation of the Will and Niyah of the true Shi'a, we know that the Taliyah will assemble, unite and train for the Inevitable Revolution of Al-Qa'im (عجل الله تعالي فرج الشريف). There is no need to force the matter on our behalf, nor is there need or desire with us to accept those who come to us in reluctance or doubt.

When our Shi'a changes itself from within first, then Allah will follow by changing the world throughout. As it is written: "For his sake there are angels following one another, before him and behind him, who guard him by Allah's commandment; surely Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change their own condition; and when Allah intends evil to a people, there is no averting it, and besides Him they have no protector." Al-Qur'an, Sura 13:11

لَهُ مُعَقِّبَاتٌ مِّن بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ يَحْفَظُونَهُ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللّهِ إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ وَإِذَا أَرَادَ اللّهُ بِقَوْمٍ سُوءًا فَلاَ مَرَدَّ لَهُ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِ مِن وَالٍ

SM: Can non-Muslims work with the Taliyah? If yes, on which level?

Abu Jamal: They can work with us on the level of studying the materials that are here for their edification. But they should be aware that the Path to Perfection is not an aimless path. We do not teach for the purpose of intellectual masturbation. We are not here to hypothesize or to conduct routine conjecture. We are speaking of matters that the majority simply cannot or will not handle. Only once we know who can handle this Haqiqah, then we can speak with them of Al-`Ilm, of Al-Marifah, of Al-`Irfan. Many come to us wishing to discuss matters endlessly; to engage in speculation and theosophy so as to bolster their nafs through their own limited understanding. We have not interest in their tautological pursuit, nor in helping them into the Pit of Jahannam.

"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a Treasure hidden in the Field, which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that Field." Matthew 13:44

עוֹד דָּמְתָה מַלְכוּת הַשָּׁמַיִם לְאוֹצָר טָמוּן בַּשָּׁדֶה אֲשֶׁר יִמְצָאֵהוּ אִישׁ וְיַצְפִּנֵהוּ וּבְשִׂמְחָתוֹ יֵלֵ וְיִמְכֹּר אֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ וְקָנָה לוֹ אֶת־הַשָּׂדֶה הַהוּא׃

If one has found that Hidden Treasure, then they must abandon what they have and buy that Field. If they have not found the Hidden Treasure, then they should not look for it in fields that they consider unworthy of purchase.

"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls, who having found One Pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it." Matthew 13:45-46

עוֹד דָּמְתָה מַלְכוּת הַשָּׁמָיִם לְאִישׁ סוֹחֵר הַמְבַקֵּשׁ פְּנִינִים יְקָרוֹת׃

וּבְמָצְאוֹ פְּנִינָה אַחַת יִקְרַת־עֶרֶ עַד־מְאֹד יֵלֵ וְיִמְכֹּר אֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ וְיִקְנֶהָ׃

If they have found the "One Pearl of great price" then they should gladly pay that price, knowing that it is easily worth more than money could every buy. If you have not found what you believe to be that "One Pearl" then go in Peace and look else where for it. But do not inquire regarding the worth of the Pearls if they appear to be worth less than this Pearl.

i do not say this to push away those potentially interested in working with us, but rather to draw them near if they are worthy of it. However, if one does not seek the value and beauty in Islam, then i cannot understand why they would seek to be a part of us. We are not looking for quantity in the Taliyah Al-Mahdi (عجل الله تعالي فرج الشريف), we are looking for quality of which the A'immah (عليهم سلام) spoke. Thus, we have faith that the Righteous will draw near to this work and the misguided will be repelled.