TLS, two pages, 8.5 x 11, January 28, 1958. Addressed from 25-46 99th Street, the duplex of Betty Shabazz and Malcom X in Queens, New York, a letter to "Brother Secretary," ostensibly Raymond Sharrieff, in part: "Thank you for the advice contained in your recent letter. Having just awakened yesterday, most of us are only partially awakened today. It is easy for us to be going or doing wrong thinking we are going and doing right…thus all of us need advice and help.
If we do or go wrong unknowingly or unintentionally while trying to do right ALLAH is the Best Knower, Merciful, and rewards us accordingly. But if we knowingly and intentionally do or go wrong it is then that we deservingly incur ALLAH’S WRATH.
I guess this is why He blesses the efforts of some with success, and lets the efforts of others be fruitless. He is the KNOWER of our hearts and rewards us accordingly. Fearing to be of those who knowingly go astray or do wrong intentionally, displeasing our Divine Leader and Teacher, and thereby incurring ALLAH’S WRATH, I accept and thank you for your advice.
The Herald Dispatch is working on the picture coverage of our New Year’s Day African-Asian Affair, plus they have (I think) just one more article that I have written. When this is finished I shall not submit any more to them.
We must learn that ONLY ALLAH can bless a Laborer with any form of success. Only ALLAH can exalt or elevate a laborer in the eyes of the public. No laborer will ever be exalted or elevated above the Messenger! The only part of your letter that I take issue with and refuse to accept or thank you for is that part where you imply that I am trying to get ahead of the Holy Apostle of ALLAH or exalt myself above him in the eyes of the public. Do you actually realize the depth of such implication? I think not!
I’ve heard too much of this type of thing, and always it is from the vicinity of your office. I have asked the Messenger point blank if I was wrong for writing in the papers (specifically the Herald-Dispatch) and in the manner that I write. His answer to me has never told me that I was wrong, but rather gave me courage and incentive to continue on. It is only from YOUR DIRECTION that such implication comes. Maybe my zeal blinds me! Maybe I am failing to rightly understand Our Holy Apostle! If so, and you all have the right understanding from him…since you know that I do mean right (and am reluctant to take your advice in this matter ONLY because I sincerely feel you all are wrong) then you should ask him to clear it up for me himself. I would not ever have written anything in anything if I thought it was contrary to his wishes. I don’t think the Messenger would speak to me through you all on such important matter as this…knowing that I will take his decision on anything.
No one who SITS STILL will ever make mistakes. I have many human weaknesses and faults, and make many mistakes…but mainly because I try to cover too much territory. Most of the things that I try to do and territory that I try to cover is that which many of you yourselves who are right there under the Messenger should be doing YOURSELVES.
Since being in the Nation, the Messenger has never given me an idea or task which personal fears, personal desires, or personal LAZINESS caused me to make alibis and say it can’t be done…from getting the lostfounds to raising finance…North, South, East or West.
I hear the ‘can’ts’ from those who should be DOING, and also get my worse criticism from the same source. I don’t mind the criticism; I need it. It holds me in bounds. But please don’t ever tell me or even imply to me again that I’m trying to exalt myself above the Messenger. That’s telling me I’m not a Muslim, and am worse than the Devil. I HAVE FAULTS, BUT THAT IS NOT ONE OF THEM…THANKS TO ALLAH!
As for publicity; I never duck it. When it is available I accept it and try to use or utilize it to its best advantage. The Messenger himself once told me (two years ago) that he wanted me to become better known, for the better known I become the more I can help him to become known. I bear witness that this is true.
Lastly: there at #2 you don’t have to resort to the methods we here on the desert do. Why? Because you have everything, EVERYTHING from businesses to homes…Food, clothing, and Shelter to offer to the public as bait…a beautiful school and temple included, and last but by far not the least, The Messenger Himself.
You have been at #7. We have nothing material to show the public. You Yourself, when you were here, had a LOW SPIRIT, and rebellious attitude. You even stopped attending the temple, your dissatisfaction reached such high level. Records show your attendance and financial support was near nil. This does not mean that you were not a Believer, because since moving to #2 you have undergone a great TRANSFORMATION. What about those you left behind here who carried and are yet carrying a burden that killed your spirit while you were here? Want for your brother what you want you want for yourself, and give your brother credit for having the same desires as yourself.
If you don’t believe these words, then examine OUR WORK. You can’t find a temple where the Muslims make make less money, yet contribute more for the advancement of ISLAM…or teach in a worse building, yet forget all their wants to help Our Holy Apostle in HIS PROGRAM whenever he calls and whatever it is. If half the effort had been done in New York for the Muslims here as Chicago has seen, The Messenger would have His 10,000 over night if it was ALLAH’S will.
I don’t think of myself as a ‘polished’ or ‘finished’ minister. I am laying a ‘rough’ highway here in the jungle. It takes a ROUGH MAN to do it. The MESSENGER of ALLAH is the FINISHER, the POLISHER. It is up to those of you there with him to smooth the rough concrete that has been laid. I am out here trying to ATTRACT the attention of the dead to him by whatever ways, means or methods that prove successful, and then it is up to you there to channel them and polish them…but please stop condemning me for trying to help the Messenger do a job that most others are still waiting for a mystery god to come and do. The few that have been attracted are nothing…HE WANTS 17 MILLION.
I am still your brother who loves you and thanks you for all your good intentions, and for helping to protect the best interests of Our Leader.” In fine condition.
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