http://ihrc.org.uk/show.php?id=3063

Dear Readers,

Imam Jamil is a slave of Allah and a brother to mankind. His history is replete with examples of standing for the rights of the oppressed. He is a humble man, but his words resonate loudly and clearly. He has always enjoined righteousness and forbidden oppression. I concur with Brother Wasif, his style was and has always been “simple, direct, and short.” He would always say, “If you don’t fight, you can’t win.” It was related to me by Imam Nadim ‘Ali that following a ceremony in Whitehall, Alabama for which a street was re-named in his honor, the Imam thanked the people and gave due praise to Allah for their gesture. Then what he said next was so profound and very definitive as to the nature of his character. He calmly and with certainty exorted the mayor and the city council members, “Don’t pave it, keep it rough!”

Imam Jamil is a sincere follower of the sunnah and member of the human race. His deeds have always inspired and motivated. He risked his life for the multitudes of the oppressed during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. He established a community in Atlanta, Georgia and ultimately was able to rid that segment of the West End of open-air drug activity and prostitution. His efforts, along with the presence of the muslims in the West End, ultimately afforded safety for children, the elderly and families in the surrounding community. His work with negotiating and maintaining truces between rival gangs is well-known around the country, not so in the mainstream media. Verily, a man is known well by his deeds.

His reputation as an upright man and believer has always preceded him. I once took a non-muslim co-worker to jumu’ah. Unbeknownst to him the speaker was Imam Jamil (the former H. Rap Brown). My co-worker listened attentatively and was captivated by the message of the khutbah, as well as by his realization of who the speaker turned out to be. He astounded after the prayer and khutbah was over, “Brother Ja’far, that’s Rap Brown!” I responded, “Yes. Let’s go over and meet him.” As we approached, the Imam ended a conversation and extended his hand. I introduced him to my co-worker. The Imam shook his hand, extended an open visitation, and then in his usual fashion asked if there was anything my co-worker needed. Suffice it to say, my co-worker was blown away. He later expressed to me that the words the Imam spoke and his demeanor toward him was something that he would never forget.

Alhamdulillah for the Imam and for those like him. May Allah protect him and give him the physical freedom to match his spiritual freedom. Ameen. May Allah allow us to always be motivated by truth, righteousness, and the good examples He has placed in our midst, insha’allah.

Free Imam Jamil and all political prisoners!!!!!

“If you don’t fight, you can’t win!”

Hasbunallah!

This advice is so beautiful that its not only for Imams but all Islamic Workers and students of knowledge. I taste the hint of Imam Mawdudi in his style: simple, direct, and short.

May Allah always protect and preserve him. We should all make duaa for him and his release inshaAllah. salaam.