February 13, 2007

Lakota becomes Muslim

A Native American Muslim's StoryI asked someone who the man was who was speaking, and they told me he was a Muslim. I wanted to learn more about who these people were with this powerful prayer because I didn’t experience these feelings except in the purification lodge, at the sun-dance and ceremonies. Over time, my excitement grew as I finally found some believers and began my introduction into ISLAM. All praise is due to Allah!

Now, when asked if I am Muslim, and knowing it means “one who submits to Allah, the Creator” I feel pride when I say Yes. I can bear witness that there is no God but Allah, the all-in-all, and that Islam is the way of life, and Prophet Muhammad is the messenger. I know that the Creator would send his true religion meant for us on our journey in this life to all people, the same as the White Buffalo Calf Woman came bringing the PEACE-PIPE through which our prayers were sent, and the way of life, THE RED ROAD, THE STRAIGHT PATH to my people. Then there is the Qur’an, the book of truth, as we Lakotas didn’t have a book, except inside us.

1 comment:

writerfella said...

Writerfella here --
Anyone is free to pursue or to obtain whatever belief system that they wish to accept. Where such a proviso fails, however, is when they also accept and feel it becomes their duty in life to proselytize. That a Native person should investigate Islam and accept it as their own faith is fine and all. But once they begin to chivvy others to entertain or accept such a philosophy in place of what already exists, they cross a very definite line in Native American existence. World religions that were not born on these two Native American continents are as alien to these lands as are the people who came later to destroy and displace the original inhabitants. Native religions do not proselytize, as these are personal and all the more sacred because the believers do not attempt to convince any others also to so believe. Natives worshipped the land and the earth itself, and that is where such beliefs remained. When was the last time that any Native HONESTLY attempted to inculcate non-Natives to so believe? There is a reason for that, but it cannot be revealed simply because it is both secret and sacred.
All Best
Russ Bates
'writerfella'