Fatwa ID: 08885
Answered by: Maulana Sakib Shadman
Question:
I humbly submit the following fatwa request regarding a dangerous ideological movement known as “The Nation of Gods and Earths” (also referred to as the Five Percent Nation), which has roots in the United States but whose teachings are spreading globally, especially through media and urban culture. It was initiated by an ex Muslim in 18th century and still exists.
This group has committed serious acts of religious blasphemy and ideological corruption. Most notably, they misuse the sacred name of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) by claiming that each Black man is “Allah” himself. They use the name ALLAH as an acronym, attributing to it disrespectful meanings (e.g., “Arm, Leg, Leg, Arm, Head”)—an attempt of grave insult to the sanctity of the Divine Name. Furthermore, they falsely claim that “Allah” is not a personal name of the Creator, but rather a generic term for god, usable outside of Islam or even outside of the Abrahamic tradition which they can use for calling themselves God.
Additionally, it is important to bring to your attention that this group has engaged in further misappropriation of sacred Islamic terminology by referring to Harlem (New York City) as “Mecca” and Brooklyn as “Medina”. These terms are used within their ideology to represent their own centers of knowledge and power. Such a position is an affront to the Islamic aqeedah (creed), and spreads confusion among Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
In this regard, I request a formal fatwa addressing the following matters:
Refutation of the Claim:
What is the Islamic scholarly stance on the claim that “Allah” is not the personal and unique Name of the One True God, but merely a general term for deity?
How should Muslims respond to those who call themselves “Allah” or claim divinity?
Ruling on Blasphemy:
Are such individuals who call themselves “Allah” and distort His Name guilty of kufr or riddah (apostasy) under Islamic law?
Are they liable for the death penalty under an Islamic state, based on classical rulings on blasphemy and false claims of divinity?
Policy for Islamic Governments:
What steps should be taken by Islamic governments or authorities to prevent the spread of such deviant ideologies other than legally suppressing or banning such groups under Islamic principles?
International Action – OIC and Ummah:
As a representative of Muslim ummah what strict action should the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) adopt regarding this group like issue a unified condemnation or initiate intellectual counter-measures?
Please be informed that legal proceedings have already begun, and our council that works against blasphemy is actively involved in taking formal action against this group. The matter is currently under judicial review, and the court has officially requested religious input. Therefore, we urgently seek your esteemed fatwa to assist in the case. We are submitting this request to multiple honorable Dar al-Iftas across the Islamic world to provide authoritative guidance rooted in Islamic law.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
The Five Percent Nation is essentially a Black supremist movement founded in the 1960’s. They are an offshoot of Nation of Islam and their doctrine completely contradicts the core and essential beliefs/practices that every Muslim must strictly adhere to.
Their blasphemy includes:
- Their rejection of the Five Pillars of Islam
- Their claim that every Black man is “God” (May Allah Ta’ala save us from such blasphemy)
- Their blatant misinterpretation of the Quran and their belief that the Quran is incomplete/insufficient without their teachings.
- Their rejection of Prophethood.
- Their association of Allah Ta’ala with his creation.
Thus this group are clearly not Muslim. Furthermore, this movement is mainly concentrated in New York, USA and their teachings do not seem to have spread very far. Still, it is important to recognize their threat and the Ummah must put a stop to it. There are various ways to do this (according to what is appropriate given the specific circumstances), especially in areas where they have a stronghold;
- Raising awareness and educating the youth about their blasphemy.
- Publicly denouncing this movement.
- Giving Dawah to their members and explaining to them their errors.
- Encouraging their members to accept Islam according to the correct beliefs and teachings.
- Highlighting their misguided teachings, as any sane person would be able to comprehend how erroneous their teachings are.
However, in places where the Five Percent Nation do not have a stronghold, it is best not to mention them to the public and to the general population of Muslims. Most Muslims in the world have not heard of them. It is better not to even bring them up. There is no need to teach Muslims about this group in countries where they have few or no members. We live in the Information age, where leyman Muslims (who have previously not heard of this group) may research this group and be attracted to their teachings. Thus in areas where this group does not exist, only Ulema should have knowledge of this group and they should only discuss this movement with each other in a private setting when appropriate.
If a Non-Muslim converts to the Five Percent Religion, they will not be guilty of Riddah (apostasy). However if a Muslim joins their movement, such a person will be guilty of apostasy.
Of course, in a country in which there is a proper Islamic government, the punishment for apostasy is that the male apostate should be incarcerated and be given three days time to reconsider leaving Islam. His doubts and misunderstandings about Islam should be clarified to him. If he refuses to return to Islam, he will be unalived by the Islamic judicial system. In the case of a female apostate, she will be jailed indefinitely until she returns to Islam. There is no other punishment for her.
However this five percent nation movement does not primarily exist in Islamic countries. Of course, in an Islamic country, the Ruler would put an immediate stop to such a movement, even if physical force and deployment of military personnel is necessary in order to put a stop to such Fitnah. But again, this is only applicable in a the context of a proper Islamic khalifate.
In conclusion, we should at least be thankful to Allah Ta’ala that this group is somewhat low in numbers and they do not seem to be gaining too much steam. They are also mostly concentrated in one geographical location (i.e. New York). In an appropriate manner, we should condemn this group and highlight their blasphemy in such locations in which they have a stronghold. In locations in which they have few or no members, we should not publicize their name/teachings to the leyman Muslims.
References:
فَيَكْفُرُ إذَا وَصَفَ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى بِمَا لَا يَلِيقُ بِهِ أَوْ سَخِرَ بِاسْمٍ مِنْ أَسْمَائِهِ أَوْ بِأَمْرٍ مِنْ أَوَامِرِهِ وَأَنْكَرَ وَعْدَهُ أَوْ وَعِيدَهُ أَوْ جَعَلَ لَهُ شَرِيكًا أَوْ وَلَدًا أَوْ زَوْجَةً أَوْ نَسَبَهُ إلَى الْجَهْلِ أَوْ الْعَجْزِ أَوْ النَّقْصِ
ص129 – كتاب البحر الرائق شرح كنز الدقائق ومنحة الخالق وتكملة الطوري – باب أحكام المرتدين – المكتبة الشاملة
وَالْأَصْلُ فِيهِ مَا رُوِيَ عَنْ سَيِّدِنَا عُمَرَ ﵁ أَنَّهُ قَدِمَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ جَيْشِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ، فَقَالَ: هَلْ عِنْدَكَ مِنْ مُغْرِيَةِ خَبَرٍ؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ، رَجُلٌ كَفَرَ بِاَللَّهِ تَعَالَى بَعْدَ إسْلَامِهِ فَقَالَ سَيِّدُنَا عُمَرُ ﵁: مَاذَا فَعَلْتُمْ بِهِ قَالَ: قَرَّبْنَاهُ فَضَرَبْنَا عُنُقَهُ فَقَالَ سَيِّدُنَا عُمَرُ ﵁: هَلَّا طَيَّنْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ بَيْتًا ثَلَاثًا، وَأَطْعَمْتُمُوهُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ رَغِيفًا، وَاسْتَتَبْتُمُوهُ لَعَلَّهُ يَتُوبُ وَيَرْجِعُ إلَى اللَّهِ ﷾ اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي لَمْ أَحْضُرْ، وَلَمْ آمُرْ، وَلَمْ أَرْضَ إذْ بَلَغَنِي.
ص135 – كتاب بدائع الصنائع في ترتيب الشرائع – فصل في بيان أحكام المرتدين – المكتبة الشاملة
(قَوْلُهُ وَلَا تُقْتَلُ الْمُرْتَدَّةُ بَلْ تُحْبَسُ حَتَّى تُسْلِمَ)
ص139 – كتاب البحر الرائق شرح كنز الدقائق ومنحة الخالق وتكملة الطوري – ولا تقتل المرتدة بل تحبس حتى تسلم – المكتبة الشاملة
وقال تعالى: {وقاتلوهم حتى لا تكون فتنة ويكون الدين كله لله} يعني حتى لا يكون كفر، ولا جائز أن يردهم إلى بلادهم لتكون فتنة، وهو ضد ما في الآيةـ، ولا يجوز أن نردهم لنستنقذ المسلمين؛ لأن علينا الاجتهاد في قتالهم لاستنقاذ من هناك من المسلمين.
ص159 – كتاب شرح مختصر الطحاوي للجصاص – كتاب السير والجهاد – المكتبة الشاملة
١٦٥ – قَاعِدَة الضَّرَر الأشد يزَال بِالضَّرَرِ الأخف (شن)
ص88 – كتاب قواعد الفقه – القواعد الفقهية – المكتبة الشاملة
١٦٨ – قَاعِدَة الضَّرَر يدْفع بِقدر الْإِمْكَان (مج)
ص88 – كتاب قواعد الفقه – القواعد الفقهية – المكتبة الشاملة
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Five-Percent-Nation
Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.
Written by Maulana Sakib Shadman
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham