Day 18 – Philadelphia, PA
Peace and blessings to All. This is Hamza Abdullah checking in for the Abdullah Brothers Ramadan Tour. I’m always amazed at how close everything is on the east coast. New York to Philly was like Los Angeles to Palm Springs. Maybe even shorter. I’m very appreciative of the travel time; however, I despise the toll roads. Those are suppose to be options. No one told me I had to drive around the east coast like Floyd “Money” Mayweather, just to pay the tolls. That is absurd! I will say, the trip to Philly, was definitely worth the price of admission.
The city of brotherly love, had to get its name from the Muslim population in Philly. Big brothers, small brothers, tall brothers, short brothers, dark brothers, light brothers, it didn’t matter. We got pulled in, dapped and hugged, and given the greetings of peace. “Salaams”. Man what a beautiful site, brothers and sisters mobbing up and down the street like we were in the middle east. Islam in Philadelphia is deeply rooted, and we were fortunate enough to visit Masjid Quba. The line outside of an Apple store, made its way to Philly. There were brothers and sisters patiently awaiting our arrival, and we didn’t want to disappoint. We were introduced to the local Imam’s, and we’re absolutely blown away.
Imam Anwar Muhaimin, and his brother Imam Anas Muhaimin, were Gems. God really blessed these brothers. They were educated, humble, respectful, compassionate and they looked like me. Young African Americans who studied Islam at the most prestigious university in the world. They were big brothers, with beautiful families. Their Father started Masjid Quba, and they were honoring their Father, by maintaining the Mosque as a pillar of the community. Imam Anwar was the first African American Hafiz in the United States. (Hafiz= Memorizing the entire Quran). A very prestigious honor. I learned all this from Ahmad Muhaimin, the young son of Imam Anwar. By now you should know how I’m going to end this paragraph…The Imam’s exemplified and personified, what my mother taught me. “Want for your brother, what you want for yourself.”
Philly was a great stop, now it’s off to Washington DC for our DMV visit. Along the way I get to read one of my favorite Surah’s in the Quran. Surah (Chapter) 19 Maryam (Mary). In it is the story of Jesus, the son of Mary, Peace be upon him. The Ayah (verse) I love is 32:
“He hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable”
Wow. SubhanAllah (Glory be to God). Here is Jesus, pbuh, being commanded by God to be dutiful to his mother. I think of myself. The times I have ever gotten upset at my mom, or said something that hurt her feelings. What kind of son am I? I need to call my mom immediately and apologize for any foul thing I’ve ever done to her. I am forever indebted to her. I pray we can all be better with our Mothers. May God make it easy on us all.
God willing, I’ll see you in DC. Peace and Be Blessed.
Hamza Abdullah
Husain’s latest installment of his blog is available. Read up!
Just watched you guys on the deen show. Mashallah it was very good. I looked up your schedule and realized we missed you (i’m from denver). Inshallah, you guys will do this again and more muslims will have the opportunity to meet you personally. Barakallahfeekum for being great role models.