Mosque Maryam’s imam prepares Mosque No. 4 for visit to Mecca

By Brenda Muhammad | Last updated: May 28, 2014 - 2:51:15 PM

WASHINGTON - Commissioned by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan to organize Nation of Islam Believers in preparation for the largest, annual Islamic pilgrimage to the Holy City Mecca and participation in one of Islam’s five pillars of faith; Imam Sultan Muhammad from Mosque Maryam discussed the importance of health and enforcement of the Nation of Islam’s culture as taught by the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.

He is the great-grandson of Elijah Muhammad, patriarch of the Nation, and son of the late Imam Sultan Muhammad, nephew of the late Imam W. Deen Muhammad. He was appointed imam of the Nation of Islam’s international center- Mosque Maryam by Minister Farrakhan.

Mosque Maryam

“Remember, the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan have journeyed to earth’s end to make friends for us and has not deviated,” said Imam Sultan Muhammad. “And we must understand that the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan is taking us into a deeper expression of what we’ve had all along, so as Muslims, we must clear our minds and see Hajj as the journey of purification for service to Allah (God). We must not be burdened by the trip, but see it as an important step in life and if you are unable to go, participate through fasting and in solidarity with the pilgrims,” he added.

The imam is also Arabic and Islamic Civilizations instructor at Muhammad University in Chicago and he studied Arabic and Islamic Sciences.

“When I learned that Imam Sultan would be visiting us, I emailed the Believers informing them that there would be a surprise gift at the mosque. He is our first imam here in Washington, D.C., which is significant because this is where his great-grandfather established Islam. Imam Sultan’s visit gave all of us an opportunity to learn more about Islam in ways that we had never experienced,” stated Student Minister Abdul Khadir Muhammad, who oversees the Mid-Atlantic and Eastern Regions.

“Take charge of your post in a perfect manner keeping always on the alert,” said Imam Sultan Muhammad when discussing the first steps in preparation for Hajj. “That’s what mothers and fathers do to protect their children,” he added.

Many questions followed after the hour long discussion, including the date of Hajj, debt restrictions, passport requirements, cost, age, health, Nation of Islam class standing, and the difference between an imam and Nation of Islam minister.

The resident imam of Mosque Maryam answered all of the questions, including stating that the date of Hajj depends on the 12-month lunar cycle, adding Minister Farrakhan’s projected date is between 2015, but no later than 2016. He also discussed the importance of preparing a living will and testament, possible sponsorships, preparation of a manual, and encouraged those who are not registered to get registered as quickly as possible.

“This has been an eye-opening experience,” stated Leonetta Muhammad, wife of Mosque No. 4, Brother Samuel Muhammad. “And even though my husband is blind, he too wants to make the pilgrimage,” she said.

Sultan Muhammad is a native Chicagoan and director of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad Table Talks Project (www.TableTalks.org).

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