The 'Voyager King' Mansa Abubakari II - Africa's Greatest Explorer

The Story of Mansa Abu Bakari II

An African emperor who ruled Mali in the 14th century discovered America nearly 200 years before Christopher Columbus, according to African griots. Mansa Abubakari II, the 'Voyager King' once ruled what was the richest and largest empire on earth - covering nearly all of West Africa. According to a Malian scholar, Gaoussou Diawara in his book, 'The Saga of Abubakari II... the emperor, who was a Muslim, gave up all power and gold to pursue knowledge and discovery. Abubakari's ambition was to explore whether the Atlantic Ocean - like the great River Niger that swept through Mali - had another 'bank'. In 1311, he handed the throne over to his brother Mansa Musa, and set off on an expedition with 2000 boats to cross the Atlantic. His predecessor and uncle, Sundiata Keita, had already founded the Mali empire and conquered a good stretch of the Sahara Desert and the great forests along the West African coast. Gold fields The book also focuses on a research project being carried out in Mali tracing Abubakari's journeys. "We are not saying that Abubakari II was the first ever to cross the ocean," says Tiemoko Konate, who heads the project "There is evidence that the Vikings were in America long before him, as well as the Chinese," he said. The researchers claim that Abubakari's fleet of pirogues, loaded with men and women, livestock, food and drinking water, departed from what is the coast of present-day Gambia. They are gathering evidence that in 1312 Abubakari II landed on the coast of Brazil in the place known today as Recife. "Its other name is Purnanbuco, which we believe is an aberration of the Mande name for the rich gold fields that accounted for much of the wealth of the Mali Empire, Boure Bambouk." Another researcher, Khadidjah Djire says they have found written accounts of Abubakari's expedition in Egypt, in a book written by Al Umari in the 14th century. "Our aim is to bring out hidden parts of history", she says. Black traders Mr Konate says they are also examining reports by Columbus, himself, who said he found black traders already present in the Americas. They also cite chemical analyses of the gold tips that Columbus found on spears in the Americas, which show that the gold probably came from West Africa. But the scholars say the best sources of information on Abubakari II are Griots - the original historians in Africa. Mr Diawara says the paradox of Abubakari II, is that the Griots themselves imposed a seal of silence on the story. "The Griots found his abdication a shameful act, not worthy of praise," Mr Diawara said. "For that reason they have refused to sing praise or talk of this great African man." Mr Diawara says the Griots in West Africa such as Sadio Diabate, are slowly starting to divulge the secrets on Abubakari II. 'Hard-nosed historians But the research team says an even bigger challenge is to convince hard-nosed historians elsewhere that oral history can be just as accurate as written records. Mr Diawara believes Abubakari's saga has an important moral lesson for leaders of small nation states in West Africa, which were once part of the vast Mande-speaking empire. "Look at what's going on in all the remnants of that empire, in Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea. "Politicians are bathing their countries in blood, setting them on fire just so that they can cling to power," says Mr Diawara. "They should take an example from Abubakari II. He was a far more powerful man than any of them. And he was willing to give it all up in the name of science and discovery." "That should be a lesson for everyone in Africa today," concludes Mr Diawara.

A story of the Best of Days

A story from the life of the second Caliph Omar, illustrates the significance of Friday.   A learned person from among the Jews said to Omar Ibn Al Khattab “In the Quran you people read a certain verse; if that verse had been revealed to us, we would have celebrated that day annually.” Omar asked, “Which verse is that?”  The man replied, “This day, I have perfected your religion for you’.  Omar then said, “Verily I remember the day and the place where this verse was revealed.   It was already a double celebration for us.  Firstly it was Friday-a day of Eid (celebration) for all Muslims and secondly, it was the day of Arafat – the most important day of the Hajj.” Omar further stated that this verse was revealed after Asr (afternoon prayer) while Prophet Muhammad was sitting on his camel.

Haqq Dawah Media Presents: Glad Tidings Season 2 Episode 10 Little Known Facts about Islam (Show Notes)

AsSalaam Alkuim,

In the name  of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful

This is Haqq Dawah Media Presents: Glad Tidings Season 2 Episode 10: Little known facts about Islam. As you can see the show will cover facts about Islam that you may not know and I will sprinkle in some facts about Muslims also. So, let’s begin.

1. Islam is not a new religion.

1. The first Muslim was our father Adam (AS). Not Muslim as we are today but, as a man who worshiped Allah alone, and followed Sharia. It wasn’t until later on in life did people start following and worshiping other than Allah. ( After the death of Adam and up until the time of Noah (AS), and after).
2. All the Prophets of Allah were Muslims and taught the Islam of their time.
3. It was until Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that we have the Islam that we follow today.

     2.  The first Quran translated to english was by a man named Alexander Ross in 1649. Mr Ross was the chaplain to King Charles 1. The Quran was translated from French.

     a.  Next was George Sale who named the translated Quran Alcoran of Mohammed.

     b. The first Muslim to translate the Quran to english was Mirz Abdul Fazl in 1910.

     3. Muslims do not believe in the “Original Sin” concept

1. As Muslims we do believe that Adam (AS) did eat from the tree Allah forbid him from doing. What we don’t believe is that we pay for his actions and that we are born sinning.  The Quran speaks on this in Surah 53 Verse 38-39. “ man can have nothing but what he strives for.”
2. Matter of fact the original sin is a concept only followed by Eastern christians.
3. Even the bible says: “The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son.  The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.”

    4.  The Muslims created a House of Wisdom (Bait-ul-Hikmat), which was active during the 9th –13th     centuries, where both Muslim and non-Muslim scholars sought to translate the world’s knowledge into Arabic. Many classic works of antiquity that might have otherwise been lost were preserved in Arabic and Persian and later translated into Turkish, Hebrew, and Latin. Here, scholars synthesized and significantly advanced knowledge gained from the Roman, Chinese, Persian, Egyptian, Greek, Byzantine, and other civilizations.

      5. There are an estimated 1.6 billion Muslims in the world, which is about 1/5 of the world’s population. Due to birth and conversion rates, Islam is considered to be the fastest-growing religion in the world today.

     6.  Islam prove the life of Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus and other Prophets (AS). This is due to the fact that they are mentioned in the Quran. Being that the Quran is the words of Allah and there is no falsehood in it and these Prophets are mentioned it is proven that they onced lived. No one can say for sure that they know where the graves for these Prophets are and there is no authentic history of them. It could be said without the Quran that these Prophets and their stories were false.

     7. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the only Prophet that is history books and has a marked identified grave.

     8.  The Islamic world produced the first skilled, specially trained pharmacists, who made their own medicines and worked closely with physicians.

     9. The first mosque built in the U.S. was the “Mother Mosque of America,” which was built in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1934. It is still used for worship today. First documented.

   10. Islam is the fasting growing religion in Ireland.

   11. Islam was spread by war and peace.

1. Yes Islam was spread by war as all civilizations were. This action is nothing new to history. Difference being that Islam never forced anyone to convert. The conquered territory were given two options, convert or pay a protection tax (Jizya) to help pay for the Army for the territories protection.
2. There are numerous countries that Muslims never set foot on that converted due to their interactions with Muslims (trading or just ones they came in contact with).  Areas and countries such as Central Asia, The Sahara, Timutu, The Sudan, Uganda, South Asia, East Indies, and the Bulkins.
3. During the infant stage of Islam in Mecca,many Muslims were persecuted. Some of these Muslims left and went to Abyssinia (current day Ethiopia) and some went to Somalia and other places. While in Somalia the Somalis were so impressed with the Muslims and adopted Islam well before it took root in the Arab Peninsula. ( Somali Muslim percentage is 99.8%) May Allah guide and give them peace and stability.

   12.  The oldest University is an Islamic Woman's University, University of Quranaouiyine  founded in           Fez, Morocco in 859.  By Fatima al Fihri ( may Allah bless her). It is still open today.

   13.  The name Muhammad is the most common name in the world.

   14.  The Sears Tower ( now the Willis Tower) in Chicago was designed by a Muslim American Fazlur Rahman Khan.

   15.  Islam and the Nation "of Islam" are two different religions. Islam is a religion for all races and enjoins the worship of the One Unseen God who never took human form. On the other hand "the Nation" is a movement geared towards non-whites that teaches God appeared as a man named Fard Muhammad and that Elijah Muhammad was a prophet. According to orthodox Islam these are blasphemous beliefs that contradict the basic theology defined throughout the Qur'an and other authentic texts. The followers of "the Nation" adhere to some Islamic principles that are mixed with other practices and beliefs completely alien to authentic Islamic teachings.

 16.  Forced marriages, honor killings, female genital mutilation and the confinement of women to their homes are all forbidden in Islam. These practices stem from deeply entrenched cultural traditions and/or ignorance of the true Islamic teachings or how to apply them in society. Arranged marriages are allowed in Islam but are not required. In fact, one of the conditions for a valid Islamic marriage contract is the mutual consent of both parties to the marriage. And divorce is permissible provided the Islamic guidelines are followed which protect the rights of all affected parties, especially women and unborn children.

    

17.  Most historians agree Columbus was not the first person to “discover” America and that explorers, including Muslims from West Africa, arrived several centuries before Columbus. In fact, when Columbus made his historical journeys, he relied on the maps and geography studies of the 12th-century Muslim scholar Al-Idrisi.

With # 17 that leads us to S.2 Ep. 10 B the story of my Brother Mansa Abu Bakari.

May Allah let this information be beneficial! (Ameen)

AsSalaam Alkuim,

The Haqq Dawah Group

Haqq Dawah Media Presents: Glad Tidings S.2 Ep.9 The Islamic Concept of the Heat 02/22 by Haqq Dawah Media | Islam Podcasts

Haqq Dawah Media Presents: Glad Tidings S.2 Ep.9 The Islamic Concept of the Heat 02/22 by Haqq Dawah Media | Islam Podcasts: AsSalaam Alkuim, In the Name of Allah The Most Beneficent The Most Merciful This is your Brother Kareem from The Haqq Dawah Group, this is Haqq Dawah Media presents Glad Tidings Season 2 Episode 9 The Islamic concept of the Heart. Todays episode will cover the miracles of the heart, and the why the heart is so special to Muslims. The first part will cover the miracles of the human heart. The second part will be about the special function of the heart and how it relates to Allah. The last section will be how to ensure and what to do to ensure your heart is a strong heart. Please look for the show notes on our blog on blogger.com (haqqdawah). Look for and subscribe to our podcast on I Tunes and Stitcher (Haqq Dawah Media Glad Tidings). Follow us on Youtube: Haqq Dawah Media Twitter: @thehaqqdawahgrp Blogger: haqqdawah.blogger for show notes Tumblr: haqqdawah FaceBook: /thehaqqdawahgrp Working on getting an Instagram If you have any questions or comments please email us @ haqqdawahmedia@gmail.com AsSalaam Alkuim, Haqq Dawah Group

HaqqDawah Media Presents: Glad Tidings Season 2 Episode 9 The Islamic Concept of theHeart Show Notes (kind of)

ASalaam Alkuim,

I attempted to do this episode at least four time, but every time I tried something came up. So, after all that I decided to up load audio to take the place of me on the show. Then I lost the show notes to put on the blog. With all that said, I am going to add a link on the page to direct you to some great info on the Concept of the Islamic heart. Pray you enjoy.




AsSalaam Alkuim,

The Haqq Dawah Group,

Why the heart is so important in Islam

Haqq Dawah Media Presents: Glad Tidings S.2 E.8 Characteristics of a Muslim 01/24 by Haqq Dawah Media | Islam Podcasts

Haqq Dawah Media Presents: Glad Tidings S.2 E.8 Characteristics of a Muslim 01/24 by Haqq Dawah Media | Islam Podcasts: AsSalaam Alkuim, This is your Bro. from the Haqq Dawah Grp, this is Haqq Dawah Media Presents: Glad Tidings Season 2 Episode 8 Characteristics of a Muslim. In this episode we will cover good characteristics that every Muslim should have. These are characteristics that if implemented will make any Muslim a better Muslim. Like anything you are not expected to have all of them right away, but you should strive to gain each one of them. 1. Fearful of Allah (Tawhid) 2. Truthfulness 3. Sincerity 4. Humility 5. Patience 6. Honesty 7. Purity and cleanliness 8. Respectful 9. Tawakkul on Allah 10. Perform Salah on time. The show notes can be found on our Blog: haqqdawah.blogger Please follow us on: Twitter: @thehaqqdawahgrp Tumblr: haqqdawah FaceBook: /thehaqqdawahgrp Youtube: Haqq Dawah Media Any questions, inquiries, or concerns please email us haqqdawahmedia@gmail.com. I pray that you you enjoy and leave with more than you came with. AsSalaam Alkuim, The Haqq Dawah Group

Haqq Dawah Media Presents: Glad Tiding Season 2 Episode 8 Characteristics of a Muslim (Show Notes)

AsSalaam Alkuim,

This is your Bro.Kareem from the Haqq Dawah Grp, this is Haqq Dawah Media Presents: Glad Tidings Season 2 Episode 8 Characteristics of a Muslim.

In this episode we will cover good characteristics that every Muslim should have. These are characteristics that if implemented will make any Muslim a better Muslim. Like anything you are not expected to have all of them right away, but you should strive to gain each one of them.

1. Fearful of Allah (Taqwa)

“This is the book: in it is guidance sure, without doubt to those who fear Allah.” Surah 2

Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Fear Allah wherever you are. Follow up a bad deed with a good deed and it will blot it out. And deal with people in a good manner.” [ Sunan al-Tirmidhî ]

Taqwa essentially is to protect self from punishment of ALLAH by obeying HIS orders and by abstaining from what HE has prohibited.

He who fears ALLAH SWT and acts according to HIS instructions will be secured from HIS punishment.

2. Truthfulness

“O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah and speak straight,true words” 33:70

“Verily, truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man may speak the truth until he is recorded with Allah as truthful. Verily, falsehood leads to wickedness and wickedness leads to the Hellfire. A man may tell lies until he is recorded with Allah as a liar.”

Muslim

Being truthful is one of the necessities of a human society, one of the virtues of human behaviour, and brings great benefits, whilst lying is one of the major elements of corruption in human society, and the cause of the destruction of social structure and ties, one of the most evil features of bad conduct, and causes widespread harm. Hence Islam commanded truthfulness and forbade lying. Islamqa.com:

3. Sincerity (Ikhlas)

“It is most hateful in the sight of Allah that you say things which you do not do”. 61:3

The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Ad-Deen is sincerity”. We said: “For whom?” He replied, “For Allah, His Book, His Messenger and for the leaders of the Muslims and their masses”

(Muslim)

Sincerity is a crucial element of repentance and salvation in Islam.Sincerity before Allah is associated with faithfulness in Islam. It is one of the most important criteria Allah uses to judge the state of an individual's heart.

4. Humility

“ The  servants of the Beneficent are those who walk on the earth in humility.” 25:63

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Allah has revealed to me that you must be humble towards another.”

Muslim

Islam highly commends humbleness and simplicity and reckons that as one of the traits of a true believer, the people of truth. Humility is a blessing from Allah.

5. Patience (Sabr)

“Allah loves those who patient” 3:145

The Prophet (SAW) said, "The real patience is at the first stroke of a calamity."

Bukhari

Believing in the preordainment is one of the pillars of faith. This entails absolute contentment with what befalls one, this belief helps the believer accept whatever befalls him. A believer knows that whatever happened to him was an act of God that no one can evade.

6. Honesty

“O you who believe!  Fear God, and be with those who are true (in word and deeds).” 9:119

“Lying is wrong, except in three things: the lie of a man to his wife to make her content with him; a lie in war, for war is deception; or a lie to settle trouble between people”

Ahmad

Islam commands all Muslims to be honest. To be honest to themselves as well as others. This is attached to sincerity.

7. Purity and cleanliness (Tahara)

“He indeed is successful who purifies himself  (in mind and body), and remembers the name of his Lord, then prays. 87 14-15

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Purity is half of faith, and the praise of Allah fills the scale. Glorification and praise fill up what is between the heavens and the earth. Prayer is a light, charity is proof, and patience is illumination. The Quran is a proof for you or against you. All people go out early in the morning and sell themselves, either setting themselves free or destroying themselves.”Muslim

When speaking about purity and cleanliness is not just your clothes and where you  physical are. It includes your walk, the way you talk and also your thoughts. This also is what you eat. Cleanliness is broken into two parts.

Inner tahara can be achieved by upholding the five pillars of Islam, having clean and pure thinking process, avoiding sins,making a lot of dikar and especially making sure the heart is pure of spiritual maladies such as anger, hatred, relying on other than Allah, fear of loss of provision, antipathy toward death, wantonness, pride, arrogance, riya, etc

Outer tahara can be attained by proper bodily purification e.g. making wudu (ablution), taking bath, cleaning teeth, using fragrance or perfumes, keeping house and clothes clean etc.  alquranclasses.com

8. Respectful

O YOU who have attained to faith! Do not say [to the Prophet], "Listen to us," but rather say, "Have patience with us," and hearken [unto him], since grievous suffering awaits those who deny the truth.2:104

Anas ibn Malik reported: One day I was serving the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. When I thought I had finished serving him, I said, “The Prophet is having a midday nap.” So I left him and there were some children playing. I stood looking at them and their game. The Prophet came out, and he came to them and greeted them with peace. Then he called me and sent me to get something he needed. He remained in the shade until I came back to him. I was late for my mother and she asked, “What kept you?” I replied, “The Prophet, peace be upon him, sent me for something he needed.” She asked, “What was it?” I replied, “It is a secret of the Prophet.” She said, “Keep the secret of the Messenger of Allah.” I did not tell anyone that secret and if I were to tell it, I would have told her. Bukhri

There is a saying is Islam to respect your elders and the ones younger than you. With that said, it shows Islam's drive to respect all humans.

9. Reliance on Allah (Tawakkul)

Put your trust in Allah. Allah loves those that trust [in Him]. 3:159

“If you had all relied on Allah (SWT) as you should rely on Him, then He would have provided for you as He provides for the birds, who wake up hungry in the morning and return with full stomachs at dusk.” Tirmidhi

Tawakkul is a light for our hearts and a means for us to seek nearness towards Allah (SWT) in a manner that absolutely nothing else can achieve. The essence of this quality of the heart is built upon two very important pillars: dependence upon Allah and trust in Allah. islamicity.com

10. Tawhid

And your Allah is One Allah.There is no god but He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. 2:163

Allah.There is no god but He,-the Living, the Self-Subsisting, Eternal. 3:3

He it is Who shapes you in the wombs as He pleases.There is no god but He, the Exalted in Might, the Wise. 3:6

The Prophet(ﷺSAW) said, "O Mu`adh! Do you know what Allah's Right upon His slaves is?" I said, "Allah and His Apostle know best." The Prophet (SAWﷺ) said, "To worship Him (Allah) Alone and to join none in worship with Him (Allah). Do you know what their right upon Him is?" I replied, "Allah and His Apostle know best." The Prophet (ﷺSAW) said, "Not to punish them (if they do so). Bukhari

Is the first and paramount constituent of the Islamic concept. Without this in your heart you can not be a Muslim. The belief that Allah is One and has no kinship. He needs no help or has any,  

AsSalaam Alkuim,

The Haqq Dawah Group