In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

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Indeed, no sane person disputes the fact that the Atlantic slave trade was a barbaric enterprise as well as the fact that exploitation still continues through neocolonialism. Many African writers – both Muslims and Non-Muslims – have clearly unveiled the oppressive behaviour of the neocolonialists, but sometimes the discussion enters into other subject matters such as religion, identity, traditions, culture, prosperity, to be in full control of the nation’s natural resources and preservation of the native languages. We also hear some Africans – Pan Africanists – raising objections when one refers to the former colonies as the Anglophone and Francophone countries. So, as African Muslims – just as it is obligated on all other Muslims, we should carefully analyse the statements of everyone who speaks in the name of reasserting cultural identity and fighting injustice lest we end up opposing the command of Allaah and the final Messenger, Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him].

First, as we mentioned earlier, there is no doubt that the Atlantic slave trade was a barbaric enterprise, so we suffice with the clarifications – by Shaikh Abdul Waahid Abu Khadeejah [may Allaah preserve him]- in these two links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfxUAtyYLJk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1wzrrY5N8g

Second, as for religion, identity, culture and traditions, the main goal of the Muslim is to single out Allaah in worship and follow the path of the final Messenger, Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him]. Allaah [The Most High] said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقۡنَـٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ۬ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰكُمۡ شُعُوبً۬ا وَقَبَآٮِٕلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓاْ‌ۚ إِنَّ أَڪۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَٮٰكُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ۬

O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has the most Taqwah (fear of Allaah). Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware. [Surah Al-Hujuraat. Aayah 13]

[لِتَعَارَفُوا – that you may know one another]: Meaning: So that you may know one another and how close you all are to one another in lineage, but not out of boastfulness. Then Allaah informed us that the most elevated amongst them [i.e. the children of Aadam] are those who fear Allaah the most. The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Learn your lineages so that you can maintain ties of kinship”. (1)

The Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Indeed, Allaah [The Most High] has removed from you the pride of the pre-Islamic period and its boasting about ancestors. One is only a pious believer or a wretched sinner. You are sons of Adam and Adam (was created from) dust. Let the people abandon boasting about their ancestors, for they are merely fuel in Jahannam; or they will become more insignificant in (the sight of) Allah than the beetle which rolls dung with its nose”. (2)

The Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Whoever is held back by his deeds, his (nobility) of lineage will not push him forward”. Imaam An-Nawawi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Its meaning is that the one whose deeds are deficient and he does not catch up with the performers of (good) deeds, then it is obligatory upon him not to crown himself with nobility of lineage and the virtues of his forefathers, whilst he is lagging behind in (performing good) deeds”. (3)

Therefore, the main goal of a Muslim and a Muslimah is to attain Taqwa (piety) and perform righteous deeds for the sake of Allaah. Allaah [The Exalted] said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱعۡبُدُواْ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمۡ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ
ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ فِرَشً۬ا وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً۬ وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَخۡرَجَ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ رِزۡقً۬ا لَّكُمۡ‌ۖ فَلَا تَجۡعَلُواْ لِلَّهِ أَندَادً۬ا وَأَنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ

O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious) – Who has made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky as a canopy, and sent down water (rain) from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you. Then do not set up rivals unto Allah (in worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped). [Surah Al-Baqarah. Verses 21-22]
Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] said, “The statement ‘There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah’ necessitates negation and affirmation- negating every other thing worshipped besides Allaah because they are not worthy of worship and affirming that Allaah alone is the true deity worthy of worship. The religion of Tawheed (pure Islamic Monotheism) is founded upon these two foundations, just as Allaah stated about Ibraaheem [peace be upon him] said to his people:

وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوۡمِهِۦۤ إِنَّنِى بَرَآءٌ۬ مِّمَّا تَعۡبُدُونَ
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُ ۥ سَيَہۡدِينِ

And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said to his father and his people: “Verily, I am innocent of what you worship; Except Him (i.e. I worship none but Allah Alone) Who did create me, and verily, He will guide me”. [Surah Az-Zukhruf. Verses 26-27]

This was the path of every Messenger sent by Allaah. Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ

And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all false deities, etc. i.e. do not worship Taghut besides Allah)”. [Surah An-Nahl. Verse 36] (4)

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَمَا كَانَ ٱلنَّاسُ إِلَّآ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ فَٱخۡتَلَفُواْ‌ۚ وَلَوۡلَا ڪَلِمَةٌ۬ سَبَقَتۡ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِىَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ فِيمَا فِيهِ يَخۡتَلِفُونَ

Mankind were but one community (i.e. on one religion – Islamic Monotheism), then they differed (later), and had not it been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord, it would have been settled between them regarding what they differed]. [Surah Yunus. Verse 19]

Ibn Abbaas [may Allaah be pleased with him and his father] said, “There were ten generations between Nooh and Aadam – all of them used to be upon the true path [i.e. upon Islaam – worshipping Allaah alone], then they differed and started worshipping idols, false deities and images, so Allaah sent Messengers with clear proofs and evidences. (5)

Shirk (polytheism) first started amongst the people of Prophet Nooh [peace be upon him] when they exaggerated (the status) of the righteous people and turned away from the call of their Prophet [Nuh] out of pride. (Allaah said that Nuh said that his people said): [وَقَالُواْ لَا تَذَرُنَّ ءَالِهَتَكُمۡ وَلَا تَذَرُنَّ وَدًّ۬ا وَلَا سُوَاعً۬ا وَلَا يَغُوثَ وَيَعُوقَ وَنَسۡرً۬ا -And they have said: ‘You shall not leave your gods, nor shall you leave Wadd, nor Suwa’, nor Yaghuth, nor Ya’uq, nor Nasr]

Ibn Abbaas [may Allaah be pleased with him and his father] said that these were the names of pious people amongst the people of Nuh, and when they died, shaytaan inspired their people to (prepare) and place idols at the places where they used to sit, and to call those idols by their names. They did so, but did not worship them until those people (who initiated them) had died and the origin of the idols had become obscure, whereupon people began worshipping them. (6)

No Blind Following The Polytheism and Religious Innovations of Forefathers

Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] stated:

Indeed, polytheistic (practices and beliefs) have become rife in this Ummah due to the people being distanced from the Qur’aan and the Sunnah- due to blindly following their forefathers without guidance, exaggerating the status of the dead people (i.e. either pious people or those whom they consider to be pious), building (shrines and tombs over their) graves and due to being ignorant of the (true) Islaam which Allaah commanded His Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] convey, just as Umar Ibnul Khattaab [may Allaah be pleased with him] said, “Verily, the foundations of Islam will be destroyed one after the other when arises in Islam a people who do not know what Jahiliyyah is [i.e. the acts and beliefs that were prevalent during the pre-Islamic era]. [NB: Refer to ref 7 at the end of this article regarding the term Al-Jaahiliyyah by Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan)]

(And also, polytheistic practices and beliefs have become rife in the Ummah) due to the spread of Shubhah [i.e. doubts that are made to resemble the truth but are falsehood in reality] and stories that have misguided the majority of the people. And among these [Shubhah- doubts made to resemble the truth but are falsehood in reality] is what the people of Shirk of the past and those within this Ummah at present utilise as proof – that they follow the path of their fathers and ancestors, and that they inherited this creed [i.e. polytheistic beliefs and practices] from them, just as Allaah [The Most High] said: Az-Zukhruf Verse 23]

[وَكَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّقۡتَدُونَ – And similarly, We sent not a warner before you (O Muhammad) to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: “We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps]”.

Everyone who is unable to establish proofs for his claim returns to this proof, even though it is a useless proof that has no weight in the arena of [sound] discussion; for indeed those ancestors they blindly follow were not upon [upright] guidance. Therefore, whoever [is upon such a state of affairs], it is not permissible to follow him and take him as an example. Allaah [The Most High] said: [أَوَلَوۡ كَانَ ءَابَآؤُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَلَا يَہۡتَدُونَ – Even though their fathers had no knowledge whatsoever and no guidance]. [Surah Al-Maa’idah’ Verse 104]

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

أَوَلَوۡ كَانَ ءَابَآؤُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡقِلُونَ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَلَا يَهۡتَدُونَ

Even though their fathers did not understand anything nor were they guided? [Surah Al-Baqarah’ Verse 170]
Therefore, following ancestors is only praiseworthy if they were upon the truth. Allaah [The Most High] said that Yusuf [alayhis salaam] said:

وَٱتَّبَعۡتُ مِلَّةَ ءَابَآءِىٓ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ وَإِسۡحَـٰقَ وَيَعۡقُوبَ‌ۚ مَا كَانَ لَنَآ أَن نُّشۡرِكَ بِٱللَّهِ مِن شَىۡءٍ۬‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ مِن فَضۡلِ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡنَا وَعَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَشۡكُرُونَ

And I have followed the religion of my fathers , – Ibrahim (Abraham), Ishaque (Isaac) and Ya’qub (Jacob), and never could we attribute any partners whatsoever to Allah. This is from the Grace of Allah to us and to mankind, but most men thank not (i.e. they neither believe in Allah, nor worship Him). [Surah Yusuf. Verse 38]

Allaah [The Most High] said:
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱتَّبَعَتۡہُمۡ ذُرِّيَّتُہُم بِإِيمَـٰنٍ أَلۡحَقۡنَا بِہِمۡ

And those who believe and whose offspring follow them in Faith, to them shall We join their offspring [i.e. in paradise]. [Surah At-Tur. Verse 21]

This doubt was embedded in the souls of the polytheists and they utilised it to oppose the call of the Prophets [peace be upon him]. Allaah [The Most High] informed us about Nuh and His people:

وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوۡمِهِۦ فَقَالَ يَـٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنۡ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيۡرُهُ ۥۤ‌ۖ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ
فَقَالَ ٱلۡمَلَؤُاْ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن قَوۡمِهِۦ مَا هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ۬ مِّثۡلُكُمۡ يُرِيدُ أَن يَتَفَضَّلَ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَأَنزَلَ مَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ مَّا سَمِعۡنَا بِہَـٰذَا فِىٓ ءَابَآٮِٕنَا ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

And indeed We sent Nuh (Noah) to his people, and he said: “O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him (Islamic Monotheism). Will you not then be afraid (of Him i.e. of His Punishment because of worshipping others besides Him)?” But the chiefs of those who disbelieved among his people said: “He is no more than a human being like you, he seeks to make himself superior to you. Had Allah willed, He surely could have sent down angels; never did we hear such a thing among our fathers of old. [Surah Al-Muminoon’ Aayaat 23-24]

So, they used as proof that which their ancestors were upon to oppose that which their Prophet Nuh brought. Allaah informed us that the people of Saaleh said to him: [أَتَنۡهَٮٰنَآ أَن نَّعۡبُدَ مَا يَعۡبُدُ ءَابَآؤُنَا – Do you (now) forbid us the worship of what our fathers have worshipped?] [Surah Hud’ Aayah 62]

And Allaah said that the people of Shu’aib said to him [i.e. Shu’aib]: [أَصَلَوٰتُكَ تَأۡمُرُكَ أَن نَّتۡرُكَ مَا يَعۡبُدُ ءَابَآؤُنَآ – Does your Salat (prayer) (i.e. the prayers which you offer has spoiled your mind, so you) command that we leave off what our fathers used to worship]. [Surah Hud’ Aayah 87]

And Allaah informed us about Ibraaheem [peace be upon him] and his people when he silenced them with clear proofs:

مَا تَعۡبُدُونَ قَالُواْ نَعۡبُدُ أَصۡنَامً۬ا فَنَظَلُّ لَهَا عَـٰكِفِينَ
قَالَ هَلۡ يَسۡمَعُونَكُمۡ إِذۡ تَدۡعُونَ
أَوۡ يَنفَعُونَكُمۡ أَوۡ يَضُرُّونَ
قَالُواْ بَلۡ وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا كَذَٲلِكَ يَفۡعَلُونَ

“What do you worship? They said: “We worship idols, and to them we are ever devoted. He said: “Do they hear you, when you call (on them)? “Or do they benefit you or do they harm (you)?” They said: “Nay, but we found our fathers doing so. [Surah Ash-Shu’araa’ Verses 70-74]

This is the nature of disbelief! Its people do not have any proof by way of which to repel the truth except these flimsy proofs. (8)

Our Customs

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “It is obligated on every Muslim that he does not depend on custom; rather he presents it to the pure Islamic legislation (to be judged), so whatever the Islamic legislation affirms is permissible and whatever it does not affirm is impermissible. The customs of the people are not proof to determine the lawfulness of anything. All the customs of the people in their countries or tribes must be presented to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] for judgement, so whatever Allaah and His Messenger made permissible is permissible, and whatever they forbid, then it is obligatory to abandon it even if it is the custom of the people”. (9)

Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “The customs cannot make something that is not legislated (in the divine revelation) as something legislated, because of Allaah’s statement: [وَلَيۡسَ ٱلۡبِرُّ بِأَن تَأۡتُواْ ٱلۡبُيُوتَ مِن ظُهُورِهَا – It is not Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, etc.) that you enter the houses from the back] [Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayah 189], despite the fact that it was something they took as their custom and considered it to be an act of righteousness. Whoever takes something as a custom and believes that it is an act of righteousness, then it should be presented to Allaah’s divine legislation [i.e. to be judged]”. (10)

Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] also said, “Extremism in related to customs is stringent adherence to old customs and not diverting to what is better than them. As for if the customs are equal in benefit [i.e. the ones judged to be permissible by the divine legislation], then a person remaining upon what he is upon would be better than going along with the new (or emerging) customs”. (11)

Third, as for the desire to be in full control of the nation’s natural resources and stand firm against the oppressive foreign exploiters, then indeed there is no doubt that the Muslims have a clear path to follow regarding this affair. Read here by Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him]: https://salaficentre.com/2021/02/17/some-causes-of-weakness-in-the-presence-of-the-enemy-sound-knowledge-obedience-to-allaah-and-his-messenger-and-an-independent-defense-industry-needed-by-imaam-abdul-azeez-bin-baaz/

Also, they call to justice and support the weak – whether Muslims or Non-Muslims. Allaah [The Exalted] said:

عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ‌ۚ إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَا‌ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah; even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do. [Surah An-Nisaa. Verse 135]

[إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَا‌ۖ – Be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you)]- Meaning: Allaah is the Lord of both of them and their Protector, and they are both His slaves. It may be that you become fearful of standing firmly for justice by testifying against a rich person or a poor person – either fearing that the rich person might lose his wealth or because the poor person has nothing, so your hearts become lackadaisical towards standing out firmly for the truth.

Therefore, it should be said to them [i.e. the people]: Allah is a Better Protector to both the rich and poor person. Allaah knows the affair of the rich person more than you and He is more Merciful to the poor than you, so do not refrain from standing out firmly for the truth and from giving testimony [for or against] the rich or the poor.
Then Allaah said: [فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ – So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice]-Meaning: Allaah forbids [His slaves] from following desires, which will lead them to abandon justice. (11.1)

Abdullah Bin Amr [may Allaah be pleased with him] reported that the Messenger of Allaah [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Whoever would love to be delivered from Hellfire and admitted into Paradise, let him meet his end whilst believing in Allaah and the Last Day, and let him treat people as he would love to be treated”. (11.2)

Imaam An-Nawawi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “This is from the Jawaami al-Kalim of the Prophet [i.e. precise speech with a comprehensive meaning] and his amazing wisdom. It is obligatory to pay close attention to this important principle and that a person must not deal with the people except in a way he loves to be dealt with”. (11.3)

Language

Finally, as for preservation of the native languages, then indeed there’s no doubt that our different languages are one of the great signs of Allaah. Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ خَلۡقُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱخۡتِلَـٰفُ أَلۡسِنَتِڪُمۡ وَأَلۡوَٲنِكُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّلۡعَـٰلِمِينَ

And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge.[Surah Ar-Rum. Verse 22]

We all know that language changes and may have a different meaning in different nations, customs, clans and cultures. These differences influence the way we see the world, describe things, perceive and treat others – sometimes in agreement with Allaah’s infallible divine revelation and at other times in opposition to it. As for the upright Muslims – those who firmly adhere to the authentic Prophetic Sunnah, they know that “The basis of a person’s Islaam is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] is the Messenger of Allaah, to believe in Allaah, declare that Allaah is One without partner, obey Allaah’s commands, keep away from what Allaah has forbidden and single out Allaah in worship. And safeguarding this path (necessitates) the prohibition of every expression (term or word) that contains Shirk Billaah (i.e. ascribing partners to Allaah), Kufr (disbelief) or will lead to one of the two. (12)

In the Qur’aan, there are many words that are utilised to rebut the words (or terms) that are in opposition to the call of the Messengers [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon them], the revelation that was revealed to them and the truth they brought”. (13)

“One of the general fundamental principles (in Islaam) is to know that words (or terms) are two types- words that are mentioned in the Qur’aan and Sunnah, therefore, it is obligated on every believer to affirm them, affirm what Allaah and His Messenger have affirmed and negate what Allaah and His Messenger have negated. The words (or terms) affirmed by Allaah is truth and the ones Allaah negated are (negated) in truth, because indeed Allaah speaks the truth and guides to the straight path. The words (or terms) of the divine legislation are sanctified and it is from perfection in knowledge that one seeks after the (sound meanings) which the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] intended by them, in order to affirm what he affirmed and negate the meanings he negated; because it is obligated on us to believe and bear witness to everything he has stated and follow him in everything he has commanded. As for the words (or terms) that are neither found in the Qur’am and Sunnah nor did the pious predecessors (i.e. the first three generations of Islaam) hold a consensus regarding whether they are negated or affirmed, then it is not incumbent on anyone to agree with the one who negates or affirms them until their intended meaning is explained. So, if their intended meaning agrees with the (revelation, commands, prohibitions etc) conveyed by the Messenger, they are affirmed; but if their intended meaning is in opposition to the (revelation, commands, prohibitions etc) conveyed by the Messenger, they are rejected”. (14)

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “The one who does not know the language of the Prophet’s companions- the language they used when speaking to (one another), the (language) used by the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] when he spoke to them and the manner in which they spoke in general, he will change words from their right places. For indeed many people are nurtured upon the idioms of their people and their customary usage of words, so he finds those words in Allaah’s Speech or the speech of Messenger or that of the Prophet companions and thinks that what Allaah intends or what His Messenger (intend), or what the companions (intend) is what is intended by the people of his custom and their oral expressions, even though what Allaah and His Messenger intend is the opposite of that. This occurred from a group of people- the people of philosophical rhetoric, the people who spoke about Fiqh, the people who spoke about the Arabic language, the common people and other than them. And there are others who deliberately devise other meanings for the words of the Prophets and that of their [true] followers-meanings that are in opposition to their (true) ones. Then they spoke with those words whilst intending to aid themselves, saying: ‘’Indeed, we are in agreement with the Prophets.’’ This is found in abundance in the speech of the heretical philosophers, the Ismaa’eeliyyah (Rawaafid) and those similar to them amongst the heretical philosophers, rhetoricians and the soofees. The one who (truly) knows the Prophets and what they intend (by their speech) he will know by necessity that the (speech of those heretics) is not what is intended by the Prophets”. (15)

Therefore, if the terms Anglophone and Francophone are defined as English speaking people of the countries that were once ruled by the British Empire including African nations, Asian nations and other nations, then there is no doubt that some of the former colonies were forced to adopt the language of the colonizer, especially in education, in order to indoctrinate and subjugate the colonized. Also if these terms are used to re-enforce inferiority complex, then there is no doubt that Muslims reject any claim to superiority that is not founded on Taqwah (Fear of Allaah), because Allaah [The Most High] said: [إِنَّ أَڪۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَٮٰكُمۡ‌ۚ – Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has the most Taqwah (fear of Allaah). Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware]. [Surah Al-Hujuraat. Verse 13]

As for the Arabic Language, then indeed there is no doubt that the Muslim is eager to learn it because it is the language of the final revelation. It is a means to understanding the final revelation [the Qur’aan and the Sunnah] based on the understanding of the Prophets companions. The well-informed Muslims – regardless their national indenties , tribes or clans – do not have any objection to learning the Arabic language, because indeed it strengthens their understanding and helps them preserve their Islamic identities. Listen here By Shaikh Hasan Somali [may Allaah preserve him]: https://www.salafisounds.com/a-guide-to-studying-islam-the-importance-of-the-arabic-language-and-how-to-study-it-plus-accompanying-notes-by-hasan-somali/

As for learning other languages or being able to communicate in a language other than one’s native language, then indeed there is no doubt that this can be very beneficial, especially in the field of Dawah. Allaah [The Exalted] stated about Dhul Qarnayn [peace be upon him]:

ثُمَّ أَتۡبَعَ سَبَبًا
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا بَلَغَ بَيۡنَ ٱلسَّدَّيۡنِ وَجَدَ مِن دُونِهِمَا قَوۡمً۬ا لَّا يَكَادُونَ يَفۡقَهُونَ قَوۡلاً۬

Then he followed (another) way, until he reached between two mountains, he found , before (near) them (those two mountains), a people who scarcely understood a word. [Surah Al-Kahf. Verse 92-93]

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon] said, “They (i.e. the people Dhul Qarnayn met) did not understand due to their foreign language, their foreign way of comprehension and the way in which their hearts perceived affairs. However, Allaah had bestowed on Dhul Qarnayn [peace be upon him] the means of knowledge through which he understood the language of these people and they could converse with each other, so they complained to him regarding the harm perpetrated by Yajooj and Majooj, who are two great nations from the children of Aadam [peace be upon him]. Allaah said:

قَالُواْ يَـٰذَا ٱلۡقَرۡنَيۡنِ إِنَّ يَأۡجُوجَ وَمَأۡجُوجَ مُفۡسِدُونَ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَهَلۡ نَجۡعَلُ لَكَ خَرۡجًا عَلَىٰٓ أَن تَجۡعَلَ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَهُمۡ سَدًّ۬ا
قَالَ مَا مَكَّنِّى فِيهِ رَبِّى خَيۡرٌ۬ فَأَعِينُونِى بِقُوَّةٍ أَجۡعَلۡ بَيۡنَكُمۡ وَبَيۡنَہُمۡ رَدۡمًا
ءَاتُونِى زُبَرَ ٱلۡحَدِيدِ‌ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا سَاوَىٰ بَيۡنَ ٱلصَّدَفَيۡنِ قَالَ ٱنفُخُواْ‌ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَعَلَهُ ۥ نَارً۬ا قَالَ ءَاتُونِىٓ أُفۡرِغۡ عَلَيۡهِ قِطۡرً۬ا
فَمَا ٱسۡطَـٰعُوٓاْ أَن يَظۡهَرُوهُ وَمَا ٱسۡتَطَـٰعُواْ لَهُ ۥ نَقۡبً۬ا
قَالَ هَـٰذَا رَحۡمَةٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّى‌ۖ فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعۡدُ رَبِّى جَعَلَهُ ۥ دَكَّآءَ‌ۖ وَكَانَ وَعۡدُ رَبِّى حَقًّ۬ا

They said, “O Dhul Qarnayn! Indeed, Gog and Magog [Yajooj an Majooj] are spreading corruption throughout the land. Should we pay you tribute, provided that you build a wall between us and them?” He said, “What my Lord has provided for me is far better. But assist me with resources, and I will build a barrier between you and them. Bring me blocks of iron!” Then, when he had filled up the gap between the two mountains, he ordered, “Blow!” When the iron became red hot, he said, “Bring me molten copper to pour over it”. And so they could neither scale nor tunnel through it. He said, “This is a mercy from my Lord. But when the promise of my Lord comes to pass, He will level it to the ground. And my Lord’s promise is ever true”. [Surah Al-Kahf. Verses 92-98]

And Allaah knows best.

Ref 1: “Learn your lineages…” (Saheeh Sunan Tirmidhee. Number 1979 and declared authentic by Imaam Al-Albaanee. An Excerpt from ‘Silsilah Ar-Rasaa’il Al-Manhajiyyah Fin-Nus’hi Wal Irshaad Wat-Taw’iyah’ pages 47-49]

[Ref 2: Saheeh Sunan Abee Dawud. Hadith Number 5116. Declared ‘Hasan’ by Imaam Al-Albaanee]

[Ref 3: Sharh Saheeh Muslim – (The Book Pertaining to the Remembrance of Allah, Supplication, Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness). Hadeeth Number 2699; Vol 17 page 18]

[Ref 4: An Excerpt from ‘Muhaadaraat Fil Aqeedah Wad-Da’wah. 1/7-17]

[Ref 5: Misbaah Al-Muneer Fee Ta’dheeb Tafseer Ibn Katheer]

[Ref 6: Bukhaari 6/4920]

[Ref 7: What is Al-Jaahiliyyah? What is Al-Jaahiliyyah? Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] said: Al-Jaahiliyyah: It is derived from al-Jahl (ignorance). It is an absence of knowledge, and the intent behind it is the state of affairs before Islaam. The state of affairs before the advent of Muhammad (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) is (referred to as) Al-Jaahiliyyah because they were in ignorance and misguidance in the affairs of worship, dealings, food, drink, marriage and other than that. They were in ignorance and misguidance due to the long period between Eesaa and Muhammad (i.e. the absence of a messenger).

This was a period of over four hundred years during which the divine message stopped. The divine message was obscured, and ignorance and misguidance became widespread. The people worshiped idols, trees, stones, false deities, the Jinn and humans. They worshiped the Angels, the Awliyaa and the righteous people, and they were upon divergent paths with regards to acts of worship.

And with regards to the affair of halaal and haraam, they did not distinguish between good and filth; rather they used to deal with Ribaa. The Ribaa Al-Jaahiliyyah (The Pre-Islamic Usury) was: When they used to settle a debt with a debtor, they would say: “Either you settle the debt, or we increase the debt and double the time it (should be paid)”. This was the Pre-Islamic Usury and it used to be predominant in their dealings. They used to gather wealth through forbidden means–through pillage, plunder, robbery and devouring people’s wealth through falsehood.
And with regards to food, they made dead animals and blood lawful; they used to eat dead animals, blood and repugnant things. And with regards to their relationship between one another, they used to kill and fight one another over the most trivial thing. They neither had a leader nor a state–they were either under the authority of tribal systems or under the authority of the Persians and the Romans. The powerful used to encroach upon (the rights of the weak), and the oppressor used to transgress the limits, and no one stopped him.

This was Al-Jaahiliyyah (The Pre-Islamic Period of Ignorance). They were upon ignorance in all aspects (of life) and the greatest of that (ignorance) was with regards to worship and creed. They used to be upon the creed of Shirk, rejected the (Resurrection) and the Divine Message (of the Messengers). (Allaah said that) they used to say: [مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ بَشَرٍ مِنْ شَيْءٍ – Nothing did Allaah send down to any human being (by revelation) 6:91]

This was their state in Al-Jaahiliyyah (The Pre-Islamic Period of Ignorance); then, Allaah (Glorified Be He) sent Muhammad (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) with the Guidance and the Religion of Truth. Allaah stated:[هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ – It is He Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad) with Al Hudaa (the Guidance) and Deenul Haqq (the religion of truth -Islaam) 9:33]

‘Hudaa’ is beneficial knowledge and ‘Deenul Haqq’ is righteous action. Allaah (Glorified Be He) sent His prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) with beneficial knowledge and righteous action, so because of the advent of the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) Al-Jaahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance) ceased to exist for ever walil-laahil Hamd, and knowledge and guidance arrived.

The ‘Jaahiliyyah Aamma’ (The Pre-Islamic ignorance that was widespread in the world and touched every aspect of life) has ceased to exist; but it remains with some people or with some of the tribes, or in some of the lands. This is Jaahiliyyah Juz-i (a portion of Pre-Islamic Ignorance), (but) as for the ‘Jahiliyyah Aamma’, this has ceased to exist after the advent of the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam), but some characteristics of Pre-Islamic ignorance remain with some of the people due to the saying of the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam): “Among my people there are four characteristics belonging to pre-Islamic period which they do not abandon: boasting of high rank, reviling other peoples’ genealogies, seeking rain by stars, and wailing (i.e. for the dead)’’ (reported by Muslim).” This remains, but it is a portion, (but) as for the Jaahiliyyah Aamma, it has ceased to exist.

So due to this, it is not permissible to say that the people are in Jaahiliyyah (Pre-Islamic ignorance). Some (people) say: “(the people) are in a state of Pre-Islamic ignorance that is more severe than the one before the sending of the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)”…. The meaning of this (statement of theirs) is a denial of what the Messenger (sallal-laahu-layhi-wasallam) came with; it is a denial of the Qur’aan, the Sunnah of the Prophet and the abundant knowledge within our hands. Its meaning is that we are in Al-Jaahiliyyah (Pre-Islamic ignorance). This is a mistake, the people are not in Al-Jaahiliyyah, walil-laahil Hamd, but there remains some of the characteristics of Al-Jaahiliyyah in some individuals, in some nation states and in some tribes; but this is a specific Jaahiliyyah. Therefore, it is incumbent to be acquainted with this affair. [https://salaficentre.com/2013/09/updated-the-people-used-to-ask-about-the-good-hudhaifah-radiyallaahu-anhu/]

[Ref 8: Muhaadaraat Fil Aqeedah Wad-Da’wah’ page 18-20. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 9: Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 6/510]

[Ref:10: Tafseer Surah Al-Baqarah 2/299]

[Ref 11: Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 7/7]

[Ref 11.1: An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah). Vol 1. Page 300-303. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 11.2: Saheeh Muslim 1844]

[Ref 11.3: Sharh Saheeh Muslim Vol 12/196]

[Ref 12: Excerpt from ‘Mu’jam Al-Manaahee Lil Laf’dhiyyah’ page 34. slightly paraphrased. Publisher: Daar Al-Aasimah. 3rd edition 1996]

[Ref 13: Excerpt from Mu’jam Al-Manaahee Lil Lafdhiyyah’ page 10. slightly paraphrased. Publisher: Daar Al-Aasimah. 3rd edition 1996]

[Ref 14: Excerpt from ‘Al-Haqeeqatus Shar’iyyah Fee Tafseeril Qur’aan Al-A’dheem Was-Sunnatin Nabawiyyah’ page 17. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 15: Majmoo Fataawaa 1/175. slightly paraphrased]