THE NATION OF ISLAM S T U D Y C O U R S E

FRIDAY CLASS WEEK 40

SELF-IMPROVEMENT The Price of Redemption Part2 (Study Guide 13)

Muhammad University of Islam © 2011

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This study course is designed to be done both in a course room, mosque, study-group or self-paced at home. Certain parts of this course (Key Word Study) will be done with a partner. Other parts will be done independently (by yourself). When its time to partner, you and your partner (twin) are to follow the steps provided in this guide. The study course is laid out in the order you do them. It is important not to skip any steps of the guide. THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE TO BE FOLLOWED IN OUR CLASSES.

Purpose of this Study Course Guide:

The purpose of this study course guide is to guide you through this course of study.

Time to Complete:

Although the hour and a half that we have for study this evening will hopefully allow you to progress through most of this study, however it is strongly recommend that you continue to work on this study course at home at your own pace.

Important Note: During the study course session, if you have any questions raise your hand for assistance. Each believer (student) should have a copy of this handout and its instructions to take home and continue studying on their own. All steps may not be completed in the class sessions in its entirety.

Study Course Steps Step 1: Key Word Clearing Time Frame: 30 min Key words are important words related to key concepts found in the reading. Having a good understanding of the meanings of these words will help each student better understand the important concepts and ideas of the study, as well as eliminate misunderstandings that come with misunderstood words. Use the key word list and definitions found in this packet to do the drill (exercise) a and b.

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1.) Select a partner (closest to you) and study the Key Words together, through reviewing the questions and answers to master. (If done in course room or mosque/study group the time allotted is 30-45 minutes)

2.) First time through: The student has the questions and answers in front of him or her. The partner asks the student the question, and the student answers it. He/She can look at the answer if needed. The answer does not have to be word-for-word or memorized; just the concept must be correct.

3.) Second time through: Once finished with the drill the first time, you start again from the beginning, this time without the answers in front of you. Your partner asks the question and you answers. If the answer is incorrect, your partner shows you the answer. Look at the answer again and repeat until you have grasped the concept, then continue to the next one.

Step 2: Independent Reading Time Frame: 30 min After completing step one, you may begin to read the selected reading materials. Step 3: Check Your Understanding Questions: Time Frame: 30 min Review the lists of questions. Each question is formulated to check your understanding of the key concepts and ideas found in the reading. Answer each question on a sheet of paper and be prepared to discuss your answers at the conclusion of this session. Sufficient time may not be given during class session to answer all of the questions. If you do not finish in class, please continue this step at home.

S t u d y C o u r s e I n s t r u c t i o n s

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What is a law? A law is the principles and regulations established in a community by some authority and applicable to its people, whether in the form of legislation or of custom and policies recognized and enforced by judicial decision. What is a rule? A rule is a principle or regulation governing conduct, action, procedure, arrangement, etc.; the customary or normal circumstance, occurrence, manner, practice, quality, etc. What is meant by a regulation? A regulation is a law, rule, directive, or other order made by authority, especially to regulate conduct. What does it mean to govern? Govern means to rule over by right of authority; to exercise a directing or restraining influence over; guide. What does control mean? Control means to exercise restraint or direction over; dominate; command. What does it mean to be in exile? To be in exile means prolonged separation from one's country or home, as by stress of circumstances; expulsion from one's native land by authoritative decree. What does sovereign mean? Sovereign means having supreme rank, power, or authority; supreme; preeminent; indisputable. What does it mean to be rebellious? To be rebellious is defying or resisting some established authority, government, or tradition; insubordinate; inclined to rebel. What is meant by stiff-necked? Stiff-necked means (of a person or their behavior) haughty and stubborn. What does it mean to be hard-hearted? To be hard-hearted is to be unfeeling; unmerciful; pitiless.

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What does admonish mean? To admonish is to caution, advise, or counsel against something; to reprove or scold, especially in a mild and good-willed manner. What does it mean to be respectful? Respectful means full of, characterized by, or showing politeness or deference. What does it mean to vie for something? Vie means to compete eagerly with someone in order to do or achieve something

What does it mean to strive for something? Strive means to make great efforts to achieve or obtain something. It also means to struggle or fight vigorously.

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1. PREPARATION A measure by which one prepares for something. The act of preparing; to put in proper condition or readiness. Planning and making ready for something expected or thought possible. Noun Preparation, arrangement, provision, rehearsal; anticipation, expectation, precaution;

groundwork, substructure, base basis, foundation, scaffold, scaffolding. Verb Prepare, arrange, provide, ready, roughhew, make ready, lay foundation of, prime,

groom, rehearse; forearm; clear for action; equip, arm, man; fit out, fit up, array, outfit, appoint, furnish, dress. Mature, ripen, mellow, season, bring to maturity, elaborate, perfect, complete, develop. Prepare oneself, get ready, be on guard, foresee.

Adjective Available, ready, primed, groomed, armed, on guard, foresighted. Antonyms Suddenness, surprise, unexpected, incomplete, unprepared. Holy Qur’an

“But the Messenger and those who believe with him strive hard with their property and their persons. And it is these for whom are the good things and these it is who are successful. Allah has prepared for them Gardens wherein flow rivers, to abide therein. That is the great achievement. Holy Qur’an 9:88,89 “And if you desire Allah and His Messenger and the abode of the Hereafter, then surely Allah has prepared for the doers of good among you a mighty reward. Holy Qur’an 33:29 “He is it Who sends blessings on you, and (so do) His angels, that He may bring you forth out of darkness into light. And He is ever Merciful to the believers. Their salutation on the day they meet Him will be, Peace! and He has prepared for them an honorable reward.” Holy Qur’an 33:43-44 “Vie with one another for forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden the extensiveness of which is as the extensiveness of the heaven and the earth --- it is prepared for those who believe in Allah and His messengers. That is the grace of Allah; He gives it to whom He pleases. And Allah is the Lord of mighty grace.” Holy Qur’an 57:21 Bible BEHOLD! I will send my messenger and he shall prepare the way before me...” Malachi 3:1 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Isaiah 40: 3 “And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought there, so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house while it was in building.” 1 Kings 6:7 “They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready, but none goeth to the battle; for my wrath is upon all their multitude.” Ezekiel 7:14 “And Samuel spoke unto all of the house of Israel, saying, if ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods...from among you and prepare your hearts unto the Lord and

T H E P R I C E O F R E D E M P T I O N BY

THE HONORABLE MINISTER LOUIS FARRAKHAN

CONTINUED

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serve him only; and He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 7:3 “Be ye, therefore, ready also, for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Luke 12:40 “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry...For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand...” 2 Timothy 4:5,6 “O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.” 1 Chronicles 29:16

2. PURIFICATION “Surely Allah loves those who turn much (to Him) and He loves those who purify themselves.” Holy Qur’an 2:222

PURE Being that and nothing else. Freed from anything of an inferior or contaminating kind; free from extraneous matter. Clear, free from blemishes; untainted, unaffected; chaste; immaculate; genuine. Noun Clarification, distillation, refinement; sanctification. Purifier, cleanser. Purity,

innocence, virtue, immaculate. Adjective Clean, pristine, taintless, uncontaminated, unpolluted, unadulterated, unmixed,

single, sheer; undefiled, unstained, impeccable, untarnished, unblemished. Adverb Purely, solely, simply, barely, merely, only (unity) Arabic “Pure”: “to make sincere, devoted, chosen, single-minded, single–hearted, exclusive,

entirely. SINCERE Free from deceit, hypocrisy or falseness. Earnest, genuine, real. Truthful, candid, honest, clean, unmixed. See also, Cleanness, Improvement, Innocence, Morality. Antonyms: impurity, wickedness.

IMPROVEMENT Enrichment, advancement, elevation, increase, recovery. Cultivation, refinement, polish; reformation, progress, correction, development, elaboration, purification, reconstruction, reclamation.

“O thou who wrappest thyself up, Arise and warn, And thy Lord do magnify, and thy garments do purify,” Holy Qur’an 74:1-4 “But in all things commending ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by long–suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by love unfeigned...” 2 Corinthians 6:4-6 “Then Paul took the men and the next day, purifying himself with them, entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until an offering should be offered for every one of them. Acts 21:26

3. RESTORATION “FOR THE SON OF MAN IS COME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST” Luke 19:10

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“And I will restore to you the years that the locusts hath eaten...And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord, your God, Who hath dealt wondrously with you; and my people shall never be ashamed...” Joel 2:25,26

The act of restoring; renewal, revival, or reestablishment. A return of something to a former, original, normal or unimpaired condition. A representation or reconstruction of an ancient building, extinct animal or the like, showing it in its original state. Restitution of something taken away or lost. A putting back into a former position, dignity, etc. To rebuild, renew, replace, reinstate. To rescue. To save. Noun Replacement, reinstatement, resurrection, rehabilitation, reconstitution, reparation,

redemption, reorganization, recovery. Verb Put back, give back, reclaim, recover, correct, remedy, right. Cure. Arabic “Restore”: “Ada”: “To deliver”; “Radda”: “To return something to someone”.

“For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 “And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elijah truly shall first come and restore all things... But I say unto you that Elijah is come already and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they desired. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.” Matthew 17:10–12 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1 “I pray you, let us cease this exacting of interest... Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their olive yards, and their houses... We will restore them, and will require nothing of them, that they should do according to this promise.” Nehemiah 5:11–12 “He who has made the Qur’an binding on thee will surely bring thee back to the Place of Return. Say: My Lord knows best him who has brought the guidance and him who is in manifest error... And call not with Allah any other god. There is no God but He. Everything will perish but He. His is the judgment, and to Him you will be brought back.” Holy Qur’an 28:85,88 “And certainly we tried before them Pharaoh’s people and a noble messenger came to them, Saying: Deliver to me the servants of Allah. Surely I am a faithful messenger to you. And exalt not yourselves against Allah. Surely I bring you a clear authority.” Holy Qur’an 44:17–19 “And We indeed delivered the Children of Israel from the abasing chastisement, From Pharaoh. Surely he was haughty, prodigal. And certainly We chose them above the nations, having knowledge. And We gave them signs wherein was clear blessing.” Holy Qur’an 44:30–33

4. CONSECRATION The act of consecrating; dedication to the service and worship of God. To consecrate is to make or declare sacred; to set apart; devote, dedicate to a purpose; make something an object of honor or veneration. From “sacr”: “sacred, holy”. VERB sanctify, hallow, enshrine, anoint, bless

“And who, then, is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?” 1 Chr 29:5 “For the law maketh men high priests who have infirmity, but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.” Hebrews 7:28 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus... By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh... And having an high priest over the house of God, Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:19-22

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5. DEDICATION Devotion, adherence, loyalty. DEDICATE To set apart and consecrate to a sacred purpose; to devote wholly and earnestly, as to a person or purpose.

“Behold, I build an house to the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shew–bread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths and on the new moons and on the solemn feasts of the Lord our God. This is an ordinance forever to Israel.” 2 Chronicles 2:4 “And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly; for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.” 2 Chronicles 7:9

LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS: THE VALUE OF OBEDIENCE Beloved, there is much that we have yet to learn about Allah’s (God’s) Will and our suffering for the sake of purification. Allah (God), the Sovereign of the Universe, has established rules and laws governing everything in His Creation. Nothing in this Creation disobeys the laws under which it is created, governed and controlled, from the tiniest insect to the huge planets and stars, except Man. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad taught us that the so–called Indians were exiled from that part of the Earth, Asia, to this wilderness, for breaking the Laws of Islam. “Islam” means “obedience to the Will of God.” “Exile” means “prolonged separation from one’s country or home, as by stress of circumstances; expulsion from one’s native land by authoritative decree.” Breaking the Law of Islam means we rebelled against obeying our Sovereign Lord. The fall of the so–called Indians, members of the Aboriginal People of the Earth, was due to rebellion; the fall of the Black Man, member of the Aboriginal People of the Earth, was due to rebellion. The Caucasian was made in the nature of rebellion. So, our rebellion, white, red and black, has earned us all a place here in America, where in our rebellion we can heap punishment and evil upon each other. Allah (God) permitted the Caucasian (so–called white man) to take this country from the so–called Indian and bring millions of Black people into slavery in the Western Hemisphere. This was to be a prison for all of us until we learned the price of rebellion and decided we had had enough and were willing to submit to Allah (God) that He might get us out of the condition that our rebellion against Him has placed us in – Death – spiritually, mentally, morally, politically and economically. The Bible depicts us as stiff–necked, hard–hearted and rebellious people, lost sheep who follow the devices and desires of our own hearts and who refuse to submit to the Will of Allah (God). It is this rebellion, dear Brothers and Sisters, that has reduced humanity to the level of the beasts of the field and even below. Today, all of the Native American rituals of traditional religion that I know of, inflict pain and suffering for the sake of purification, that they might once again gain the favour of Allah, Whom they call ‘Grandfather’. The Caucasian people have set up rules, laws and regulations governing this society and its

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institutions. Most of these laws, called ‘common law’, spring from their (Caucasians) understanding of Divine Law. Many of these laws, rules and regulations are made to insure the safety and security of people and property from the evil intentions and actions of others. Of course, there are many laws that are unjust and these laws are changed by our protest against these unjust laws. Civil disobedience in the civil rights movement was not designed to create chaos in the society, but to rid society of unjust laws, thereby making a better and healthier society for us all. When we act outside of the parameters of the laws of this society, we may find ourselves incarcerated (imprisoned). At that point, yet another, even more restrictive set of rules and regulations is activated in our lives, governing the relationship between those confined and those who are the guards and overseers of those confined. There are rules concerning what we should say or do, when we can say or do it, how we should act and dress. Some of these rules may seem stringent and some even foolish, however, they are designed to train the inmate to recognize and respect rules and regulations. Allah (God) says to us in the Holy Qur’an, “obey Allah and His Messenger and those in authority over you”, whether they are of your faith or not. We are admonished to respect authority, because that is the way to Peace. Respect for authority and rules and regulations governing our daily activities, whether developed by Caucasian people or Original people, would serve us better than rebelling against those rules because they are against some of our personal desires. Is this not what led to our being here in the first place? Was it not the violation of Divine Laws governing our relationship with Allah (God) that gave our enemies the chance to kidnap and enslave us, depriving us of our freedom, our name our religion, our language, our family and loved ones? Should not our suffering serve to make us better able to handle ourselves and the Divine Laws governing every aspect of life? What would we think of a person who would enter into our home, knowing the rules of behaviour we have established, yet would try to get around them, disrespecting the sacredness of the home? How do we feel when someone disregards our privacy without thought or consideration? Does this not anger us? We must learn to be respectful of the laws, rules and regulations of people and their societies and cultures, otherwise, we will not be able to build good relationships with them or enter into their societies. This may be the lesson that we most need to learn to secure our freedom permanently. In the Bible, Jonah rebelled against the Will of Allah (God) in running away from that which he was commanded to do. He was swallowed by a whale and imprisoned in its belly, which the writers describe as “Hell”. It was in this time of need that he cried out to God and in crying out to God he realized that it was God Who permitted him to fall into adverse circumstances that he would know the price of rebellion and rejection of his duty. It was when he cried out to God, or submitted that he would do what God commanded him, that the whale spat him out. We must learn to obey Allah’s (God’s) Will. We do this by learning how to respect little laws, for when we take liberties with small laws that are designed for our safety and security, it leads to breaking Divine Laws which are designed for our safety and security spiritually with Allah (God). When we are driving down the street, we should stop at the stop sign; we should proceed with caution where the sign directs us to proceed with caution; we should not go down a one way street in the wrong direction; we should stop at railroad crossings. Don’t excuse yourself from the rules that are for your own protection and the protection of others. As we take chances, we do not train ourselves to obey. We feed the spirit of rebellion until we become hardened in the way of

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rebellion; then it is easy to rebel against Allah (God) Himself. In excusing ourselves from rules and regulations, we make ourselves the criterion by which we judge the veracity or goodness of the rules and regulations, thereby setting ourselves up as judges. In our prayers, we ask Allah to “make Muhammad successful” as He did make Abraham successful. We pray the prayer of Abraham, who said, “I am the first of those who submit.” It is through our submission that we come up out of the condition of hell that our rebellion has placed us in. Even if we do not fully understand why we must submit, we must submit until understanding comes.

“The dwellers of the desert say: We believe. Say: You believe not, but say, We submit; and faith has not yet entered into your hearts. And if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not diminish (anything) of your deeds. Surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” Holy Qur’an 49:14

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STEP 3: Check Your Understanding The following questions are for discussion at the conclusion of the study session. The remaining questions can be completed at your own pace as you continue your study at home. You can use your book if you need help answering the questions. Write your answers on a sheet of paper.

Questions For Discussion: 1. What is the purpose of purifying someone or something? What is the process in which one is

purified? 2. What is the result of a believer desiring Allah? 3. The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan states, “Nothing in Creation disobeys His laws but

man.” Explain why? 4. Why were the so-called Indians exiled? 5. Why does the righteous use exiling as a punishment? 6. What has reduced humanity to the level of the beasts of the field? 7. How does respecting authority benefit us? 8. What are the steps in learning to obey Allah's Will? 9. What is the result when we excuse ourselves from rules and regulations? 10. What is meant by “even if we do not fully understand why we must submit, we must submit until

understanding comes?”

Questions For Further Study: 1. How can the believer strive hard with their property? 2. The Holy Quran 33:43-44 mentions us being brought forth out darkness. Explain 3. What are we allowed to righteously vie for? 4. What was the cause of our rebellion? 5. Why were the Caucasians permitted to enslave the Original Man and transport us to North

America? 6. Why is North America considered a prison? 7. What is the basis of "common law"? 8. What is the purpose of incarceration? Is that purpose being realized in America? 9. What can facilitate the building of good relationships? 10. What is the most needed lesson to learn to secure our freedom permanently?

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