1. The 2nd Annual Uswah Conference of New England Applying the Excellence (Hasana) of the Uswah, Today and Tomorrow Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim 1 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

2. How To Become A Better Student of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed? 2 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

3. The Book of Letters for The Inheritors: An Academic Guide for 21 st Century Imams In- Support of Imam W D Mohammed (M) By Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Forward By Imam Wazir Ali 1433 H – 2012 AD ImamIbrahimRahim.com 3 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

4. During our first 20 th Century phase of transition, Imam Mohammed (M) referred to the Community as being a “House.” When built properly, houses withstand the winds of harm that confront it naturally with Allah’s Permission SWT. A house is a place in which families dwell and thrive. 4 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

5. Over the span of nearly four decades, Imam Mohammed (M) became the keeper of the “House.” In doing so, he planted seeds for growth which we are now seeing blossom today, these days in which there “fruits” are of critical necessity. 5 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

6. We are people who extend from a very rich and diverse tradition of Muslim Living in America. Our journey to this point has been trailblazing, pioneering and historic. Our Muslim Forefathers were all men of distinction, high character and moral fiber. 6 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

7. Our accomplishments are recorded in the annals of history and are thus forever undeniable. 7 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

8. Today our House is in a bit of “fixable” trouble. There is an “uncomfortable air” swirling around within our house. So, we welcome in the season of Spring. Today, we open up the windows in an attempt to exchange “bad air” for “good air” so that we might all again BREATHE. 8 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

9. When our Imam (M) died, the “air’ was sucked out of the “House.” Satan has been on a mission to “suffocate” us ever since. So, with the exchange of bad air from the endless source of pure wind, we bask in the promise of yet again another phase of renewal. 9 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

10. I would like to end by “pointing” Imams-of-the-Day, in a clear way, regarding how exactly they can “protect” the rightful legacy of the Imam (M) by drawing critical “links” between what he said and the Foundational Science of Al- Islam. 10 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

11. Imam Mohammed (M) made Muslim Commentary during the Blessed Month of Ramadan 2001 which he directed to the Imams of this House. Here’s how you connect what he said to the Foundational Science of Al-Islam: 11 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

12. So, your obligation is to train yourself to use the number one and most profitable, beneficial tool that Allah Gave to Muhammad (PBUH) and all of us: the Quran, the Word of G-d. You have to learn how to use it for the benefit of the Muslim Community. Muhammad-the-Prophet’s life (PBUH) 12 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

13. He is the first teacher, he’s the boss teacher over all of us. Your obligation is to know your teacher and to be able to follow your teacher: in teaching methodology, the way of teaching Al- Islam. That is your obligation when you say you’re an Imam. 13 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

14. Arabic Legal Standard (s) That Apply حق الأمة مقدم على حقوق الأفراد الظني لا يقاوم القطعي فضلا من ان يقدم عليه اليقين لا يزول بالشك 14 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

15. Translation of the Arabic Legal Standard (s) 1The rights of the Ummah are to always be addressed before the rights of individuals. 2Guesswork and/or calculated estimations are to never supersede facts as any means of substitution. 3Surety can never be erased by doubt. 15 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

16. Imam Mohammed (M) defended Shari A’h and Fiqh in his ministry. He taught Shari A’h without using the technical terms knowing his Imams weren’t ready for that leap. So, he stayed in the meaning of the law when he spoke (M). 16 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

17. To the outsider, it would appear that he did not possess these academic references, this is untrue! 17 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

18. Here, we have evidence of clear connections with Fiqh Standards when we hear him “command” his Imams to place the needs of the Ummah (House or community) above their own individual needs. We see it again when he commands his Imams to study Muslim Knowledge for the House(s) they lead within the established knowledge tradition of Al-Islam (M). 18 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

19. “And I hold you responsible, if any of you say: I’m your leader. I hold you responsible to do that, you’re responsible to me. If I’m your leader, you’re responsible” 19 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

20. Let’s go to the court and see what the court says: the Christian court with a Christian judge [in the court]... or [to] the Jewish judge in the court. Let’s go and ask them are these imams of this Community, that I’m the leader of, are they accountable to me for how they preach Al-Islam, for how they speak it? 20 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

21. The judge will say, yes, aren’t you their leader, didn’t they make you their leader? Yes, they are [accountable]. 21 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

22. “Any leader in Christianity, Jew [Judaism], anybody [even] Buddhist would tell you: yes, you’re accountable to your leader for how you represent that religion [and ask you] didn’t you make him your leader? Allah Says: Obey His messenger and Obey those that you put in authority.” 22 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

23. This is not advocacy for learning Arabic as Imams: this is advocacy for learning scripture as Imams and followers of the Imam. That is, learning Quranic Scripture as Imams and followers of the Imam. 23 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

24. The Holy Quran is revealed in the language of revelation, this is what the Messenger, Prophet Muhammad believed in (May the Prayers and Peace of the Almighty Be Upon Him), He believed in the revelation itself or the Tenzeel تنزيل. 24 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

25. This is the language that benefited the world, saved humanity, not Arabic Language, but the Tenzeel Allah SWT put into the language as inspiration or وحي. Holy Quran 2:285 25 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

26. In whatever you do as Imams within the Imamate, 1) have a conscience, 2) be able to read the Holy Quran with personal Arabic- based understanding, and 3) project the lessons of the Holy Quran from within the guidelines of the Imam’s perspectives (M). 26 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

27. His final advice to the young Imams is to go right to the sources: the Holy Quran, The Sunnah and to those who “directly” knew Imam Mohammed (M) for guidance! He said, if we do this, any where we travel, we will be respected and “they” will accept us. Imam Darnell Karim 27 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

28. “Surely I turn myself to You O Allah who Originated the Heavens and Earth, I am not of those who associate (gods) with (God). Surely my prayers and my sacrifices, my life and my death is all for Allah, the lord, the Keeper, the Sustainer of all the Worlds. 28 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

29. We say that and we mean it! Don’t think that emotionalism is a force to shake this house. This is not a sitting-bull ceremony, it requires interpretation. The interpretation of the chief among the Indians! 29 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

30. This is not a church, [or] gymnasium, this is not a musical formed thing! We know the life of babies. We know the nature of babies. We know the strength of babies. We know that when a test is put upon the baby, the baby reacts to the test emotionally: because (God) has not formed that baby in knowledge. It is still a child of emotion. (God) Has not Let it live long enough to become a child of knowledge! 30 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

31. All of us are men and women of knowledge: and when the strong gusts from wind coming from the forces of emotion, come against this house and blow: the windows stay intact, the shade doesn’t even waiver! The curtains that the window, though the window be up, won’t even be moved by the winds of emotion. Simply, because this house is built on strength; Divine strength. This is a house formed by knowledge, and men of knowledge just don’t fall down on the floor and weep and moan and cry like babies when the winds of emotion come! 31 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013

32. If an army of emotion come against us, with snatching big teeth, dripping blood, vicious, ready to swallow us, or if the surreptitious deceitful disguising beast comes in playing the music of the devil; singing the songs of weakness: let your winds of emotion come against this house; it stands FOREVER! Peace Be Unto you, as Salaam Alaykum.” 32 Uswah Conference Imam Ibrahim A. Rahim Copy Right 2013