5 Hidden Black Muslim History Facts!

 Fact 2: How Enslaved Africans Reproduced Qu’ranic manuscripts. 

Despite the severe mental and psychological trauma of the Middle Passage, historical documents record a fascinating phenomenon. In a journal, a white plantation owner in Jamaica wrote that “I had a visit one Sunday Morning very lately, from three Mandingo negroes, natives of Africa. They could all read and write Arabic; and one of them showed me a Koran written from memory by himself–but written, he assured me, before he became a Christian.”

In 1768, a journal article records that, “a negro slave of Capt. David Anderson”, wrote several verses of the Qu’ran from memory. Sadly, the name of this enslaved African Muslim is unknown. He is only referred to as “Anderson’s Negro” consistent with the American status of black people as mere property.

Elsewhere in Georgia, Bilali Muhammad composed an Arabic document later found to contain verbatim quotes from Ibn Abu Zayd Al-Qairawani, a scholar of the Maliki school of Islamic Law in the 10th century. Abu Bakr was reputed to have still have the Qu’ran memorized even after 30 years of slavery. In another incident, white plantation owner Thomas Bluet reported that Ayuba Diallo, an enslaved African Muslim wrote three copies of the Qu’ran from memory. Such realities demonstrate the profound levels of education in West Africa.

Next: Fact 3: How Sahabah Influenced  Black Slave Rebellions.