Yasir Qadhi Muslim Slaves & The History Of America
Feb 13, 2026
A look at the presence of early Muslim slaves in America and the scale and brutality of chattel slavery. Estimates of how many enslaved people were Muslim and why many struggled to preserve their faith. Stories of individuals like Ayyub ibn Sulaiman, Bilali Muhammad, and Umar ibn Saeed who kept Islamic practice and writings alive. The persistence and later resurgence of Islam among African Americans.
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Muslims Were Here Before The USA
- Muslims lived and practiced Islam in North America centuries before the USA existed. - Yasir Qadhi emphasizes this to counter modern Islamophobic claims about foreigners.
Scale And Diversity Of Muslim Enslavement
- About 400,000 enslaved Africans were brought to America; roughly 120,000 were Muslim. - These Muslim captives came from diverse West African tribes and languages, hindering communal preservation.
The Story Of Ayyub ibn Sulaiman
- Ayyub ibn Sulaiman, a Fulani merchant captured in 1730, prayed and fasted in Maryland and later impressed British elites. - He recited Surah Ikhlas, met King George II, and eventually returned to Gambia with a Qur'an around his neck.
