These selections from The Excellence of Black People (Raf’u Sha’n Al-Ḥubshān) are intended to connect our hearts, minds, and communities to the healing wisdom of preeminent teachers from amongst the Black luminaries of the past who remain largely unknown or ignored.

Imam al-Suyuti (d. 911 AH / 1505 CE) delivers this message clearly through his insightful text, which includes the names and unique qualities of the Black Companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the Qur’anic verses regarding them, a commentary on African words in the Quran and Hadith, and much more.

Like Ibn al-Jawzi before him, al-Suyuti masterfully curated the narrators and narrations in this work to serve as keys to deeper truths, higher understanding, and more meaningful and equitable spiritual practice. The annotations that have been added are meant to facilitate benefitting from these keys.