Oakland Liquor Store Controversy

Editorial by Dr. Sam Hamod

There is a moral problem that must be addressed when speaking of the attacks on liquor stores in the Oakland area that have allegled been initiated by members of The Nation of Islam.  First, we must consider why it is that Muslims would be selling alcohol, when it is
forbidden in their religion; second, we must consider the proper behavior in alaw-abiding society by those who attacked the stores.

First of all, we are not sure that it was a concerted attack by the Nation of Islam, though the men who did the attacking  wore clothes that were like those worn by the Nation group.  But whoever did the attacking did violence to the owners and their livelihood, and
kidnapped an employee (who works for a living at the store in order  to support his family).

On the other hand, it is a legitimate question to ask a Muslim store owner, why he would sell alcohol to others, when he himself may not  be a drinker, and whose religion speaks against the use of intoxicants (alcohol is but one of many intoxicants Islam inveighs against, the others are dope, gambling, whoring, greed and other excesses in  worldly
affairs).  Morally, a Muslim should not sell alcohol. 

Unfortunately, some Imams have said, if the Muslim does sell alcohol, he should not sell it to minors, drunks or those who are not mentally or  physically fit to drink alcohol, but that the selling of alcohol, since it is allowed in U.S. society, is a legitimate business, especially for immigrants who do not have the educational or professional training  to get into any decent salaried  position, and are thus relegated to  small grocery or liquor store business'.  In the old days, these men could get jobs in blue collar  factories, but with most factories in  America closed down, there is little that uneducated immigrants can do except open small mom and pop markets or liquor stores.  On the other hand,  it is a shame that so many liquor stores are located in, and cater to, black citizens.

Thus, there is controversy in Muslim circles about this matter, with disagreements by various groups and Imams.  In a strict reading of Islam, the selling of alcohol should be forbidden by a Muslim; but  in  a more commercial interpretation, some feel it is all right.  On the other hand, it might have been better for those who did the attacking to picket the stores and urge others not to drink or buy their liquor at the stores in question. Sam Wong, not being a Muslim, had no fear of selling liquor.  Thus,  it is unfair to pick on only the Muslim store owners, though they be  wrong in their endeavors, unless all stores are picketed  (Muslim and non-Muslim alike).

Finally, this is something that can be handled in community meetings  or demonstrations, rather than vandalism and kidnapping.  On the other hand, many in the black and in other communities, resent the plethora of liquor stores that are popping up on almost every street corner--thus adding temptation to those already on the lower rung economically, and those who already have enough problems, let alone another one brought about by liquor and its evil.

Dr. Sam Hamod