Q2, SPRING 13

KATEEB
JIHAD AL NAFS
I conducted an interview based on 25 questions with a Bay
Area Muslim / Father / Husband and Artist named Jihad (Al-
Nafs) aka: Kateeb. He was born Harvey Harcum in Virginia,
USA. He converted or rather reverted to Islam and has been a
practicing Muslim for 18 years, since 1994.
The question and answer session began with one general question
in regards to his path to accepting the religion of Islam. As
a Muslim myself and a long time associate of Harvey Harcum.
I found his questions a bit contrived and purposely safe. Yet,
this is not a contradiction to the nature of being Muslim. As
you will see many reverts in the United States have accepted
Islam due to its clarity and structured nature in order to want to
know what Allah (God) wants from us. This predisposition is a
constant theme through out the interview and is in my opinion
integral to Muslim converts or reverts in the west.
I was also a bit reluctant to write this expose / article in an
interview style. I felt that the person whom I was interviewing
was on guard due to the nature of the perception of Islam in our
current state. With that being said, I will attempt to translate
and articulate with the greatest of clarity and safety a testimony
of a sincere Muslim brother
The interview began by a simple question of asking how long
has he been Muslim. I love to ask reverts this question because
taking Shahaada is a very joyous and memorable occasion for
reverts. They always remember each detail and there is certainly
a back to story of humbled circumstance that warms your heart
to hear.
After receiving DAWA from someone that he admired, Harvey
Harcum decided to Take Shahada on his birthday in 1994.
The importance of shared information and the character of the
person delivering the information was a persistent theme in the
interview. Leading up to taking Shahada Harvey experienced
what only could be described as a deep yearning for knowledge
in regards to Islam. He said that Spikes Lee’s “Malcolm X”
was a huge influence on him. Which makes a case for positive
images of Muslims in the media affects people’s perception of
Islam in a posiyive way.
state where we believed in god.” Harvey replied.
Growing up in a Christian country, family and environment did not
seem to offer him as well as other reverts enough in terms of understanding
what Allah wants from us. Whether in church and bible study on
Sunday, Tuesday or Wednesday many have found that Islam or submission
to god is a natural structure or inclination within our selves. While
Christianity and the bible have served as a mere thoroughfare for many,
whom are traversing back to our true nature as Muslims or people whom
submit to god. In regards to this Harvey replies: “When we come into
this world the point of this life is to try and remember and prepare ourselves
to return to the god (ALLAH) that we have already bore witness
to.”
When asked what attracted him to the religion of Islam. Harvey replied
over and over, ‘The People”, ‘Definitely the character of the people.”
Islam has a strict hygiene and criterion for prayer and guidance. This also
was a key point for Harvey ‘s accepting Islam into his life. The nature
of people and their differences have also been a plus for Harvey in his
acceptance of Islam. The difference in people food and culture in Islam is
diverse yet unified under Allah by the 5 pillars of Islam. This is a proof to
the true nature of mans capability of uniting in the face of adversity and
mankind’s ability to overcome, overlook and progress with the guidance
of Allah.
The Islamic structure is a protection for all facets of life. Harvey
explained that Islam helped him learn about harmful aspects of life for
him and his family. Coupled with the joys of fatherhood, the ability to
conduct prayer with his family 5 times every day is another aspect of
unity that Islam promotes in the family.
When most artist are trying to come to grips with themselves and their
surroundings, Jihad Al-Nafs (Harvey), A hip-hop emcee and producer
has found a wealth of subject matter and material inspired by his life in
submission to Allah. “If I didn’t have that type of substance, I wouldn’t
want to rhyme (rap) or try to emcee at all, Period, He says.
http://positivebeatsforpositiverhymes.com/
H. Robinson
At the time I didn’t know anything about Islam, but I knew
there was something pulling me towards that,” He said.
His reflective nature seemed to find a home in Islam. The significance
of taking his Shahada on his birthday came into existence
by way of Dawa and his own predisposition for understanding
our own pre-existing natures as beings whom have submitted
our souls willingly to Allah as Muslim. “We where born in a