Dhu al-Qadah 21, 1447 (May 8, 2026)
Assalaamun Alaykum Warahmatullah Taallah Wabarakatuhu
Recognizing Potential: How Morocco, a Muslim African Country, became the First Country to Reorganize the USA
Beloved brothers and sisters,
There are moments in history that do more than inform us. They transform how we see the world, how we see one another, and even how we see ourselves. Today, I am requesting that we reflect on a highly inspiring but often overlooked story: how Morocco, a Muslim land, became the first nation to recognize the United States long before it was fully established.
The year was 1777. The American colonies were not yet a stable nation. They were uncertain, struggling, and surrounded by doubt.
Many powerful nations hesitated. They waited. They watched. They calculated.
But far away in North Africa, Sultan Mohammed III made a different choice.
He did not wait for perfection. He did not wait for strength. He did not wait for global approval. Instead, he chose to recognize potential. He opened Morocco’s ports to American ships, signaling to the world that this fragile entity was worthy of acknowledgment.
Reflect on that, dear brothers and sisters.
He recognized them not for what they were, but for what they could become.
And this, in many ways, is a deeply Islamic value.
Allah reminds us in the Qur’an that human beings are created with dignity, with purpose, and with potential. We are not judged only by where we stand today, but by what we strive to become. Islam teaches us to look beyond the surface—to see sincerity, to see effort, to see the future hidden within the present.
How often, then, do we fail in this regard?
How often do we dismiss people because they are not yet “successful”?
How often do we ignore voices because they are not yet “powerful”?
How often do we judge individuals, communities – even entire nations – based only on their current struggles?
The story of Morocco and America challenges us to rethink this mindset.
Sultan Mohammed III’s decision was not merely political. It was moral. It reflected confidence, openness, and a willingness to engage rather than isolate. It showed that strength is not only in domination, but also in recognition.
And my dear brothers and sisters, this lesson is not limited to nations. It applies to our homes, our communities, and our daily interactions.
A parent must recognize the potential in a child before the world applauds that child.
A teacher must believe in a student before results appear.
A leader must invest in people before they become great.
Even within our communities here in Nigeria, how often do we fail to recognize one another? We divide ourselves:
by religion, by ethnicity, and by status.
We wait for proof before we offer trust. We wait for success before we offer support.
But Islam calls us to something higher.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) saw greatness in people before others did. He uplifted the weak, empowered the marginalized, and transformed ordinary individuals into extraordinary leaders. He recognized what others overlooked.
This is the prophetic way.
The relationship that began in 1777 did not end there. It later grew into a lasting bond, formalized in a treaty that has endured for centuries. A single act of recognition became a foundation for long-term friendship between Morocco and the United States.
So ask yourself today: What relationships in your life are waiting for your recognition?
Who around you is struggling, uncertain, unseen; but full of potential?
What opportunity are you ignoring because it does not yet look “complete”?
Dear believers, the world today is full of suspicion. Nations distrust one another. Communities are divided. People are quick to judge and slow to understand.
But this story reminds us of a different path – a path of openness, foresight, and courage.
To recognize good before it is obvious.
To support growth before it is guaranteed.
To build bridges before walls are erected.
As Muslims, we are called to be witnesses to justice, to compassion, and to wisdom. Recognizing the potential in others is part of that responsibility. It is an act of faith. It is an act of leadership. It is an act of humanity.
We should, from today, develop a renewed commitment:
To see beyond the present.
To believe in people before the world believes in them.
To extend kindness, trust, and recognition where it is least expected.
Bear in mind that sometimes, the greatest impact we can make in this world is not in what we build for ourselves; but in what we choose to see in others. The validity of Morocco-USA experience remains a story that never go awry; if only we are ready to learn from it.
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May Allah guide us to recognize truth, to uplift one another, and to act with wisdom and sincerity.
Ameen.
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Endeavour to recite Surah Al-Kahf (Chapter 18: Verses 1-110).
Juma’ah Mabrouq
