By Dr. Yusuf Malik Frederick, PhD | Black Crescent Wellness Foundation
In recent years, discussions surrounding spiritual abuse (SA) have expanded to include not just overt acts of religious coercion but also more insidious forms of oppression embedded in religious discourse and community structures. One such mechanism, epistemic injustice, plays a critical yet underrecognized role in spiritual harm, particularly within African American Muslim communities.
Defining Epistemic Injustice
Epistemic injustice, as articulated by Miranda Fricker (2007), refers to harm done to someone in their capacity as a knower. It arises in two principal forms: testimonial injustice, where someone’s knowledge is devalued due to prejudice, and hermeneutical injustice, where an individual lacks the interpretive tools or community support needed to make sense of their experience. This often manifests as theological gatekeeping in religious contexts, where community leaders or scholars monopolize interpretive authority and marginalize dissenting voices.
Within African American Muslim spaces, this dynamic is particularly acute. Religious authorities often impose narrow definitions of what constitutes “authentic” Islamic knowledge, sidelining alternative interpretations and undermining the spiritual autonomy of believers (Rippy & Newman, 2024). The result is a culture in which the spiritual experiences of Black Muslims—especially women—are not only ignored but actively invalidated.
When Lived Experience Is Rendered Illegible
For many African American Muslims, especially converts, religious expression may not immediately align with Arabic language or Arab-centric cultural practices. When these individuals attempt to articulate their spiritual experiences in non-traditional terms, they may be dismissed as lacking in religious understanding. This is a classic case of first-order misclassification, in which dominant theological frameworks fail to account for diverse lived realities (Panchuk, 2020).
Take, for instance, a Muslim woman who approaches a religious authority about emotional abuse in her marriage. Rather than recognizing her account as a valid expression of trauma, she may be told her suffering is part of Allah’s decree (Qadar)—a test of faith she must endure. Although her distress is real and her experience legitimate, it is reframed within a theological narrative that obscures abuse rather than confronting it (Fricker, 2007; Panchuk, 2020).
This silencing is not benign. Fields (2021) notes that victims raised in religiously abusive settings often learn to interpret long-term harm as divine love. As a result, the epistemic environment that should enable clarity and self-understanding instead facilitates spiritual confusion and harm.
Arab-Centrism and Cultural Alienation
African American Muslims often face a unique epistemic dilemma: their religious experiences are filtered through an Arab-centric lens that delegitimizes their cultural and intellectual heritage. Though Islam as a religion does not mandate racial or cultural supremacy, the lived reality often tells a different story. Conformity to Arab customs, linguistic fluency in Arabic, and uncritical acceptance of Arab interpretations of Islamic texts are often treated as prerequisites for religious legitimacy (Aziz, 2021).
This dynamic exemplifies second-order distortion or identity injustice, where a marginalized group is forced to internalize a dominant religious narrative that renders their racial and cultural identity inadequate (Panchuk, 2020; Cone, 2004). In essence, Black Muslims are asked to abandon their cultural frameworks in favor of a model that offers little room for indigenous epistemologies and spiritual expression.
Religious Gatekeeping and the Cycle of Abuse
Religious gatekeeping consolidates power among a select group of scholars or leaders who control theological interpretation. This has a chilling effect on victims of SA, who may fear being labeled rebellious, Westernized, or spiritually deficient for questioning prevailing norms (Porcher, 2024; Ritunnano & Kidd, 2024). When African American Muslim women critique patriarchal readings of Islamic law, they are often dismissed as deviants rather than engaged as knowledgeable contributors to the faith (Gallardo-Vergara et al., 2022).
Religious institutions often protect their reputations over their members’ well-being, prioritizing communal stability over justice (Nsour, 2022; Rekis, 2023). This creates an environment where abuse is not only tolerated but legitimized through spiritual rhetoric. Survivors are discouraged from seeking secular support and instead advised to rely solely on increased religiosity—a dangerous strategy that often prolongs suffering (Gezinski et al., 2019).
Toward Epistemic Liberation
Addressing epistemic injustice within African American Muslim communities requires a reimagining of theological engagement—one that is inclusive, culturally competent, and reflexively aware of power dynamics. This means:
- Decentering Arab-centric religious frameworks.
- Recognizing the validity of African American spiritual experiences.
- Training religious leaders to be trauma-informed and culturally literate.
- Creating spaces where diverse interpretations of Islam can coexist and thrive.
By challenging theological monopolies and affirming the legitimacy of marginalized voices, communities can begin to dismantle the structures that perpetuate spiritual abuse. Epistemic justice is not merely a theoretical concern—it is a moral imperative essential to the integrity of religious life and the safety of its adherents.
References
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