Elijah Muhammad
and
The Nation of Islam
Depiction of Elijah Muhammad
Important Founder of the Nation of Islam
| Though offically a religious organization, no examination of black political ideologies and movements in the United States would be complete without a discussion upon Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam. Elijah was born Elijah Poole in Sandersville, Georgia as one of 13 children of tenant farmers (share croppers) who were former slaves. At the age of 16 he left home and traveled about America. In 1923 he finally settled in Detroit, Mich. where he worked at an automobile factory. Throughout his life Elijah would have experienced racism at what many consider its worst. This was the era of mass lynchings, public floggings, anti-black white riots and other horrendous crimes which left in their wake burned, mutilated and violated black bodies and communities. These early views of white society's treatment of blacks would make a long lasting impression on Elijah. |
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The early 1930s was not only a time of severe economic distress due to the Great Depression, but it was a time of heigtened racial cviolence. It was during this time that Elijah became
acquainted with a W.D. Fard (Wali Farad, Master Farad Muhammad) and his life changed forever. Fard, then working as a peddler, had already established his Temple of Islam in Detroit. The beliefs taught by Fard though similar to "orthodox" Islam, had many differences. Many have summed this theology as a blend of Suffi Islam, the teachings of the contemporary Noble Drew Ali of Moorish Science Temple, Egyptology, Numerology, Eastern mysticism and black nationalism. It taught that blacks were "supreme beings" who had been tricked and oppressed by whites. Whatever its origins and dictates, this belief system spoke directly to many oppressed black people and attempted to meet their needs. It emphasized black pride, dignity and most of all, self-empowerment. |
| Believing white society to the be the sworn enemies of blacks, the NOI preached complete separation from white society. The NOI demanded Black independece in economics, religion, and nationhood. The teachings of the NOI regularly denounced Black men especially for drinking, gambling, physical abuse of Black women, moral wrongs, and the inability to protect's one's family from attacks by violent white America.
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Depiction of NOI's flag
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Upon Fard's disappearance in 1934, Elijah Poole, now Elijah Muhammad, became the successor to the NOI and Supreme Minister. The teachings of the NOI and Elijah Muhammad would have a profound impact on Black American life. In a small amount of time the organization became well known throughout the United States, buying land, opening businesses, and increasing its growth. Its strict moral discipline, devout religious adherence, healthy lifestyle, and seemingly miraculous ability to convert even those
individuals whom many deemed "beyond hope", drew many to its ranks. |
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One of those Elijah would bring into the light was an ex-convict who the world would know as Malcolm X. Elijah would gain world
recognition as his teachings were spread through his still well
read book, Message to the Black Man and his newspaper, Muhammad Speaks. With the death of Elijah Muhammad in 1975, the NOI went through a brief period of upheaval. Under the guidance of his son, Wallace Muhammad, the NOI was moved into the mainstream of "orthodox" Islam and even began to accept white members. Such shifts away from the original black nationalist religous teachings of Eligh Muhammad, soon caused a split within the organization. It was not long before splinter groups emerged
to once again carry on Elijah's teachings. Though they number quite a few, the most well known are most likely the more "street-based" 5% Nation of Islam and the Nation of Islam under one of Elijah's disciples,the Minister Louis Farrakhan. The NOI under Farrakhan became a driving force in black nationalistic political thought especially in the 1980s and 90s. Most noticeably, it was instrumental in the calling and organizing of the now historic Million Man March of 1995. |
| Through the decades Elijah Muhammad and the NOI's messages of self-help, self-sufficency, self-defense, and self-love have shaped deeply the path of black politics. Elijah's legacy continues today as his teachings create converts throughout America and the black world. (Information courtesy of Before the Mayflower by Lerone Bennett,Elijah Muhammadby Malu Halas and An Original Man: The Life and Times of Elijah Muhammad by Andrew Claude Clegg III) |
