The Nation of Islam, commonly mistakenly interchanged with the Islamic religion, was its unique movement that became the forefront of a racial evolution in America. Although its core values and ideals generated controversy among many people, its many followers was a reflection of the persuasiveness of its leaders and the strength of our human desire for identity. The following paper will cover the catalysts of this religion, the major changes it has undergone through the years, and how it compares to other religions. Even though the Nation of Islam has caused several debates on morality, it is important to know about this topic as it is a true representation of the power of our human need to belong.
The Nation of Islam (NOI) was founded in 1930 in Detroit, Michigan by a street vendor named Wallace D. Fard (Wirth, 2007). Wallace was simply a merchant before becoming a religious leader of the African-American community (Carter, 2017). A year after, an immigrant worker named Elijah Poole encountered Fard and together, they led a movement advocating for black supremacy (The New York Times, 1964). The first Temple of Islam was instituted in Detroit (PBS, n.d) and this religious movement went by the name of “Temple of Islam” (The New York Times). Elijah Poole quickly recognized that Fard was “the second return of the son as prophesied”, according to The New York Times, and Elijah soon became Fard's right-hand man (The New York Times). Fard disappeared a couple of years after proclaiming he was the reincarnation of Allah, and Elijah seized control to become the sole leader of the Nation of Islam (The Nation of Islam, n.d.) in 1934 (National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
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Elijah Muhammad, along with his wife Clara Muhammad, assembled the most infamous religious movement in the United States in the twentieth century for upholding African-American pride (McCloud, n.d). The development of this movement was thrown into disorder by people who didn’t agree with its beliefs and values, which caused Elijah to migrate to Chicago where more Temples of Islam were established (The New York Times). From 1942 to 1946, Elijah was imprisoned for draft-dodging; however, despite this unfortunate circumstance, his unwavering conviction drove him to proceed leading the movement from jail (The New York Times). In 1952, Malcolm X became a member of the Nation of Islam in prison leaving behind his drug-addicted, gang-involved life (Parker, et al., 2011).
Malcolm X became the national spokesperson for the Nation of Islam and helped their number of members increase rapidly (McCloud). His prominent benefaction to the movement contributed to its rising back up to be one of the most influential and controversial beliefs in the nation (Parker, et. al.). This, in turn, made him an iconic figure in the 20th century (Parker, et. al.). By the early 1960s, there were more than one hundred thousand members of the Nation of Islam (Parker, et. al.). Malcolm X, also known as Malcolm Little, attracted thousands of black people through his message about restoring freedom to the blacks and separation from the “evil whites” (McCloud). Subsequently, Malcolm X was removed from his high position by Elijah due to his unsuitable comments about former President Kennedy’s assassination and his sexual misconduct allegations between Elijah and female staff affiliates (Gordon, 2016). Less than a year later, Malcolm X was assassinated (Gordon). In 1975, Elijah Muhammad died, and his son, Warith Deen Mohammad, became the new leader of the Nation of Islam (Carter). Warith made an effort to shift the movement down to a more orthodox approach (Carter), and his teachings were more in tune with the traditional Islamic beliefs (Gordon). Due to doctrinal disagreements, a NOI member named Louis Farrakhan created his group to drive the movement back to its original ideology and restore of discriminatory and Anti-Semitic views (Carter).
There were some key changes and developments in the history that greatly influenced the Nation of Islam we know of today. For example, Louis Farrakhan issued out Elijah’s books and bought his Chicago-based mosque to reconstruct into the new head office of the Nation of Islam (Melton). Furthermore, he established centres in England and Ghana which stretched the movement internationally (Melton). In 1995, he managed the Million Man March which attracted a little less than half a million African-American people to come to Washington, D.C. to take part in (Carter). Despite the fact that several renowned leaders refused to attend the march due to their disagreements with Farrakhan’s key beliefs, the Million Man March still affected people in many ways (Stirgus, 2017). Stirgus wrote, “The 1995 Million Man March on Washington, D.C. was a life-changing event for many. Organized and headlined by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, the gathering was a call to black men to seek atonement for their discretions as well as encouragement to become better husbands, fathers, sons, brothers and friends.”
The Nation of Islam’s doctrine is based on the joining of the orthodox Islam with black nationalist concepts (Melton). Timothy Drew, better known as Noble Drew Ali, published a new holy text called The Holy Koran. The foundation of this sacred book was his limited understanding of Islam, and it was the basis of Noble Drew Ali’s teachings to black people who came from a Moorish background (Melton). With this evidence, it is safe to assume that most of the sources of authority of this religious movement were not accurate as they came from a mere subjective interpretation of another religion. Elijah Muhammad taught many of the most basic principles of Islamic religion which were comprised of monotheism, obedience to Allah, and firm familial relationships (Melton). Be that as it may, he formulated a set of beliefs that magnetized African Americans. The foundational points of their morality and ethical choices were based on the textual evidence of The Holy Koran and Elijah’s tenets (Melton).
The peak of the Nation of Islam’s impact on the public was around the mid-1900s which reflective of the society’s state of mind back then. The movement we know of today dates back to its roots in slavery where slave masters were mostly Christians (Desert News, 1995). Race uproars erupted in Northern cities because African Americans were being treated unfairly by the very country they fought and died for (Desert News). Their experiences led to a thirst for unification and national recognition (Desert News). This movement was greatly appreciated and needed during these hard times for the African American community, because it brought them reassurance and a sense of liberation. The society we live in now, especially the Western part of the world, recognizes equality amongst all races and slavery isn’t as prevalent now as it was before. It is futile to think that there is a complete end to discrimination against African Americans, against anyone for that matter, but we have come a long way in terms of treating others with respect. In spite of the fact that the Nation of Islam advocates for black pride, they were branded as a hate group (Southern Poverty Law Centre, n.d.). Regardless of the hope this movement has provided the black community in the United States, their underlying negative ideology did not remain unnoticed. Southern Poverty Law Centre noted, “Unfortunately for NOI, its efforts are tainted by a long history of racist and antisemitic rhetoric. Even prior to Farrakhan, NOI’s characterization of whites as “devils” was unwavering. The seeds of antisemitism were deeply rooted in the organization, with Elijah Muhammad preaching early on about greedy Jews who turned Jesus Christ in to the authorities.” The movement came about at the right time for African Americans, but as the western society developed into a more liberated-minded nation, NOI was considered to be a hate group.
Many do not realize that there are huge differences in terms of doctrinal beliefs between the Nation of Islam and Muslims who follow traditional Islam (Los Angeles Times, 1995). Three important core beliefs differentiate these two groups (Los Angeles Times). First of all, the NOI notes that Wallace D. Fard was the reincarnation of God, whereas conventional Islam followers reject the idea that God has ever been born again into a human body (Los Angeles Times). Secondly, these two different groups differ in terms of who they believe to be the true messenger from God (Los Angeles Times). The NOI perceived Elijah Muhammad to be the messenger of God, whereas orthodox Islam believed it was Prophet Muhammad (Los Angeles Times). Lastly, the NOI was convinced that white people were evil and that a black scientist created them through eugenics (Los Angeles Times). In fact, a former religion professor from Duke University mentioned that this idea about white people is the foundational basis of black power and discrimination against the whites (Los Angeles Times). On the other hand, traditional Muslims say race-based views are an abomination to Islam (Los Angeles Times).
As like any other religions or theories, this pivotal organization also has some strengths and weaknesses. An obvious strength of this movement was the pride and integrity they delivered to discouraged black people. The Nation of Islam hopes that their followers establish their own schools, churches, and strong support systems (Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam, n.d). It promoted the concept of independence. A weakness this organization holds is its goal to degrade the white race. The NOI’s need to bring down another race to highlight their own speaks volume on their tarnished core principles. Bashing on another race and spreading unnecessary hate are issues that are still sadly prevalent in today’s world.
The Nation of Islam is an empowering movement that established unity and confidence to thousands of African Americans. Throughout the twentieth century, Western approach to different racial background has greatly evolved as we learn more about what it means to truly be accepting of others. Modified Islamic teachings contributed to the ethical and moral choices decision making for black Muslims. All in all,even though the Nation of Islam had underlying hypocrisy in their practising set of beliefs, they serve the black community well during the mid-1900s.
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