Nation of Islam

Nation of Islam

Overview

The Nation of Islam is a heterodox black religious movement in America, based on black nationalism. The majority of its members are African-Americans. Founded in 1930 by Wallace D. Fard, the movement’s leadership was assumed by Elijah Muhammad in 1934 when Fard mysteriously disappeared. Elijah Muhammad taught that Fard was God and proclaimed himself as God’s messenger, embedding Fard’s teachings with a pronounced sense of black nationalism.

Etymology

• Nation: Deriving from the Latin “natio,” meaning “birth” or “race,” it reflects a collective identity or a community united by common attributes.
• Islam: From the Arabic word “إسلام” (Islām), meaning “submission” (to the will of God).

Arabic and Turkish Translations

• Arabic: أمة الإسلام (Ummat al-Islām)
• Turkish: İslam Milleti

Historical Background

Founded on July 4, 1930, by Wallace D. Fard in Detroit, the Nation of Islam was formalized under the leadership of Elijah Muhammad after Fard’s mysterious disappearance in 1934. Muhammad declared that Fard was an incarnation of God and positioned himself as Fard’s divine messenger. The teachings emphasized black empowerment, economic independence, and the creation of a separate black nation, contributing to a broader sense of identity and purpose for African-Americans.

Teachings and Ethics

Elijah Muhammad’s teachings promoted values such as:

• Hard Work: Encouraged industriousness as a means to self-improvement and societal upliftment.
• Frugality and Avoidance of Debt: Advocated for financial prudence and the avoidance of financial debt.
• Self-Improvement: Emphasized personal development as a cornerstone of the religious and social doctrine.
• Conservative Lifestyle: A lifestyle embodying simplicity, modesty, and discipline.

Sociopolitical Influence

The Nation of Islam actively recruited members from marginalized communities, including prisons and impoverished urban neighborhoods. Its message of black empowerment resonated strongly, urging the development of a separate black nation as a solution to systemic oppression and racial injustice.

Schisms and Evolution

Following the death of Elijah Muhammad in 1975, the Nation of Islam split into two primary branches:

1. Warith Deen Muhammad’s Branch: Led by Elijah Muhammad’s son, this faction moved towards orthodox Sunni Islam, adopting mainstream Islamic practices and beliefs.
2. Louis Farrakhan’s Branch: Continuing to uphold the black nationalist and separatist ideologies central to Elijah Muhammad’s teachings, Farrakhan revitalized and sustained this wing’s influence.

Further Reading

• “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Malcolm X and Alex Haley
• “The Messenger: The Rise and Fall of Elijah Muhammad” by Karl Evanzz
• “Islam in the African-American Experience” by Richard Brent Turner
• “A Force for Change: The Islamic Impact on African-American Culture” edited by Aminah Beverly McCloud

Takeaways and Conclusion

The Nation of Islam plays a significant role in the tapestry of American religious and socio-political life. It embodies the intersection of faith and activism, imbuing African-American communities with a sense of purpose, identity, and resistance against systemic injustices. Understanding the movement’s history, teachings, and transformations offers valuable insights into the broader narrative of Islam in America and the ongoing struggle for racial equality and empowerment.

See Also

• Islam in America
• Black Nationalism
• Elijah Muhammad
• Louis Farrakhan
• Warith Deen Muhammad