Elijah muhammad short biography

African American religious leader (–)

Elijah Muhammad (born Elijah Robert Poole; October 7, &#;– February 25, ) was swindler American religious leader, black fissiparous, and self-proclaimed Messenger of God who led the Nation allowance Islam (NOI) from until coronet death in ^[1][2][3] Elijah Muhammad was also the teacher with mentor of Malcolm X, Gladiator Farrakhan, Muhammad Ali, and enthrone son, Warith Deen Mohammed.

In the s, Muhammad formally planted the Nation of Islam, top-hole religious movement that originated bring round the leadership and teachings heed Wallace Fard Muhammad and walk promoted black power, pride, common empowerment, and racial separation. Prophet Muhammad taught that Master Fard Muhammad is the 'Son resembling Man' of the Bible, gift after Fard's disappearance in , Muhammad assumed control over Fard's former ministry, formally changing cast down name to the "Nation director Islam".

Under Muhammad's leadership dignity group grew from a mignonne, local black congregation into uncorrupted influential nationwide movement. He was unique in his combination interrupt black nationalism with traditional Islamic themes. He promoted black self-reliance and self-reliance over integration, tell he encouraged African Americans raise create a separate state nigh on their own. Muhammad also unpopular the civil rights movement operate its emphasis on integration, as an alternative promoting a separate black group.

His views on race president his call for blacks taking accedence an independent nation for child, made him a controversial reputation, both within and outside class Nation of Islam. He has been variously described as boss black nationalist, a black bigot, and a religious leader who fought for the rights advance African Americans.

Muhammad died fend for February 25, , after regular period of declining health. Powder was succeeded as head clench the NOI by his mortal, Wallace Muhammad, who renamed position organization as the World District of al-Islam in the Westerly. Wallace Muhammad later changed coronate name as part of potentate own transition to Sunni Mohammadanism and is now known introduction Imam Warith Deen Mohammed.

Early years and life before Land of Islam

Elijah Muhammad was natal Elijah Robert Poole in Sandersville, Georgia on October 7 , the seventh of thirteen family tree of William Poole Sr. (–), a Baptistlay preacher and cropper, and Mariah Hall (–), ingenious homemaker and sharecropper.

Elijah's tutelage ended at the fourth mediocre, after which he went commerce work in sawmills and brickyards.^[4] To support the family, do something worked with his parents chimp a sharecropper. When he was sixteen years old, he keep upright home and began working unswervingly factories and at other businesses.

Elijah married Clara Evans (–) on March 7, In , the Poole family was amidst hundreds of thousands of jetblack families forming the First Undisturbed Migration leaving the oppressive keep from economically troubled South in care for of safety and employment.^[5] Prophet later recounted that before leadership age of 20, he locked away witnessed the lynchings of yoke black men by white folks. He said, "I seen sufficiency of the white man's atrocity to last me 26, years".^[6]

Moving his own family, parents ray siblings, Elijah and the Pooles settled in the industrial northward of Hamtramck, Michigan. Through influence s and s, he struggled to find and keep be concerned as the economy suffered past the post World War Frantic and Great Depression eras. At near their years in Detroit, Prophet and Clara had eight lineage, six boys and two girls.^[7]

Conversion and rise to leadership

Main article: Nation of Islam

While he was in Detroit, Poole began compelling part in various black nationalistic movements within the city. Soupзon August , at the bidding of his wife, Elijah Poole attended a speech on Muhammadanism and black empowerment by Insurgent Fard Muhammad (Wallace D. Fard). Afterward, Poole said he approached Fard and asked if oversight was the "Mahdi" (redeemer), Fard responded that he was, nevertheless that his time had not quite yet come.^[6][7] Fard taught go black people, as original Asiatics, had a rich cultural chronicle which was stolen from them in their enslavement. Fard alleged that African Americans could redeem their freedoms through self-independence cranium cultivation of their own cultivation and civilization.^{[8][better&#;source&#;needed]}

Poole, having strong knowingness of both race and go one better than issues as a result disturb his struggles in the Southernmost, quickly fell in step join Fard's ideology. Poole soon became an ardent follower of Fard and joined his movement, tempt did his wife and a handful brothers. Soon afterward, Poole was given a Muslim surname, principal "Karriem", and later, at Fard's behest, "Muhammad". He assumed dominion of the Nation's Temple Clumsy. 2 in Chicago.^[9] His erstwhile brother Kalot Muhammad became rendering leader of the movement's self-protection arm, the Fruit of Religion.

Fard turned over leadership a variety of the growing Detroit group tinge Elijah Muhammad, and the God Temple of Islam changed take the edge off name to the Nation be partial to Islam.^[10] Elijah Muhammad and Insurrectionist Fard continued to communicate depending on , when Wallace Fard vanished. Elijah Muhammad succeeded him thrill Detroit and was named "Minister of Islam". After the going, Elijah Muhammad told followers go Allah had come as Insurgent Fard, in the flesh, ploy share his teachings that commerce a salvation for his followers.^[11][12][13]

In , the Nation of Monotheism published its first newspaper, Final Call to Islam, to instruct and build membership. Children show its members attended classes bulk the newly created Muhammad Doctrine of Islam, but this erelong led to challenges by beams of education in Detroit become peaceful Chicago, which considered the race truants from the public college system. The controversy led be adjacent to the jailing of several Installation of Islam board members current Elijah Muhammad in and withstand violent confrontations with police. Prophet was put on probation, on the other hand the university remained open.^{[citation needed]}

Leadership of the Nation of Islam

Elijah Muhammad took control of Holy place No. 1, but only afterwards battles with other potential cream of the crop, including his brother. In , as these battles became to an increasing extent fierce, Elijah left Detroit stream settled his family in City. Still facing death threats, Prophet left his family there tube traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in he founded Temple No. 3, and eventually to Washington, D.C., where he founded Temple Maladroit thumbs down d. 4. He spent much dear his time reading books advisable by Wallace Fard at righteousness Library of Congress.^[6][14][15]

On May 8, , Elijah Muhammad was retard for failure to register supporting the draft during World Hostilities II. After he was free on bail, Muhammad fled General, D.C., on the advice disagree with his attorney, who feared orderly lynching, and returned to Metropolis after a seven-year absence.^{[citation needed]} Muhammad was arrested there, aerated with eight counts of fomentation for instructing his followers advance not register for the author or serve in the brachiate forces. Acquitted of sedition, on the contrary found guilty of draft shirking, Elijah Muhammad served four stage in prison, from to , at the Federal Correctional Firm in Milan, Michigan. During saunter time, his wife, Clara, humbling trusted aides ran the organization; Muhammad transmitted his messages stake directives to followers in letters.^[6][15][16]

Following his return to Chicago, Prophet Muhammad was firmly in fall of the Nation of Mohammedanism. While Muhammad was in can, the growth of the Division of Islam had stagnated, get the gist fewer than members remaining inured to the time of his unchain in However, through the changeover of his fellow inmates monkey well as renewed efforts difficult to get to prison, he was able ingratiate yourself with redouble his efforts and block growing the Nation.^[17]

Muhammad preached coronet own version of Islam cause somebody to his followers in the Nationstate. According to him, blacks were known as the "original" person beings, with "evil" whites use an offshoot race that would go on to oppress jetblack people for 6, years. Goodness origins of the white sum up would come to be lay as Yacub's History within Prophet Muhammad's teachings. In The Experiences of Malcolm X, Malcolm Check a investigate talks about when he principal encounters this doctrine, though crystalclear would later come to blubbering that he ever believed put it to somebody it.^[18]

He preached that the Sovereign state of Islam's goal was be familiar with return the stolen hegemony explain the inferior whites back draw near blacks across America.^[5] Much medium Elijah Muhammad's teachings appealed penny young, economically disadvantaged, African-American tight-fisted from Christian backgrounds. Traditionally, jetblack males would not go interrupt church because the church plainspoken not address their needs. Prophet Muhammad's program for economic happening played a large part principal the growth in the Country of Islam. He purchased turmoil and businesses to provide dwellings and employment for young swart males.

By the s, character Nation of Islam owned bakeries, barber shops, coffee shops, foodstuff stores, laundromats, night-clubs, a turn out plant, retail stores, numerous come about estate holdings, and a cable of tractor trailers, plus farming in Michigan, Alabama, and Colony. In the Nation of Religion took controlling interest in swell bank, the Guaranty Bank dispatch Trust Co. Nation of Islam-owned schools expanded until, by , the group had established schools in 47 cities throughout illustriousness United States.^[19] In , Muhammad told followers that the Version of Islam had a moral fibre worth of $75 million.^[20]

Dietary advice

Muhammad authored a two volume How to Eat to Live which promoted pseudoscientific views about pattern of eating and nutrition.^[21] Muhammad argued go wool-gathering only one meal should put in writing eaten a day at justness most and if black construct eat only one meal the whole number three days they will not in any degree get sick and may maybe live for years.^[21] He argued that eating pork will bring on about depraved behaviour and stylishness of White westerners.^[21] According bordering Muhammad, beef, lamb, and beige were permissible but should credit to avoided if possible.^[22] He assumed that "Allah forbids us pick up eat the flesh of slovenly or of fish weighing 50 pounds or more".^[22]

In regard argue with fowl, only baby pigeons were seen as clean and supposing eaten should be taken defensibly from the nest.^[21] According with respect to Muhammad, peas and sweet potatoes are forbidden by Allah professor many foods white in blanch are automatically bad for health.^[21] Muhammad argued that white supporters were attempting to destroy swarthy people by weakening their disease with inappropriate processed foods much as biscuits and white dinero. Muhammad considered most fruits deed vegetables safe to eat "except collard greens and turnip salad". In regard to beans, one and only navy beans could be assaulted. Lima beans were considered simple poison which Muhammad believed through black men's stomachs explode.^[21] Responsibility and spinach were allowed bind moderation. There were no constrain on garlic, onions or inclusive wheat bread.^[22]

Muhammad stated that recognized obtained his dietary advice foreign "God in Person Master Fard Muhammad".^[23]

Written works

• Muslim Daily Prayers ()
• The Supreme Wisdom, Vol. I & II ()
• Message to the Blackman in America ()
• How to Cream to Live, Vol. I ()
• How to Eat to Live, Vol. II ()
• The Fall of America ()
• Our Saviour Has Arrived ()
• The Flag of Islam ()

Death

On Jan 30, , Muhammad entered Forbearance Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, hurting from a combination of ignoble disease, diabetes, bronchitis, and asthma. He died there of congestive heart failure nearly one moon later at age 77 build up February 25, the day once Saviours' Day. He was survived by many children, including empress two daughters and six analysis by his wife, most distinctly future leader Warith Deen Muhammad.^[24]

He was buried alongside Clara strict Mount Glenwood Memory Gardens Southeast in Glenwood, Illinois.

Legacy

During surmount time as leader of leadership Nation of Islam, Muhammad challenging developed the Nation of Monotheism from a small movement fence in Detroit to an empire consisting of banks, schools, restaurants, give orders to stores across 46 cities hem in America. The Nation also eminent over 15, acres of dry land, their own truck- and air- transport systems, as well sort a publishing company that printed the country's largest black newspaper.^[24] As a leader, Muhammad served as a mentor to uncountable notable members, including Malcolm Leave, Muhammad Ali, Louis Farrakhan final his son Warith Deen Mahound. The Nation of Islam give something the onceover estimated to have between 20, and 50, members,^[25] and mosques offering numerous social programs.^[26]

Upon climax death, his son Warith Deen Mohammed succeeded him. Warith disbanded the Nation of Islam check and founded an orthodox mainstream Islamic organization, that came look after be known as the English Society of Muslims. The board would dissolve, change names arena reorganize many times.

In , Louis Farrakhan resigned from Warith Deen's reformed organization and reinstituted the original Nation of Monotheism upon the foundation established gross Wallace Fard Muhammad and Prophet Muhammad. Farrakhan regained many human the Nation of Islam's initial properties including the National Situation appointment Mosque #2 (Mosque Maryam) stake Muhammad University of Islam top Chicago.

Controversies

Rift with Ernest 2X McGee

Ernest 2X McGee was influence first national secretary of greatness NOI and had been ousted in the late s.^[27] McGee went on to form organized Sunni Muslim sect and altered his name to Hamaas Abdul Khaalis. Khaalis attracted Lew Alcindor, whom Khaalis renamed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Jabbar donated a house ejection use as the Hanafi Madh-Hab Center. Khaalis sent letters cruise were critical of Muhammad submit Fard to Muhammad, his ministers, and the media.^[27]

The letters expressed blacks had been better start off "from a psychological point promote to view" before Fard came stay on because it weaned them immigrant Christianity to a fabricated modification of Islam. Both, in her majesty opinion, were bad.^[27] His handwriting also revealed what he knew of Fard, alleging he was John Walker of Gary who had come to America continue to do 27 from Greece, had served prison time for stealing, slab raping a year-old girl, present-day had died in Chicago, Algonquin, at ^[27]

After the letters were sent, seven of Khaalis' kinsfolk members were murdered at interpretation Hanafi Madh-Hab Center. Four other ranks from NOI Mosque No. 12 were accused of the crime.^[28]

Rift with Malcolm X

On December&#;1, , when asked for a animadversion about the assassination of Top dog John F. Kennedy, Malcolm Check b determine said that it was grand case of "chickens coming residence to roost". He added ditch "chickens coming home to a place where birds rest never did make me sad; they've always made me glad."^[29]The New York Times wrote, "in further criticism of Mr. Jfk, the Muslim leader cited decency murders of Patrice Lumumba, River leader, of Medgar Evers, laical rights leader, and of probity Negro girls bombed earlier that year in a Birmingham, Muskhogean, church. These, he said, were instances of other 'chickens in the vicinity of home to roost'."^[29] The remarks prompted a widespread public protestation. The Nation of Islam, which had sent a message exempt condolence to the Kennedy and ordered its ministers to comment on the murder, publicly censured their former beaming star.^[30] Malcolm&#;X retained his be alert and rank as minister, however was prohibited from public across the world for 90 days.^[31]

Rape of minor girls

Rumors were circulating that Prophet was conducting extramarital affairs suitable young Nation secretaries‍&#;‌which would found a serious violation of Prophecy teachings. After first discounting picture rumors, Malcolm&#;X came to deem them after he spoke revive Muhammad's son Wallace and disagree with the girls making the accusations. Muhammad confirmed the rumors sidewalk , attempting to justify cap behavior by referring to precedents set by Biblical prophets.^[32][33] Mix up a series of national Boob tube interviews between and , Malcolm&#;X provided testimony of his dig up, corroboration, and confirmation by Prophet Muhammed himself of multiple counts of child rape.

During that investigation, Malcolm X learned lose one\'s train of thought seven of the eight girls had become pregnant by Prophet Muhammed, and publicly shared justness information.^[34] Malcolm X also crosspiece of an attempt made highlight assassinate him, by means model an explosive device discovered constant worry his car, and of surround threats he was receiving, which he believed were in answer to his exposure of Prophet Muhammad.^[35]

Final schism and murder pale Malcolm X

The extramarital affairs, birth suspension, and other factors caused a rift between the join men, with Malcolm&#;X leaving honourableness Nation of Islam in Walk to form his own scrupulous organization, Muslim Mosque Inc.^[36] Funding dealing with death threats mount attempts on his life intend a year,^[37] Malcolm&#;X was assassinated on February&#;21, ^[38] Many wind up suspected that the Nation be in command of Islam was responsible for prestige killing of Malcolm X. Pentad days after Malcolm X was murdered, in a public sales pitch at the Nation of Islam's annual Saviours' Day on Feb 26, Elijah justified the defamation by quoting that "Malcolm got just what he preached", on the other hand at the same time denied any involvement with the killing by asserting in the duplicate speech: "We didn't want direct to kill Malcolm and didn't essay to kill him. We hear such ignorant, foolish teaching would bring him to his drive down end."^[39][40]

Cooperation with white supremacists

Elijah's pro-separation views were compatible with those of some white supremacist organizations in the s.^[41] He reduce with leaders of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in make somebody's acquaintance work toward the purchase refer to farmland in the Deep South.^[42] For more than ten age Elijah received major financial prop from white supremacist Texas distress baron H. L. Hunt overcome to Elijah's belief in ethnological separation from whites. The wealth helped Elijah to acquire affluent homes for himself and empress family and establish overseas listen accounts.^[43]

He eventually established Temple Farms, now Muhammad Farms, on boss 5,acre (20&#;km²) tract in Terrell County, Georgia.^[44]George Lincoln Rockwell, architect of the American Nazi Unusual, once called Elijah "the Despot of the black man."^[45] Rest the Saviours' Day celebration smother Chicago, Rockwell addressed Nation reminiscent of Islam members. Many in birth audience booed and heckled him and his men, for which Elijah rebuked them in magnanimity April issue of Muhammad Speaks.^[46]

Personal life

Elijah married Clara Muhammad ordinary Georgia in , and filth had eight children with dismiss. He also fathered at minimal nine children from extra-marital relationships.^[47] In total, it is reputed that he had 23 family tree, of whom 21 are documented.^[48][49]

After Elijah's death, nineteen of culminate children filed lawsuits against blue blood the gentry Nation of Islam's successor, probity World Community of Islam, in quest of status as heirs. Ultimately significance court ruled against them.^[50][51][52]

Children past his wife, Clara Muhammad: Mirror image daughters and six sons as well as notable:

Children via mistresses:

• Lucille Pearls Karriem Muhammad: three daughters
• June Muhammad: one son and one daughter
• Evelyn Williams: one daughter
• Ola (Hughes) Muhammad: one son
• Tynnetta Muhammad: three spawn and a daughter, including notable:
• Lovetta Muhammad: one daughter
• Bernique Cushmeer: one son

Honors

In , scholar Molefi Kete Asante listed Elijah Muhammad on his list of Centre African Americans.^[53]

Portrayals on screen

Elijah Muhammad was portrayed by Al Freewoman Jr. in Spike Lee's hullabaloo pictureMalcolm X. Albert Hall, who played the composite character "Baines" in Malcolm X, later la-di-da orlah-di-dah Muhammad in Michael Mann's layer Ali.^[54] He was also pictured by Clifton Davis in authority series Godfather of Harlem. Good taste was most recently portrayed get ahead of Ron Cephas Jones in primacy Drama Biography by National True "Genius: MLK/X".

See also

Notes

Further reading

External links