“You are not American citizens or members of the white man’s world. The only American citizens are the white people who are originally from Europe. So why fight a losing battle by trying to be recognized as something you are not and never will be. I am not trying to disillusion you but merely telling you the truth” - Hon. Elijah Muhammad
(Hon. Elijah Muhammad)
The Honorable Elijah Muhammad was born as Elijah Poole in Sandersville, Georgia, USA on October 7th, 1897. He had to leave school in the 3rd grade to work in sawmills and brickyards. Poole left his family at 16 years old and went to work in factories. In 1917 Poole married Clara Evans.
(Elijah Muhammad (Left) with his wife Clara Evans (Right))
Poole moved his own family, parents and siblings to Hamtramck, MI. In 1931 Poole attended a speech about Islam and Black empowerment by Wallace D. Fard, leader of the Nation of Islam (NOI). Poole learned from Fard that Blacks were the original Asiatics and had a rich cultural history which was stolen from them in their enslavement by Europeans. Poole then became a follower of Fard. Poole’s last name was then changed first to “Karriem” then to “Muhammad”. Muhammad then assumed leadership of the NOI’s Temple No. 2 in Chicago, IL. Fard turned over leadership of the NOI to Elijah Muhammad in 1934. Muhammad was also named “Minister of Islam”. In the same year the NOI released its 1st newspaper Final Call to Islam. In 1935 Muhammad took control of Temple No. 1. Facing death threats from rival potential leaders, Muhammad and his family moved to Milwaukee, WI where he founded Temple No. 3.
(Muhammad in 1935)
Eventually he moved to Washington D.C. where he founded Temple No. 4. In 1942 Muhammad was arrested due to failure to register for the draft during WWII. Muhammad left D.C. and returned to Chicago, IL. Muhammad was arrested in Chicago, IL and served 4 years in prison for draft dodging. He was released in 1946. During his time in jail, his wife ran the organization. By 1955 the NOI grew to 15 temples in the US.
(Muhammad in 1955)
By 1959 the NOI grew to 50 temples in the US. Muhammad preached his own version of Islam and his teachings appealed to young, economically disadvantaged, African American males from Christian backgrounds. Muhammad purchased land and businesses to provide housing and employment for young black males. Muhammad was a mentor to many notable civil rights activists such as Malcolm X, Louis Farrakhan and Muhammad Ali.
(Muhammad (Left) with Malcolm X (Right))
In the 1970’s the NOI owned bakeries, barber shops, coffee shops, grocery stores, laundromats, a printing plant, retail stores, numerous real estate holdings, and a fleet of tractor trailers, plus farmland in Michigan, Alabama, and Georgia. By 1974 the NOI established schools in 47 cities throughout the US. In 1972 the NOI had a net worth of $75 million. On January 30th, 1975 Muhammad entered the Mercy Hospital in Chicago IL suffering from a combination of heart disease, diabetes, bronchitis, and asthma.
(Muhammad in 1975)
On February, 25th, 1975 Elijah Muhammad died of congestive heart failure. He was 77 years old.
(Muhammad’s funeral)
Today is the 41st anniversary of his death. Take time to remember this great religious leader today.
Books by Elijah Muhammad
- Message to the Black Man in America (1965)
- How to Eat to Live (1967)
- The Fall of America (1973)
- Our Saviour has Arrived (1974)
Videos of Elijah Muhammad
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaM-E18cx6c “Elijah Muhammad”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0-GGR17tG4 “Elijah Muhammad and Muhammad Ali @ Harlem, June 28, 1964”
Songs Referencing Elijah Muhammad
- “Enemy” by Ice Cube
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