Historical Background of Black Muslims - Essay Example

Black Muslims Definition of the term “Black Muslims” The term Black Muslims can be defined as a predominantly black religious organization in the United States, which professes Islam as their faith (Black Muslims, 1). Introduction Black Muslims is a group of people, mainly people of black ethnicity, who preach Islam as religious faith. The group of Black Muslims, officially recognized as the American Muslim Mission, was formerly called the Nation of Islam and after 1975 was known as the World Community of Al-Islam in the West (Black Muslims, 1). The members of this organization call themselves Billalians, which refers to Bilal – a former black slave of Muhammad and who became a symbol of black dignity and honour (Bilalians, n.p.). The members of Black Muslims organization pray five times per day and perform common Islamic rituals (Black Muslims, 1). The leaders of this organization enjoin to its members following of a strict Islamic code of behavior, which covers such issues as interpersonal relations, dress, and diet (Black Muslims, 1). Historical background The origins of Black Muslims are found in two black self-improvement movements initiated before the World War I. One of these organizations was the Moorish Science Temple of America, which was founded by Prophet Drew Ali in 1913. Soon after death of Ali in 1929, the movement has been headed by Wallace D. Fard, who has founded a mosque in Detroit in 1930 and thus has set a beginning of the Nation of Islam (Black Muslims, 1). Wallace Fard was also known as Master Farad Muhammad, and called the Great Mahdi, Allah, or God by Black Muslims (Black Muslims, 1). Fard claimed that he was a member of the Quarish tribe to which Prophet Muhammed belonged and called himself “Asiatic Black man” (Fishman, Eric, and Soage, 60). The second movement which has set the origin of the Black Muslims, was the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) founded by Marcus Garvey in 1914(Black Muslims, 1). Marcus Garvey was a black nationalist born in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica (Mugleston, n.p.). UNIA for Garvey was an instrument for racial advancement for the rest of his life (Mugleston, n.p.). The slogan of the movement was “One Aim, One God, One Destiny”, and appealed to the black American soldiers who came back after serving abroad during WWI to the racist society (Mugleston, n.p.). Adherents to Non Christianity in America Adherents to Non Christianity were a group of people, some of whom have made their contribution to the birth of Black Islam. By the mid of 1970s, the total number of Non-Christian Religious Adherents in the US was almost 10% of the total population – 20,789,000 people. Black Muslims were a subcategory of this group and comprised 200,000 people in the mid of 1970s (Infoplease.com, n.p.). The share of Black Muslims among the Non-Christianity adherents has shown continuous increase since the 1970’s. The Nation of Islam The Nation of Islam as it has been already mentioned was an African American religious movement, which took its origins in Detroit, Michigan (Fishman, Eric, and Soage, 59). This organization was founded by Wallace Fard, and later was taken over by Elihag Muhammad. Despite the fact that this movement had a name of “Nation of Islam”, its beliefs were slightly linked to the theology of orthodox Islam thus making traditional beliefs of the NOI and Islam incompatible (Fishman, Eric, and Soage, 59). The Nation of Islam played an important role in the political, economic, and cultural life of the African American community since 1934 (Fishman, Eric, and Soage, 59).The NOI advocated an absolute separation of Black people from the White. Malcolm X Malcolm X was an African-American political and religious leader, born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1925. Malcolm X was an ordained minister and a leader in the Nation of Islam since 1953. He has been recognized as the second most influential leader in the Nation of Islam (Carson, n.p.). Being a national spokesman for Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm’s speeches were shown on the national TV and played on the radio. His views and opinion were published in the columns of the newspaper “Muhammad Speaks”, which he has launched. His views were radical and mainly focused against police brutality (Jenkins, n.p.). He condemned white racism and tried to address the real problems and needs of the African Americans (Jenkins, n.p.). He called the African American men to defend themselves and their rights, even violently if it was necessary. Malcolm X was assassinated on February 21, 1965 when he was giving a speech before a crowd of hundreds of followers in Harlem’s Audubon Ballroom (Jenkins, n.p.). He was shot by a fusillade of bullets by the men alleged to be Black Muslims (Black Muslims, 1). Elijah Muhammad Elijah Muhammad was born in 1987 near Sandersville. Formerly known as Elijah Poole he was unemployed worker from Georgia. Elijah joined the Nation of Islam in 1931 (Fishman, Eric, and Soage, 60). In 1934 he has become a supreme leader of the Nation of Islam in Chicago after Wallace Fard has mysteriously disappeared (Black Muslims, 1). Elijah was Fard’s prote´ge´ and was recognized to be a capable and strong leader of the Nation of Islam (Fishman, Eric, and Soage, 60). He has proved the expectations of Fard and contributed to the significant development of the movement. Leading the Nation of Islam (NOI) for more than 40 years, Elijah has managed to “crystallize” theology of the NOI (Fishman, Eric, and Soage, 60). Muhammad promoted a program of economic independence in the African American society and thus has decreased poverty among the congregants. The Nation of Islam became very affluent organization which owned thousands of acres of farmland, wholesale and retail businesses, housing complexes, banks and a school (Fishman, Eric, and Soage, 61). Elijah has become widely known as Messenger of Allah and Holy Prophet. In 1975, Elijah Muhammad passed away and his son, Warith Deen Mohammed has been appointed as Elijah’s successor (Fishman, Eric, and Soage, 61). Ideologies During the whole period of its existence, the Nation of Islam and its members have made a significant contribution and influence on both the African American community and American society (Fishman, Eric, and Soage, 62). All the efforts and initiatives of the NOI undertaken by the Black Muslims have been carried out in the name of “the Prophet”, “Allah”, and “Islam” (Fishman, Eric, and Soage, 62). As Elijah Muhammad, one of the high profile leaders of the NOI has explained “members of the Nation believe in the One God whose proper Name is Allah” (Fishman, Eric, and Soage, 62). However, it is worth to mention that there was an obvious difference between the God revealed by Prophet Muhammad and the Nation’s God (Fishman, Eric, and Soage, 62). The ideology of the Nation of Islam suggested that Allah was a Black corporeal being. Thus, for example, Elijah Muhammad claimed that Black people were the Original People, and it was a Black race responsible for life, the earth and the heavens creation (Fishman, Eric, and Soage, 62). This concept developed an ideology that African descents were inherently divine people. According to this ideology, there was own God at each epoch – the most gifted Black scientist of his age (Fishman, Eric, and Soage, 62). Conclusion The paper provided an overview of the key terms and issues related to the Black Muslims. Special focus has been made on the movement initiated by Black Muslims and known as the Nation of Islam. The members of this organization followed some of the common Islamic rituals, even though the ideology of their religion was different from the Muslim religion. The Nation of Islam as an African-American movement has gained significant weight in its community and influence due to the leadership of such prominent people as Wallace Fard, Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, and Elijah Muhammad. All these leaders have made their contribution to the development of the Nation of Islam. Thus, for example, due to the leadership of Malcolm X, the Nation of Islam has become an important body in development of the political, economic, and cultural life of the African American community since 1934. Elijah Muhammad was another leader who has promoted a program of economic independence in the African American society, and made the Nation of Islam very affluent organization. During the whole period of its existence, the Nation of Islam and its members have made a significant contribution and influence on both the African American community and American society. This growth and development were driven by the NOI’s ideology, according to which Black people were the Original People, responsible for life, the earth and the heavens creation. Works Cited: "Bilalians." In The Oxford Dictionary of Islam. Ed. John L. Esposito. Oxford Islamic Studies Online. 11-Nov-2014. . "Black Muslims." Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia (2014): 1p. Web. 11 Nov. 2014. Carson, Clayborne. "Malcolm X." American National Biography (From Oxford University Press) (2010): Research Starters. Web. 11 Nov. 2014. Fishman, Jason Eric, and Ana Belén Soage. "The Nation Of Islam And The Muslim World: Theologically Divorced And Politically United." Religion Compass 7.2 (2013): 59-68. Academic Search Complete. Web. 11 Nov. 2014. Infoplease.com,. Non-Christian Religious Adherents In The United States | Infoplease.Com. N.p., 2014. Web. 11 Nov. 2014. Jenkins, Robert L. "Assassination of Malcolm X." Salem Press Encyclopedia (2013): Research Starters. Web. 11 Nov. 2014. Mugleston, William F. "Marcus Garvey." American National Biography (From Oxford University Press) (2010): Research Starters. Web. 11 Nov. 2014. Read More