Elijah Muhammad

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Graves of Clara Muhammad (1899–1972) and Elijah Muhammad (1897–1975) at Mount Glenwood Memory Gardens South
Elijah Muhammad
Personal
Born
Elijah Robert Poole

(1897-10-07)October 7, 1897
DiedFebruary 25, 1975(1975-02-25) (aged 77)
Resting placeMount Glenwood Memory Gardens, Glenwood, Illinois, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
SpouseClara Evans Muhammad
Children23, including Warith Deen Mohammed
Known forLeader of the Nation of Islam
Senior posting
PredecessorWallace Fard Muhammad
SuccessorWarith Deen Mohammed



Elijah Muhammad (born Elijah Robert Poole; October 7, 1897 – February 25, 1975) was an American religious leader who led the Nation of Islam (NOI) from 1934 until his death in 1975. He was a mentor to Malcolm X, Louis Farrakhan, and Muhammad Ali.

Early Life[edit | edit source]

Elijah Muhammad was born in Sandersville, Georgia, to sharecropper parents. He moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1923, where he worked in various jobs to support his family.

Nation of Islam[edit | edit source]

In 1931, Elijah Muhammad met Wallace Fard Muhammad, the founder of the Nation of Islam. After Fard's disappearance in 1934, Elijah Muhammad took over the leadership of the NOI. Under his leadership, the NOI grew significantly, establishing mosques, schools, and businesses.

Teachings and Beliefs[edit | edit source]

Elijah Muhammad's teachings emphasized black self-reliance, economic independence, and the rejection of integration with white society. He taught that black people were the original people of the world and that white people were a race of "devils" created by a scientist named Yakub.

Controversies[edit | edit source]

Elijah Muhammad's leadership was not without controversy. His teachings on race and his authoritarian leadership style were criticized both within and outside the NOI. The assassination of Malcolm X in 1965, after he had left the NOI and criticized Muhammad, further fueled controversy.

Death and Legacy[edit | edit source]

Elijah Muhammad died on February 25, 1975, in Chicago, Illinois. He was succeeded by his son, Warith Deen Mohammed, who led the NOI towards more orthodox Sunni Islam practices. Elijah Muhammad's legacy continues to influence the NOI and other black nationalist movements.

Related Pages[edit | edit source]




Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD