The UnIslamic Nation of Islam The mention of the "Nation of Islam" will undoubtedly
             cause an immense number of responses in any situation. To some, this organization
             symbolizes blatant racism. To others, it is seen as a savior of the black community.
             Regardless of one's opinion of the Nation, though, the differences between
             The first, and most astonishing, difference between the Nation and traditional Islam is the
             role of race in the church's philosophy. the Nation's philosophy clearly states that, "We
             believe that intermarriage and race mixing should be prohibitted (www.noi.org/
             program.html)". The traditional wording of the Koran, however, states that diversity in
             race is one of Allah's greatest creations(Koran, 30.22). The Nation of Islam restricts its
             membersip to those who are black. the beliefs of traditional Islam, however, state that all
             persons are born Muslim, and that "every person is endowed by Allah with the spiritual
             potential and intellectual inclination that can make him a good Muslim.(4) The Islamic
             church ignores the issue of race when examining one's spiritual purity. Rather, It is the
             spirit itself which defines a Muslim. Traditional Muslims and members of the Nation of
             Islam also differ in their definition of what it means to be Muslim. The belief in Islam is
             defined by five Pillars: shahada(the belief in only one Allah), salah(prayer),
             zakuh(obligatory charity), sawm(fasting), and hajj(pilgrimage)
             (www_leland.stanford.edu/group/Thinker/v2/v2n3/Saudi.html). Of these Five Pillars, the
             Nation of Islam requires none of its members. The shahada is rejected by the Nation
             because it belives that Wallace D. Fard Muhammad was Allah incarate. (noi.index)
             Salah, or the five daily prayers in the direction of Mecca, are also not required of
             members of the Nation(coolguy). Zakuh is rejected by the nation, as it bel
             ...