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
Al-Islam(traditional Islam) and the beliefs of the Nation cannot be denied. The Nation of
Islam is a social movement. This social movement is undoubtedly rooted in religion, and
its principles are derived from those of traditional Islam, but their basic philosophies are
so strikingly different that the Nation of Islam cannot be considered Islamic. In 1930, the
Nation was founded by an African immigrant who called himself Wallace D. Fard
Muhammad. He stated that his mission was to take "the black nation to the full range of
the black man's possibilities in aworld temporarily dominated by the blue-eyed
devils"(http://www.forerunner.com/foreruner/X0065_Nation_of_Islam.html). This
philosphy was carried on to the next leader of the Nation, Elijah Muhammad, and
eventually to the current leader, Louis Farrakhan. The Nation was founded as a black
organization, and has remained as such. Islam, on the other hand, is all encompassing.
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 w...