CHICAGO—The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam, family and friends gave a final salute to “a soldiers’ soldier” Feb. 25 during a janazah service at Mosque Maryam. Brother Ronald Muhammad, 86, affectionately called “The Ron” and “Big Ron,” was a gifted follower of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and a companion of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.
Bro. Ronald returned to Allah (God) on Feb. 13.
Born Oct. 27, 1939, Bro. Ronald established a reputation as a “no nonsense” believer whose frank approach to conversations and situations was balanced by a kindness that sometimes “took you off guard,” friends said. He was an example of discipline and an adherent to the teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, they said.
“There was no way I could not come today … to bear witness to this man,” Minister Farrakhan said, standing over the casket in an emotional expression of love and gratitude for “a true servant of the Most High God.”
“He was such a beautiful soul. He was more than most of us who say and do as righteous people,” Minister Farrakhan continued. “He was a soldiers’ soldier. He was a general because he was always on his post.”
Minister Farrakhan was brought to tears while explaining an incident when he went to view the body at the funeral home. While there, Bro. Ronald’s son presented him with an envelope marked “MLF” found at Bro. Ronald’s home after his passing.
Holding up the envelope for the audience, the Minister said it also had “$2,000” written on it. The son said the family found it and wanted to bring it to him, he continued.
“I broke down,” he said, choking back tears and wiping his eyes. “He’s lying in this coffin, yet he thought of us before left this earth. He left a gift for me that belongs to you. These are tears of joy, that in my life I met a man like my brother. I really feel the loss … this man was very close to my heart.”
The Minister made his remarks following the eulogy delivered by Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad, National Assistant to Minister Farrakhan. While standing at the casket, Minister Farrakhan also expressed joy for his National Assistant.
He reflected on a time the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad told him of the joy he felt when he hears Minister Farrakhan teaching the word. “I have joy in my heart because he delivered the word magnificently,” he said of Student Minister Ishmael. “This is a moment of joy for me.”
Student Minister Ishmael offered condolences to the family, describing Bro. Ronald as “a unique human being” who was “bigger than life.”
“There is only one of you and one of me. But we can all bear witness there was only one Brother Ronald,” he said to laughter from the audience.
Student Minister Ishmael said it’s not the longevity of life that’s important, but the quality of life and what is done with the time the person has. The righteous never speak about the next moment in life without saying “if it be the Will of God” because no one knows the next moment, he explained. Bro. Ronald lived his life in faith, Student Minister Ishmael continued.
Some of us are just eating, walking, breathing. That’s not life, he said, adding, life is defined by a living that fulfills a purpose for life.
“Brother Ronald lived a full life and a quality life. We saw a living in Brother Ronald,” he said.
“Our prayer is that Almighty God Allah will lift the burden in your heart and give you peace that comes from our acceptance of God’s Will and the peace that God blessed you with a wonderful father in brother Ronald,” he said.
“Ronald the brother, Ronald the father, grandfather, great grandfather. Brother Ronald the soldier, Brother Ronald the Muslim, Brother Ronald the faithful companion, friend and servant of Allah, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.”
Journey of a Muslim
Bro. Ronald met Minister Farrakhan in the 1960s when he moved to Boston where the Minister was over (Temple) Mosque No. 11. He faithfully served the mosque as a Fruit of Islam (F.O.I., men of the Nation) lieutenant before moving to Chicago in 1974.
He was a gifted, self-taught craftsman, talented in carpentry, masonry and sculpture. His wood carvings were known to believers across the country. He served as an investigator in the N.O.I. and as part of Minister Farrakhan’s security detail.
He offered his talents willingly as a contractor in the renovation of Chicago’s Mosque No. 2, now known as Mosque Maryam, and Muhammad University of Islam, after they were repurchased in 1988.
His track record in the mosque is exemplary. His mark was especially felt in the Processing Class where men are trained to qualify to enter the ranks of the F.O.I., according to Bro. Willis Muhammad and Bro. Nathaniel Muhammad.
“He would tell us, if we knew we were coming in, then take steps immediately to ‘fall in,’ meaning cut your hair, wear a white shirt, then you’ll feel more involved in what you’re getting into. He was very blunt and no nonsense, but always a true brother,” said Bro. Willis, now 2nd Officer at Mosque Maryam.
“He made sure you were dressed mentally and physically. He would take off his jacket and do 50 push-ups to emphasize that the men must be in shape,” said Bro. Nathaniel Muhammad, an assistant funeral director.
Student Minister Abdul Arif Muhammad, N.O.I. General Council and a member of the N.O.I. Shura Executive Council, fondly recalls Bro. Ronald offering to cook a dinner for him when he first arrived in Chicago. “It was a phenomenal meal, and he showed me his wood carvings. He was a brother’s brother,” he said.
Former N.O.I. Supreme Captain Ali Muhammad and Bro. Ronald immediately bonded in 1975 as painters when Bro. Ronald moved to Chicago. The Nation was under Imam Warithudeen Mohammed at that time, but Bro. Ronald would introduce Bro. Ali to Minister Farrakhan during the rebuilding process.
Sister Charlene Muhammad, former M.G.T. (Muslim Girls Training and General Civilization Class, women of the N.O.I.) Captain, said Bro. Ronald was strict and stern, but had a kind and caring side to him. “He always had a smile for me, and he would even salute me,” she recalled smiling.
Bro. Ronald is survived by his children Ronald Muhammad Jr. (Chuwanda), Carl Muhammad (Roeshell), Khalimah Muhammad (Daniel), Malikah Muhammad (Jeremiah), and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
by James G. Muhammad
Contributing Editor @jgm3000