JABRIL.MUHAMMAD
Many people enter the Nation of Islam at different times and for different reasons. For me a Brother was talking to me and he mentioned some words to me about the moon. It was not clear to me at all. He did not give any details, only a few short statements. That was toward the end of 1953.
This same Brother asked me to go somewhere with him to listen to other people. I told him that I would go there only if he agrees to go hear me play in my band that night. He agreed. After that, I went to play in my band, but the Brother did not go.
This was in the Bronx, in New York City.
I went to that meeting with him. I saw men sitting on one side of the room and sisters on another side. I thought to myself that this was strange. Then I saw the flag of Islam and again I thought to myself that this must be some Communist meeting. I listened to the Brother speak, but I fell asleep. I didn’t realize that the meeting lasted for two hours. I was sleeping. I woke up on the announcements being made. Then we said prayer and it was over and I left and went straight to play in my band.
That event took place in January 1954. Later on, I met again the brother, his sister and his mother who invited me to the meeting. That was the same month in January when I met Brother Malcolm in their house. That was in the Bronx, New York City. We had a conversation that lasted for three hours. It was just Brother Malcolm and myself.
Later in the same year I read a book that caused me to change my mind. I stopped going to college. I had a choice of going to five colleges. After I read that book, I totally changed my mind and decided to go back to the Mosque (or Temple) as it was called at that time. That was at the end of June 1954.
I went back to the Mosque (or Temple) and listened. I did not go to sleep this time at all. I was shocked over what I was hearing. I went four straight days. I could have accepted on the first day but … . That began my process of becoming a Registered Believer in the Nation of Islam. This event happened in Chicago in 1954.
The following year, in 1955, Brother Malcolm and the Captain at that time placed Minister Farrakhan in a position where the Honorable Elijah Muhammad could see and recognize him. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad gave Minister Farrakhan his assignment right then at first sight.
I was there at the Temple in 1955, but I did not hear the words of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, as I was working post at that time. I saw the Honorable Elijah Muhammad several times.
Much later, I learned of this and wrote about it in a book.
After a few weeks, I saw Brother Malcolm again at the Temple in New York City. He had just got back into the city from traveling.
Later on in 1954, with others present I saw the Honorable Elijah Muhammad teaching at the New York City temple. I met him at a restaurant. I was working in it. I saw him one day. He was talking to others.
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In 1974 I wrote an article for The Black Scholar that refuted a position taken by many intellectuals, both Black and White, that perverted the truth of the mindset and motives out of which the majority of the followers of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad were attracted to and joined him.
It was a lengthy article. A fundamental part of my answer was that whether or not one grew in their adherence to the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad was whether or not they grew in their acceptance and understanding of his self-concept. I went on to show that this was ultimately irrelevant to the truth of himself and his ultimate success.
Whether or not one became a follower of his, and increased in their commitment to him, is in direct proportion to the maturity of their growth in their understanding and acceptance of his self-concept and theirs too.
Moreover, they exaggerated the importance of their perversion, thus setting up a “straw-man argument” in their efforts to discredit the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, we read that the “straw-man argument” is this:
“Present the opponent’s argument in weakened form, refute it, and pretend that the original has been refuted. Present a misrepresentation of the opponent’s position, refute it, and pretend that the opponent’s actual position has been refuted.
“Present someone who defends a position poorly as the defender, refute that person’s arguments, and pretend that every upholder of that position, and thus the position itself, has been defeated.
“Invent a fictitious persona with actions or beliefs that are criticized, and pretend that the person represents a group of whom the speaker is critical.”
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What is the meaning of why? Why means for what reason or purpose; used to make or agree to a suggestion. I know the word “why” is a big word. That involves the Supreme Being. I’m aware many people know that He came to America. Many people do not really know this or do not believe this.
Some have responded to this statement that came from the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and others know of his words and agree on different levels. And then the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan made it clear all over America that the above did happen.
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These poor beloved Brothers and Sisters have been deceived and often compound the problem through self-deception. Again, many of our beloved people understand very little of the 1950’s and 1960’s as they should, and Black youth are especially ignorant in this area.
We are still being misadjusted and seem to revel as we wallow in the stench of ignorance and in the indecency of this world’s wickedness. Beloved Black man and woman, do you really think that the Honorable Elijah Muhammad could have done what he did, in White America, if he was not backed by One with greater wisdom and power, Who is far more moral than our former slave masters?
Do you really think the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan could do what he has been doing since 1977, after the combined forces of opponents of God destroyed the Nation of Islam, if he is not backed by Powers superior (in righteousness, wisdom, skill, and power) to those who brought the Nation of Islam down?
More next issue, Allah willing.
