The Nation of Islam – What is it?

TL;DR:

The Nation of Islam is an American form if Islam tied to black racial supremacy and is considered heretical even by traditional Muslims. The Bible teaches that all people are equally valuable, and true salvation comes only through Jesus Christ, not through racial ideology.

what does the bible say?

The Nation of Islam is an American religious movement that combines elements of Islam with black nationalism and racial supremacy. Even traditional Muslims find the Nation of Islam heretical. Its founders, including Wallace Fard and Elijah Muhammad, promoted separatism, anti-white and anti-Semitic ideas, and a one-race state, while later leaders like Louis Farrakhan added elements from other ideologies such as Scientology. All humans are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and we are to value every nation, not elevate one race above another (Leviticus 19:18; Isaiah 56:6-7). Further, in Christ there is no distinction based on race, status, or gender, and all believers are united in Him (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11). The Bible calls us to love all people and to share God’s grace universally (Matthew 7:12; John 3:16-18, 13:34). By contrast, the Nation of Islam’s teachings on racial superiority and segregation are contrary to Scripture and promote dangerous ideologies. The Bible teaches that true salvation comes only through Jesus Christ, not through racial identity, ideology, or human effort.

from the old testament

The Old Testament repeatedly affirms that all humans are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and that God values every nation and people.
Israel was called to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6), not to elevate one race above another.
Commands like loving your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18) reveal that favoritism toward a particular ethnic group is contrary to God’s character.

from the new testament

The New Testament emphasizes the unity of all believers in Christ, regardless of race or background. Paul writes that in Jesus “There is neither Jew nor Greek, . . . slave nor free, . . . no male and female”—everyone is one in Him (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11).
Christians are called to love all people (Matthew 7:12; John 13:34) and to share God’s grace universally (John 3:16-18), not limit it by race.

implications for today

Wallace Fard, who became Wali Farad Muhammad, began the Nation of Islam in 1930 in Detroit, Michigan. He was frustrated with racial discrimination and created an expression of Islam to counter what he believed was the religion of "the white man"—Christianity. He adopted an altered form of Sunni Islam and then added his own ideas before disappearing in 1934.

Elijah Muhammad (born Elijah Poole) then led the Nation of Islam until he died in 1975. He claimed a revelation from Allah to build temples or mosques and oppose integration with white people, whom he called "devils." The most prominent member of the Nation of Islam is Malcom X who joined in the 1950s, but later converted to traditional Sunni Islam.

Louis Farrakhan began leading the Nation of Islam in 1977 and continues today. In 2010 he mixed in some aspects of Dianetics from Scientology.

In 1998, the Nation of Islam was the subject of a fatwa issued by the Italian Muslim Association for its heresy against Islam.

One goal of the Nation of Islam is to create a one-race state run by black people without interference from anyone from any other race. It promotes segregation, calling for African-Americans to establish their own schools, places of worship, and businesses. Additionally, the Nation of Islam is anti-Semitic, saying that Jacob from the Old Testament (whom they call "Yakub") created the white race using eugenics. Farrakhan says Jews control the United States to corrupt society.

Of course, the Nation of Islam is not biblical. Its association with Islam and Scientology make it a false religion. Its teachings about racial superiority are dangerous. The Bible teaches the value and worth of all human life; no race is superior to another and racism is anti-biblical.

Christians are called to love people (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 7:12; John 13:34). All people, of every race, are invited to respond to God's offer of grace through belief in Jesus Christ (John 3:16-18). It is only through Jesus that we are saved (Acts 4:12).

understand

The Nation of Islam combines Islam with black nationalism and racial supremacy.
The Nation of Islam goes against biblical Christianity and is heretical even to traditional Muslims.
True salvation comes only through Jesus Christ, not race or ideology

reflect

How do you respond when you encounter teachings that elevate one race above others when you know God calls you to value all people?
How are you actively living out the Bible’s call to love and point people of every race to Jesus?
How does the truth that salvation comes only through Jesus shape the way you view human ideologies or movements based on race?

engage

How can we reflect Christ’s unity across all races while engaging in conversations about movements like the Nation of Islam?
What biblical principles can guide us in addressing ideologies that promote unbiblical ideas?
How can understanding that all humans are created in God’s image help us confront false teachings that distort God’s view of human worth?