The Nation of Islam

The Nation of Islam includes a doctrine that it is the religion for people of darker complexions. White people are the enemy of God. Historic Islam does not teach this. In this book, a vivid picture is presented how hypocrisy within the Christian church created an atmosphere where a segment of the African American population sought out a philosophy to explain white hatred and meanness towards those with different skin tones. The Nation of Islam was not the first. Marcus Garvey had a following. His teachings sought to separate the African American population from the white race both in geographic area, socially, economically, and in religious thought. Christianity had no part in his vision to improve the lives of the African American population inside the United States. He wanted the population to leave the United States. Also presented are the ideas of Noble Drew Ali, the founder of the Moorish temple. He also taught the separation of the races: both geographically and in faith. He taught that Jesus really was black. W.D. Fard was a student Noble Drew Ali. After the death of the Moorish temple founder, Fard became the founder of the Nation of Islam. He spread his teaching while being a traveling salesman of silk and raincoats. Soon he had to rent out halls to contain those wanting to learn his teachings. Elijah Mohammad (then known as Elijah Poole) after hearing him speak proclaimed Fard to be Allah. Later this became part of Fard's teachings. Poole became Fard's top student and within two years Poole lead the Nation of Islam. His reign lasted forty years. Also included in this book is the sketch of Malcolm Little's life that included a childhood of being past from Foster home to Foster home. How he became converted to the Nation of Islam in prison ,through a correspondence with Elijah Muhammad and became known as Malcolm X. In the late fifties he became the spokesman for the Nation of Islam. Due to a 1959 CBS documentary about Malcolm X titled Hate that Hate Produced, NOI membership increased rapidly after the show was televised. This book details why Malcolm X left the Nation of Islam to join Sunni Islam. How a Louis Wolcott became a follower of the Nation of Islam and had his name changed to Louis Farrakan. Included are details of his rise to power. Also included is a discussion about Islam, Christianity, the Bible and the Qur'an.. Tsoukas argues that the Nation of Islam incorporates both the Bible and the Qu'ran in its teachings in a way that neither Islam or Christianity teach.

The book, by author Steven Tsoukalas, is outstanding for several reasons. The author documents, with extensive footnotes (thank you for the footnotes!), the history/beliefs of the "NOI." The book is written in about as "neutral" a tone as Tsoukalas, a Christian, could have written it. It is NOT sarcastic. He does NOT "make fun" of the "NOI." The book is also succinct and avoids going into unnecessary details. Tsoukalas uses vocabulary that most readers will understand (that is, he does not try to impress readers with big words, etc.). If you want an introduction to the history/beliefs of the "NOI," this is the book for you.

If you are wondering about the Black Muslims, but only interested knowing the basics about thier belief system, this book is definatly for you. Tsoukalas has a wonderful gift for writing and telling history. Unlike most books about the NOI, Tsoukalas takes the right approach in describing thier history and belifs. The only book that might do a better job is C. Eric Lincolns book 'The Black Muslims in America' but that book goes into extreme detail within the black Muslim history. Tsoukalas's book is much more basic and to the point. He does what should be done, he tells the facts about the Blacks Muslims without totally bashing them. In his last chapter, he does give a Christian response to the black Muslims, but it is in no way a bashing of their belief system. I would definatly recomend this book to anyone who wants a short but well written explaination of the Black Muslims.

Tsoukalas provides well-written, brief background and Christian evaluation of Nation of Islam, which most of us Americans hear much about and little understand.He disbands the myths that it is Muslim. It differs as he carefully points out in its basic disagreement that W.D. Fard is Allah (God), and that he is a man, a black man. As anyone familiar with Islam is aware, this is totally against their view of Allah.In a procession of messengers, beginning with Elihah Muhammed, continuing to Malcom X, then to Louis Farrakan, the author provides intro to this development and its implications.Also, he provides advice on how a Christian can witness, given God provides the opportunity. This is very useful, as well as the accompanying discussion on a Christian evaluation of NOI. He is lacking on an understanding of the communication of Chrsit's two natures, which would alleviate the problems in this evaluation.A good introductory read to the subject.