Reprinted from the February 5, 1965 edition of Muhammad Speaks Newspaper.
By Abdul Basit Naeem
I have been a keen observer of the Islamic scene in America for well over a decade. During this period,the many magnificent and marvelous aspects of the Nation of Islam- the Muslim movement led by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad-have often moved me to write on this subject, not only in this newspaper but in several other (U.S. and overseas) publications as well.
The spirit that prompts me to write today, however, emanates from a somewhat different source: I offer the observations contained in this article in response to an urgent query received by me from an eminent "foreign" Muslim. "Whatever meagre knowledge and understanding we in the East possess of the unique and unorthodox mission of the Muslim leader in America (the Honorable Elijah Muhammad) has come to us in the main, from your expert analysis and authoritative interpretation of interpretation of his teachings, " states our learned brother's message. "And now that we hear of the dismissal or defection of malcolm X and the Muslim leader's youngest son, Akbar ... and of there active opposition to Mr. Muhammad 's program, we wonder if you would be good enough to advise us of your personal stand on the various issues raised by the issues raised by the dissonant elements..."
Muhammad's Teaching
For the benefit of me Eastern brother-in -Islam-and for anyone else whom it may concern- I take this opportunity to state that, first and foremost, I am still and shall remain with the Muslims' beloved leader, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad.
Second : It is still my firm belief, earnest and sincere conviction that the Islamic teachings as offered his people, the so-called Negroes, by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad constitute the only effective means and proven method of de-Christianizing Black America- a prerequisite to the eventual establishment of a Muslim homeland in this wilderness.
Third: It is my considered judgment that, since Allah Himself is the Founder, Keeper and Protector of the Nation of Islam in America-as He is indeed the Founder, Keeper and Protector of Islam itself-no power on earth can possibly destroy or even harm it.
I cannot, therefore, subscribe to the theory that the vain utterances and impious attempts of a few mortal adversaries to discredit the Nation and its rightful leader can arrest the Muslims' collective progress or affect their unflinching loyalty to the noble Messenger.
Undeserving
Speaking specifically of Malcolm X, I can safely state, having studied his motives,moods and moves as carefully and closely as circumstances permitted me during the past thirteen months, I find him positively undeserving of and unfit for the role of a Muslim leader in America,which he undeniably fancies for himself.
I might add here that if he should be judged by the company he has lately kept, he is indeed guilty of betraying the confidence placed in him by his Muslim and Arab hosts and new-found "well-wishers"abroad.
I might further add here that if Malcolm X,during the arduous course of his desperate battle for survival and sustenance, which he has just embarked on-can maintain even nominal adherence to Islam, that too should regarded not as a measure of his personal strength but rather the result of his previous training as a member in the Nation of Islam.
Those of us who know of the dubious and unimpressive moral background of Mr. Malcolm Little need not forget that if it were not for the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, our new champion of Afro-American Unity might-by his own admission -still be a pimp.
Unwarranted
As for Brother Akbar Muhammad, I can only state that I do very much regret and deplore his recent, rather harsh and unkind, criticism and unwarranted denunciation to the philosophy and practices of his respected father. It is a pity that, in a fit of anger, he should ignore the fact that the Honorable Elijah Muhammad had to make so many personal sacrifices in the interest of akbar's education abroad.And had the youthful Al-Azhar student been a bit wiser, he should have certainly refrained from lending support, even by implication, , to those engaged in a vicious campaign of belittling and slandering the Messenger.
But the true believers in Allah and His Religion, Islam,need not despair at this turn of events. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad may have lost a son in Akbar's separation from the Nation of Islam, but he is not and never will be alone. Need I remind anyone that all the registered Muslims-and not just the Messenger's offspring -comprise the real family of this great man?
In conclusion, may I urge my brothers and sisters in Islam in the Nation to remain absolutely steadfast in their faith in the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and to KEEP MARCHING ON UNDER THE MESSENGER'S GRACEFUL BANNER OF FREEDOM, JUSTICE AND EQUALITY!
The time will come -and soon, this you will see-when the everlasting truth
deals a final, crushing blow to falsehood and achieves eternal triumph over
deceit, sanctimony, hypocrisy and all other forms of evil.
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