Posted by Abraham Apollo on September 28, 2000 at 22:41:41:
Peace,
First off let me say I love the web site, there is much information that is available about the teachings of The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad. I have some simple questions that I'm sure will vary depending on who I ask so I would like for as many registered muslims as possible to answer this question.
I am a 5%er, as you all probably know we study the lessons.period. Nothing more, nothing less.
When I first recieved knowledge of self I was told that the lessons I recieved were the same as taught by the Nation of Islam. Which I found out to be more or less true (with very, very minor exceptions, so minor that it's not really worth getting into detail).
The Difference that I was given at the time was that the Nation of Islam was more structured, you had to dress a certain way, there was a heirarchy. Also certain things are forbidden (Alchohol, drugs, gambling etc.)Whereas in the 5% nation you can dress how you want and if you wanna drink or smoke then its your body, go ahead. So long as you can explain your ways and actions(Show and Prove) then so be it. For example: if you are sipping some wine and somebody asks you "Why are you drinking wine?" you might respond "Jesus drank wine" and then provide the necessary scriptures to show and prove. To my understanding in the Nation this is unheard of (correct me if I'm wrong)
My question is in regards to the Nation of Islam under the current leadership of Minister Farrakhan. Or better yet the philosohy as to why the Nation is being led by Minister Farrakhan.
The Nation of Islam was originally called Allah's Temple of Islam. It was located in Detroit, Michigan. Master Fard Muhammad was the "leader" (I know he was Allah in person, but at the time he was simply the leader of the temple) When he departed he left the Supreme Wisdom lessons, and he left Elijah Muhammad in charge. Elijah Muhammad's job was to spread the teachings of Master Fard Muhammad.
After Elijah died Wallace came around abandoned the teachings, then later Minister Farrakhan came and supposedly restored the original teachings. But here is what I do not understand. Why does the Nation place so much emphasis on "Allah appeared in the person of Master Fard Muhammad" When Master Fard Muhammads teachings were clearly that Man is God. I can quote (from memory) about 10-15 degrees in the 120 (Supreme Wisdom) that say that Man is God. 1st degree in the 1-10, 1st degree in the 1-14, 3rd degree in the 1-14, 1st degree in the 1-40, 8th degree in the 1-40, 9th degree in the 1-40, 14-16 degree in the 1-40 etc...
So why doesn't Minister Farrakhan (or the NOI as a whole) place emphasis on the fact that Allah(God) can be found within self? Thats what Master Fard Muhhammad was trying to emphasize. And ya'll hate us 5%ers for calling ourselves gods, but we are the only ones that have the proper understanding of the lessons in the first place. Prove me wrong. and Don't give me any quotes from any of Elijah's books GIVE ME QUOTES FROM THE LESSONS. THE LESSONS ARE THE ONLY THING THAT MASTER FARD MUHAMMAD LEFT!!!!!!!!! I CHALLENGE ANYBODY ON THIS BOARD TO FIND ONE QUOTE IN THE LESSONS THAT SAY OTHERWISE.
My point is Master Fard Muhammad was trying to get us to realize that we can find god in ourselves. When I see the leadership of the nation switching up directions it reminds me of Moses wandering in the desert for 40 years.
Wake Up!!! look in the mirror thats where you will find God. That's what Master Fard was teaching. don't worry about Minister Farrakhan or Wallace, or High priest what's his name or whoever. save yourselves.
Peace,
Abraham Apollo