Founder of the Nation of Islam. Born Elijah Poole he was the son of a former slaved/turned preacher. As a boy, Elijah worked at various jobs involving manual labor. At the age of 26, he moved with his wife and two children to Detroit. While in Detroit he met Wallace Fard Muhammad who was the founder of the Lost-Found Nation of Islam. Poole soon became Fard's chief assistant and in 1932 went to Chicago where he established the Nation of Islam's Temple, Number Two, which soon became the largest. When Fard disappeared in 1934, he returned to Detroit. There was always the speculation that Poole was involved in his disappearance. He returned to Chicago where he organized his own movement, in which Fard was deified as Allah and Elijah Poole, now known as Elijah Muhammad became known as Allah's Messenger. This movement would soon be known as the Black Muslims. During World War II he was jailed due to his support for Japan. The time Muhammad served in prison became the most successful endeavor of his life. He was able to convert large numbers of black prison inmates, which included Malcolm X, to the Nation of Islam. During the 1950s and 1960s, the Nation grew under Muhammad's leadership. Internal differences between Muhammad and Malcolm X, followed by the break between the two men and Malcolm's assassination in 1965. Though three Black Muslims were involved in his death, and the Nation received negative media coverage, the membership of The Nation of Islam continued to increase. He would continue on until his death on February 25, 1975, ten years after the death of Malcolm X. His wife Ruby (1897-present) would continue to support her husband's beliefs and actions.
Founder of the Nation of Islam. Born Elijah Poole he was the son of a former slaved/turned preacher. As a boy, Elijah worked at various jobs involving manual labor. At the age of 26, he moved with his wife and two children to Detroit. While in Detroit he met Wallace Fard Muhammad who was the founder of the Lost-Found Nation of Islam. Poole soon became Fard's chief assistant and in 1932 went to Chicago where he established the Nation of Islam's Temple, Number Two, which soon became the largest. When Fard disappeared in 1934, he returned to Detroit. There was always the speculation that Poole was involved in his disappearance. He returned to Chicago where he organized his own movement, in which Fard was deified as Allah and Elijah Poole, now known as Elijah Muhammad became known as Allah's Messenger. This movement would soon be known as the Black Muslims. During World War II he was jailed due to his support for Japan. The time Muhammad served in prison became the most successful endeavor of his life. He was able to convert large numbers of black prison inmates, which included Malcolm X, to the Nation of Islam. During the 1950s and 1960s, the Nation grew under Muhammad's leadership. Internal differences between Muhammad and Malcolm X, followed by the break between the two men and Malcolm's assassination in 1965. Though three Black Muslims were involved in his death, and the Nation received negative media coverage, the membership of The Nation of Islam continued to increase. He would continue on until his death on February 25, 1975, ten years after the death of Malcolm X. His wife Ruby (1897-present) would continue to support her husband's beliefs and actions.
Bio by: Nina
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