The family of Elijah Mohammed has an honored center place in the faith identity of the Muslim-African-American people. We are distinguished in the international following of Muhammed the Prophet in so many ways because of this legacy. We are very proud of that distinction. It is not a prideful arrogance. That would be unbecoming of a people of Islamic faith. It is a simple, but profound tradition. We are a People, deprived of natural social supports in human society due to the abuses inherent in American slavery and its diabolical twin American-style race-based oppression. And then, by way of a determination in the soul brought to expression by members in this family, we were guided by a new light to an approved human destiny.
That destiny is yet unfulfilled in us, but because of that determination in the Honorable Elijah Mohammed and his wife Clara, we have become aware. We have an awareness that most in our own race do not value, and most in humanity are obstructed from comprehending for their own benefit. We have been made a special people, and we are here now still striving to fulfill this destiny within its exceptional expectations.
For this reason we tribute the context and the life of Elijah Mohammed II. He was, in the time of his father, a towering and fearsome figure -the de-facto leader of the “men” -the Fruit of Islam or FOI. I am not speaking of what that term ‘FOI’ has become in present-day expressions. I am speaking of the original ‘FOI’ upon which the concept was born and established. In the years following the death of his father, that status and responsibility for him was forever altered.
Elijah Mohammed II initiated the well-remembered raising up of then newly selected leader of the NOI, Minister Wallace D. Muhammad.
He became a sincere supporter and follower of his younger brother W. Deen Mohammed, and he cultivated that distinction. He grew upon that distinction. He was his brother’s defender in many ways, and what his brother achieved for the necessary steps of change and correction upon true Faith would not have been possible without Elijah Mohammed II’s stand. Because we are a people of Islamic faith, we understand that nothing can occur except that Allah permits it for some purpose within His Over-Arching Plan. Were it not for Elijah Mohammed II’s ordering of the “men” in the critical first days of the new leadership, what we enjoy as Islamic faith and identity would not have formed.
We salute the man with a very high and noble salute. This is the deserved tribute. We thank Allah for him. We pray to Allah that He grant Mercy to Elijah Mohammed II and that He forgive him and reward him. We express our most heartfelt condolences to all members of his family, those for whom he was father, brother, and Uncle Junior.