As everyone knows, Malcolm X is a very important figure throughout history. He was apart of many different groups because he wanted to help and make changes for the better. Malcolm X used his involvement in the Nation of Islam as a platform to advance change. In this essay It will show Malcolm's induction into the religion, and how he was able to use it to advance his message to African-American people during the Civil Rights Movement. Also what the Nation of Islam religion is and compare it to the two other major, which is western religions Judaism and Christianity.
Nation of Islam Religion is an ​African American movement and organization. It was founded in 1930 and known for its teachings incorprated elements of traditional ​Islam​ with black nationalist ideas. The ​Nation​ of Islam Religion also promotes racial unity and self-help and continues a strict code of discipline between members. Furthermore, they believe in main beliefs. The main belief of The Nation of Islam and its followers is that there is no god but Allah. An Allah is the Muslims God. They also pray five times a day, as it is their most important worship.
The person who created the nation of Islam was Fard Muhammad. according to the Nation of Islam, his goal was to 'teach the downtrodden and defenseless Black people a thorough Knowledge of God and of themselves, and to put them on the road to Self-Independence with a superior culture and higher civilization than they had previously experienced.' However, there are still two other major western religions.
Another major western religion is Judaism, Judaism is the ethnic religion of the Jewish people. Which comprises the collective religious, cultural and legal tradition and civilization of the Jewish people. Judaism is considered by religious Jews to be the expression of the covenant that God established with the Children of Israel. In the Judaism religion, God has been formed in a variety of ways. Normally, Judaism says that YHWH, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the national god of the Israelites, is actually what brought the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Also gave them the Law of Moses at biblical Mount Sinai. Judasim differs from the Islam Religion in many ways, such as different sins, holy books, holy spirits and rituals.
Christianity is the second major western religion. Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Its Christians, believe that Jesus is the Christ, whose coming as the Messiah was prophesied in the Hebrew Bible. They have 5 main beliefs which are Belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit. Also The death, descent into hell, resurrection and ascension of Christ, The holiness of the Church and the communion of saints. Christ's second coming, the Day of Judgement and salvation of the faithful. Christianity and Islam are the two largest religions in the world. They share a historical traditional connection. However, they have a lot of theological differences. The two faiths share a common area of origin in the Middle East. They also both consider themselves to be monotheistic. Each religion is different for a reason, there wouldn’t be different religions if they all shared the same beliefs and Gods. Although, having multiple religions and allowing different religions in a common area is good. Everyone should be allowed to practice the religion they want or none at all.
Malcolm X was able to use his induction into the religion to advance his message to African- American people during the Civil Rights Movement. Malcolm X delivered a message. The message to sum up says whites were not to be trusted. He also stated that African Americans need to be proud of their heritage and to set up strong communities without the help of white Americans. He encouraged the formation of a different state for African Americans in which they could rely on themselves to give solutions to their own problems. He also says violence was justified in self-defense. However, it was not the answer. He then states Blacks should achieve what was rightfully theirs 'by any means necessary.' In the autobiography of Malcolm X he goes from being an atheist, then into following the Nation of Islam, and lastly into a follower of Eastern Islam.
As history can see, Malcolm X became an influential leader of the Nation of Islam. The Nation of Islam associates Islam with black nationalism and desired to encourage and empower disadvantaged young blacks that were searching for confidence in segregated America. Malcolm did all these things to help make a change for the future so the kids did not have to go through what his time did. On March 8, 1964, Malcolm X had publicly announced his break from the Nation of Islam. Although he was still a Muslim, he said, but felt that the Nation had 'gone as far as it can' because of its rigid teachings. This was a big time in history. After that had happened, Malcolm then went on a religious journey and traveled to the holy city of Mecca, where he was exposed to mainstream Islam. Main stream Islam is the Islam that the majority of the Muslim world practices. During this time Malcolm has changed his name to Malik E Shabazz. In his autobiography it shows his excitement at being recognised in the ‘orthodox’ Muslim world. An example of this can be seen when Hajj Jeddah Committee leader recognised and registered Malcolm as a Muslim.[5] Although race relations is always portrayed as the main focus of Malcolm’s life it is important to admit that accepting Orthodox Islam has most definitely shaped Malcolm’s outlook on race relations. Yet, most importantly, his embrace of the universal understanding of ‘brotherhood’ represented in Islam.
Malcolm X was one of the most lively, dramatic yet influential figures of the civil rights era. He had made the necessary changes for African Americans so they could live better lives. Religion was an asset to all these plans. Malcolm X went through a lot for those things that happened. This was able to happen because of his huge platform he created for himself. People know that his assassination was to due with what Malcolm had preached through out his life. Malcolm being apart of a religion helped him flourish with his plans.