COMPARISON BETWEEN ISLAM AND FARRAKHANISM

Examine the following comparisons between Islam and Farrakhanism with regard to the belief or practice in each:

BELIEF/PRACTICE

1. GOD/ALLAH ALONE

ISLAM: One Unique, never appeared in any physical form; hence, no physical representation is possible. He is recognized through his 99 names.

FARRAKHANISM: "...Allah (God) appeared in the Person of Master W. Fard Muhammad, July 1930; the long awaited 'Messiah' of the Christians and the 'Mahdi' of the Muslims."

2. PROPHET/MESSENGER

ISLAM: Muhammad (S) is the last Prophet and the last Messenger. No messenger or prophet will come after Muhammad (S).

FARRAKHANISM: Elijah Muhammad was a "Messenger of Allah." Are there any more messengers or prophets to come? Not clear.

3. THE LAST DAY/THE LIFE HEREAFTER

ISLAM: The life on earth as we know it will come to an end; it will be followed by the life hereafter which includes physical resurrection of the entire humankind, judgement and the life of paradise or hell.

FARRAKHANISM: "...BELIEVE in the resurrection of the dead - not in physical resurrection, but in mental resurrection." "No already physically dead person will be in the Hereafter; that is slavery belief, taught to slaves to keep them under control." "When you are dead, you are DEAD."

4. THE QUR'AN

ISLAM: It was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (S) between 610 and 632 C.E. It is the last revelation of Allah to mankind.

FARRAKHANISM: Contradictory beliefs. On one side, "...BELIEVE in the Holy Qur'an and in the scriptures of all the Prophets of God," and on the other side, "We, the original nation of the earth ... are the writers of the Bible and Qur'an. We make such history once every 25,000 years ... it is done by twenty-four of our scientists." "Both the present Bible and the Holy Qur'an must soon give way to the Holy Book..."

5. THE BIBLE

ISLAM: It was revealed to prophets and messengers from Moses (alaihis salam) to Jesus (A) but was corrupted. Authenticity of statements in the Bible are judged by the Qur'an.

FARRAKHANISM: (See their beliefs above regarding the Qur'an)

6. SHAHADAH

ISLAM: It means what it says, that is, Allah is Unseen, He is the Creator, the Sustainer. Mankind is accountable to Him Alone, and Prophet Muhammad (S) of Arabia is the final and ultimate ROLE MODEL; no one can substitute for him.

FARRAKHANISM: A cover up to deceive gullible Muslims. "Allah (God) appeared in the person of Master W. Fard Muhammad," and Muhammad of Arabia (S) was one of the prophets, not a role model for our times. The real role model and lawgiver for our times is Elijah Muhammad.

7. SALAH

ISLAM: Five times a day is required; SALAH (prayer) includes QIYAM (standing), RUKU' (bowing), SAJDA (prostration), JALSA (sitting on the floor) and recitations.

FARRAKHANISM: No five times daily SALAH (prayer); prayer, when done has no RUKU' or SAJDA. Friday is a major congregational prayer day, not for SALAH, but to say DU'A and to listen to a Minister.

8. ZAKAH

ISLAM: Required on accumulated wealth after having in possession for one year above the NISAB (certain limits), as defined in SHARI'A (Islamic law).

FARRAKHANISM: It is a tax as "poor due" on income, similar to income tax. Who benefits?

9. SAWM

ISLAM: Fasting is required in the month of Ramadan, ninth month of Islamic calendar.

FARRAKHANISM: Fasting is required in December only. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is optional.

10. HAJJ

ISLAM: Required once in a lifetime if conditions of finances, health, and safety of travel are met.

FARRAKHANISM: No Hajj requirement. Farrakhan and his cronies take trips to Saudi Arabia, and by the way, to Makkah for the main purpose of image building and to raise funds from gullible rich Arabs.

11. LAWFUL (HALAL); UNLAWFUL (HARAM)

ISLAM: Determined by Allah, the God Alone, announced in the Qur'an or by the Prophet Muhammad (S), recorded in the authentic Hadith sources.

FARRAKHANISM: Determined by W.D. Fard and announced by Elijah Muhammad. The Qur'an and Prophet Muhammad (S) have no relevance nor authority with regard to lawful and unlawful.

12. AUTHENTIC HADITH

ISLAM: An indispensable source of Islamic beliefs and practices, the only source after the Qur'an. Indispensable for the understanding of the Qur'an itself.

FARRAKHANISM: Ignored, if not totally rejected by Farrakhanis. However, the leadership, including Farrakhan himself, may invoke Hadith if it suits their purpose to fool gullible Muslims.

-- M. Amir Ali, Ph.D. References for Farrakhanism quotes are given in the author's article: ISLAM OR FARRAKHANISM. For a copy send $3.00 to the address given in this article.

KNOWING THE TRUE ISLAM:

Any teachings under the label of "Islam" which contradict or are at variance with the direct understanding of fundamental beliefs and practices of Islam from the Qur'an and authentic Hadith should be rejected, and such a religion should be considered a PSEUDO-ISLAMIC CULT. In America there are many pseudo-Islamic cults, Farrakhanism being one of them. An honest attitude on the part of such cults should be not to call themselves Muslims and their religion Islam. Such an example of honesty is Bahaism which is an off-shoot of Islam, but Bahais do not call themselves Muslims nor their religion, Islam. In fact, Bahaism is not Islam just as Farrakhanism is not Islam.

The foundation of Islam consists of TAWHEED, RISALAH, and AAKHIRAH. And "five pillars" of Islam are SHAHADAH, SALAH, ZAKAH, SAWM and HAJJ. The rest of the building of Islam consists of SHARI'A which includes HARAM and HALAL, RIGHTS and DUTIES, MORAL CODE, CONVEYING THE MESSAGE, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RULE OF ALLAH and EXCELLENCE in everything Muslims do. Any claims of Islam should be judged on the criteria given in this paragraph. If the foundation and pillars of a building are demolished there is no building left. Such is the case with pseudo-Islamic cults, including Farrakhanism. For details request the booklet, HOW TO PRESENT ISLAM, A RATIONAL APPROACH by the author of this brochure.

This author's article, ISLAM OR FARRAKHANISM and this brochure are contributions to achieve the stated goal. There may be other similar articles and brochures forthcoming on pseudo-Islamic cults not discussed here.

The Institute has published numerous brochures and articles on basic tenets of Islam and Islamic practices. Anyone wishing to have a complete set or a selection thereof should write to the Institute and request a complete list of its publications. In addition, the Institute provides learned Muslims as speakers to schools, churches, community organizations and talk shows. The Institute operates an Islamic Reading Room in Chicago, holds classes for non- and new Muslims who may be interested in advancing their knowledge in Islamic beliefs and practices. For more information write to: