Elijah Muhammad Quotes & Sayings

First, my people must be taught the knowledge of self. Then and only then will they be able to under-stand others and that which surrounds them. Anyone who does not have a knowledge of self is considered a victim of either amnesia or unconsciousness and is not very competent. The lack of knowledge of self is a prevailing condition among my people here in America. Gaining the knowledge of self makes us unite into a great unity. Knowledge of self makes you take on the great virtue of learning. — Elijah Muhammad

One hour's meditation on the work of the Creator is better than seventy years of prayer. — Elijah Muhammad

One hour of contemplation surpasses sixty years of worship. — Elijah Muhammad

Who are the learned? Those who practice what they know. — Elijah Muhammad

A Muslim has five duties towards another Muslim; to return a salutation, visit the sick, follow funerals, accept an invitation and say 'God have mercy on you' when one sneezes. — Elijah Muhammad

Four things support the world: the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the good, and the valor of the brave — Elijah Muhammad

No man is a true believer unless he desireth for his brother that which he desireth for himself — Elijah Muhammad

Your Lord is bountiful to mankind: yet most of them do not give thanks. — Elijah Muhammad

Love of self comes first. The one who loves everybody is the one who does not love anyone. — Elijah Muhammad

He who believes in God and the Last Day should honour his guest; he who believes in God and the Last Day should not annoy his neighbours; and he who believes in God and the Last Day should say what is good or keep silent. — Elijah Muhammad

On a certain day shall every soul come to plead for itself, and every soul shall be repaid according to its deeds; and they shall not be wronged. — Elijah Muhammad

If anyone removes (one of the) anxieties of this world from a believer, God will remove (one of the) anxieties from him on the Day of Resurrection; if one smoothes the way for one who is destitute, God will smooth the way for him in this world and the next; and if anyone conceals the faults of a Muslim, God will conceal his faults in this world and the next. God helps a man as long as he helps his brother. If anyone pursues a path in search of knowledge God will thereby make easy for him a path to paradise. — Elijah Muhammad

Discard your former slave-master's names and be willing and ready to accept one of Allah's Pure and Righteous Names that He Alone will give our people from His Own Mouth! A good name is, indeed, better than gold. — Elijah Muhammad

They know the outward shows of this life present but of the next life are they careless. Have they not consider the heavens and the earth and all that is between them but for a serious end, and for a fixed term? But truly most men believe not that they shall meet their Lord. — Elijah Muhammad

Knowledge of one's identity, one's self, community, nation, religion, and God, is the true meaning of resurrection, while ignorance of it signifies hell. — Elijah Muhammad

Accept your place in the sun as it was originally before the creation of this world ... The black man is the first and last, maker and owner of the universe. — Elijah Muhammad

And we will test you with evil and with good; and unto us shall ye be brought back. — Elijah Muhammad

Acquire knowledge. It enables its possessor to distinguish right from wrong; it lights the way to Heaven; it is our friend in the desert, our society in solitude, our companion when friendless; it guides us to happiness; it sustains us in misery; it is an ornament among our friends and an armor against enemies. — Elijah Muhammad

When the first man created Himself, He was the light of the circle. Then He willed the sun into being It was 6 trillion years between the making of the sun and the creation of man. — Elijah Muhammad

There are three signs of a hypocrite: when he speaks he speaks lies, when he makes a promise he breaks it, and when he is trusted he betrays his trust. — Elijah Muhammad

Accept your own and be yourself! — Elijah Muhammad

Four characteristics constitute anyone who possesses them a sheer hypocrite, and anyone who possesses one of them possesses a characteristic of hypocrisy till he abandons it: when he is trusted he betrays his trust, when he talks he lies, when he makes a covenant he acts treacherously and when he quarrels he abuses. — Elijah Muhammad

There is no good in most of their secret counsels except (in) him who enjoins charity or goodness or reconciliation between — Elijah Muhammad

By God ye shall be called to account for your doings! — Elijah Muhammad

And they will ask thee of the spirit. Say: The spirit proceedeth at my Lord's command; but of knowledge, only a little is given to you. — Elijah Muhammad

Whatever good works ye send on before [death] ... ye shall find with God. — Elijah Muhammad

Asking good questions is half of learning. — Elijah Muhammad

Reviling a Muslim is disobedience to God, and fighting with him is infidelity. — Elijah Muhammad

Whoever is humble to men for God's sake, may God exalt his eminence ... — Elijah Muhammad

The Negro wants to be everything but himself ... He wants to integrate with the white man, but he cannot integrate with himself or with his own kind. The Negro wants to lose his identity because he does not know his own identity. — Elijah Muhammad