Prophet Noble Drew Ali: Saviour of Humanity Paperback – August 7, 2014

Noble Drew Ali was born in 1886 in North Carolina. At some point, as a young adult, he made his way to Newark, NJ. He was a man very much interested in religion, so he and his group of male friends had numerous discussions on the topic, disagreeing about a lot of different things. Ali was naturally drawn to the religion of Islam. Thinking that it was the natural religion for Black people, he pushed the notion forward that people typically known as “Black” and “African-American” in the United States should be referred to as “Moors” or “Asiatics,” with both of the terms being used interchangeably. His group studied The Koran, stating that they were being true to it. Ali argued that he was one in a long line of Prophets of Allah, but not necessarily the last one. He also felt that Black Nationalist leader Marcus Garvey was also a Prophet and Ali eventually visited Garvey while Garvey was in prison, having what he said was a very fruitful discussion with Garvey. Noble Drew Ali felt that, "Being that Prophets are thoughts of Allah manifested in the flesh, in order to clearly communicate the messages of Almighty God Allah, Prophets are raised amongst specific segments of society speaking the language of the people whom they were sent to save. This is to ensure that the messages of Allah are articulated unambiguously.” (pr. 15). At some point, Noble Drew Ali made his way to Chicago, incorporating into his religious view ideas from Garvey's cultural nationalism, the idea that Asiatics or Moors are chosen people, who should build their own businesses and support one another. He made his group official in Chicago, naming it the “Moorish Science Temple Of America.” He re-wrote a version of The Koran and called it “The Holy Koran of the Moorish Science Temple of America,” stating that Allah inspired him to do so. Noble Drew Ali taught what he said are the 5 highest Divine principles of Islam, “Love, Truth, Peace, Freedom and Justice.” The group made it a point to adorn themselves in traditional clothing at official gatherings of the group. Somewhere in describing members of the Moorish Science Temple Of America, they referred to themselves as a “Nation,” a destined special people of Allah. Starting with his one temple in Chicago, Noble Drew Ali fanned out over the country, seeking converts and starting other temples that spread The Word. At its peak, the group had temples in 15 states of the United States, mostly in larger cities, and this fact was highlighted at least one of their conventions. The thing that makes Noble Drew Ali so noteworthy is the fact that he was the first person to have a significant Muslim and Islamic group in the major cities of America, beginning with his formation of his group in Chicago in the mid to late 1920's. Given their religious and cultural beliefs, with Islam as their bedrock, he and his group raise major Historical questions. One can easily see how either Elijah Muhammad or W.D. Fard, both of whom would become instrumental in the formation of the “The Nation Of Islam,” may have either been early associates of Noble Drew Ali, or to have even been members of the Moorish Science Temple of America, since the NOI would eventually follow the same process for establishing religious institutions all across America, with its religion of Islam, and by being highly influenced by the cultural nationalism of Marcus Garvey. I read this book as part of a personal project to get to know more about the background of Malcolm X, and though I can't officially tie Nobel Drew Ali to the eventual formation of The Nation Of Islam, it certainly would make sense that there is a tie. It simply would make sense. Although this is a very short book of only 120 pages, it is invaluable for giving one a great sense of the History and mission of Noble Drew Ali and the early roots of urban Islam in America, along with how Ali came to accomplish the things that he did. I would recommend the book for these reasons alone. It is a good resource.

This work is important to the characters and integrity of Timothy Drew, founder of the Moorish Science Temple of America. He should definitely be celebrated in American society as a true patriot, American civics visionary and in my opinion the most progressive religious reformer of our time. He taught his members to take responsibility for their slave condition(By proclaiming their Moorish heritage and living up to their names) and use their American citizenship to their advantage by voting and participating in the free market as one nation One of his quotes was "the Constitution is one of the greatest documents ever created". How he is not celebrated in African American history for his efforts and success is beyond me.

Great information and well written

the book was uplifting an a best buy for me

An interesting book about this powerful leader.

This is an EXCELLENT book detailing the life & works of Prophet Noble Drew Ali...very insightful!!! Noticed a few typos but that's ok. Lol

wasn't informative enough about drew ali or his movement wanted details and descriptions this book didn't provide that

Insightful