Islam in Black America

Edward E. Curtis Iv

Description

Many of the most prominent figures in African-American Islam have been dismissed as Muslim heretics and cultists. Focusing on the works of five of these notable figures—Edward W. Blyden, Noble Drew Ali, Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, and Wallace D. Muhammad—author Edward E. Curtis IV examines the origin and development of modern African-American Islamic thought. Curtis notes that intellectual tensions in African-American Islam parallel those of Islam throughout its history—most notably, whether Islam is a religion for a particular group of people or whether it is a religion for all people. In the African-American context, such tensions reflect the struggle for black liberation and the continuing reconstruction of black identity. Ultimately, Curtis argues, the interplay of particular and universal interpretations of the faith can allow African-American Islam a vision that embraces both a specific group of people and all people.

Acknowledgments

Usage

1. Introduction

2. Edward Wilmot Blyden (1832–1912) and the Paradox of Islam

3. Noble Drew Ali (1886–1929) and the Establishment of Black Particularistic Islam

4. Elijah Muhammad (1897–1975) and the Absolutism of Black Particularistic Islam

5. Islamic Universalism, Black Particularism, and the Dual Identity of Malcolm X (1925–1965)

6. Wallace D. Muhammad (b. 1933), Sunni Islamic Reform, and the Continuing Problem of Particularism

7. Toward an Islam for One People and Many

Notes

Selected Bibliography

Index

Sujets

• Islam
• États-Unis
• History of religions
• History of the Americas
• United States of America
• USA

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 01 février 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 2
• EAN13: 9780791488591
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Islam in Black America

This page intentionally left blank.

Islam in Black America

Identity, Liberation, and Difference in African-American Islamic Thought

Edward E. Curtis IV

State University of New York Press

Published by State University of New York Press, Albany

© 2002 State University of New York

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatso- ever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.

For information, address State University of New York Press, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207

Production by Michael Haggett Marketing by Fran Keneston

Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data

Curtis, Edward E., IV, 1970– Islam in Black America: identity, liberation, and difference in African-American Islamic thought / Edward E. Curtis IV. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-7914-5369-3 (alk. paper)––ISBN 0-7914-5370-7 (pbk.: alk. paper) 1. African American Muslims––History. 2. Black Muslims––History. 3. African Americans––Religion––History. 4. African Americans–– Ethnic identity. I. Title.

BP221.C87 2002 297.87––dc21

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

2002017746

ToWalter Ray Elliston

This page intentionally left blank.

Acknowledgments Usage

1 Introduction

Contents

2 Edward Wilmot Blyden (1832–1912) and the Paradox of Islam

3 Noble Drew Ali (1886–1929) and the Establishment of Black Particularistic Islam

4 Elijah Muhammad (1897–1975) and the Absolutism of Black Particularistic Islam

5 Islamic Universalism, Black Particularism, and the Dual Identity of Malcolm X (1925–1965)

6 Wallace D. Muhammad (b. 1933), Sunni Islamic Reform, and the Continuing Problem of Particularism

7 Toward an Islam for One People and Many

Notes Selected Bibliography Index

ix xi

1

21

45

63

85

107

129

141 159 169

This page intentionally left blank.

Acknowledgments

This book began as a doctoral dissertation, entitled “Toward an Historical Islam: Universalism and Particularism in African-American Islamic Thought,” completed at the University of South Africa in the Department of Religious Studies. Its completion was—truly—a pleasurable experience due to the able guidance of my joint supervisors, Professor G. J. A. Lubbe, of the University of South Africa, and Professor Ahmet Karamustafa, di- rector of the Religious Studies program at Washington University in St. Louis. Because of their gentle and supportive approach to the advising process, I never felt alone during the writing of this work. Professor Lubbe was always able to challenge and reassure me at the same time; and I con- sider myself especially fortunate to have worked with a man whose intel- lectual and personal contributions to the anti-apartheid movement were so courageous and unique. Shaikh Ahmet has been my teacher and adviser for many years now, and though I suspect he knows how much I respect and like him, he cannot know how much his example both as an intellec- tual and as a human being has inspired me. I can never repay either of my advisers for their generosity. It is also a pleasure to thank those people who have influenced my in- terest in and approach to the study of religion, history, and the humanities in general. At Washington University, where I received my master’s degree in history, they include Engin Akarli (now at Brown), Iver Bernstein, Howard Brick, the late Nancy Grant, and Peter Heath (now Provost of the American University of Beirut). At Kenyon College, my alma mater, they include Michael Brint, Leonard Gordon, George McCarthy, Royal Rhodes, and Vernon Schubel, who first nurtured my interest in Islam. Some other especially important teachers have been Cassie Samaha Caf- fery, James Caffery, Ann Garrett, the late Dexter Porter, and Donald Dow. For reading and commenting on work related to this project, I am also grateful to Steve Angell, Henry Berger, Molly Bidwell, Alexandra Cornelius, Gerald Early, Amy Elefante, Tim Fox, Yvonne Haddad, Sylvester Johnson, Mark Kornbluh, Larry Mamiya, Sandy Martin, Maria Papacostaki, Sarah Pinnock, Mary Sawyer, Barbara von Schlegel, Ann Taves, Richard Walter, Judith Weisenfeld, and Mary Wiltenburg.

ix