What We Need To Know About the Nation The World, and Ourselves 

Muhammad Speaks Newspaper
P.O Box 44261
Detroit, MI 48244
Phone: 313-371-7033
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The Arms (Weapons) of the F.O.I.

The Following is reprinted from Muhammad Speaks September 20, 1974

Supreme Capt. inspires West Coast Muslims

Captain Sharrieff recalls early tests of Muslims

By Lawrence 2X

(Special to Muhammad Speaks)

LOS ANGELES – The Fruit of Islam (F.O.I.) of Temple No. 27 and
surrounding areas recently were honored to receive and host one of the
Honorable Elijah Muhammad’s chief aides, Captain Raymond Sharrieff,
Supreme Captain of the Nation of Islam.

BY SPECIAL invitation from the administrative staff of Muhammad’s Temple
No. 27, the  Supreme Captain was on hand at a recently held F.O.I.
 class to spark an all-out drive on the West Coast.

The drive, conducted concurrently throughout the Nation of Islam, is
threefold: to increase the distribution of Whiting H&G, imported by the
Honorable Elijah Muhammad to feed hungry Black people;  to also increase
the sales of Muhammad Speaks newspaper, which represents spiritual food
to the Black man-in-the-streets; and finally, to raise funds to complete
the purchase of a jet for the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, which will
enable Him to travel about the country in comfort while fulfilling His
Divine mission.

THE SUPREME CAPTAIN

said that the F.O.I. is an Army but not in the traditional sense of the
world’s armies. It is not an army of destruction, it is an army of
construction. Our arms consist of Muhammad Speaks and Whiting H&G, he
added.

“We have embarked upon a national drive,” he told the receptive group of
men. “It is  our duty as F.O.I. to push this national drive to success.”

The Supreme Captain, a veteran Muslim of 41-years service,  recalled
how, during the 1940′s when the Honorable Elijah Muhammad was arrested on
various  trumped charges including draft evasion, the Nation of Islam
launched one of its first drives.

IN THE EARLY days of Islam, Captain Sharrieff revealed, hypocrites,
disbelievers, and  police were after the Messenger seeking to arrest Him
or take His life. Almighty God Allah, who came in the Person of Master
Fard Muhammad, to whom Praise is forever due, warned the Messenger never
to stay in one town for too long. So the Honorable Elijah Muhammad went
from city to city trying to avoid His enemies. As He went, He continued
His work, leaving the teachings of Islam along the way.

“Finally,” Captain Sharrieff remembered, “the Messenger became tired of
running from the enemy so He let Himself be caught by the enemy.”

THE MESSENGER of Allah, consequently, was arrested in Washington D.C. The
amount required to get Him released was $5,000. At that time there were
very few believers, so for a small Temple that was a sizeable sum, he
said.

Setting a historical context for his audience, he pointed out, “Temple
No. 27 was not around at that time, nor was 26, 25, 24 and on down the
line. In fact, at that time, Temple No. 5 was not even in existence.”

The Supreme   Captain continued: “The Messenger sent us a success prayer
while He was still in jail: this prayer was memorized by the believers.
We went out in the Name of Allah, using this prayer of success, and in a
short time we had raised that money.

AFTER HEARING the Supreme Captain recite the prayer that the Messenger
had given the early believers, the F.O.I. responded to the beautiful
 and inspirational prayer by singing “All Praise is due to Allah for the
Hon. Elijah Muhammad.”

Present at the F.O.I. meeting were contingents of F.O.I. from Los
Angeles, Compton, Watts, Long Beach, San Diego and distant Albuquerque,
N.M. To the man, a commitment was made for full and complete
participation in the day drive.

Upon conclusion of the class, a united vow was made to resound the name
of Muhammad  throughout the world.

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