Elijah Muhammad 1897 – 1975

Biography

Born in rural Georgia in 1897, Elijah Muhammad rose from modest beginnings to become one of America’s most influential religious leaders. Moving to Chicago during the Great Migration, he built a movement that would reshape American spirituality and social consciousness, attracting thousands of devoted followers who looked to him for spiritual guidance and community leadership.

For decades, Muhammad commanded a devoted following and established himself as a towering figure in American religious history. His teachings and organizational work left an indelible mark on his community and beyond, influencing generations of believers through his decades of dedicated service and unwavering commitment to his faith.

When Muhammad passed away in Chicago on February 25, 1975, he left behind a complex and enduring legacy. He was laid to rest at Mount Glenwood Memory Gardens in Illinois, where his final resting place stands as a quiet testament to nearly eight decades spent shaping American religious and social movements during one of the nation’s most transformative periods.