Noble Drew Ali

Sharif Abdul Ali (HWON)

 (Noble Drew Ali)

Noble Drew Ali the founder of the Moorish America Movement was born in North Carolina on January 8, 1886 and was known as Timothy Drew before his conversion to Al Islaam. Noble Drew's mother died when he was still a child, and unfortunately he was placed in the care of an aunt who physically and mentally abused him. But, the despite pain of his tragic childhood he would become a great teacher and an inspiration for the many African Americans seeking the Truth (Al Islam) during the 1900's.

The early part of Drew Ali's youth was spent traveling with a Gypsy Group. When the young Noble Drew reached manhood, it is believed by many that he journeyed to Egypt (Kemit). There he came under the care of very learned and reputable Muslim Wise men (Sheiks), who taught him the mysteries of Christ Jesus (Al Masihul Isa). After this experience, and after being acquainted with certain phases of Islamic teachings; Timothy Drew became convinced that Al Islaam was the only instrument for Unity, and Advancement among the Afro American people.

According to legend, Drew Ali is said to have visited North Africa (Egypt) where he received a "commission" from the then King of Morocco to teach Al Islam to the Negroes in America. He is also reputed to have met with the President of the United States of America (which one is not specified) in order to receive a "charter" for the propagation of Al Islam. The President is said to have told him that "it would be as difficult getting Negroes (Bilalians) to accept AI Islaam as trying to fit a horse with a pair of pants.”

Before setting out to teach; Drew Ali traveled throughout the south. While in the south he examined the condition of the Black People or Moor as he called them. Drew Ali called the Afro American a Moor, because of his West African heritage. He specifically called him a Moor because of his Moroccan connection.

Noble Drew Ali especially disliked the term Negro. He felt that the word 'Negro' alluded in the Latin language to the word Nigger. The same can be said for the word' Colored' which means anything that is painted, varnished, and dyed. He felt that every Nation should bear the descent name of their forefathers, because "by honoring thy father and mother, your days will be lengthened on this earth.”Timothy Drew Ali insisted that "for people to Amount to anything, it was necessary to have a name and a land.”  He believed that North America was the African Americans land, and that it was only an extension of the African (Abyssinian) Continent. He taught that the so-called Negroes "must know their national origin and refuse to be called Negroes, black folk, colored people, or Ethiopians.”  Noble Drew Ali felt that the word Ethiopian signified division. Drew Ali saw that the Bilalian (Moor) was being oppressed, by strictly enforced Jim Crow Laws. The Jim Crow Laws of the south were civil laws that segregated the African American (Bilalian/Moor) from the Caucasian in every way.

The history of the Moor was a nightmare, during and after Slavery. After the Moor (Bilalian) was forced from his/her homeland and made to labor in the Western Hemisphere for the European. He was stripped of everything: His history; Language; Religious customs; Family name; Birth Rights; Family ties etc. The Moor (Bilalian) was then renamed Negro, coon, darkie, shine and other degrading names to further cripple him/her mentally.

The Advent of Al Islaam in America

Noble Drew Ali (Sharif Abdul Ali) founded the first Moorish American Science Temple, in Newark in 1913. Before he came to Chicago in 1925, he had established temples in Pittsburgh and Detroit. Sharif Abdul Ali (HWON) began teaching at the youthful age of twenty seven (27). He proclaimed that the Moor (Bilalian) was descended from a clean and pure nation. He believed the Moor has a true and divine religious creed for the redemption of man on earth. "He said that therefore we are returning the church and Christianity back to the European Nations as it was prepared for their earthly salvation. While we are returning to AI-Islaam (Islam); which was the religion of our forefathers.”

Sharif Abdul Ali (HWON) was the forerunner for the Mujaddid (Reformer), and the first Islamic Pioneer from amongst the Bilalian. He went about trying to dignify the downtrodden in America. Recognizing the need for a flag for the Muslims in America; he made an historical trip to Washington, D.C... He went their in 1925, to reclaim the Moorish flag. This flag originated in Morocco during the 6th century, the period that Al Islaam was first introduced to Morocco. The flag was red with a green 5 pointed star in the center.

Drew Ali’s teachings were embodied in a secret text know as the "Holy Koran.” This was not the same Qur'an that Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad Ibn Abdullah of Arabia over 1400 years ago. Instead Drew Ali's version was merely a combination of the "Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ” by Levi H. Dowling and certain saying or quotes from the real Holy Qur'an. The real Qur'an was revealed to Muhammad Ibn Abdullah in approximate 610 A.D... Allah revealed it as a mercy to the worlds (boundless universes) and humanity.

Noble Drew Ali was a balanced leader in the sense that he provided business leadership, as well as religious leadership for his community. He setup a number of collectively owned small businesses. A'immah (Imaams), laborers etc. should study the leadership of Sharif Abdul Ali. Sharif Abdul Ali as stated earlier was a forerunner to the coming of the reformer who is the Lamb of God (Allah). (See the Book of Revelations (The Injeel of Christ Jesus) 5: 6-13)

Sharif Abdul Ali (HWON) died under mysterious circumstances in 1929. Much of what he began was picked up later, and revised by Abdul Wali Farad Muhammad Ali.

Sayings of Drew Ali

"Islam is a very simple Faith. It requires man to recognize his duties toward Allah His Creator and His fellow creatures. It teaches the supreme duty of living at peace with ones surroundings. It is preeminently the Religion of Peace. The goal of a man's life according to Islam is peace with everything. Peace with Allah and peace with man.”

"Naturally doth man desire the truth; yet when it is before him, He will not apprehend it; and if it forces itself upon him, He is offended at it.”

"Humanity must be lifted from the unwholesome depths of poverty, misery and suffering and placed on the solid rock of salvation. There are some who claim to do this but upon investigation one finds that they have slouch under of their cross to extract from those who come to them, means by which they can have the pleasure of this life, while they point followers to joy after death. While they 'feed their sheep they' also shear them while eating. At the close of their day the master will be heard to tell them, "You have your reward, get thee hence.”

"The object of mans life, according to Islam, is His complete unfoldment. Islam teaches that man is born with unlimited capacities for progress. Islam does not support the idea that man was born in sin. It teaches that everyone has within him the seed of perfect development and it rests solely with himself to make or mar his fortunes.”

"Allah... He is free from all defects, Holy and transcendent. He is personal to us in so far as we see his attributes working for us and in us: But He is, nevertheless, impersonal. Because He is infinite, perfect and holy we know that death, neither decay, nor sleep overtakes him, neither do we believe that He is a helplessly inactive and inert force. Nothing happens without His knowledge and will. He neither begets nor is He begotten, because these are the traits of frail and weak humanity."

"This unity of Allah is the first and foremost pillar of Islaam and every other belief hangs upon it."