Chapter Ten: The Floor of Oran: An Examination of the Moorish Divine and

National Doctrines-Sheik R. Edwards-El, Divine Minister

Chapter Ten:
The Floor of Oran:
An examination of the Moorish Divine and National Doctrines

Sheik R. Edwards-El, Divine Minister

Moorish Science Temple of America

1. As Moorish American Moslems, do we embrace a monotheistic or polytheistic concept of

God? We embrace a monotheistic concept of God i.e., the belief in one God.

2. Does God, as you understand Him, have a proper name? Yes, according to Sura 17:110 in the
Holy Quran and Chapter 10:19 in the Moorish Holy Koran, He has many.

3. Why do people refer to God using different names? According to the Moorish Holy Koran,
Chapter 10:19, Men see God from different points of view and, thus, names the part that he
sees.

4. What does the word Allah mean? Al-lah means The Creator, The God.

5. Why do we call Allah He? Because Allahs nature is so completely beyond out ability to fully
comprehend, we interpret Allah the only way we can i.e., through our human experiences, and
we come to understand different aspects of Him based on what we perceive about ourselves. We
consider the male gender to be dominant, active, strong, creative, and protective. Realizing that
Allah possesses these same qualities, we therefore, refer to Him using masculine pronouns.

6. Is Allah spirit? Allah has a spirit but in essence, He is beyond spirit. However, spirit is the
highest expression we use to describe Allah.

7. What is meant by the phrase The Triune Allah? The attributes of Allah are infinite.
However, among His countless attributes, three are most dominant; Wisdom, Will, and Love.
Together, these three dominant constitute what is called the three-fold nature of God, or more
appropriately, the Triune Allah. Properly understood to mean three Gods. They are Unity, all
working together expressing one purpose, and harmony.

8. Who is Elohim? Elohim are the Steven Creative Spirits through which Allah created the
manifested universe. They are thoughts of Allah, called Elohim by the Hebrews and identified as
the spirits of Protoplast, earth, plant, beast, man, angel and cherubim. (Chp. 11, MHK)
9. Who created Elohim? Elohim was created by Allah, who breathed forth from Himself and
stood Seven Spirits before His (own) face. (Chp. 11 MHK)

10. If only Seven Creative Spirits (Elohim) constitute the sum total of all created beings, what
accounts for the countless others living things we see around us? The many creatures we see all
around us? The many creatures we see all around us are but the manifested variations or
differentiations of the five Creative Spirits that fell: protoplast, earth, plant, beast, and man.
For example, all planets, stars, and other celestial bodies throughout the physical universe are
manifested variations of the spirit earth.Trees, grass, flowers, vegetables, fruits, and all other
herbages are manifested variations of the spirit plant. Snakes, ants, birds,bees, fish and all other
insects and animals are manifested variations of the spirit beast. Woman is but manifested
variation of the spirit man. (Chp. 11, MHK)

11. What is it meant by the statement: Elohim created everything that ever was, is, and
evermore to be. This statement reveals a fundamental truth concerning the origin of material
things. It means that Elohim created the physical sun, moon, stars, plants, all the countless
galaxies throughout the universe, and all the material things therein. Elohim created the physical
parts of protoplast, earth, plant, beast, and man. In short, Elohim created all matter (material
things), with the exception of either.

12. As Moorish American Moslems who embrace a monotheist concept of God and understand
the meaning of shirk (i.e., associating partners to Allah), how do you explain Elohim? Simply,
Allah differentiated Himself, thus, the Steven Creative Spirits, which constitute Elohim, are
only divine emanations from Allah Himself. (Chp. 11, MHK)

13. What is Ether? Ether is the universal, rarefied essence which serves as the channel or
medium for transmission of vital life force, power and electromagnetic waves. It is the all-
pervading essence that envelopes the Seven Creative Spirits. This enveloping constitutes what is
called the Ether Planes. These Ether Planes are the channel from which the Seven Creative
Spirits draw nourishment and are called the planes of protoplast, earth, plant, beast, man, angel,
and cherubim (Chp. 11, MHK)

14. When was Ether created? Ether was created when the Triune Allah breathed forth and stood
Steven Spirits before His face. With that creative act each of the seven life forms were clothed in
an ether.

15. Who gave spirit man a soul and a body? Creative Fate (Chp. 1, MHK)

16. Who or what is Creative Fate? Creative Fate is the Creative force of Allah which
predetermines events and carry them out through the combines efforts of Elohim. (Chps. 1 & 7,
MHK)

17. What is man? Essentially man is spirit and a part of Allah. (Chps. 1,7, & 11, MHK)
18. What are the three major planes or realms of life? The spirit plane, the soul plane, and the
plane of things made manifest. (Chps. 1 & 11, MHK)

19. What are the body and the soul in realtion to spirit man? The body and soul of man are
vehicles enabling him to function and together experience on the planes of things made manifest
and the plane of soul. The bodies and souls of men are finite things. (Chp. 1, MHK)
20. What is the plane of soul? The plane of soul is the ether of the spirit plane vibrating not so
fast that is, vibrating at a slower rate. (Chp. 1, MHK)

21. How was the plane of soul and the plane of things made manifest created? What the will of
protoplast, earth, plant, beast, and man became sluggish, the ethers of their individual planes
began to vibrate slower still, thus creating the plane of things made manifest. (Chp. 11, MHK)

22. What is religion? It is Allahs relationship with man and the entire Universe.

23. What is the purpose of religion according to Nobile Drew Ali? To teach men his infirmities,
to remind him of his weakness, to show him that from heaven alone can be hope for good. (Chp.
43:21, MHK)

24. What is Islam? It is the religion of Allah. It means the complete submission, surrender, and
obedience to the Will of Allah. (Moorish Lit. What is Islam?)

25. What is Islamism? It is our faith in motion i.e., it is the practice of Islam. It is a perfect way
of life extending into all aspects of our lives.

26. Why did Nobile Drew Ali say in chapter 48:8 of our Moorish Holy Koran, that we were
returning to Islam and then in the Koran Questions that our religion is Islamism? He wanted us
to practice Islam in its purest form, without the culture overtones of the people of the Book.

27. Why has the Moorish Movement translate the word Islam into the word Islamism? Islam and
Islamism are both nouns; however, the word Islamism is a word that corresponds perfectly with
the verb Islamize, meaning complete surrender, submission, and obedience to the Will of Allah.
The root of which means peace, thus Islam is the religion of peace. When we put it into practice
and make it a part of our lives it becomes Islamism.

28. Why has the Islamic faith, during the past 150 years, failed to make spiritual impact on the
world affairs, as its eight hundred million plus followers would indicate? It is religion thats
being practiced all over the world. The followers of Islam have made an impact on world affairs
but, sad to say, this impact has been primarily do to the effects that their natural recourses have
had on the world economy. Their possession of oil is more influential on the world scene that
their possession of the Book. History proves that a people cannot survive separated from their
cultural experience, and their cultural heritage gives meaning to that experience. Today, when
most people think of Islam they subconsciously think of an Arabian tradition.
29. How has the Arabian tradition been implanted into the cultural experiences of the non-
Arabian Moslem? Through the systematic teaching of the Arabic language, a practice started by
the Umayyad Dynasty about seven hundred years ago, Morocco.

30. Is Arabic the original language of mankind? The language of the Holy Quran is Arabic;
however, the original language of mankind is unknown. Ishmael, the son of Abraham, was the
father of the twelve tribes from which the Arabian nation sprung. He spoke the language of his
father. Abraham came from Ur of the Chaldea, he spoke the same language as did Jesus
Aramaic.

31. Does this make the non- Arabs, who are learning Arabic wrong? It is not a question of right
or wrong but a question of inheritance. Those who have failed in this are known as people with
loose slipper, because he has given his foot-covering, a symbol of the foundation of his
existence, to his neighbor, and cut himself off to be a witness against himself.

32. If Islam is a universal religion, and it was revealed in the Arabic language; doesnt this make
the language universal also? Islam is a universal religion in that its doctrine has been perfected
and suitable to the spiritual growth and development of the nations of the earth. It is through the
universality of its doctrine that the concept of one God, one human family, and the one
brotherhood of man are realized. Islam teaches that the community of the Moslem is one
community in faith not one in cultural experience.

33. Do Moorish American Moslems believe that man is born in sin? No, man has the power to
make or mar his future. (M.L., pg. 10, What is Islam?)

34. What is the object of mans life according to Islam? Complete enfoldment (M.L., pg. 10,
What is Islam?)

35. What is meant by the fall of man? The fall of man means that spirit man fell from a higher
plane of existence, the spirit plane, to a lower plane of existence, the plane of soul, and finally,
the plane of things made manifest. When the will of the spirit-man became sluggish the ethers of
his native plane (spirit) began to vibrate slower. He was then clothed with a garb called soul, and
finally, he was clothed in a coarser garb called flesh (Chps. 1 & 11, MHK)

36. Was mans fall due to wrong or sin on his part? No. Mans fall was not due to any evil or
wrong committed by him but was part of Allahs divine plan to create wherein mans will could
become perfected.

37. Was mans fall necessary to his becoming perfected? Yes. In Chapter One of the Moorish
Holy Koran, spirit-man is likened to a seed, because like a seed he is perfect in that he possesses
within himself all of the essential qualities to become as intended. Yet like a seed he is not
perfected because he has not grown and unfolded into all he is capable of becoming. By
universal law, all things grow and unfold by striving against obstacles. However, the plane of
spirit is superior to both the plane of soul and the plane of things manifest, man, the seed, could
not have become perfected on it due to the singularity of its essence, spirit, there are no conflicts,
no obstacles, no opposition. Man, the seed, had to be thrown into the soil of soul and the soil of
flesh so that, through experience and struggle against obstacles on both these planes, his will
shall become perfected. (Chps. 1 & 11, MHK)

38. What is the lower-self? The lower self is carnal nature within man i.e., mans lower passions,
desires, and tendencies, which sprang forth from the flesh (Chps. 1 & 3, MHK)

39. Who made the lower-self? Elohim made the lowerself.

40. How was the lower-self (The devil) Made The lower-self was made from mixing of the
different substances which make up mans physical body: a. The physical body is made up if
billions of pieces of protoplasm (protoplast), a clear, jelly like substance resembling the white
part of eggs. The primary elements found in protoplasm are nitrogen (fire), hydrogen (water),
carbon (earth), and oxygen (air). b. It was Elohim who made the body of man from these
(different) elements which gave rise to the carnal nature of sprang forth from the flesh. (Chps 1
& 11, MHK)

41. What is the first and foremost pillar of Islam? Unity of Allah (M.L., pg. 10, What is Islam?)

42. What is the Holy Book of Islam? The Holy Koran (Quran) of Mecca (Mohammed). (M.L.,
pg. 10, What is Islam?)

43. What did Nobile Drew Ali mean by the statement: We shall foster the principles of its (Holy
Koran of Mecca) teachings among our members? He meant that we should encourage the
teachings of its essential principles among our members.

44. What did Noble Drew Ali declare us Moslems according to the Holy Koran of Mecca? It is
the Holy Book of the Moslem; it is the revealed Word of Allah; it is here that Allah perfected
Islam; it is the Book that sets the guidelines for being a Moslem i.e., it is The Criterion.

45. What is a Moslem? A Moslem is one who submits his or her will to Allah.

46. How does one submit to Allah? By following the path Allah has established for mankind.

47. How does man know the will of Allah? Through the teaching and example of His Prophets.
In other words, the Prophet of Allah communicates His Will to mankind. (Holy Quran, Sura
72:26-28)

48. What proof does a Prophet bring? A Book of Divine Instruction and a personal lifestyle
reflecting the truth of those instructions.

49. Why does Allah use a mortal like ourselves to convey and communicate His Will? Because
only a mortal like ourselves can be a true pattern to follow (Holy Quran, Sura 23:33-41 and
Chps. 4:14, 17 and 13:12-13, MHK)

50. Do prophets commit sin? No, Prophets are excellent examples for mankind. Like all humans,
they are born with a higher and lower self. Like all humans, they have the capacity to sin but
unlike most humans, Prophet never commits sins. Prophets through their excellent example,
show us the possibilities of man. (Holy Quran, Sura 3:161 and 21:25-27)

51. Are some Prophets greater than others? No, the message and the mission of prophets are the
same. All prophets are commanded to praise Allah and shun the devil (evil). However, the
methods they use to deliver the message and accomplish the mission may be different nations
have different needs. (Holy Quran 4:150-152)

52. Does Allah send Prophets to some nations and not to others? Allah has sent a Prophet to
every nation. (Holy Quran, Sura 35:24, 10:47, 16:89, 14:4, 4:72, 16:24 and 28:75)

53. Are the names of all prophets known to mankind? No! (Holy Quran Sura 4:164 and 40:78)

54. What three things has been given to each prophet? The book (Revelation), The gift of
Prophecy, The authority to Judge. (Holy Quran, Sura 6:89)

55. Why does Allah raise a prophet in every nation? A nation of people are most likely to accept
divine instruction by one of their own, because he speaks their language and understands their
cultural particulars. A Prophet raised among his own people is more keenly aware of their needs
and conditions and better qualified to address those needs, because their experiences are his
experiences.

56. What are the five Articles of the Islamic faith? Belief in Allah, Belief in Angels, Belief in the
Books of Allah, Belief in the prophets of Allah, Belief in the Day of Judgments (Holy Quran,
Sura 4:136, 2:2-4)

57. And the Five Principles of Islam? Belief in Allah, Belief in the Divine Revelation, Belief in
the Hereafter, Belief in Charity, and Belief in Prayer.

58. Of these Five Principles, which are theoretical and which are practical? There are three main
points of belief or theoretical ordinances, belief in Allah, belief in Devin Revelation and belief in
the Hereafter. There are two main points of practice or practical ordinances; they are belief in
Charity and belief in prayer.

59. Does being a Moslem require that you prayer in the same manner, as do many other
Moslems? No. Allah instructs mankind to pray. The particular manner or form in which people
pray may vary and is established by the particular Prophet, guided by Allah. Abraham, Zoroaster,
Moses, Jesus, and Noah all prayed to God, but nowhere is it mentioned that they made prayer
(salat) in the form or manner of the Arabs. (Holy Quran, Sura 22:67, 22:34 and 4:103)

60. Are Moors, like other Moslems required to pray? Yes, the Prophet instructed the Moorish
Americans to express their piety through the Moorish American prayer.

61. Is this prayer preformed in any particular position? Yes, the Prophet instructed the Moors to
stand, raising their hand extended, with five fingers extended on the left hand and two on the
right hand extended, the first and second finger. Historically, it is the Prophet who brings a
particular manner or mode of prayer, of their people.

62. Why is the Moorish American Prayer preformed in such a different fashion other Moslems?
Before the Abvent of Prophet Mohammed, the Arabs were a very arrogant and godly people
their gods were, the creation of their own hands and minds. They were a much-divided people,
practicing infanticide and other cruelties. To make prayer a real spiritual experience, Prophet
Mohammad, through the angel Gabriel, taught them to prostrate, in humility and unity, imitating
the birth and development of human life. However, in our first re-introduced to prayer
conductive to our spiritual growth, taught us to stand. We were a people who had forced upon
our knees for a year, in a state of fear and not dependency. Therefore, our first reintroduction to
prayer could not, in the mildest form, resemble the kneeling prostration of the slave.

63. Was the Moorish American Prayer the only prayer bought by the Prophet Noble Drew Ali?
No. The Moorish American Prayer is a general prayer given to each Moorish American Moslem,
it is a declarative statement and Declaration of Faith. But, it is not the only prayer given to the
Moorish American Moslem. Those who obtain the name of faithful are given a number of
addition prayers, different in manner and form, for as a man ideals unfolds so does his God and
sense of worship unfolds.

64. What is meant by the statement: Mohammad is Seal of the Prophets? This statement means
that Mohammad put a seal of divine approval on the true teachings that have come down form
earlier Prophets; that is, he confirms the true teachings of earlier prophets.

65. What is the language of the Moslem? The language of the person i.e., the language he or she
is born and raised to speak.

66. Is there such thing as a Moslem name? No.

67. What is the difference between a Rasool and a Nabi? A Rasool is one who receives a
revelation from Allah through the angel Gabriel directly from Allah. A Nabbi is one who
brings the message or revelation of the Rasool before him. The Nabi is also one who receives a
revelation through divine inspiration. They are both degrees of the Prophet hood.

68. What does the word SHEKINAN mean or describe? It describes the invisible cloud of
brotherhood that surrounds the oriental chair (Eastern Chair). It represents the Presence of God.

69. What does Qibah mean or refer to? It means refer to the direction of prayer.

70. What does Noble Drew Ali say about Koran. Pf Mecca (Holy Quran)? He says, We have it
as the revealed Word of God-Allah. We shall foster the principles of its teachings among our
members. He also says, It is the bible of the Mohammedans, ruling over the customs and
actions of 200 million (today the number has grown to 800 million) people. (M.L., pg. 19-20)

71. What year did the first (authorized) English translation of the Koran (Quran) of Mecca
appear in America? 1917, translated by Maulana Muhammad Ali.
72. What is the oldest translated of the Koran (Quaran) of Mecca reported in America? The 1853
translation by Gentlemen George Sale.

73. What is the meaning of the word Moorish? Moorish is an adjective that means to be like the
Moors; it is a genetic term which identifies our people no matter where they are found in the
world; it refers to the aboriginals of Africa and their descendants.

74. What is the text book definition for nationality? The term nationality refers to the social-
political organization of a particular group of people. It also refers to a people linked by common
decent from common ancestor and sharing a common history, language, religion.

75. What does the statement: Uplifting fallen humanity mean? It means to restore mankind
(humanity) back to its status of dignity and moral purification, thus, ensuring the progress and
stability of the race.

76. What does Messianic mean? It refers to a condition existing among a people that
necessitates the coming of a prophet.

77. When was the Holy Koran of the Moorish Science Temple of America first published? The
Moorish Koran was first published in 1927, however, it was not released to the general
membership until December 15, 1928.

78. Who is the author of the Holy Koran of the Moorish Science Temple of America? By
arranging the information in the manner that it is in, Noble Drew Ali became the author of the
pamphlet. However, he is not the author of it individual lessons and instructions.

79. What is the Holy Koran of the Moorish Science Temple of America to Moorish American
Moslem? It is compilation of lessons and instructions prepared by Noble Drew Ali by the
guidance of His Father God-Allah. It is a saving power, that Everlasting Gospel, that comes from
Allah, through our ancient fathers by His prophet. It is a source of rejuvenation and power of the
Moorish American; the uniting of the Holy Koran of Mecca.

80. When was the Moorish Movement founded and under what names were it established? The
Moorish Movement was founded May 1, 1913 in Newark, New Jersey. It is known today as the
Moorish Science Temple of America, Inc.

81. Has the Moorish Movement always been known as the Moorish Science Temple of America?
No. In 1913, it was known was the Ancient Canaanite Temple, in 1925, the Moorish Temple of
Science, 1927, the Moorish Holy Temple of Science and, beginning in 1928, the Moorish
Science Temple of America, Inc.

82. When was the Moorish Movement incorporated? It was incorporated on November 29, 1926
under the name Moorish Temple of Science. (Certificate 10580)
83. What type of corporation was the Moorish Temple of Science? It was a civic organization.
(Certificate 10580)

84. When was the name of the Moorish Temple of Science officially changed? It was officially
changed to the Moorish Science Temple of America at a special meeting assembled in Chicago,
Illinois on May 2, 1928. (Corporate file 1900-972-6)

85. When did the Moorish Movement publicly announce its religious authority in the United
States? It was during a special meeting held July 20, 1928, wherein trustees were appointed,
Sheiks Made and a National Body established. The same being filed in the Cook County Office
of Records and Deeds, according to the Religious Corporation Act of 1872.

86. When was the Divine Constitution and By Laws of the Moorish Science Temple of America
instituted? It was during the 1st Annual National Convention of the Moorish Science Temple of
America held October 15th to 20th; the Divine Constitution and By Laws were recommended by
the prophet and unanimously adopted be the Grand Body. (Moorish Guide, October 10, 1928)

87. When did Prophet Noble Drew Ali make his 2nd historical tour of the subordinate temples?
November 3, 1928 to December 3, 1928. (Moorish Guide, October 10, 1928)

88. When did Prophet Noble Drew Ali pass from? He passed from July 20, 1929 at 9:50 PM.
According to this death certificate, cause of death was tuberculosis bronchus pneumonia. His
body was placed in Frank Edward's Undertaking parlor. Funeral services were held on Friday,
July 26, 1929 at 1:30 PM in the Pythons temple building. His body was finally laid to rest in Barr
Oak Cemetery-Acacia Lawn, Lott 44, grave 7.

89. Who was the first National Grand Sheik and president of the Moorish Science Temple of
America, Inc.? Brother Edward Mealy-El was appointed Supreme Grand Sheik of the Supreme
Council of Moorish Science Temple of America, Inc., and list as president on corporate files in
the office of the Secretary of State of Illinois. He also served was Governor of temple #1 and
Convention Chairman (1900-972-6, Feb. 1929.)

Note: The filing of annual reports with the secretary of state reflects the complex of an
organization established under the Not-for-Profit Corporate Act. The prophet established a
religious society on July 20, 1928, via the Religious Corporation Act of 1872, something very
different.

90. What is a warrant of Authority? It is a legal document issued to a branch temple, which lets
the public and those in authority know the function and mission of the branch temple

Note: Did you know that it is reported that the Prophet Noble Drew Ali said, 28 people who
take out membership in the Moorish Science Temple of America and 15 of those being initiated
in the Adept Chamber of the Moorish Science Temple of America this will constitution a Temple
and of those 15 will represent a quorum, majority of that quorum will be 8 and the majority can
guide and govern that particular temple.
91. What is a subordinate temple? It is a charted body of Moors authorized to propagate the faith
and extend the learning and truth of the Great Prophet of Ali in America, under the name
Moorish Science Temple of America, Inc.

Note: It is report that the holy Prophet instructed the Moors to hang The American Flag and the
Moorish Flag on the west wall of the temple. The Charter is to hang/placed between the two
flags.

92. What are the pillars upon which the social, political, economical, and educational structure of
the Moorish Movement stand? Nationality and Divine Creed.

93. Why do the Moors use the word Islam as a greeting? Because it is perfect. It reminds man
that all creation is in harmony with Allah, save mankind. It proclaims that every living is bound
by cords to every other living thing. That man, through perfect submission to Allah's guidance,
may be successful in this world and the next.

94. How do the Moors arrive at the knowledge of truth? Labor and attention, that is, study and
investigation.

95. Can a member learn by listening to a more knowledge member? If a man must know, he
must be what he knows. Listening, as the sole process of learning, can never take place of a
personal educational experience, unless listening is a mere prelude to self-involved study.

96. How does one become a member of the Moorish Science Temple? By going to a temple,
taking out membership; proclaiming their nationality and living the life of a true Moslem.

97. What are some of the requirements? He or she must be of the Asiatic race and willing to
make the sacrifices necessary for self-improvement and self-esteem; contribute to all uplifting
acts, including industrial endeavors and financial support.

98. Is there a particular dress code requirement? All members must wear either a Turban or Fez.
Only the males were the Fez. (however, they may also wear a turban). The female member wears
the Turban with a crescent pin in the center over the eyes.

99. How can one study nationality? By studying the laws, customs and traditions of a particular
people.

100. When a Moor says that he is studying national law, what is he studying? He is studying the
constitution and other bodies of law relating to that particular nation. The national law of the
United States is the U.S . Constitution, national laws of the Moorish Science Temple of America,
Inc., is the Divine Constitution and By Laws.

101. How does one know whether or not he is following the teachings and examples of Noble
Drew Ali? When the aims of the teachings is to instill discipline and character, with a deep sense
of moral obligation, coupled with good works and kind words.
102. Do all of the members eat the same kinds of foods? No. However all true Moors refrain
from the consumption of pork and other unclean foods. They don't drink intoxicants or abuse any
form of drugs. The Prophet said that all Moorish Americans must keep their hearts and minds
pure with love and their bodies clean with clear water.

103. Do the Moors believe in interracial marriages? No. Amalgamation demands the kind of
compromise no self-respecting , conscious person is willing to make-- whether he or she be an
Asiatic or a European. The offspring of this union are without a history, save the personal
experience of their parents, which is very limited and conflicting.

104. Isn't the Moors position on interracial marriage somewhat along the lines of racism? No.
Our position is based on personal and collective survival, race pride and love for Allah; it is the
awareness of history and the signs of the time-every nation must worship under his own vine and
fig tree.

105. What does every man must worship under his own vine and fig tree mean? It means every
man must must worship the religion of his forefathers, therefore, of his own nationality and
under his own flag.

106. What is the heritage of slavery? To name all of the things that are a direct result of the
institution of slavery would be a document it itself. However, the marks Negro, Colored folks,
Black people, and Ethiopian which were attached to slaves, along with the social, political,
educational and psychological effects of self-hatred and unconsciousness are the most
outstanding.

107. How does the Moorish Science Temple hope to remove the influences of slavery? The
Moorish Science Temple is accomplishing this by teaching the ex-slaves who they are in terms
of their relationship with the Creator; and how to organize this information so that they may take
their rightful place in the affairs of men.

108. Why is so much emphasis placed on history? Wse place a lot of emphasis on history
because a man's history bears witness to his identity. The Atlantic Ocean has caused a great
separation in the consciousness of the ex-slaves in America. The Moorish Science Temple is the
connecting link to their true identity.

109. Wouldn't you say that most of the ex-slaves recognize that they are of African descent?
More than most recognize that they are of African descent. However, that awareness, sad to say,
is purely academic. This is why so many of us feel that we may restore our heritage merely by
changing our name.
110. Don't the members of the Moorish Science Temple of America change their names? Some
people have viewed the addition El and Bey as a change in name bu actually it is just the
replacement of a long missing link. The El and Bey, names are title to our vast estate.

111. What is the vast estate? The abode of peace. The mansion of eternal felicity in the paradise
of Allah.
 112. Is the mansion exclusively for the Moors? No. it is the heritage of every man of every
clime; it is the Creator's promise to the sons and daughters of all humanity.

113. If this vast estate has been promised, the why is it necessary to make additions to the names
of the ex-slaves here in America? We must honor our mother and father (National Descent
Names) that our days may be long upon the earth-land which Allah, thy God, has given thee.

114. How do these names accomplish this? The name El connects us with Moab, who came to
Africa from Asia (the land of Moab), and received permission from the Pharaohs of Egypt, to
inhabit the North Western and South Western shores of Africa. The Bey connects us with the
Moroccan Empire, which was founded by the descendants of Moab.

115. If El and Bey connects you with the human race and the families thereof, what race are you;
and from what family are you a descendant? We are of the Asiatic race and the ROYAL family
of Boaz and Ruth.

116. Doesn't the Christian names have an ill effect upon the consciousness of the Moorish
Americans? Moorish Americans do not have Christian names.

117. Isn't the name Johnson, a Christian name? Johnson is a European name. Since the Christian
church has it origin in Europe, every baptized Christian assumes a European name especially, if
the convert has been educated in the west.

118. When an American of African descent bears the name Jones, doesn't this demonstrate, the
names that were given to slaves by slave holders? No. the names that were given to slaves by
slaveholders were Negro, Black, etc.

119. If those names, such as Jones, Thomas, Johnson, etc., are not slave names, then why does
history reveal that many slaves were known by these names? A closer examination of history,
would reveal that it was through these names that the slave master was able to identify his
property. The names meant nothing to the slaves, except to symbolize his spiritual and national
death.

120. How could a Moorish American be spiritual and nationally dead claim consciousness? All
life comes from death. With the addition El or Bey, these names symbolize the resurrection of
the dead; the return of the knowledge of their Creator and national origin.

121. What does the Knowledge of history, i.e., Moab and Morocco, have to do with
consciousness? Identify involves the ideas of time and space. Two objects cannot be in the same
space at the same time. They each exclude all objects from the same space it occupies. The idea
of identity also excludes the idea of two beginnings. To understand this is to enable us to solve
the problem of the principle of individualization. Individualization is involved in the very nature
of existence itself.
 122. Is this characteristic of identity constant? All things seen and unseen are governed by
this principle of identity. However, we must understand the difference between the biological
and the mental aspects of man. We must recognize that age changes the physical identification of
the human species.

123. What are some of the changes that the human species undergoes during his physical
development? As Moslems we believe that the Creator is the sole cause of all life, and he alone
has established the principle of identification in all things seen and unseen, organic and
inorganic, therefore, the identification of a thing is in the thought which has given it existence.
We believe that Allah has utilized the configurations of the earth to bring forth the glory of His
Creation, for he is the sole Creator of both the physical and spiritual worlds. For example:
through His Divine thought, Allah willed that His earth be inhabited by all forms of life. He,
Allah brought for the: ether, which is the essence of identification. The thought of Allah was
enclosed in the seven others i.e., protoplast, earth, plant, beast, man, angel and cherubim.

124. Are you saying that man is the thought of Allah? All created things are thoughts of Allah.
Example: (1) thought, (2) ether, (3) vapor, (4) water, (5) sperm, (6) blood clot, (7) embryo, (8)
fetus, and finally, (9) birth. The number 9 is the number of foundation, and it is upon this that
man begins the growth and development of his individuality as a mortal memory conscious
human being.

125. What parts of man changes and what parts are constant? They physical part of man changes
form infancy to old age. The biological part of man renews itself chemically to perpetuate his
human identification, even when certain mutation stake place, i.e., climate and geography. This
law is beyond man's control, except in his choice of climate and geography. His memory
fluctuates and for this reason Allah has endowed him with the power to speak, the ability to
record that he may maintain his identity through the continuity of his memory. Thus man is able
to remember when lie was a child; he is able to insure his growth and development as a unique
individual.

126. How can the Americans of African descent regain their memory? Race pride, love for their
people, and the knowledge of their history.

127. If I wanted to study the history of my people where would I begin? In the land of Moab.
This would carry your memory back to the Garden of Eden, i.e. the spiritual, mental, and
physical composition of your existence.

128. Why is this necessary? That we may understand the difference between, acculturation,
assimilation and diffusion; and how it has affected the mentality of our people here in America.

129. How did, the European conquerors accomplish, their task of rendering our people totally
unconscious? They cut off their means of communication, thus, discontinuing their memory.

130. What is the, Negro problem? The negro problem, as such, is the grave sense of social,
political, educational, and economic dependency, that has classified the ex-slave as an
undesirable and a virtual tumor on the body of the state. The worst thing, however, is that our
people are becoming comfortable as a beggar people.

131. Where did Cush and Ham come from? They came from the land of Canaan.

132. Where is the land of Canaan? Asia. How many races are there? One race, sub-divided into
two.

133. Under what name can we identify the race and its sub-division? Asiatic and Europeans.

134. What is the natural name (race) of the members of the Moorish Science Temple of
America? Asiatic.

135. Can this process be explained in scientific terms? Yes, we have learned that the origin of
man had one beginning. Man came upon the earth in Asia, between the Tigris and Euphrates
rivers; however, the oldest fossil of man was found in Africa as the Asiatic migrated from their
place of origin, they found that the geography and climate varied as they moved further from
Asia.

136. How long did this process take? No one knows exactly, however, it has been estimated to
be around six thousand years.

137. Does this mean that every nation on earth is a distant relative? Yes, the blood grouping of
mankind verify the blood relation of mankind.

138. Who were Adam and Eve? They are the mothers and father of the human family, Asiatic
and Moslems.

139. What does the words Asiatic and Moslem mean in the spiritual context? An Asiatic is one
who draws solely from the bounties of the world. A Moslem is one who draws from the bounties
of Allah and the world.

140. Who were the first inhabitants of Asia? Adam and Eve.

141. Who were the true founders of the Moroccan Empire? The Moabites from the land of
Moab, who received permission from the Pharaohs of Egypt to settle and inhabit Northwest
Africa.

142. Who were the Pharaohs of Egypt at that time? Mizraim, son of Ham and his family.

143. Who are the Moroccans? They are a conglomeration of ancient tribes, namely the
Moabites, Hamatite's, Canaanites, Hittfites, and Amorities.

144. Where do we get the name Moorish? It is an ancient Egyptian name describing the people
of Africa who were the aboriginals.
145. And the word Moors? The Moor was a popular name describing the people of Africa
until 1500.

146. When was the Seal of Islam introduced to Africa? It was introduced with the coming of
the Arabs, into the continent of Africa in the seventh century.

147. Who was Amir-AI Bahr? He was the commander of the Moorish Rovers.

148. Where was the Sea Rovers principal port? Galilee, Morocco.

149. What does the name Amir-Al-Bahr mean? Lord of the Seas

150. Who was called the black sultan? Abu Hassan Ali

151. Who was Abu Hassan Ali? He was the greatest of the Marinades monarchs of Morocco,
who dominated the Mediterranean.

152. Can you name one country which paid tribute to the Moorish Sea Rovers? Yes, the
United States was forced to pay tribute to these Sea Rovers until their victory over them in 1815.

153. Who was Tarik-Bih-Ziad? He was the commander of the Moorish army which conquered
Spain in 711 A.D.

154. Who was Muley Ismael? He was an emperor of Morocco.

155. When was the Holy City of Fez founded? Fez was founded in 808 A.D. By Idris II, which
henceforth become a political and religious center.

156. What took place in Morocco after the death of Idris I.I? The Kingdom became divided.

158. Who united the divided kingdom of Morocco? Yusuf Ibn Tashfin was the first Almoravid
Sultan to bring the whole of Morocco under his authority.

159. Did the first generation of Moors who were placed in slavery have knowledge of their
history? Yes

160. And the second generation? The slave master taught the second what they (the slave
master) wanted the slave to know.

161. What was one of the greatest causes for the fall of the Moorish Empire? The Moors began
to squander luxury, and the deeper, that their, indulgence in vice and transgression, the less they
realized the, first article of their creed, There is no God but Allah.

162. What was another great cause? (A divided house; the unwillingness to join in a common
war of propagation or defense.
163. What is the seasoning process? It is,s a propagation where both, the slaves, men and
women as, well as children, were stripped of all knowledge of self and history. And replaced
with fear and other infirmities which rendered men and women weak and dependent upon others.