An Open Letter to Minister Louis Farrakhan on His 92nd Bornday
By Mike Rashid King
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
I bear witness there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Messenger.
We thank Allah for His intervention in our affairs, in the Person of Master Fard Muhammad, to Whom praises are forever due.
We thank Him for raising among us His Messenger, Messiah, the Exalted Christ, the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad..
As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
Dear Minister Louis Farrakhan,
Today we honor your 92nd journey around the Sun, Born Wisdom.
Minister Farrakhan, you once taught us at the Million Man March about the number 9: the sacred womb, a vessel of potential and infinite possibility… representing birth, renewal, and spiritual awakening. The womb is the holy chamber where divine wisdom takes form, giving rise to worlds.
And the number 2… Supreme Wisdom, divine reflection embodied most profoundly by the Black Woman. How fitting it is that your Born Day aligns with Mother's Day, honoring the womb of civilization itself, the sacred bearer of life, wisdom, and divine strength.
At 92, you embody both numbers completely, your life a testament of continual rebirth and righteous reflection, wisdom born from struggle, guidance born from love. You have transformed minds and spirits, awakening our collective consciousness to higher realms.
Today we celebrate your profound legacy, deeply grateful for the divine womb of your wisdom and leadership. May Allah bless you infinitely, Minister Farrakhan…
On this blessed day of your 92nd Bornday, I write to you as one of your loyal students and soldiers, reflecting on the immense impact you have had on my life and the lives of countless others. As I put pen to paper (or fingers to keys), my heart swells with gratitude and reverence. You have been more than a leader; you have been a light, a guide, and a father figure to a generation in search of direction. Even your very name carries a destiny and meaning that has shaped how we see you and how you lead us.
Farrakhan:
One Who Leads With Honor
Your name Farrakhan, derived from “Farra” (glory/honor) and “Khan” (ruler/chief), embodies the phrase “One Who Leads With Honor.” This is a living principle that you exemplify daily. I want to honor that principle by exploring each word, for each holds a universe of meaning in describing who you are to us:
ONE: is a single unit or a thing.. Being preeminently what is indicated. One is also Knowledge, the foundation of all things in existence.
The sacred number of unity and purpose…
One man, yes… but a reflection of the One God…
You stand as a singular manifestation of divine truth. Reminding us that Allah is One, His truth indivisible…
You embody the power of unity… A single flame that ignites the souls of millions…
One voice that called forth a sea of millions unified by atonement to stand on the nation's capital…
October 16th, 1995… etched in eternity…
You are One in a million… yet through your light…
Millions became One…
A family bound under the infinite Oneness of God…
WHO: is a pronoun asking for or specifying identity or character. It seeks clarity about a person's essence, role, or nature.
Who? A question of identity, rooted deep in the soul…
Who are you to lead us, to move us so profoundly?
Within you there is the answer…
A man on a divine mission… a brother… a father…
A clear mirror reflecting our infinite potential…
Who teaches us that leadership transcends actions…
It dwells deep within character and essence…
You’ve shown us who a leader truly is:
A humble servant, dedicated fully to God and His people…
You're who.. unwavering, clear, consistent…
Integrity, compassion, strength… authenticity personified…
In a world yearning for realness, you stand authentic…
A living example we proudly strive to emulate…
Through your being, we see clearly who we truly are:
Once downtrodden and despised, now standing tall…
Proud and dignified, original reflections of God Himself…
You ask us, “Who are we?” Then lovingly remind us…
We are the first, the original… children of the Most High…
Your identity as student of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad…
And now teacher, guiding our steps…
Shapes our identities profoundly…
Through you, beloved teacher, we learn precisely…
Who we are… and Whose we are…
Leads: To guide on a way especially by going in advance..
Leads…
At the very heart of your name beats this sacred duty…
To lead is to step forth boldly, blazing trails unseen…
You walk ahead, lighting paths through darkness with discipline and principle…
Never asking from us what you yourself have not already endured…
You rebuilt a mighty movement from smoldering ashes…
Facing storms of criticism, adversity, and trial, your vision never wavered…
You stood as shepherd, guiding souls hungry for truth and freedom…
In prayer… pledge… and sacred purpose…
Igniting within each man his own divine spark of leadership…
Your guidance frees us…
You awaken our innate strength…
Every lecture is a journey deeper into understanding…
Every initiative, an elevation of self-confidence, dignity, and power…
Decades of relentless movement forward, never faltering, always firm…
You’ve taught us leadership is love and service intertwined…
So we follow you willingly, not from fear or compulsion…
But from pure love, trust, and gratitude for the one who leads…
With: to be with is to be in opposition to against.
With…
Such a humble word, yet its meaning runs deep…
To lead with honor means honor walks beside you always…
A constant companion… the essence and manner of your stride…
Which implies unity, togetherness… never separation…
You have never stood above us… but walked among us…
Shoulder to shoulder, arm in arm with the oppressed…
With the poor… the hurting… the forgotten…
Your leadership carries no force… no fear… but honor…
Integrity and truth are your tools of influence…
Honor… your shield, your sword… your sacred armor…
Into every room you enter, honor walks in by your side…
You infuse every cause, every effort, every action with honor's grace…
You teach us that God Himself is with the righteous…
And through you, we’ve felt God's divine presence among us…
Your journey… always shared… never distant…
Walking with faith… with humility… with your people…
Your solidarity, your unwavering "with-ness," binds our hearts in profound respect…
Honor: a good name, a privilege one who brings respect
Honor…
The crowning jewel of your name… the essence of your character…
A sacred principle forged deep in the soul…
Honor is moral integrity, dignity profound, respect earned…
You are rightly called The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan…
But your deeds have brought true life to that noble title…
For you, honor is not just a title, no shallow praise…
It is the compass guiding every step, every word, every breath…
You have tirelessly honored Allah and His people…
Teaching us to see honor within ourselves, descendants of the Most High…
Showing us that honor must be earned, fiercely guarded, never surrendered…
You have honored your teacher, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad…
And in doing so, become worthy of the deepest respect yourself…
In your presence, the aura of sincerity, decency, purity…
Leading with honor means standing firm…
Never compromising principles, even under heavy trials…
In every lecture, your voice echoes…
Reminding us of the priceless value of a good name…
You’ve shown honor is more precious than life…
For life without honor is empty, void of self-respect…
Under your wise counsel, we strive toward honor daily…
Treating each other as family, keeping our word sacred, lifting communities higher…
Indeed, honor is gravity… the force holding our spiritual universe intact…
And you, beloved Minister, shine brightly…
An everlasting beacon of honorable leadership…
In your name, "One Who Leads With Honor," we witness destiny unfolding…
Each word a pillar, solid and true, supporting your sacred temple…
Unity, identity, leadership, solidarity, integrity…
One… Who… Leads… With… Honor…
A foundation you’ve built… upon which we stand forever strong…
Guided by Supreme Wisdom Since Youth
I first met you through your teachings when I was just 12 years old. My father my dear introduced me to your words and the Supreme Wisdom at an age when I was full of questions and uncertainties. I remember the day vividly: he handed me a well-worn copy of The Supreme Wisdom lessons and played one of your speeches on the vcr. At 12, I was at the cusp of youth, easily swayed by the streets and the trends of the day, but my father wanted me to drink from the well of wisdom called The Nation of Islam.. He said to me, “Son, listen to the Minister, and memorise these lessons. This is the key to understanding who you really are.”
I was fascinated. The big words, the powerful concepts. It all intrigued me. I came across a passage that shook me to the core: “the original man is the Asiatic Black man; the Maker; the Owner; the Cream of the planet Earth, Father of Civilization, God of the Universe.” . I read that over and over, letting each title sink in: Maker, Owner, Cream of the Earth, Father of Civilization, God of the Universe. It was as if a veil was lifted from my eyes. In school, I had only heard about Black history beginning with slavery, but here I was being told that my lineage was divine, that I was the child of the original man who is none other than God Himself. The Supreme Wisdom teachings you transmitted made me see myself and my people in a completely new light. At age 12, instead of feeling small or inferior, I began to feel the stirrings of glory and honor in my veins. My young mind was liberated from the lie of Black inferiority in that very moment. I realized I was not a negligible nothing; I was part of the people who are everything, the original and the eternal.
My father guided me to you, but you guided me to the truth of myself. Through your lectures and the teachings you shared, I learned discipline and knowledge that set me on a straight path. While other kids my age were drifting without direction, I was anchoring myself in the Supreme Wisdom lessons and the values you preached: knowledge of God, knowledge of self, unity, hard work, and cleanliness (both moral and physical). I remember waking up early to pray because I heard you emphasize the power of prayer and submission to the One God. I started to say “As-Salaam Alaikum” to my family every morning because I wanted to spread the peace you taught us. I started helping my mother around the house more, because you taught that a man who truly loves his people starts by respecting and caring for the women of his own household. Bit by bit, I was transforming, even as a child, under your remote mentorship.
Your impact on my life was as intimate and profound as if you were personally tutoring me each day. You became my spiritual father from afar, guiding me through your words and example. It was your voice on those cd’s that kept me focused when peer pressure tried to pull me into trouble. It was your teachings that I heard in my mind when I had to decide between right and wrong as a teenager. Even as I got older, I'd drift but never too far. You have always been an anchor for me. You have always been a beacon for me to find my way back home, and for that I will always love and and honor you dear Brother Minister. You helped my biological father raise me into a conscious Black man. Both you, him and my mother, them who gave me life, and you who gave me purpose, set me on the course I follow to this day. For that, I owe you an immeasurable debt.
A Spiritual Father and Liberator of Minds
Over the years, I came to realize that my story is far from unique, there are legions of men and women like me who consider you a spiritual father, whether or not they ever met you in person. As many have observed, you stand as a “spiritual father, guide, and uncompromising voice of truth” to Black people around the world . You have devoted your life to nurturing our minds and souls, much as a loving father devotes himself to the growth of his children. You often call us “my brothers and sisters,” but you love us as a parent loves their offspring, unconditionally and with a desire to see us thrive. Just as the Honorable Elijah Muhammad was a father to you, you have become a father to us, the next generations, offering guidance, correction, protection, and love.
Your fatherhood is not a soft or coddling kind, it is the kind that liberates. You are a father who liberates his children’s minds from ignorance. Under your tutelage, we have learned to think for ourselves and not be tools of other men’s agendas. You once said that when you met the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, he “removed blinders from your eyes.” In turn, you have removed the blinders from our eyes. You have awakened us to a knowledge of self that was stolen from us. By teaching us who we truly are, you broke the chains that once bound our minds. You have inspired us to cast off what you call the “slave mentality” and don the mindset of kings, queens, and righteous servants of God. If mental slavery was the cage, your teachings have been the key unlocking that cage for thousands upon thousands of Black minds.
You have been a liberator of minds in so many ways. You champion education, not just formal schooling, but the higher education of Knowledge, Wisdom and Understanding. You encourage us to read, to study, to question, and to seek truth relentlessly. You revived the Final Call newspaper to give us uncensored information and light in a dark world of media propaganda. You helped establish schools for our children (Muhammad Universities of Islam) so they could learn in an environment that affirms their identity. You have led economic programs to free us from dependency. Every initiative you spearheaded had the same goal: to free us from mental, spiritual, and economic bondage. Like a modern Moses, you have devoted your life to declaring for them to “Let my people go!” not necessarily from physical chains this time, but from the invisible chains on our brains and souls.
You are also a spiritual father beyond the boundaries of one community. I’ve seen you embrace Christians, dialogue with Hebrews, stand with indigenous leaders, and even be respected by those of other nations and faiths because you speak a universal language of freedom, justice, and equality. You have built bridges between the Nation of Islam and the wider Muslim world, and between Black people in America and our family abroad. In the 1980s, you rebuilt the Nation when it was in disarray, preserving the rich legacy of your predecessors. Through that effort, you saved a spiritual home for so many of us to return to. Where would we have gone if not for the house you kept standing? Because you stood up, there is an Army of Islam today – the Fruit of Islam, the M.G.T. and G.C.C., the believers, all proudly carrying forward the program of self improvement that Allah revealed through this Movement. We call each other brothers and sisters now with sincerity, due in large part to the feeling of family you cultivated among us. You have taught us that the nation is a big family and you proved it by caring for each member with fatherly concern.
Personally, I can say: when I had questions, your teachings gave answers. When I felt weak, your example gave strength. When I momentarily strayed, the voice of your guidance in my heart pulled me back onto the straight path. I truly thank Allah for blessing us with a man like you, who has touched so many lives in such a deep, transformative way. Your love, tough yet compassionate, has liberated our minds and uplifted our spirits.
Fearless in Truth and Love
Minister, one of the qualities I most revere in you is your fearlessness in speaking the truth. In an age of compromise and lies, you remain a fearless truth-teller. You have never hesitated to say what you believe to be right, no matter how unpopular or dangerous it might be to do so. From the halls of power in Washington, to arenas filled with believers, to hostile TV interviews, you have consistently spoken truth to power. You are uncompromising in this mission. I have seen you stand face to face with the press and with detractors who tried to twist your words or intimidate you. You never flinched. You never backed down. Instead, you calmly and firmly set the record straight and doubled down on the truth. Your courage in these moments has emboldened all of us to be braver and bolder in our own lives.
Your fearless truth-telling comes from a place of profound love. It might seem paradoxical to some that a man so fiery in speech operates from love, but it is evident to me and so many others that love fuels your every word. You love your people so much that you are willing to say the hard things that others won’t say, because sugar-coated lies never lead to real healing. You often remind us that a doctor must sometimes cut to heal a disease, your words, at times sharp, are meant to cut out cancers of ignorance and self-hatred. And just like a skilled surgeon, you temper the incision with compassion and the intent to heal, not to hurt. When you scold us for our wrongdoing, it is as a loving father scolds a child to prevent them from running into traffic. When you chastise the oppressor for his oppression, it is with the hope that he might repent and justice might be done for the downtrodden. Even when you have been severely criticized, slandered, or misunderstood, you have never retaliated with shallow hatred. Instead, you continue to speak what you believe is the truth, letting the chips fall where they may, and ultimately trusting that God is the vindicator of truth.
I have seen you endure being labeled and libeled in the media, they have called you every name in the book to try to turn people away from hearing your message. Yet, you remain undeterred. In fact, every attempt to silence you only seems to strengthen your resolve. You exemplify the Quranic verse that says “speak straight words” and the Biblical admonition to “cry aloud and spare not.” You have often said you fear nothing and no one but Allah (God), and your life proves that. Threats on your life, government plots, media distortions, none of these stopped you from delivering God’s message. Because you are fearless, you make us less afraid. Because you are bold, we learn to raise our heads high. You show us by example how to walk through the valley of the shadow of death fearing no evil.
Another aspect of your fearless love is how you reach out to those who others have cast away. You are unafraid to meet with leaders around the world deemed “enemies” by the U.S. government, whether it was Fidel Castro, or Muammar Gadhafi, or revolutionary leaders in Africa, to build bridges of understanding. That too inspired me: you taught us that no one can tell us who to be friends with or who to dialogue with, that we must chart our own course in the interest of freedom. You were fearless in warning President George W. Bush against the Iraq War, fearless in calling out presidents (from Reagan to Obama to Trump) on policies harmful to the oppressed, fearless in exposing the realities of racism, poverty, and war. You speak the truth about the injustices in America, not out of spite, but out of a desire to see America live up to her ideals and avoid the judgment of God. Like a modern Jeremiah, you warn and admonish, hoping to save a nation from its own demons. Many people of all races have come to respect you for that honesty, even if they started out wary of you.
You have also shown fearlessness in the realm of spiritual truth, teaching scriptures in a way that uncovers deeper meanings. You are not afraid to challenge long-held false interpretations of religion, whether it be boldly stating that God is not a spook but a reality, or that we are all capable of manifesting the divine attributes. You brought together spirit and science in your teachings, showing that true religion and true science are one. You’ve delved into subjects like the atoms and the cosmos, the intricacies of the mind and the mathematics of the universe, all to underscore the truth of God’s wisdom in creation. By doing so, you appeal to both the heart and the intellect. Some of the most street-oriented brothers I know became fascinated with quantum physics or ancient history because your lectures sparked a fire in them to study. Who else but you could connect with the gang member on the block and the scholar in the university classroom in the same lecture? You have a way of speaking that mixes spirit, science, and practical common senset so fluently that it reaches every audience. One moment you’re citing the Holy Qur’an or Bible, the next moment you’re referencing a scientific study or law of physics, and then you’ll drop into an analogy from the hood that makes everyone nod in understanding. That rhythmic blend of high and low, sacred and secular, is mesmerizing and relatable. It reflects the infinite range of wisdom, from the heavens to the earth, that you bring in service of the truth.
Minister, your fearless dedication to truth and your boundless love for humanity command respect from even your critics. You’ve taught me and so many that love and truth are really two sides of the same coin, love requires truth, and truth is the ultimate act of love. Because you love us, you tell us the truth about ourselves and about our condition. Because you love God, you tell the truth about His requirements and His promises. In a world filled with deception, your voice rings out like a clear trumpet, calling us to higher ground. And because of that clarity, people from all backgrounds have been drawn to you. I have seen people of all different nationalities, people of many communities, find value in your words, even if they are not followers of the Nation of Islam, because you address universal human struggles and moral challenges. Your call for justice, for moral living, for strong families, for mutual respect among peoples, these are principles that resonate across lines of race and religion. Your life work shows that you seek the liberation of all oppressed people and the upliftment of all who would hear and heed the truth, regardless of color or creed. That is the epitome of fearless love.
In Eternal Gratitude and Devotion
As I write these words, I am overwhelmed realizing how blessed I am to be alive in your time, to witness and benefit from the wisdom of a living legend, a man anointed for our liberation. You are 92 years young today, 92 years! And over seven decades of those years have been spent in tireless service to Allah and our people. How can we ever thank you for that? Truly, only Allah can reward you properly, but I offer this letter as a humble homage, a small token of the immense appreciation I and so many others hold in our hearts.
You often remind us that “Allah is the Master of all circumstances,” implying that it is by divine design that you have been our guide. I believe it wholeheartedly. Through every circumstance, whether it was triumph or trial, you demonstrated unwavering faith. You have shown us the Infinite possibilities that open up when a human being submits entirely to the divine will. In you, we see the Infinite God working through finite man, making the impossible possible. Your life itself is a testimony: a classically trained violinist and talented youth speaker transforms into a world leader and defender of the original man and woman. That is nothing short of miraculous. It tells each of us that if we, too, submit and stand on truth, our potential is limitless. We can go from having nothing to having the divine quintessence of all things, which is a righteous mind and spirit. You’ve taught us that with knowledge, faith, and unity, we hold the quintessence of power in our hands, the power of God within. This is the Divine Quintessence you encourage us to realize: the fifth element of spirit that, when combined with our physical elements, makes us complete and alive in purpose.
On this Bornday, we celebrate not just the length of your life, but the depth of your life’s impact. You have planted seeds of truth in so many minds, and those seeds continue to bear fruit in the form of new teachers, leaders, and awakened souls. I am one of those souls you awakened. I consider myself a fruit of your tree, one among many, striving to carry on the work in my own sphere. You once said you wanted to see a nation of gods rise, a nation of self-aware, self-respecting, productive people who reflect the light of Allah. Dear Teacher, rest assured that you have catalyzed that rise. In every city, in every neighborhood, there are people who have been touched by your word and are now touching others. We are your students, your soldiers, your spiritual children, and we are everywhere. Some wear the uniform of the Nation of Islam, and some do not, but the principles you taught live in us and guide us.
For me personally, I promise to continue being a soldier in your army of truth. I will strive to live by the codes and consciousness you’ve instilled: to keep my character upright, to keep seeking knowledge, to stand against injustice, to love my people fervently, and to work for the betterment of the human condition. In the streets, I will carry that street savvy you taught, to be wise and watchful. In intellectual circles, I will carry that scientific mindset you taught, to be analytical and seek evidence. In my prayers and meditations, I will carry that spiritual devotion you taught, to always connect with the Source of strength. In all arenas of life, I will do my best to represent the Infinite God Body of principles you and the Teachings have given us.
Thank you, Minister, for being “One Who Leads With Honor.” Thank you for giving a young 12-year-old boy a vision of his own worth and a mission for life. Thank you for being a beacon of light in a world of darkness, a trumpet of truth in a world of lies, and a vessel of love in a world of hate. Your journey has not been easy, you have walked through fire and stood in storms, but by doing so with faith, you showed us that we can overcome anything. You have exemplified the Quranic promise that Allah will defend those who have faith, and the Biblical promise that “no weapon formed against thee shall prosper.” Your life is a living scripture that we read and draw strength from.
On this 92nd anniversary of your birth, I pray that Allah continues to bless you with strength, health, and joy. May He bless Mother Khadijah (your beloved wife) and all your family as well, for they have shared you with the world selflessly. May you be given peace and satisfaction in knowing that you have fulfilled, and are fulfilling, your mission on this earth. We, your students and followers, are your earthly reward: every life you’ve changed is a jewel in your crown. I hope our growth and our unity give you some comfort that your labor has not been in vain. We are your fruit, and we will strive to remain rooted in the teachings you’ve given us so that we can continue to grow into a mighty forest of righteousness.
Happy Birthday, dear Minister Farrakhan! May this open letter carry to you a fraction of the love we feel for you. You are deeply loved, more than words can truly convey. We see you, we salute you, and we walk this path behind you with heads held high and hearts full of hope. May the next year of your life bring even more fulfillment of God’s promises. And may we, the Nation and the community you’ve nurtured, make you ever proud by leading lives of honor as you have taught us.
With eternal gratitude and devotion,
Your grateful student and soldier
As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
Mike Rashid King
