A Historical Account of the Holy Prophet Noble Drew Ali
Founder of the Moorish Science Temple of America
On January 8, 1886, there was born in the State of North Carolina a Divine Prophet, ordained by Allah to redeem a fallen people and restore them to their ancient and divine creed. This child, known at birth as Timothy Drew, would later be recognized by the world as Prophet Noble Drew Ali, the illustrious founder of the Moorish Science Temple of America.
If it should appear strange unto some that a Prophet should arise out of North Carolina, let them recall the days of old, when it was likewise spoken, “Can there be any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Yet Allah, in His infinite wisdom, chooses whom He wills and from wheresoever He pleases. Thus, as Prophets were sent in former ages unto the nations of the earth, so too was a Prophet sent unto the Asiatic people of America, who had been falsely labeled Negroes, Colored Folks, Black People, and Ethiopians.
At the hour of his birth, there was recorded a great trembling of the earth, an outward sign and presentment of a mighty spirit making contact with the plane of matter. Born within the Sandhills of North Carolina, young Timothy, also known in his youth as Thomas, endured a most difficult and trying childhood. Following the passing of his mother, whose heart foresaw that her son would one day bear a great mission, the child was entrusted into the care of family.
In the year 1898, Timothy Drew was taken into the household of his uncle, James Drew, and aunt, Lucy Drew, who resided in the Commonwealth of Norfolk, Virginia. From that time forward, he was raised under his uncle’s guardianship and became known by the name Thomas, a name historically and linguistically recognized as both a formal name and a common appellation or nickname derived from Timothy, alongside forms such as Tim, Tom, and Tommy. This change of name and residence was consistent with the customs and laws of that era.
It must be clearly understood that prior to the twentieth century, adoption in the United States was largely a private and informal arrangement, especially among relatives. Before the passage of comprehensive adoption statutes, such arrangements were often verbal or supported by simple declarations rather than binding court decrees. In Virginia, such practices were common, and guardianship, fostering, and adoption were often spoken of interchangeably.
Significantly, in 1898, the same year of young Timothy’s transfer into his uncle’s care, Virginia law was amended to recognize the residence of the adoptive parent or guardian as the official place of birth for legal and administrative purposes. As a result of this lawful custom, individuals born in one state but raised and claimed by guardians in Virginia were thereafter recorded as being “of Virginia.” This lawful practice explains why later records would list the Prophet’s birthplace as Virginia, though he was biologically born in North Carolina.
This legal context must also be viewed alongside the broader national developments of that same year. In 1898, the Supreme Court of the United States, in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, affirmed the principle of birthright citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment, further shaping how birth, nationality, and legal identity were understood within the American Republic. Though distinct in subject, both the Virginia adoption amendment and this landmark decision addressed the civil and legal standing of persons born within the United States.
Thus, the record stands in harmony:
Born in North Carolina in 1886 as Timothy Drew; adopted and raised in Virginia from 1898 under the name Thomas; all in accordance with the laws and customs of that time.
Despite the hardships of his youth, including abuse and suffering which left visible marks upon his body, Allah preserved the life of this child for a higher purpose. His early years were marked by trial, wandering, and instruction among many peoples. In the fullness of time, he accepted the Divine Mission placed upon him and departed from his former life, never to return.
As he matured, the Prophet became keenly aware of the condition of his people in America, oppressed under Jim Crow laws, stripped of their nationality, their divine creed, their language, and their lawful identity. With Divine Guidance and unwavering resolve, he set himself to the work of uplifting fallen humanity and restoring a people to their rightful place among the nations of the earth.
In the year 1913, Prophet Noble Drew Ali moved to New Jersey, where he established the first work of his Mission and founded an organization known as the Canaanite Temple. This Temple served as the foundation for teaching the people their nationality and divine origin. On May 1, 1916, the name Canaanite Temple was changed to the Moorish Divine National Movement, reflecting the expanding scope and national character of the work.
In the early 1920s, Prophet Noble Drew Ali moved the Movement to Chicago, Illinois, discerning that the people there were closer to Islam and more receptive to the Truth of their ancient heritage. On October 15, 1925, on the South Side of Chicago, he organized the Movement as the Moorish Temple of Science and set aside Temple Number One, thereby establishing order and structure within the growing body.
We organized as the Moorish Temple of Science in the year 1925, and the organization was legally incorporated as a civic organization under the laws of the State of Illinois on November 29, 1926. In accordance with the legal requirements of the Secretary of State of Illinois, the name Moorish Temple of Science was changed to the Moorish Science Temple of America in May of 1928.
Since the work of the Moorish Science Temple of America was largely religious in nature, the organization was thereafter legally changed to a religious corporation, and an affidavit to that effect was properly filed in the Cook County Recorder’s Office of Illinois on August 1, 1928.
In furtherance of the Divine Mission, Prophet Noble Drew Ali labored diligently in the fields of civic, political, and economic uplift. Having lawfully organized the Moorish Science Temple of America, he instructed the members to exercise their rights and duties as upright citizens and to participate intelligently in the political affairs of the government under which they lived. Through his guidance and instruction, members were unified and mobilized to support and elect candidates to various public offices, including Oscar DePriest, the first Asiatic Congressman of the United States, who was a member of the Moorish Science Temple of America. In like manner, the Prophet was instrumental in establishing, encouraging, and supporting lawful businesses and enterprises, thereby providing employment, training, and economic stability for members of the organization. By these works, he demonstrated that the redemption of a people required not only spiritual awakening, but also political consciousness, economic independence, and the practice of good citizenship.
In the year 1929, even as the Mission continued to expand, trials arose within the fold. And just as it was in the days of Jesus, so too was it in the days of Prophet Noble Drew Ali, for there were those among the people whom he came to uplift who turned against him. Through misunderstandings, organizational dissension, and the ambition of certain individuals who sought to overthrow lawful authority, strife was sown within the Movement.
As a result of these divisions, Prophet Noble Drew Ali suffered injuries at the hands of individuals belonging to an opposing faction. From these injuries, he later passed away on July 20, 1929, at his residence. Yet his departure from the physical plane did not bring an end to his Divine Mission. For the Truth he revealed, the nationality he restored, and the principles he established were not bound to flesh, but ordained by Allah for the uplifting of fallen humanity.
Thus, though the Prophet laid down the mortal form, his message endured. The work to uplift fallen humanity, to teach love instead of hate, and to restore a people to their divine name, nationality, and creed, continued according to the foundation he lawfully set.
Thus stands the historical truth:
A Prophet born in North Carolina, sent by Allah; labored, suffered, and fulfilled his Mission for the redemption of a nation.