As his teacher was before him, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan is often publicly described in America�s news magazines, newspapers, over the radio and television, as "controversial." Well, that is true. He is. But the question is why is he called "controversial?"

First, when a person is called "controversial" does that mean that that person is evil, wrong, out of the course of what is just or proper, or just plain good? No. Was Moses "controversial?" Yes. Was Jesus "controversial?" Yes. Was Muhammad "controversial?" Yes. Were the prophets of God "controversial?" Yes. In each case they were called "controversial." So were many great scientists, educators�the list is very long�called "controversial."

To be "controversial" is to be involved in a controversy.

Webster�s Dictionary of Synonyms states: "controversy emphasizes a profound difference of opinion, not so often between persons as between parties; the term is applied chiefly to debates over issues of importance or of widespread interest, involving two or more religions, governments, schools of thought, political parties, or the like, and carried on mainly by writings addressed to the public or by speeches on public platforms ... ."

In the second edition of Choose the Right Word, (by S.I Hayakwa, with Eugene Ehrlich, the revising editor) the word "controversy is generally applied to disagreements between groups, such as nations, political parties, or religious sects."

The Bible reads:

"Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land."�Hosea 4:1

"The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah ... ."�Hosea 12:2

"A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations ... ."�Jeremiah 25:31

This tells us that God Himself was involved in "controversy." Was God, in these instances, "controversial." He was. Did His involvement in controversy make Him evil? Of course not.

The scriptures also teach that at the end of the time of this world to continue in and with power, God and the inhabitants or the nations of the earth�all of them�will be involved in the mother of all controversies. It is written that this controversy will end in the mother of all wars, namely Armageddon.

Minister Farrakhan recently made clear, in a press conference, how that most awful of all wars may be averted. How did America�s media report what he said, and more importantly, why? We will come to this in a moment.

Are we living at the end of this world? Yes or No. What are the views of the most reputable Jewish, Christian and Muslim scholars on this subject: Is this the time of the end of this world? What is their view on this matter, according to their understanding of the scriptures, which they proclaim to the world as divine? Is this the Day of Judgment, according to their understanding of God�s prophets about the time when God Himself is to take the reigns of sole ruler-ship of the heavens and the earth? Is this the time when God is to establish His kingdom or rule throughout every part of the earth?

Are there any deficiencies in the views of these Jewish, Christian and Muslim scholars, on the subject of the end of the world, which they have or need to overcome on this most important matter?

Is it not true that the views of these scholars were formed, in large part, on the basis of the views of other learned persons about the scriptures? Is it not true that Satan has been in power for thousands of years? Is it not true that Satan is yet in power? Is it not also true that the views of these learned persons�from whom these scholars draw so much�were formed during the darkness of the rule of Satan? Have these scholars overcome the effect of the darkness of Satan�s rule?

Now, according to the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, there are certain very wise scholars, he called scientists, whose identities have been secret. They know who is who and what is what. I�m not referring to them. I�m referring to the majority of the scientists, who are somewhat easier to meet, greet and learn from. This world wide group are composed of great men and women.

Now, some few from among these have been carefully selected and then quoted in America�s media when America wants a certain view expressed against Minister Farrakhan, to one extent or another. These persons must be careful, lest what is written in the 12th chapter of the 66th book of the Protestant Bible, namely the Book of Revelation, be fulfilled in them.

Muslims ought to publicly speak with one voice in the face of our enemies. We ought to learn to settle our differences in private�like family.

America�s media refers to
many Jewish, Christian
and Muslim scholars as holding views they call "mainstream. Are these Jewish, Christian and Muslim scholars holding views about "the end of the world," that are in line with the views of the prophets�who preached the end of this world�s existence?

Were the prophets in the "mainstream" of the society when God raised them up to fulfill the mission He assigned to them? Sometimes�not all of the times�but sometimes, the use of this term "mainstream" is an insult.

What do these scholars expect to happen when the Day of Judgment arrives? What are the events that mark or distinguish that time from any other time in the history of life in space?

Who do the Jewish scholars expect to represent the all-encompassing divine perspective, in that day? Who do the Christian scholars expect to represent the all-encompassing divine perspective, in that day? Who do the Muslim scholars expect to represent the all-encompassing divine perspective, in that day?

The Jews expect a man, one of whose titles will be the "Messiah" to appear at the end of the world? Will he have someone to represent him? If so, who is he and what names or titles will he be known under? Do they think he has arrived? If not, is that time close? How close? What is he to do on his arrival? How will he go about doing his work? What will be the short and the long effect of his work? What do these scholars say of all of this?

The Christians likewise say that a man, one of whose titles will be the "Messiah," will appear at this most dangerous of times. They say that he was here 2,000 years ago. Many Christians claim he is due at any time now. What will he do when he arrives? Will he have someone to represent him? If so, why?

While the Jews say that Jesus was not this expected Messiah, the Christians claim that he was, and is the one to return.

Muslims likewise expect Jesus to return at the end of this world�s time to rule. They also expect another man who will go under a title: the Mahdi or the Great Mahdi. I intend to go into some of the details of the thinking of the scholars among the Jews, the Christians and the Muslims.

Meanwhile, many of the people, who have made themselves critics of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, are putting themselves in a terrible position. They speak and write, in the public, as if they are experts on this man, of whom they know little or nothing. They are being shown up as people who wish to prevent Black people from realizing their divine destiny. Some of these writers are unwitting pawns. Others are not.

What does this have to do with the questions raised above? Everything!

More next issue, Allah willing.