The teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, the eternal leader of the Nation of Islam, offer a profound and unsettling depiction of America’s global influence, likening it to a serpent that cunningly entwines itself around the world. This powerful imagery, famously illustrated in a Muhammad Speaks newspaper cartoon, has been consistently referenced by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. Farrakhan, a devoted student and representative of Elijah Muhammad, frequently uses this analogy to critique what he calls “America’s errant foreign policy.” The serpent, as described by Elijah Muhammad in “Message to the Blackman in America,” draws from biblical scripture, specifically Revelation 12:19, which warns of “that old serpent, called the devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world.” He elaborates on this, stating, “Serpents or snakes of the grafted type cannot be trusted, for they will strike you when you are not expecting a strike.” This vivid comparison isn’t just about a creature; it’s a stark warning about the deceptive and predatory nature attributed to America’s actions on the international stage. It suggests a hidden agenda behind seemingly benevolent gestures, urging vigilance against perceived threats disguised as allies. The recent news of a joint U.S. and Nigerian mission targeting and reportedly killing a key ISIL figure, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, serves as a contemporary example of this “serpentine” intervention. While Nigerian President Bola Tinubu acknowledged the operation, the broader context of American military presence and interventions in sovereign nations raises serious questions, echoing the warnings embedded in Elijah Muhammad’s teachings.
This recent “joint mission” in Nigeria, with its reported success in eliminating a high-value target, might initially appear as a humanitarian effort to combat terrorism. However, for those who interpret the world through the lens of Elijah Muhammad and Minister Farrakhan, it’s another chapter in a long-standing narrative of American imposition. We’ve seen this play out repeatedly across Africa, the Arab world, and Muslim-majority countries. The U.S. has established a significant military footprint, with approximately 29 bases in about 15 African nations and close to two dozen in the Middle East. Even without a direct base in Nigeria, the presence of AFRICOM (U.S. Africa Command) signifies a deeper entanglement. As Samar al-Bulushi notes in her 2023 article, “What Is AFRICOM? How the U.S. Military is Militarizing and Destabilizing Africa,” the U.S. government has quietly expanded its military presence over the past 15 years, engaging in “special operations” with African troops under the guise of security. However, al-Bulushi argues that this “military-first approach” has often had disastrous effects, contributing to the very instability it claims to address. She points to the “seemingly endless (undeclared) war against the militant group Al-Shabaab in Somalia or the wave of coups (in many cases led by U.S.-trained officers)” as evidence that AFRICOM has often exacerbated regional conflicts. This critical perspective challenges the official narrative, suggesting that these interventions, far from bringing stability, often sow further discord, fitting the description of a serpent that strikes when least expected, leaving a trail of disruption in its wake.
The true motivations behind these interventions, according to Minister Louis Farrakhan, extend far beyond the stated goals of “democracy” and “fighting terrorism.” He argues that these are often pretexts to mask America’s economic and geopolitical interests. Farrakhan asserts that the real objective is to exploit the wealth and resources of these nations by fostering internal divisions. In his insightful 2013 lecture series, “The Time and What Must Be Done,” Minister Farrakhan eloquently explains that America prioritizes its own foreign policy objectives and national interests above genuine democratic outcomes. He contends that if a democratically elected government doesn’t align with America’s agenda, it will be undermined. He vividly describes how organizations like the CIA and NSA covertly exploit existing differences within nations, even funding these divisions to potentially ignite civil wars and fratricidal conflicts. This, he says, is “based on the lies of the mischief making of this Mischief Maker and Universal Blood Shedder.” While his initial remarks in that lecture series focused on Syria, a Muslim nation in the Middle East, the underlying modus operandi remains consistent. He emphasizes that America’s method of operation has been consistently applied for decades, illustrating a pattern of behavior rather than isolated events. This interpretation positions America not as a benevolent force, but as a calculated manipulator, orchestrating chaos to gain control over valuable resources, a tactic that aligns perfectly with the deceptive nature of the serpent metaphor.
Minister Farrakhan further elaborates on America’s cynical approach to democracy in the Muslim world. He observes that “Every time there has been a so-called democratic election in the Muslim world, that brought so-called Islamists into political power, America worked to destroy that democratically elected government.” This statement reveals a profound distrust of America’s commitment to self-determination when the outcomes don’t suit its interests. It suggests that America’s concern for democracy is conditional, evaporating when it clashes with its strategic objectives – particularly when it comes to unfettered access to a nation’s natural resources. His analysis portrays America as a power that seeks control rather than fostering genuine autonomy. This cynical view of American foreign policy extends to a dire warning, echoing the teachings of the Holy Qur’an. Minister Farrakhan, referencing Surah (Chapter 7), Ayat (Verse) 34, reminds America that “every nation has a term; so when its term comes, they cannot remain behind the least while, nor can they precede (it).” This profound spiritual message implies a fixed lifespan for even the most powerful nations, suggesting that America, too, is subject to divine judgment for its actions. It’s a spiritual reckoning, a cosmic ledger where every misdeed, both at home and abroad, will eventually be accounted for.
Drawing upon the wisdom of his teacher, the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Minister Farrakhan has consistently and relentlessly warned that Allah (God) will ultimately judge and punish America for its accumulated misdeeds. This isn’t just about earthly consequences; it’s a prophecy of divine retribution for the injustices committed both within its borders and across the globe. He emphasizes that it is a “Sacred Duty” to deliver this warning, declaring that “the ‘term’—a fixed term—of her power to exercise authority and rule not only over her own citizens, but over the peoples of the Earth: That term is fast coming to an end.” This powerful declaration signifies a belief in an impending shift in global power dynamics, a divine intervention that will correct the imbalances created by America’s perceived arrogance and exploitation. America, in its self-proclaimed role as a global leader, often presents itself as a benevolent ally and friend, especially when “fighting terrorism” or “extremism.” However, from the perspective of Elijah Muhammad and Minister Farrakhan, history tells a different story. They contend that America itself has acted as the “biggest terrorist of them all,” its actions often masked by noble intentions, like a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” This analogy perfectly encapsulates the idea that America’s true nature is hidden behind a facade of altruism, making its interventions all the more dangerous due to their deceptive appearance.
The core message, therefore, is one of extreme caution and acute awareness. America, likened to a snake or serpent, navigates the global landscape with a deceptive agility. It often swoops in, playing the hero in chaotic situations that it may have, in part, orchestrated or exacerbated. For nations like Nigeria and others across the Earth, the extended hand of America, offering “support,” “friendship,” and “help,” should be met with profound skepticism. The teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad resonate here, underscoring that “serpents cannot be trusted,” and it is imperative to “Beware of false promises.” This isn’t just a political warning; it’s a fundamental principle of self-preservation for sovereign nations. It’s about recognizing the pattern of intervention, the history of exploitation, and the underlying motives that may drive America’s ostensibly benevolent gestures. The humanized essence of these teachings urges individuals and nations to look beyond the surface, to question the narratives presented, and to understand that even the most powerful nations operate with self-interest at their core. This perspective calls for a critical examination of global politics, reminding us that appearances can be deceiving, and true intentions are often hidden beneath layers of rhetoric and diplomacy.