Academic Scholar Dr. Akbar Muhammad Passes Away; Leaves Behind Historic Muslim Legacy

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

(Los Angeles ,CA – 4/12/16) Muslims across the nation are offering condolences on the passing of Muslim Academic Dr. Akbar Muhammad, the son of Elijah & Clara Muhammad, and brother to the late Imam Warith Deen Mohammed.

In an annoucement on Facebook yesterday, The Ministry of Imam W. Deen Mohammed and The Mosque Cares, which are led by his nephew Wallace D. Mohammed II, issued the following statement:

With heavy hearts, The Ministry of Imam W. Deen Mohammed | The Mosque Cares extends sincere condolences on the passing of Dr. Akbar Muhammad, son of the Honorable Elijah & Sister Clara Muhammad; Brother of Imam W. Deen Mohammed. May Allah be pleased with him. We ask you to join us in making dua for him and his family.

Dr. Akbar Muhammad was a student at Al Azhar University and University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He was an Associate Professor of African History at Binghamton University and earned an M. Litt. from Edinburgh University.

Upon retiring a few years ago from Binghamton University, The State University of New York, his affiliation with that universty was Professor Emeritus.

Dr. Muhammad authored several books and articles including Racism, Sexism, and the World-System, A Note on the Concept of Zakah and Taxation and Muslims in the United States: An Overview of Organizations, Doctrines, and Problems. He served on the Board of Trustees for the American Islamic College (Chicago) 1983-86 and 1990-93. He was a major contributor to the Middle East Studies Association, a non-political association that fosters the study of the Middle East.

“Dr. Akbar Muhammad had a vast and deep understanding of Islamic history and jurisprudence (fiqh)," said ISNA President Azhar Azeez. "He served as a mentor and teacher to many. Our sincere prayers and condolences go out to his family during this difficult time. To Allah we belong and to Allah we all will return.”

During an Islamic education conference in 1995, Muslim News Magazine recorded Dr. Muhammad delivering a powerful presentation about "Afro-Centrism in Al-Islam" (SEE BELOW)