Clara Muhammad

Common card · No. 286345

Clara Muhammad (born Clara Evans; also known as Clara Poole; November 2, 1899 – August 12, 1972) was born in Macon, Georgia, the daughter of Mary Lou (Thomas) and Quartus Evans. She was the wife of Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad. They married in Georgia in 1917, when she was 17 and he was 20 years old, before he changed his name from Elijah Poole. Between 1917 and 1939, Elijah and Clara Muhammad had eight children: six boys and two girls, including Warith Deen Muhammad. Known as the First Lady of the Nation of Islam, Muhammad is credited with introducing her husband to the teachings of Nation of Islam founder W.D. Fard, whom they met after leaving Cordele, Georgia. They had to relocate to Detroit because of the financial hardship caused by prejudice and low earnings. Despite moving to Detroit, Clara suffered with her marriage, since Elijah was an alcoholic and a gambling addict. This worsened the family’s financial predicament. However, their lives changed dramatically once they...

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