The first understanding that I had of the word “Islam” was “freedom, justice and equality.” That meaning lives today in the hearts and minds of many of us, whose first acquaintance with Muslims and Islam began right here in this city of Detroit, the Motor City, with the Hon. Elijah Muhammad and his teacher, W. Fard Muhammad. I recall words being painted on the blackboard. I was a boy, younger than my 11-year-old son. I would be sitting in my seat in the Temple with the men and other children, and there was a blackboard there with paint on it. It said: “Islam – Freedom -Justice – Equality.” We could see it as soon as we entered the seating area where the lecture or preaching would be given. The first thing to hit your eyes was that blackboard. Islam was the staff with Freedom, Justice and Equality going out from Islam.”
(Imam W. Deen Mohammed, August 1, 2001 Muslim Journal article: “Justice in Islam: How Close Are We Muslims to Western Democracy?” Part 5)
The True Light 