Ruby Macie Muhammad (née Grier) ( – died March 2, 2011) was an African American religious figure and centenarian known as the "Mother of the Nation of Islam." She was born on a farm in Sandersville, Georgia and grew up in Americus. No birth certificate exists to confirm her age, and it has been reported with significant disparity, although she claimed in newspaper interviews that she was born Ruby Macie Grayer on March 20, 1897.

Mother of Islam

Muhammad spent her early years working in the fields and joined the Nation of Islam in 1946 and was named "Mother of the Nation of Islam" in 1986 by Minister Louis Farrakhan. This is an honorary title; Muhammad, who was married twice, was not the widow of Elijah Muhammad, who founded the Nation of Islam.

In 2006, Muhammad moved into a senior center in Rancho Cordova, Sacramento, California.

Personal life

Ruby Muhammad was married to John Pittman and had four children. After her first husband died she married James Hyder in 1967.

References

  • Sacramento News & Review interview with Ruby Muhammad, July 13, 2006
  • Ruby Muhammad's website, owned by her daughter Paulette Helton