Editing Nation of Islam (section)

=== Eschatology and the Mother Plane ===

The NOI is [[Millenarianism|millenarian]],{{sfnm|1a1=Allen|1y=1996|1p=8|2a1=Wojcik|2y=2003|2p=280|3a1=Barnett|3y=2006|3p=874}} believing that humanity is living in [[Eschatology|end times]].{{sfn|Gardell|1996|p=160}} It propounds a distinct [[eschatology]] drawing on the [[Book of Revelation]].{{sfn|Soumahoro|2007|p=41}} Central to its view of the apocalypse is a large spaceship, known as the Wheel, the Mother Plane, or the Mother Ship,{{sfnm|1a1=Gardell|1y=1996|1p=158|2a1=Taylor|2y=2005|2p=63|3a1=Finley|3y=2022|3p=68}} and which members usually refer to using female pronouns.{{sfnm|1a1=Curtis IV|1y=2016|1p=20|2a1=Finley|2y=2022|2p=68}} Elijah Muhammad described this as "a small human planet",{{sfn|Tsoukalas|2004|p=456}} claiming that it is half a mile in diameter.{{sfnm|1a1=Gardell|1y=1996|1p=158|2a1=Finley|2y=2022|2p=68}} The Nation teaches that this vessel is [[Merkabah mysticism|the Merkabah]] that appears in the [[Book of Ezekiel]] (1:4–28).{{sfnm|1a1=Gardell|1y=1996|1p=158|2a1=Barrett|2y=2001|2p=253|3a1=Tsoukalas|3y=2004|3p=456|4a1=Taylor|4y=2005|4p=57}} It teaches that Allah and many of his scientists live in a magnificent city on the Mother Plane, from which they monitor humanity;{{sfn|Gardell|1996|pp=131, 159}} Farrakhan has claimed that Elijah Muhammad never died but is resident aboard this ship.{{sfn|Gardell|1996|p=133}} The Nation teaches that there are also smaller vessels, "baby planes", docked inside the Mother Ship and that these travel to visit Earth.{{sfn|Gardell|1996|p=131}}

The Nation teaches that a period of deteriorating racial tensions will culminate in the apocalypse.{{sfn|Gardell|1996|p=163}} NOI members have repeatedly claimed that this apocalypse is imminent; Farrakhan for instance predicted that the [[Gulf War]] of 1990 would spark it,{{sfn|Gardell|1996|p=162}} while [[Tynetta Muhammad]] predicted it would occur in 2001.{{sfn|Gardell|1996|p=179}} According to Nation teaching, the apocalypse will come when the Mother Plane appears above the Earth and transports the righteous to live aboard it.{{sfn|Gardell|1996|p=164}} It will then use the baby planes to bury bombs beneath the Earth's surface, which on detonation will wipe out the old, white-dominated order.{{sfnm|1a1=Gardell|1y=1996|1pp=159, 164|2a1=Curtis IV|2y=2016|2pp=19–20}} The Earth's atmosphere will then burn for 390 years and spend another 610 cooling down.{{sfn|Gardell|1996|p=164}}

Once the Earth has returned to a habitable state, the ruling Allah will return the righteous to live on the planet, in a new black paradise.{{sfnm|1a1=Gardell|1y=1996|1pp=59, 164|2a1=Tsoukalas|2y=2004|2p=456}} In his book ''The Supreme Wisdom'', Elijah Muhammad claimed that after the apocalypse, "Peace, joy and happiness will have no end."{{sfn|Curtis IV|2016|p=22}} Those living in this perfect society will eat the finest food and wear clothes of silk interwoven with gold.{{sfnm|1a1=Tsoukalas|1y=2004|1p=456|2a1=Finley|2y=2022|2p=69}} The NOI has taught that the white ruling elite are aware of this forthcoming apocalypse and that the U.S. exploration of space and the [[Strategic Defense Initiative]] are futile attempts to protect themselves against the Mother Plane.{{sfnm|1a1=Gardell|1y=1996|1p=159|2a1=Finley|2y=2022|2p=71}}