The Five Percenters, also known as the Five Percent Nation or the Nation of Gods and Earths, are a movement within hip hop culture that was founded in 1964 in Harlem, New York by Clarence 13X after he left the Nation of Islam. The Five Percenters have distinctive beliefs and practices that differ significantly from mainstream Islam.
The name Five Percenters comes from the teaching that 10% of the people of the world know the truth and are determined to keep 85% of the world ignorant and under their controlling thumb. The remaining 5% are those who know the truth and are determined to enlighten the 85%. The Five Percenters consider themselves part of the 5%.
The Five Percenters teach that the Black man is God and the Black woman is the planet Earth. They often refer to themselves as “Gods” for the men and “Earths” for the women. The Nation of Gods and Earths teaches that Asiatic Black people are the original people of the planet earth and therefore the fathers and mothers of civilization. They believe Black people’s true nature is righteousness, equality, godliness, righteousness, and freedom.
However, they teach that Black people have had their culture, names, and religions taken away from them through years of oppression and slavery. The supposed 10% who have kept the 85% under control have also gotten Black people to worship a “mystery God” rather than themselves as Gods. The Five Percenters aim to teach Black people the truth about their own divinity.
Part of this involves teaching Supreme Mathematics and the Supreme Alphabet. The Supreme Mathematics is a system of numerology that assigns meanings to numbers 0 through 9. For example, 1 represents knowledge, 2 is wisdom, A is Allah, B is Be or Born, C is See, and so on. These systems are meant to provide a profound esoteric knowledge to those who study and apply it to their lives.
Unlike mainstream Islam, Five Percenters do not believe God is a supernatural being separate from creation. Instead, they teach that God can refer to the collective Black man himself. They sometimes use terms like “Lord Jamar” or the “Supreme Being” to refer to the unified Black nation or collective consciousness. Clarence 13X taught that Allah himself came as Fard Muhammad, the founder of the Nation of Islam, around 1930.
The Five Percenters places a strong emphasis on language and the science of words. They teach that if you study the profound meaning of words and letters, it will unlock your consciousness. Manipulating language is how the supposed 10% in power are able to control the 85%. Unlike mainstream Muslims, Five Percenters refer to Allah as the Asiatic Black man rather than as a supernatural deity.
Five Percenters generally reject traditional religious worship. They do not believe Allah desires to be worshipped, prayed to, or thanked. They teach that the Lord’s Prayer is blasphemy because God cannot be outside of creation. They believe instead that Allah should be studied and reflected upon rather than worshipped.
The Nation of Gods and Earths teaches that righteous eating is critical to a civilized life. They advocate for eating one meal per day, and many adhere to a raw vegan diet. Drugs, swine flesh, alcohol, tobacco, and sorcery are all expressly prohibited. They say eating properly helps contribute to a sound body and mind.
The Nation also teaches that mathematics and letters affect how you live. Supreme Mathematics and the Supreme Alphabet guide how members of the Nation think, act, and communicate. Understanding these systems help God realize his own divine potential rather than worshiping something outside of himself.
Unlike mainstream Islam, Five Percenters celebrate certain holidays such as Show and Prove Day on February 10 (the anniversary on Clarence 13X’s assassination), Allah’s Physical Day on October 10, and December 31 which they consider Allah’s birthday. However, they shun religious rituals associated with Islam and Christianity such as regular prayer and worship services.
Five Percenters place a strong focus on the family unit. Many teachings center around how men and women are meant to properly relate to each other and fulfill their God-given roles. Men are considered Gods whose primary role is to provide, protect, and promote righteousness. Women are considered Earths who have the ability to reproduce and bring new life into the world.
Relationships are considered very important for helping Black families succeed in America. Earths are expected to be righteous educators of their children, guide the household in a positive direction, and help nurture the God in their man. Gods must follow the guidance of their Earth if they desire to be successful.
Celibacy is encouraged until age 25, and Five Percenters typically eschew birth control since that can interfere with God’s natural design and man’s seed. However, men are allowed to have multiple Earths or women partners at the same time. While fornication and adultery are prohibited, polygamy is accepted.
Despite some questionable practices, the Five Percenters have had a significant impact in Black American culture since its founding. Thousands have embraced its teachings over the decades, and its influence can be seen in the lyrics and lives of numerous rappers. While ultimately misguided in many of its beliefs, the Nation of Gods and Earths represents an attempt to empower Black Americans and provide them with an alternative to mainstream religion.