Wallace Dodd Ford, a.k.a. W. D. Fard, a.k.a. Fard Muhammad. Described as a con man and ex-felon, he's credited with being the catalyst (via his first serious follower, Elijah Poole, later known as Elijah Muhammad) for what's now known as the Nation of Islam. After Elijah Muhammad's death, Muhammad's son Wallace (named after Fard, and now known as Warith) took the previous Nation into real Islam; Louis Farrakhan revived the old-style Nation, to much ridicule, notoriety, and profit.

Fard (?), n. [F., prob. fr. OHG. gifarit, gifarwit p.p. of farwjan to color, tinge, fr. farawa color, G. farbe.]

Paint used on the face.

[Obs.] "Painted with French fard."

J. Whitaker.

 

© Webster 1913.

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Fard, v. t. [F. farder to paint one's face.]

To paint; -- said esp. of one's face.

[Obs.]

Shenstone.

 

© Webster 1913.