He, not Elijah Mohammed, founded the Nation of Islam.
His origins were mysterious:
Karl Evanzz, in his book The Messenger, postulates that Fard was the son of a Pakistani Muslim, then known as East Indians. He bases this theory on several indications:
Fard spent time at the Ahmadiyya Mosque, a movement prominent in Pakistan and used translations of the Quran from Pakistanis. The name Fard is a common surname in Pakistan, as are other names that he bestowed upon his followers, such as Shabazz, Ghulam, and Kallatt. Interviews with long-time Nation figures who met him or saw original photos of him, such as Ozier Muhammad, Rodnell Collins (nephew of Malcolm X) and Wilfred Little, indicate that Fard had Pakistani features. Early teachings from Fard indicated a distrust and disdain for Hinduism.
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Morrow suggests that a background of Ghulat or extremist Shia Islam best fits with what is known of Fard.
Morrow argues Farad most likely was connected to "the region of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Balochistan".
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His origins were mysterious:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origin_of_Wallace_Fard_Muhammad