Racism, Equality and Islam

What is Racism?   

    

Racism is the concept of hatred that discriminate people based on the color of their skin and the place where they might have born. It is a concept in which one believes that a person is superior to another just because of their bio genetic differences. Racism is not something new humans are always prone to it. A person who is excellent based on status or color always try to suppress the other who are lesser to them in strength or power. People discriminate based on color, language, religious status or maybe on financial situation.

Religions of world and Racism:

If we look carefully in the past, we may observe that almost every religion preached for equality and tried to eliminate this difference. Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Confucius and so on - every religion condemn the racist differences. Religion serves peace and justice; it is human who corrupt the thoughts. Look at the teachings of Jesus, and you might find that he always emphasized on equality and treated everyone equal. That was the reason Pharisees and Jews didn’t like about him. Buddha didn’t discriminate between rich or poor, or men and women and emphasized that everyone can get Nirvana if their heart is pure. 

Islamic Perspective

Coming towards Islam- Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam also focused on justice, peace and equality. Arab society in which he took birth discriminated people based on their tribes, all Arab considered them superior to all non-Arabs, and black people were treated as slave. Islam eliminated every difference. In Holy Qur’an and sayings of Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, the discrimination was condemned several times. Throughout the life of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, we find evidence on how well he treated this discrimination and eliminated any sign of racism in Islam.

Islam gave equal rights based on justice and peace to everyone in the world. In Holy Quran 49:13, it is said:

“O mankind, indeed we have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.”

This verse clear any doubts regarding racism. It is mentioned here that people are born in different tribes just to be known with their different names and tribes. And this has nothing to do with their superiority. The only superior human being in the eyes of Allah is the more pious one and God-fearing.

Human are born from the same men and women, yet they are different – it is signs of Allah. Just like the sun and moon are created differently.

Life of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam is an example of what Allah has taught Muslims in Qur’an. Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam condemned racism with his words and acts both. He eliminated all discriminations of society whether they are based on color tribe or financial status. Bilal Habshi (R.A) is the most excellent example of all. He was black and served as a servant before the advent of Islam. After he embraced Islam, he was given a high status in the Muslim circle due to his strong belief and pious heart. He is known as the First Mu’azzan (one who calls for pray in mosque) of Islam. He was never discriminated among Muslims due to his color. Till date now his name is respected in all circles of Islam.

He clearly stated in one of his Hadith that is recorded in Abu Dawood collection:

“He is not one of us who calls for asabiyyah (tribalism/ nationalism) or who fights for asabiyyah, or who dies for asabiyyah.”

Hadith depicts how strongly he condemned any Racism in Islam. In his last sermon which is considered as a summary of all his teachings throughout life he said:

“All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority on non Arab, not a Non Arab has superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over Black nor does a black have superiority over white except by piety and good action.”

This Hadith proves as a last nail in the coffin of Racism in Islam. Rights, of equal education, vote and living which Black got after a long struggle in 1948 in America were given by Islam so many years back. Rights, for which Black people are still striving for in west till now, were given to them in Islam 1400 years back. Look at the present scenarios, we Muslim are proud ummah tul wahidah (one nation) without any color or race discrimination since those teachings. We pray and perform Hajj and any other religious obligations together without a single conflict. It is clear evidence of peace and anti-racism. On the other hand, recent riots after the death of Floyd in America are clear evidence of injustice and inequality found in our modern societies. If we follow the teachings of Islam world can be saved from many riots and fights.