Islam on Racism
Mu' meneen Brothers
and Sisters,
As Salaam Aleikum wa
Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be
upon all of you)
One of our
brothers/sisters has asked this question:
Dear respected
brother,
Aa
Would like to ask you on Racism.
What is the
position Islam takes in view of Quran on Racism, and what is the practice we
Bohra's are Practising on racism?
Will await for
your answer.
Thanks and regards
(There may be some grammatical and spelling
errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from
questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in
confidentiality.)
Answer:
In the name of Allah, We praise
Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none
can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright.
We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet,
no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear
witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His
Messengers.
There is absolutely no place in
Islam for the concept of racism or discrimination. No person will be discriminated upon because of his race, or
color, or tribe, or lineage, or language, etc. Islam propagates the concept of
an Universal Brotherhood, and every person is equal in the eyes of the Shariah.
Allah says in the Holy
Quran: Chapter 49 Surah Hujurat verse 13:O mankind, We created you from one man
and one woman, and then divided you into nations and tribes so that you may
recognize one another. Indeed, the most
honorable among you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most pious of
you. Surely Allah is All-Knowing,
All-Wise.
Thus, the only quality and
qualification that will differentiate one from the other is ‘piety’. The one
who is the most pious is the one most honorable in the sight of Allah Subhanah.
The Messenger of Allah (saws)
delivered the following sermon on the ‘Hajjat-ul-Wida’ occasion. This Sermon
was delivered on the Ninth Day of Dhul Hijjah 10 A.H in the Uranah Valley of
mount Arafat
"O People,
lend me an attentive ear, for I don't know whether, after this year, I shall
ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you
carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.
O People, just as
you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and
property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you
to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember
that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds.
Allah has forbidden you to take usury (Interest), therefore all interest
obligation shall henceforth be waived...
Beware of Satan, for
your safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to
lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.
O People, it is
true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have
right over you. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to
be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them
for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that
they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as
never to commit adultery.
O People, listen to
me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during
the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can
afford to.
You know that every
Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. You are all the sons of Adam and Adam
was created of dust. Thus you are all
equal. Nobody has superiority over other except by piety and good action. There should be no differentiation between a
black person or a white person, an Arab or an Ajmi (non-Arab). Even if a black person is chosen as a
leader amongst you, then it is your duty to follow him.
Remember, one day
you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not
astray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
O People, no
prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason
well, therefore, O People, and understand my words which I convey to you. I
leave behind me two things, the Qur'an and my example, the Sunnah; and if you
follow these you will never go astray.
All those who
listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and
may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly.
Be my witness O
Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people."
In light of the above aayah of
the Holy Quran, and the words of the Messenger of Allah (saws); it is evident
that there is absolutely no room for any sort of racism in the deen of Islam.
Your Comment: what is the practice we Bohra's are
Practising on racism?
There is an element of racism
practiced in Islam, whereby the relatives and blood-relationships of the leader
are always given preference and superiority over the other Bohras; and that is
absolutely un-Islamic. Other than
that, I am not aware of any other practice of racism in Bohra-ism.
Whatever written of Truth and
benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error
is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He
is the Only Source of Strength.
Your brother and well wisher in Islam,
