29 March, 2024

19 Ramadan, 1445 H

"Silence saves you from regret"

- Imam Ali (as) -

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Islam, Racism and Anti-Semitism

INTRODUCTION 

 

Bismillāhir Rahmānir Rahīm, As-salāmu ʿAlaykum wa rahmatullāhi wa barakātuh. Peace be upon you brothers and sisters. 

 

Welcome back to the Muslim Converts Channel!  

 

One of the greatest tragedies to befall humanity is the disease of racism. Racism has existed on many levels and has come about in many different shapes and forms. In recent history, the racism exhibited by whites against Africans and Native Americans has been noteworthy. Millions of Africans were brought into slavery. In the United States and South Africa, African Americans were discriminated against on every level of society. This still continues to happen today. 

 

The historian David Stannard estimates that over 90 million native Americans were killed in the first three centuries of the invasion of the Americas by European invaders. Up until the 1970s, Native American children were forcefully abducted from their homes in Canada and forced into schools where they were taught to forget their heritage and become “white.”  

 

Another form of prevalent racism is what we call anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism comes in many forms. The most prominent form of anti-Semitism is against Jews. Jews had to face pogrom after pogrom in Europe until it culminated into the widespread genocide committed against them by Nazi Germany.  

 

Unfortunately, no civilization or religious group have escaped racism. Racism, unfortunately, has also existed among Muslims. 

 

In this lesson, we will look at Islam’s position on racism and its promotion of equality, whether it is between races or genders. Our point here is to show that even if Muslims display racism at times, it completely goes against the values of Islam.   

 

BODY OF TEXT 

 

Islam and Racism 

 

Our other lessons usually take the shape of a standard lecture. Here we want to do less of that formal talk and instead let Islam speak through its verses and hadiths. So what we’ll do is quote verses from the Qur’an and sayings from the Prophet (s) concerning racism and give some short commentaries regarding them.  

 

And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference. (Chapter 17, verse 70 of the Holy Qur’an) 

 

The children of Adam refers to the whole of humanity. God is talking about His absolute preference for them over His other creation, including animals and jinn. When God says He “honored the children of Adam” it means that He has honored both men and women, children and adults, and humans of all races and economic and social classes. 

 

 

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted. (Chapter 49, verse 13 of the Holy Qur’an) 

 

Some people think that God honored all of humankind, but somehow He honored some more than others. They think that He honored whites over blacks, of blacks over whites, or men over women, or women over men, or rich over poor. 

 

The honor, however, is an equal honor that applies to all. The ONLY people are superior to others is in piety, consciousness of God and righteousness. In other words, the closer you are to God, the higher in rank and value you are in the eyes of God. 

 

A hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (s) also confirms this: 

 

The Messenger of Allah said: O people, your Lord is one and your father Adam is one. There is no virtue of an Arab over a foreigner nor a foreigner over an Arab, and neither white skin over black skin nor black skin over white skin, except by righteousness. Have I not delivered the message? 

 

Islam and Misogyny  

 

Misogyny, that is, dislike or prejudice again women, has no place in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (s) once said: 

 

O people, Allah has removed the slogans of ignorance from you and the exaltation of its forefathers. The people are only two kinds: either a righteous, Godfearing believer dignified to Allah, or a wicked, miserable sinner insignificant to Allah. The people are all the children of Adam and Adam was created from dust. Allah said: O people, We have created you male and female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another. Verily, the most noble to Allah is the most righteous of you. 

 

The above hadith is also speaking about the equality of all human beings. Both men and women are mentioned. Men and women only surpass each other in righteousness, that’s all. Being equal of course does not mean their responsibilities are the same. Islam has delegated different responsibilities and rights for them, but this does not mean that as humans or in the sight of God that one has more value than the other! 

 

Islam and Anti-Semitism 

 

Islam is also against anti-Semitism, that is, it is against racism against Jews. The Qur’an says: 

 

Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve. (Chapter 2, verse 62 of the Holy Qur’an) 

 

The Qur’an states that Jews also have a chance at salvation, that is, if they are faithful to God and believe in Him, the Day of Judgment and do righteous deeds.  

 

The Qur’an also says: 

 

O children of Israel! call to mind My favor which I bestowed on you and be faithful to (your) covenant with Me, I will fulfill (My) covenant with you; and of Me, Me alone, should you be afraid. (Chapter 2, verse 40 of the Holy Qur’an) 

 

Allah obviously saw some good in Jews when He bestowed His favor upon them. He also sees good in them to the extent that they can even find salvation in God.  

 

Yes, the Qur’an is full of criticisms of Jews, but this in no way justifies anti-Semitism. If the Qur’an criticizes Jews, the Qur’an criticizes Muslims and Arabs even more. In fact, it even criticizes the Prophet’s (s) companions and wives. So these criticisms in no way are restricted to Jews.  

 

If the Qur’an even assumes that most Jews are bad, that’s because the Qur’an also assumes that most humans are bad, so again, it is nothing specific to Jews. Want the proof? Well look at this verse: 

 

And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allah. They follow not except assumption, and they are not but falsifying. (Chapter 6, verse 116 of the Holy Qur’an)