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Umari Stambuli Holy Qur’aan Speaks —
ISLAM declares that human beings are equal, they all come from the same origin — the same father (Adam) and the same mother (Eve), therefore there is none superior or inferior within and/or amongst mankind.
Allah Almighty declares in the Holy Qur’aan: “O mankind We created you from a single (pair) of male and female and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that ye may despise each other).
Verily the most honoured amongst you, in the sight of God, is (he who) is the most righteous (God-conscious) of you. And God Almighty has full knowledge and is well-acquainted with all things,” (Ch 49 : v 13).
To further spell out the purpose of creation the Holy Qur’an explains it in the following verse: “O mankind! Be conscious of your Lord who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them both spread multitudes of men and women.” (Ch 4 : v1)
No special status by wealth, class or ethnicity
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in his last farewell sermon said: “O people, your Lord is One. No Arab is superior to a non-Arab nor a non-Arab over an Arab nor a white upon a black nor a black over a white except by the true consciousness of Allah Almighty, the best amongst you is the one closer to Allah.”
Islam does not value a person because of his wealth, property, position, origin, colour or tribe but values a person with his piety and consciousness of duty towards The Almighty.
Thus Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Allah does not look upon your body, colour and wealth but He looks into your heart and deeds.”
Leaders have a responsibility not supremacy
Equality and Justice in Islam is supreme, this can be best illustrated in the early history of Islam. Leaders in Islam are not allowed to practise supremacy.
Allah the Almighty said to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the Holy Qur’aan: “Say, I am but a man like yourselves, (but) the inspiration has come to me that your God is One God, whoever expects to meet his Lord let him work (in the cause of ) righteousness and not include anyone as partner/associate in the worship of his Lord. ” ( Ch 18 : v 110)
When Abu Bakr, the closest companion of Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) became first Caliph of Islam ( Leader of the Nation), in his inaugural speech to the nation he had to say the following: “I have become your leader which does not translate that I am better and greater than you.
If I do good please assist me and if I go wrong please rescue me, the strongest amongst you is weak until I take from him the right (which is due from him), and the weakest among you is strong until I give him his right (which is due to him.”
Thus Islam establishes equality and justice between various classes of people.
Burden of leadership
There are many examples in the Holy Qur’aan, the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the history of Islam, about equality and justice. We cite another example from the second Caliph of Islam, Umar Ibn Khattab — when he became the Caliph, he sent a letter to the governor of the province of Kufa saying:
“O Abu Musa! Remember you are but a mere human, you are not superior (by your position), it is only Allah who has chosen you and has put upon you a heavy burden.”
This is what every Muslim believes about equality and justice in Islam without favouritism towards leaders or laymen.
Prime practical examples of equality
The daily congregational prayer in Islam – Salah –brings the faithful together standing before the Creator, in an absolute manner of equality whereby wealthy and poor, leaders and led, white and black, all stand side by side. There is no special section for one class or the other, neither are there any reserved places.
There is yet another example – the well-known pillar of Islam which is Hajj (Pilgrimage). Hajj is the name given to the pilgrimage to Makkah which is incumbent upon each Muslim once in his life time, provided he can afford it.
The pilgrim dons Ihram (two white sheets of seamless cloth) regardless of the status of the person rich or poor, a leader or not they will all stand dressed in the same cloth on Mount Arafah reciting the same words without looking into their ranks, colour, race or nation. This symbolises purity, renunciation and the equality of believers whose rank can no longer be distinguished by dress.
Humans must not despise/degrade each other
The Muslim message is as stated by the second Caliph Umar Ibn Khattab: “How be it you enslave a human being when he is born from his mother as a free being?”
Islam stands out for its uncompromising stand against enslaving and degrading anyone amongst the mankind. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Mankind is as equal as the teeth of a comb.”
Were it that a person was given precedence or special value because of wealth, leadership and family, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) could have valued it, because he was in dire need.
Nonetheless Islam gives precedence to the one who is constantly conscious of duty to The Almighty, fears going wrong by harming others, and is always working to draw closer to The Almighty. It is only then that any particular individual can gain superiority, regardless of his colour, race, rank or wealth, then too it is not by his declaration but rather by the recognition of The Almighty.
For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact:
Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars
Publications Department
P.O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare
Tel: 04-614078 / 614004, Fax : 04-614003
e-mail: [email protected]
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