Equality in Islam

Allah sent the Prophets and Messengers to guide humankind back to the belief in the Oneness of Allah

Rulers and their subjects are all equal before Allah. Regardless of the subtle differences between people, in Islam every Muslim is a brother to his fellow Muslim.

Rulers and their subjects are all equal before Allah y. Regardless of the subtle differences between people, in Islam every Muslim is a brother to his fellow Muslim. The black and white, the Arab and non-Arab are all the same. Allah y says:
“O mankind, fear your Lord,(The Arabic word for Lord is “Rubb”. It means, the Creator, the Fashioner, the Provider, the One upon Whom all creatures depend for their means of subsistence, and the One Who gives life and causes death) who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allah y, through whom you ask one another(request favors and demand rights), and the wombs (that bore you) (fear Allah y in regard to relations of kinship). Indeed Allah y is ever (When used in conjunction with Allah ’sy attributes, the word “ever” (occurring repeatedly throughout this Surah and elsewhere, such as in Surah al-Ahzab) is quite inadequate in imparting the sense of continuation expressed by the word “kana” in Arabic, which indicates “always was, is, and always will be.”), over you, an Observer.” (4:1)

The origin of all humankind is their father, Adam. When the Christians said that Jesus, son of Mary, was the son of God, Allah y, the Exalted, said:
“Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah y (regarding His creation of him) is like that of Adam. He created him from dust; then He said to him, ‘Be,’ and he was.” (3:59)

Allah y, the Exalted, also says:
“And of His signs is that He created you from dust; then, suddenly you are human beings dispersing [throughout the earth].” (30:20)

All of humankind is from one father and one mother, Adam and Eve. Based on this, there can be no virtue for one over the other on account of one’s race. Accordingly, there is no reason for people to show off and boast or to belittle or scoff at another; or worse, for anyone to enslave another individual.

The Messenger of Allah s said:
“Allah y has effaced the customs of the Jahiliyah era (pre-Islamic era). One is not to show off by boasting who their fathers are. All people are from Adam and Adam was created from soil (earth).” (Ahmed)

And further is this regard, Allah y, the Exalted, says:
“And mankind was not but one community [united in religion], but [then] they differed. And if not for a word (Allah ’sy decree to allow time on earth for His creation or not to punish anyone before evidence has come to him) that proceeded from your Lord, it would have been judged between them [immediately] concerning that over which they differ.” (10:19)

As humankind increased in number, they spread across the land and, on account of this, their languages naturally became diverse, their cultures formed, and they changed in skin color. Based on these differences, people’s ideologies gradually changed and, at times, their belief systems were affected. Allah y sent the Prophets and Messengers to guide humankind back to the belief in the Oneness of Allah y. He, the Exalted, says:

“And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], ‘Worship Allah y and shun false gods.’ (Taghut - False objects of worship) And among them were those whom Allah y guided, and among them were those upon whom error was [deservedly] decreed. So travel through the earth and observe how was the end of the deniers.” (16:36)

Islam does not judge a person by their outer appearance. The Prophet s said:
“It may be that a shaggy-haired, dusty person who people don’t consider as being much is so beloved to Allah y that was he to make an oath by Allah y, Allah y would fulfill it for him.” (Haakim)

Since it is known that some may exploit these differences of race, color, language and culture to belittle others, the Prophet s said:
“Allah y created Adam from a scoop of soil (earth) that was taken from all parts of the Earth. The sons of Adam came forth bearing the marks of that soil from its various sources; of them are those who are red skinned, white skinned, black, and yellow. Among them are those who are good natured and those who are evil.” (Ibn Hibban)

All people, regardless of their skin color, language, or country of origin stand equal before Allah y. Allah y, the Exalted, says:
“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 y is the most righteous (Literally, “he who has the most taqwa,” i.e., consciousness and fear of Allah y, piety and righteousness) of you. Indeed, Allah y is Knowing and Acquainted.” (49:13)

The Prophet s said:
“The lineage that each of you is related through is not a shame upon anyone. You are all the sons of Adam, no one is favored upon the other, and the most honorable of you before Allah y is the most religious and those who do the good works.” (Ahmed)

Allah y has made us into nations and tribes - no one is favored over the other, no race is better than the other. He has made you like this so that you get to know one another. Allah y, the Exalted, says:
“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.’” (17:70)

This honorable status is for all of mankind. It is not specified for a race over another or for a group over another.

Allah y, the Exalted, says:
“And it is He who has made you successors upon the Earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees [of rank] that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.” (6:165)