For centuries, misconceptions have conflated “Arab” and “Muslim” identities, leading to harmful racial and ethnic prejudices. This article delves deeper, challenging these myths through the rich tapestry of the Qur’an and Hadith, Islam’s foundational texts. We embark on a journey to uncover how these sacred sources promote equality, celebrate diversity, and dismantle any notions of racial or ethnic hierarchy within the Muslim community.
What does Quran say? Common Ancestors of all Humanity
O humanity! Be mindful of your Lord Who created you from a single soul, and from it He created its mate, and through both He spread countless men and women. And be mindful of Allah – in Whose Name you appeal to one another – and ˹honour˺ family ties. Surely Allah is ever Watchful over you. Holy Quran 4:1
O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things) Holy Quran 49:13
Al-Quran 5:48 To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have We prescribed a law and an open way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute;
Al-Quran 68:35-39 Should We treat the true believers and the wrongdoers alike? What ails you? How ill you judge! Have you a Scripture that tells you that you will be granted whatever you choose? Or do you have Our solemn oaths, binding upon Us till the Day of Resurrection, that you shall have whatever you yourselves decide?
Al-Quran 41:34 Nor can goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: Then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!
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Prophet Muhammad’s Message PBUH
Last Sermon
Sahih at-Tirmidhi, Ahmad (22978) narrated from Abu Nadrah- Someone who heard the sermon of the Messenger of Allah on the second of the days of at-Tashreeq told me that he said: “O people, verily your Lord is One and your father is one. Verily, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action.” They said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) has conveyed the message.
Accepting Black Ruler
Mishkat-ul Masabeeh 3662- It has been narrated by Umm Hussain (r) that Prophet (s) said- “If any slave is appointed as your Imam and he rules and leads you according to the book of Allah then listen to him obediently and act on it.”
Muslim history is filled with instances of slaves becoming powerful rulers and governors. India’s first Muslim ruler Qutubuddin Aibak was also a slave.
Feudal Practices Forbidden
Islam forbids and discourages feudal practices on earth.
Mishkat-ul Masabeeh 5178- It has been narrated by Ibn Masood (r) that Prophet (s) said- “Don’t indulge in feudal practices on earth and if you do so, you shall be engrossed in this world only.”
Riyadh-as-Saliheen Volume 1, Hadith number 7 “Allah does not look at your bodies nor your forms but He looks at your hearts and your actions.”
Allah Hates Monarchy and Kingship
Islam outlaws monarchy and hereditary succession in matters of governance. Rather, Islamic governance is based on democratic consultation and scholarly guidance.
Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol 8, Book 73, No. 224: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “The most awful name in Allah’s sight on the Day of Resurrection, will be (that of) a man calling himself Malik-al-Amlak (Shahanshah or the king of kings).”
Those who hearken to their Lord, and establish regular Prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual Consultation; who spend out of what We bestow on them for Sustenance; And those who, when an oppressive wrong is inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) help and defend themselves. The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah: for (Allah) loveth not those who do wrong. Al Quran 42:38-40
As per Holy Quran, Allah is the owner of sovereignty and honor. He bestows it whomever he wants and that he is competent over all things.
Say, “O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent. Al-Quran 3:26
Freeing Slaves
Islam encourages freeing slaves.
Surah Al-Balad (Chapter 90), Verses 12-13: “And what can make you know what is breaking through the difficult pass? It is the freeing of a slave.
Surah Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2), Verse 177: It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the East or the West, but righteousness is in one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, and the Prophets, and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves.”
What will explain to you what the ascent is? It is the freeing of a slave or the feeding in times of famine of an orphaned relative or some needy person in distress, and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. Those who do so are the people of the right hand, and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, and the Fire will close in on them. Al-Quran 90:12-20
Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 9, Book 89, Hadith 285, Narrated Abu Musa: The Prophet (s) said, “Set free the captives and accept invitations.“
Also Read| Ambedkar on Islam & Slavery
Subaltern Roots of Islam
Social Class of Prophets
Most Prophets in Islam came from subaltern classes. Peace be upon them all.
Sahih al-Bukhari 2262 Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Allah did not send any prophet but shepherded sheep.” His companions asked him, “Did you do the same?” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, “Yes, I used to shepherd the sheep of the people of Mecca for some Qirats.”
Sahih Bukhari Volume 3, Book 34, Number 286: Narrated Al-Miqdam: The Prophet said, “Nobody has ever eaten a better meal than that which one has earned by working with one’s own hands. The Prophet of Allah, David used to eat from the earnings of his manual labor.”
- Adam (PBUH): Farmer, Shepherd & Gardner
- Seth (PBUH): Weaver
- Idris (PBUH): Tailor
- Noah (PBUH): Carpenter, Fisherman
- Hud (PBUH): Trader
- Saleh (PBUH): Milkman & also herded Camels
- Ibrahim (PBUH): Shepherd, Farmer & Architect
- Lot (PBUH): Shepherd, Historian & Traveller
- Ishmael (PBUH): Hunter
- Isaac (PBUH): Shepherd.
- Yaqub (PBUH): Shepherd.
- Yusuf (PBUH): Shepherd, Farmer, Advisor
- Ayyub (PBUH): Farmer
- Shuyab (PBUH): Farmer
- Moses (PBUH): Shepherd & Farmer
- Harun (PBUH): Advisor
- Dawud (PBUH): Ironsmith
- Sulaiman (PBUH): Ruler, Ironsmith
- Dhul-Kifl (PBUH): Baker
- Ilyas (PBUH): Weaver
- Yunus (PBUH): Fisherman
- Uzayr (PBUH): Gardener
- Luqman (PBUH): Doctors
- Zacharia (PBUH): Carpenter (Musnad, 2:405)
- Jesus (PBUH): Shepherd & Farmer
- Muhammad (PBUH): Shepherd, Farmer, Cattle Herder, Clerk, etc
Also Read| Prophet Muhammad Family Background
Social and Family Background of Great Scholars
Great Muslim scholars of past as well as present were not limited to any particular race, caste or class of Muslims. Even today, some of top Muslim scholars come from diverse socal and family backgrounds from length and breadth of Muslim world including Africa, Arabia, Iran, India, Indonesia, Europe, etc.
Ja’far al-Sadiq
Shia Muslim scholar, jurist, and theologian, and the sixth imam of the Twelver and Isma’ili branches of Shia Islam. In this school, the time and space bound rulings of early jurists are taken more seriously, and the Ja’fari school uses the intellect instead of analogy when establishing Islamic laws, as opposed to common Sunni practice.
Al-Sadiq is also revered by Sunni Muslims as a reliable transmitter of hadith, and a teacher to the Sunni scholars Abu Hanifa and Malik ibn Anas, the namesakes of the Hanafi and Maliki schools of jurisprudence.
Imam Jafar was a descendant of Ali ibn Abī Ṭālib, Prophet Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, and Fāṭima, Muhammad’s daughter PBUH. Ja’far’s mother, Umm Farwa, was a great-granddaughter of the first Rashidun caliph, Abu Bakr.
Abu Hanifa
Known as al-Imam al-Azam, Abu Hanifa is the founder Hanafi School, one of the four major schools of Islamic jurisprudence within Sunni Islam.
Abu Hanifa is thought to be of Persian ancestry. However, he has also been stated to have descended from the Zutt, Jats who migrated into Iraq during the Islamic Golden Age. His grandfather, Zuta, may have been captured by Muslim troops in Kabul and sold as a slave in Kufa, where he was purchased and freed by an Arab tribesman of the Taym Allah, a branch of the Banu Bakr.
Sources
- Cyril Glasse, “The New Encyclopedia of Islam”, Published by Rowman & Littlefield, 2008. p.23: “Abu Hanifah, a Persian, was one of the great jurists of Islam and one of the historic Sunni Mujtahids”
- Schacht; Lewis; Pellat, eds. (1998). Encyclopaedia of Islam. Vol. II (C-G). Brill. p. 489. ISBN 978-90-04-07026-4.
Abu Hanīfa was also of Zuṭṭ stock, his grandfather being known as Zūṭi, apparently a corruption of Zuṭṭi.
- Wink, André (1991). Al-hind: The Making of the Indo-islamic World. BRILL. p. 161. ISBN 978-90-04-09249-5.
Some Jat freemen became famous in the Islamic world, as for instance Abu Hanifa ( 699-767 ? )
- Malik, Jamal (2020). Islam in South Asia: Revised, Enlarged and Updated Second Edition. BRILL. p. 44. ISBN 978-90-04-42271-1.
Abu Hanifa (699–767), the founder of the Hanafi school of law, who was of Jat stock, most likely descending from those early prisoners sent to Iraq.
Imam Shafi
Al-Shafi’i belonged to the Qurayshi clan of Banu Muttalib, which was the sister clan of the Banu Hashim, to which Muhammad and the Abbasid caliphs belonged. This lineage may have given him prestige, arising from his belonging to the tribe of Muhammad, and his great-grandfather’s kinship to him. However, he grew up in poverty, in spite of his connections to the highest social circles.
Malik ibn Anas
His family was originally from the al-Asbahi tribe of Yemen, but his great grandfather Abu ‘Amir relocated the family to Medina after converting to Islam in the second year of the Hijri calendar, or 623 CE.
Ahmad ibn Hanbal
Ibn Hanbal’s family was originally from Basra, and belonged to the Arab Banu Dhuhl tribe. His father was an officer in the Abbasid army in Khorasan and later settled with his family in Baghdad, where he was born in November 780 CE/Rabi’ al-Awwal 164 AH.
Ibn Hanbal became famous in his later life for the crucial role he played in the Mihna instituted by the Abbasid caliph al-Ma’muntoward the end of his reign, in which the ruler gave official state support to the Mu’tazili doctrine of the Quran being created, a view that contradicted the orthodox position of the Quran being the eternal, uncreated word of God.
Living in poverty throughout his lifetime working as a baker, and suffering physical persecution under the caliphs for his unflinching adherence to the traditional doctrine, Ibn Hanbal’s fortitude in this particular event only bolstered his “resounding reputation” in the annals of Sunni history.
Social and Family Background of Caliphs and Rulers
Islam facilitied even slaves to become rulers and this is evident from numerious slave dynasties in the history of Muslim World.
Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 9, Book 89, Hadith 256, Narrated Anas ibn Malik-Allah’s Messenger said, “You should listen to and obey, your ruler even if he is an Ethiopian (black) slave whose head looks like a raisin.”
Given below is an indicative list of prominent Muslim caliphs and ruling classes with their social background-
- Abu Bakr: Banu Taym tribe of the Quraish, grew up in Bedouins
- Umar: Banu Adi clan, herded Camels
- Uthman: Umayyad clan of Quraish
- Ali: Banu Hashim, Quraish Tribe
- Slave Dynasties in Egypt, Iran and India
- Qutubuddin Aibak: A Slave and 1st Muslim ruler of India
- Ottomans: Turk Nomads
- Mughals: Turko-Mongol Nomads
- Nasirids of Spain: Arab and Berbers (North African)
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- Firuz Shah Tughlaq: The Sultan who built the biggest network of Canals in India
- Muhammad Bin Tughluq: The most learned Sultan of Delhi
Adhan in Islam
Prophet Muhammad choose a freed Abyssinian slave Bilal ibn Rabah al-Habashi to make the call for prayers. Thus, Bilal became the first person to recite the adhan publicly in front of the Muslim congregation. He was also one of the early reverts to Islam.
In his book “The Life of Muhammad”, William Muir states that Bilal “was tall, dark, and with African feature and bushy hair.” Muir also states that elite polytheists of Mecca despised Bilal and called him “Ibn Sawda” (son of the black woman).
So when Prophet PBUH conquered Mecca, he had Bilal climbed upon the Kaba, the most sacred place of polytheists Arabs and proclaimed the oneness of God and equality of humankind through his magnificent Adhan.
Prophet Muhammad PBUH preferred the adhan of Bilal over the use of bells, used by Christians, and horns, used by Jews.
Given below is the adhan in Islam with its meaning-
- Allahu Akbar (4 times): God is the Greatest (not any King, Queen, Race, Caste, Tribe, Nation, Ancestor, Idol, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Jews, etc)
- Ashhadu alla ilaha illallah (2 times): I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except one true God.
- Ashhadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah (2 times): I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God.
- Hayya ‘alas-Salah (2 times): Come to Prayer
- Hayya ‘alal-Falah (2 times): Come to Success
- Allahu Akbar (2 times): God is the Greatest
- La ilaha illallah (Once): There is none worthy of worship except Allah.
Hindi Translation
- Allahu Akbar (4 times): भगवान बड़ा है (ना की कोई इंसान, राजा, ज़ात, नस्ल, समाज और मुल्क वग़ैरा)
- Ashhadu alla ilaha illallah (2 times): मैं गवाही देता नहीं है भगवान सिवा भगवान के (भगवान के अलावा कोई और भगवान नहीं है)
- Ashhadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah (2 times) मैं गवाही देता मुहम्मद रसूल हैं भगवान के (रसूल मतलब संदेश देने वाले)
- Hayya ‘alas-Salah (2 times) आओ इबादत के लिए (सलाह मतलब इबादत, प्रार्थना, अर्चना, भगवान से सलाह और गुफ़्तगू)
- Hayya ‘alal-Falah (2 times) आओ कामयाबी के लिए (दुनिया और आख़िरत दोनों की क़ामयाबी के लिए)
- Allahu Akbar (2 times) भगवान बड़ा है
- La ilaha illallah (Once) नहीं है भगवान सिवा भगवान के
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Quran on Arabs: Are Arabs superior Muslims?
This section is dedicated to those Brahmins and Upper Caste Hindus who often taunt Indian Muslims that they are converts and not original Muslims. Since theirs is a deeply racist, classiest, casteist and hierarchical system, they assume that Islam must also be based on racism and hierarchy in which Arabs occupy the topmost position.
Firstly, Arabs were not an elite class but a rustic and backward tribal groups (both nomadic and sedentary) who lived in desert camps not high rise palaces and forts as the elite ruling classes of Rome, Iran & Indian lived in those times.
Secondly if God honoured Arabs by sending a Prophet amongst them (as he had previously sent in all other communities all over the world) he also openly castigated them for their disbelief, treachery and hotheadedness in a number of verses in the Holy Quran.
Good and Bad in Arabs
وَجَآءَ ٱلْمُعَذِّرُونَ مِنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ لِيُؤْذَنَ لَهُمْ وَقَعَدَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ ۚ سَيُصِيبُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ ٩٠ (Translation: Some Arabs came with excuses, seeking exemption [from accompanying Prophet on an expedition]. And those who were untrue to Allah and His Messenger remained behind ˹with no excuse˺. The unfaithful among them will be afflicted with a painful punishment. Quran 9:90)
لَّيْسَ عَلَى ٱلضُّعَفَآءِ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلْمَرْضَىٰ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ مَا يُنفِقُونَ حَرَجٌ إِذَا نَصَحُوا۟ لِلَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ۚ مَا عَلَى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ مِن سَبِيلٍۢ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ ٩١ (Translation: There is no blame on the weak, the sick, or those lacking the means ˹if they stay behind˺, as long as they are true to Allah and His Messenger. There is no blame on the good-doers. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Quran 9:91)
Arabs are far worse in disbelief and hypocrisy
ٱلْأَعْرَابُ أَشَدُّ كُفْرًۭا وَنِفَاقًۭا وَأَجْدَرُ أَلَّا يَعْلَمُوا۟ حُدُودَ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌۭ ٩٧ (Translation: The Arabs are far worse in disbelief and hypocrisy, and less likely to know the laws revealed by Allah to His Messenger. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. Quran 9:97)
Miser Arabs
وَمِنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مَا يُنفِقُ مَغْرَمًۭا وَيَتَرَبَّصُ بِكُمُ ٱلدَّوَآئِرَ ۚ عَلَيْهِمْ دَآئِرَةُ ٱلسَّوْءِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌۭ ٩٨ (Translation: And among the Arabs are those who consider what they donate to be a loss and await your misfortune. May ill-fortune befall them! And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. Quran 9:98)
Good Arabs
وَمِنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ مَن يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَيَتَّخِذُ مَا يُنفِقُ قُرُبَـٰتٍ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَصَلَوَٰتِ ٱلرَّسُولِ ۚ أَلَآ إِنَّهَا قُرْبَةٌۭ لَّهُمْ ۚ سَيُدْخِلُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِى رَحْمَتِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ ٩٩ (Translation: However, among the Arabs are also those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and consider what they donate as a means of coming closer to Allah and ˹receiving˺ the prayers of the Messenger. It will certainly bring them closer. Allah will admit them into His mercy. Surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Quran 9:99)
وَٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُهَـٰجِرِينَ وَٱلْأَنصَارِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَـٰنٍۢ رَّضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا۟ عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍۢ تَجْرِى تَحْتَهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًۭا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ١٠٠ (Translation: As for the foremost—the first of the Emigrants and the Helpers—and those who follow them in goodness, Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. And He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow, to stay there for ever and ever. That is the ultimate triumph. Quran 9:100)
Some Arabs are Hypocrites
وَمِمَّنْ حَوْلَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ مُنَـٰفِقُونَ ۖ وَمِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْمَدِينَةِ ۖ مَرَدُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلنِّفَاقِ لَا تَعْلَمُهُمْ ۖ نَحْنُ نَعْلَمُهُمْ ۚ سَنُعَذِّبُهُم مَّرَّتَيْنِ ثُمَّ يُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَذَابٍ عَظِيمٍۢ ١٠١ (Translation: Some of the Arabs around you are hypocrites, as are some of the people of Medina. They have mastered hypocrisy. They are not known to you ˹O Prophet˺; they are known to Us. We will punish them twice ˹in this world˺, then they will be brought back ˹to their Lord˺ for a tremendous punishment. Quran 9:101)
وَءَاخَرُونَ ٱعْتَرَفُوا۟ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ خَلَطُوا۟ عَمَلًۭا صَـٰلِحًۭا وَءَاخَرَ سَيِّئًا عَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَتُوبَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌ ١٠٢ (Translation: Some others have confessed their wrongdoing: they have mixed goodness with evil. It is right to hope that Allah will turn to them in mercy. Surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Quran 9:102)
وَقُلِ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ فَسَيَرَى ٱللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۖ وَسَتُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَـٰلِمِ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ١٠٥ (Translation: Tell ˹them, O Prophet˺, “Do as you will. Your deeds will be observed by Allah, His Messenger, and the believers. And you will be returned to the Knower of the seen and unseen, then He will inform you of what you used to do.” Quran 9:105)
وَءَاخَرُونَ مُرْجَوْنَ لِأَمْرِ ٱللَّهِ إِمَّا يُعَذِّبُهُمْ وَإِمَّا يَتُوبُ عَلَيْهِمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌۭ ١٠٦ (Translation: And some others are left for Allah’s decision, either to punish them or turn to them in mercy. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. Quran 9:106)
وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مَسْجِدًۭا ضِرَارًۭا وَكُفْرًۭا وَتَفْرِيقًۢا بَيْنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَإِرْصَادًۭا لِّمَنْ حَارَبَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ مِن قَبْلُ ۚ وَلَيَحْلِفُنَّ إِنْ أَرَدْنَآ إِلَّا ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَـٰذِبُونَ ١٠٧ (Translation: There are also those ˹hypocrites˺ who set up a mosque ˹only˺ to cause harm, promote disbelief, divide the believers, and as a base for those who had previously fought against Allah and His Messenger. They will definitely swear, “We intended nothing but good,” but Allah bears witness that they are surely liars. Quran 9:107)
لَا تَقُمْ فِيهِ أَبَدًۭا ۚ لَّمَسْجِدٌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ مِنْ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ أَحَقُّ أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِ ۚ فِيهِ رِجَالٌۭ يُحِبُّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّرُوا۟ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُطَّهِّرِينَ ١٠٨ (Translation: Do not ˹O Prophet˺ ever pray in it. Certainly, a mosque founded on righteousness from the first day is more worthy of your prayers. In it are men who love to be purified. And Allah loves those who purify themselves. Quran 9:108)
أَفَمَنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَـٰنَهُۥ عَلَىٰ تَقْوَىٰ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضْوَٰنٍ خَيْرٌ أَم مَّنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَـٰنَهُۥ عَلَىٰ شَفَا جُرُفٍ هَارٍۢ فَٱنْهَارَ بِهِۦ فِى نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ١٠٩ (Translation: Which is better: those who laid the foundation of their building on the fear and pleasure of Allah, or those who did so on the edge of a crumbling cliff that tumbled down with them into the Fire of Hell? And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people. Quran 9:109)
لَا يَزَالُ بُنْيَـٰنُهُمُ ٱلَّذِى بَنَوْا۟ رِيبَةًۭ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ إِلَّآ أَن تَقَطَّعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ ١١٠ (Translation: The building which they erected will never cease to fuel hypocrisy in their hearts until their hearts are torn apart. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. Quran 9:110)
Arabs avoided Prophet
مَا كَانَ لِأَهْلِ ٱلْمَدِينَةِ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ أَن يَتَخَلَّفُوا۟ عَن رَّسُولِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَرْغَبُوا۟ بِأَنفُسِهِمْ عَن نَّفْسِهِۦ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ لَا يُصِيبُهُمْ ظَمَأٌۭ وَلَا نَصَبٌۭ وَلَا مَخْمَصَةٌۭ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَطَـُٔونَ مَوْطِئًۭا يَغِيظُ ٱلْكُفَّارَ وَلَا يَنَالُونَ مِنْ عَدُوٍّۢ نَّيْلًا إِلَّا كُتِبَ لَهُم بِهِۦ عَمَلٌۭ صَـٰلِحٌ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ١٢٠ (Translation: It was not ˹proper˺ for the people of Medina and the Arabs around them to avoid marching with the Messenger of Allah or to prefer their own lives above his. That is because whenever they suffer from thirst, fatigue, or hunger in the cause of Allah; or tread on a territory, unnerving the disbelievers; or inflict any loss on an enemy—it is written to their credit as a good deed. Surely Allah never discounts the reward of the good-doers. Quran 9:120)
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قَـٰتِلُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ يَلُونَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْكُفَّارِ وَلْيَجِدُوا۟ فِيكُمْ غِلْظَةًۭ ۚ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ ١٢٣ (Translation: O believers! Fight the disbelievers around you and let them find firmness in you. And know that Allah is with those mindful ˹of Him˺. Quran 9:123)
Rewards and Punishments for Arabs
قُل لِّلْمُخَلَّفِينَ مِنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ سَتُدْعَوْنَ إِلَىٰ قَوْمٍ أُو۟لِى بَأْسٍۢ شَدِيدٍۢ تُقَـٰتِلُونَهُمْ أَوْ يُسْلِمُونَ ۖ فَإِن تُطِيعُوا۟ يُؤْتِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ أَجْرًا حَسَنًۭا ۖ وَإِن تَتَوَلَّوْا۟ كَمَا تَوَلَّيْتُم مِّن قَبْلُ يُعَذِّبْكُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًۭا ١٦
Say to Arabs, who stayed behind, “You will be called ˹to fight˺ against a people of great might, who you will fight unless they submit. If you then obey, Allah will grant you a fine reward. But if you turn away as you did before, He will inflict upon you a painful punishment.” 48:16
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Holy Quran on Quraish Tribe
˹At least˺ for ˹the favour of˺ making Quraish habitually secure. To secure in their trading caravan ˹to Yemen˺ in the winter and ˹Syria˺ in the summer. let them worship the Lord of this ˹Sacred˺ House, Who has fed them against hunger and made them secure against fear. 106:1-4
So turn away (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) from them (Quraish pagans), you are not blame-worthy (as you have conveyed Allâh’s Message).
In pride (they – Quraish pagans and polytheists of Makkah used to feel proud that they are the dwellers of Makkah sanctuary – Haram), talking evil about it (the Qur’ân) by night. 23:67
But if they violate their oaths after their covenant, and attack your religion with disapproval and criticism, then fight (you) the leaders of disbelief (chiefs of Quraish pagans of Makkah) – for surely their oaths are nothing to them – so that they may stop (evil actions). 9:12
And they [i.e., the Quraysh] say, “If we were to follow the guidance with you, we would be swept from our land.” Have We not established for them a safe sanctuary to which are brought the fruits of all things as provision from Us? But most of them do not know. 28:57
Are your disbelievers (O Quraish!) better than these [nations of Nûh (Noah), Lût (Lot), Sâlih, and the people of Fir‘aun (Pharaoh) who were destroyed)? Or have you an immunity (against Our Torment) in the Divine Scriptures? 54:43
And We had firmly established them in a (prosperity and) power which We have not given to you (ye Quraish!) and We had endowed them with (faculties of) hearing, seeing, heart and intellect: but of no profit to them were their (faculties of) hearing, sight, and heart and intellect, when they went on rejecting the Signs of Allah; and they were (completely) encircled by that which they used to mock at! 46:26
And when Our Clear Verses are recited to them, those who disbelieve (the rich and strong among the pagans of Quraish who live a life of luxury) say to those who believe (the weak, poor companions of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم who have a hard life): “Which of the two groups (i.e. believers or disbelievers) is best in (point of) position and as regards station (place of council for consultation).” 19:73
Prophet Muhammad PBUH on Quraish Tribe
Narrated Anas: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “I give to Quraish people in order to let them adhere to Islam, for they are near to their life of Ignorance (i.e. they have newly embraced Islam and it is still not strong in their hearts.” Sahih al-Bukhari 3146