The idea of Equality in Islam is a dynamic and equitable concept. Its principles and postulates have been determined by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in accordance with the injunctions of the Holy Quran.
Islam emphatically proclaims the equality of humankind and denounces race, caste, and bloodline-based superiority of one human being over the other in clear terms as is evident from an analysis of the Quranic verses and Prophetic Narrations.
Read this to know more about the concept of human equality in Islam.
Common Ancestral Roots and Diversity
All human beings are equal because they share common ancestors. According to Holy Quran, Allah made people evolve into different tribes and nations for the purpose of diverse identities and not superiority or inferiority.
Holy Quran provides that if at all one is superior in the sight of Allah, it is not because of his race, color, or tribe but because of his righteousness.
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
Also implicit in the above verse is the mandate of diversity and inclusivity and not homogeneity. Further, an another verse, Allah says he had created this diversity to test who remain virtuous in belief.
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;
Humanity from Adam and Adam from Dirt
Narrated Abu Hurairah [may Allah be pleased with him]: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Allah has removed the pride of Jahiliyyah from you and boasting about lineage. (A person is either) a pious believer or a miserable sinner, and the people are the children of Adam, and Adam is from dirt.” Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3956
Allah bestows his bounties Freely on All
The Holy Quran provides that Allah has bestowed his bounties on all humankind without any discrimination.
Al Quran 17:20 Of the bounties of thy Lord We bestow freely on all. These as well as those. The bounties of thy Lord are not closed to anyone.
Apart from the majestic principles of egalitarianism, Islam also provides for compulsory charity and wealth redistribution.
It envisaged a dignified life for everyone and on that account laid great stress on manumission and freeing of slaves and bondsmen.
Mankind was one Single Nation
Al-Quran 2:213- Mankind was one single nation, and Allah sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in matters wherein they differed; but the People of the Book, after the clear Signs came to them, did not differ among themselves, except through selfish contumacy. Allah by His Grace Guided the believers to the Truth, concerning that wherein they differed. For Allah guided whom He will to a path that is straight.
Equality also means saving Lives
Al-Quran 2:179 In the Law of Equality there is (saving of) Life to you, o ye men of understanding; that ye may restrain yourselves.
Al-Quran 3:103 And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember with gratitude Allah’s favor on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love so that by His Grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make His Signs clear to you: That ye may be guided.
Division in Religion Forbidden
Islam forbids any arbitrary division in religion and any unfair segregation or differentiation amongst people.
Al-Quran 42:13 The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah – the which We have sent by inspiration to thee – and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him).
Superiority of Righteousness not Race
Al-Quran 2:177 Virtue does not consist in whether you face towards the East or the West; virtue means believing in God, the Last Day, the angels, the Book and the prophets; the virtuous are those who, despite their love for it, give away their wealth to their relatives and to orphans and the very poor, and to travelers and those who ask for charity, and to set slaves free, and who attend to their prayers and pay the alms, and who keep their pledges when they make them, and show patience in hardship and adversity, and in times of distress. Such are the true believers, and such are the God-fearing.
Goodness and Evil are not Equal
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!
No Superiority on the basis of Race and Color
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.
Best Race, Caste and Lineage in Islam
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا جَعْفَرُ بْنُ بُرْقَانَ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ قَالَ: قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ: مَا تَعُدُّونَ الْكَرَمَ؟ وَقَدْ بَيَّنَ اللَّهُ الْكَرَمَ، فَأَكْرَمُكُمْ عِنْدَ اللهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ، مَا تَعُدُّونَ الْحَسَبَ؟ أَفْضَلُكُمْ حَسَبًا أَحْسَنُكُمْ خُلُقًا.
Ibn ‘Abbas said, “What do you reckon to be nobility? Allah has made nobility clear. The noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the one with the greatest taqwa. What do you reckon as lineage? The best of you in lineage is the best of you in character.” Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 899 Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani)
Accepting Black Slave as Ruler
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) commanded Muslims to give their allegiance even to slaves and follow them if they become or are appointed as their leaders (Political or Religious) as long as they abide by the book of Allah in leading and governing them.
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.”
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.”
Don’t indulge in 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.”
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، كِلاَهُمَا عَنْ عَبْدِ الصَّمَدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ، الْوَارِثِ حَدَّثَنَا هَمَّامٌ، حَدَّثَنَا قَتَادَةُ، عَنْ أَبِي قِلاَبَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي أَسْمَاءَ، عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِيمَا يَرْوِي عَنْ رَبِّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى “ إِنِّي حَرَّمْتُ عَلَى نَفْسِي الظُّلْمَ وَعَلَى عِبَادِي فَلاَ تَظَالَمُوا ” . وَسَاقَ الْحَدِيثَ بِنَحْوِهِ وَحَدِيثُ أَبِي إِدْرِيسَ الَّذِي ذَكَرْنَاهُ أَتَمُّ مِنْ هَذَا .
Abu Dharr reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying that he reported it from his Lord, the Exalted and Glorious: Verily I have made oppression unlawful for Me and for My servants too, so do not commit oppression. The rest of the hadith is the same. Sahih Muslim 2577d
Narrated Ibn `Abbas: The Prophet (ﷺ) sent Mu`adh to Yemen and said, “Be afraid, from the curse of the oppressed as there is no screen between his invocation and Allah.” Sahih al-Bukhari 2448
Abu Hurra ar-Raqashi on his paternal uncle’s authority reported God’s Messenger as saying, “You must not act oppressively, and a man’s property may not be taken except with his goodwill.” Baihaqi transmitted it in Shu’ab al-iman and Daraqutni in al-Mujtaba. Mishkat al-Masabih 2946
Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah bepleased with him) reported:
“O you people! You recite this Verse: ‘O you who believe! Take care of your ownselves. If you follow the guidance no hurt can come to you from those who are in error.’ (5:105) But I have heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying: “When people see an oppressor but do not prevent him from (doing evil), it is likely that Allah will punish them all.” [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi]. Riyad as-Salihin 197
Actions Matters not Appearance
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.”
Monarchy and Kingship are Awful
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).”
Sahih al-Bukhari Vol 8, Book 76, No. 526 Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Allah will take the whole earth (in His Hand) and will roll up the Heaven in His right Hand, and then He will say, “I am the King! Where are the kings of the earth?”
Islam enjoins Freeing of Slaves
Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 9, Book 89, Hadith 285, Narrated Abu Musa: The Prophet (s) said, “Set free the captives and accept invitations.“
Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 65, Number 286: Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari: The Prophet said, “Give food to the hungry, pay a visit to the sick and release (set free) the one in captivity (by paying his ransom).“
Help the Oppressed: 7 Commands of Prophet PBUH
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنِ الأَشْعَثِ بْنِ سُلَيْمٍ، عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ سُوَيْدِ بْنِ مُقَرِّنٍ، عَنِ الْبَرَاءِ بْنِ عَازِبٍ، قَالَ أَمَرَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِسَبْعٍ أَمَرَنَا بِاتِّبَاعِ الْجَنَائِزِ وَعِيَادَةِ الْمَرِيضِ وَتَشْمِيتِ الْعَاطِسِ وَإِجَابَةِ الدَّاعِي وَنَصْرِ الْمَظْلُومِ وَإِبْرَارِ الْقَسَمِ وَرَدِّ السَّلاَمِ .
Al-Bara’ bin ‘Azib said: “The Messenger of Allah commanded us to do seven things: He commanded us to attend funerals, visit the sick, to reply (say: Yarhamuk Allah [may Allah have mercy on you]) to one who sneezes, to accept invitations, to support the oppressed, to fulfill oaths (when adjured by another) and to return greetings of Salaam.” Sunan an-Nasa’i 3778
Jabir reported the Prophet as saying, “If anyone possesses three characteristics God will give him an easy death and bring him into His paradise: gentleness towards the weak, affection towards parents, and kindness to slaves.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition. Mishkat al-Masabih 3364
Prophet only a slave of Allah: Sahih Bukhari
Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 55, Number 654: Narrated ‘Umar: I heard the Prophet saying, “Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Mary, for I am only a Slave. So, call me the Slave of Allah and His Apostle.“
Upward Social Mobility for All
Sahih-al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 55, Number 655: Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari: Allah’s Apostle said, “If a person teaches his slave girl good manners properly, educates her properly, and then manumits and marries her, he will get a double reward. And if a man believes in Jesus and then believes in me, he will get a double reward. And if a slave fears his Lord (i.e. Allah) and obeys his masters, he too will get a double reward.”
Islam encourages the upward social mobility of different classes. However, as far as the practices of Muslims are concerned, we can see instances of both deviation and adherence but comparatively the marginalized sections have seen greater ascendence as Muslims if compared with other societies.
A suggestive list of famous and influential Muslims who came from very humble backgrounds can be accessed from this post.
Tribalism and Factionalism is Forbidden
Sunan an-Nasa’i 4115 It was narrated that Jundab bin ‘Abdullah said: “The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: ‘Whoever fights for a cause that is not clear, advocating tribalism, getting angry for the sake of tribalism, then he has died a death of Jahiliyyah.’”
Sunan Ibn Majah 3948 It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever fights under a banner of folly, supporting tribalism, or getting angry for the sake of tribalism, he dies in a state of ignorance.”
Sahih Muslim 1850 It has been narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abdullah al-Bajali that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: One who is killed under the banner of a man who is blind (to his just cause), who raises the slogan of family or supports his own tribe, dies the death of one belonging to the days of Jahiliyya.
Importance of Lineage: Kinship Ties
Jubayr ibn Mut’im said that he heard ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab say on the minbar, “Learn your lineages so that you can maintain ties of kinship. By Allah, if there are some bad feelings between a man and his brother and he knows that there is kinship between him and that man, that will prevent him from breaking with him.” Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 72
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “Learn enough about your lineage to facilitate keeping your ties of kinship. For indeed keeping the ties of kinship encourages affection among the relatives, increases the wealth, and increases the lifespan.” Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1979
Pride and Arrogance over Lineage
‘Utayy ibn Damura said, “I saw with Ubay a man who was attributing himself (in lineage) with an attribution of Jahiliyyah, so Ubay told him to bite his father’s male organ and did not speak figuratively (i.e. was explicit). So his companions looked at him. He said, ‘It appears that you disapprove of it.’ Then he said, ‘I will never show apprehension to anyone with regards to this. Verily, I heard the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, “Whomever attributes himself (in lineage) with an attribution of Jahiliyyah, then tell him to bite his father’s male organ and do not speak figuratively (i.e. be explicit).” Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 963 Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani)
Lineage Consideration in Marriage
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “A woman is married for four things: for her wealth, for her lineage, for her beauty or for her piety. Select the pious, may you be blessed!” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Riyad as-Salihin 364
Lineage will not lead to Salvation
Narrated Abu Hurairah: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever alleviates a burden among the burdens of the world for his brother, Allah alleviates a burden among the burdens of the Day of Judgement for him. And whoever covers (the faults) of a Muslim, Allah covers him in the world and in the Hereafter. And whoever makes things easy for one in dire straits, Allah makes things easy for him in the world and the Hereafter. Allah is helping as long as the (His) Slave is helping his brother. And whoever takes a path to gain knowledge, Allah makes a path to Paradise easy for him. And no people sit in a Masjid reciting Allah’s Book, studying it among themselves, except that tranquility descends upon them and they are enveloped in the mercy, and surrounded by the angels. And whoever is slow in his deeds, his lineage shall not speed him up.” Jami`at-Tirmidhi 2945
It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: “The Messenger of Allah said: ‘Whoever relieves a Muslim of some worldly distress, Allah will relieve him of some of the distress of the Day of Resurrection, and whoever conceals (the faults of) a Muslim, Allah will conceal him (his faults) in this world and the Day of Resurrection. And whoever relives the burden from a destitute person, Allah will relieve him in this world and the next. Allah will help His slave so long as His slave helps his brother. Whoever follows a path in pursuit of knowledge, Allah will make easy fro him a path to paradise. No people gather in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and teaching it to one another, but the angels will surround them, tranquility will descend upon them, mercy will envelop them and Allah will mention them to those who are with Him. And whoever is hindered because of his bad deeds, his lineage will be of no avail to him.‘” Sunan Ibn Majah 225
Deriding one’s Lineage is a sign of Disbelief
It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) observed: Two (things) are found among men which are tantamount to unbelief: slandering one’s lineage and lamentation on the dead. Sahih Muslim 67
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : “ اثنتان في الناس هما بهم كفر: الطعن في النسب، والنياحة على الميت” ((رواه مسلم)).
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Two matters are signs of disbelief on the part of those who indulge in them: Defaming and speaking evil of a person’s lineage, and wailing over the dead.” Riyad as-Salihin 1578
Harithah bin Wahb narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Shall I not tell you about the people of Paradise? Every weak and oppressed one. Shall I not tell you about the people of Hell? Every harsh, haughty and arrogant one.” Sunan Ibn Majah 4116
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Whoever has oppressed another person concerning his reputation or anything else, he should beg him to forgive him before the Day of Resurrection when there will be no money (to compensate for wrong deeds), but if he has good deeds, those good deeds will be taken from him according to his oppression which he has done, and if he has no good deeds, the sins of the oppressed person will be loaded on him.” Sahih al-Bukhari 2449
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “When two persons indulge in abusing each other, the beginner will be the sinner so long as the oppressed does not transgress the limits.” Riyad as-Salihin 1561
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