Islam and Racial Harmony
In celebrating the multicultural nature of Singapore, let us take a peek into what Islam teaches us about embracing racial harmony! Happy Racial Harmony Day Singapore!
Allah’s Command for us to embrace Diversity
Allah s.w.t. said in Surah Al-Hujuraat verse 13:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍۢ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ شُعُوبًۭا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌۭ ١٣
Which means: ‘O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes so that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allāh is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing and Aware.’
This verse highlighted for us how Allah s.w.t. created us as many different tribes (races) and identities for a positive reason – to learn and benefit from one another to strive to be righteous people, who are the most noble in the Sight of Allah.
The Prophet’s Reminder for Universal Equality
‘The Prophet s.a.w. delivered in his Final Sermon,
“‘O people, verily your Lord is One and your father is one. Verily there is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab or of a non-Arab over an Arab, or of a red man over a black man, or of a black man over a red man, except in terms of taqwa. Have I conveyed the message?’ They said, ‘The Messenger of Allah has conveyed the message.’” [Ahmad: 22978]
Over here, the Prophet s.a.w. reminded us that no one should feel superior over the other by virtue of their lineage or skin color or race. Rather, each person should do their best to get closer to Allah, or higher in His Sight through their good deeds.
The Prophet s.a.w. embraced Bilal r.a., a black man, as his brother
Bilal r.a. was a black slave before he was freed by Abu Bakar r.a.. Despite him being of a different skin color, the Prophet s.a.w. and the Companions treated him without any form of prejudices, even embracing him as their brother. The Prophet s.a.w. even gave him the honor of being the first Muazzin, to the point that later generations of Muslims will refer to the position of Muazzin as Bilal.
Living under the rule of those from another race
During the earlier days of Islam, when the Muslims in Makkah faced oppression of the non-believers, they went to Abyssinia to live under the then-Christian King, Najashi, among the Abyssinians – who are of course non-Arabs.
Despite being of a differing race and religion, the Companions were able to live amicably among the Abbysinians forming good relationships with them.
Let us together as Muslims living in this multi-racial society, strive to instill within ourselves the values of Racial Harmony as exemplified by the Prophet s.a.w. and his Companions, to promote the values of Islam, as a religion of peace.
