The Forty Rules of Guidance Part Five Prepared by: Hacene Chebbani

War on Racism ”إن أكرمكم عند الله أتقاكم“ الحجرات/13 “Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous amongst you.” 49/13 -Racism is one of the major social diseases. -It usually leads to hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

Definition “The belief that some races have distinctive cultural characteristics determined by some genetically transmitted factors and that this endows some races with an intrinsic superiority over others.” Racism and prejudice can only be fought with tolerance, learning, understanding and faith.

Racism in the Sunnah “No Arab is superior over a non-Arab, and no white is superior over a black, except due to a greater fear of God.” Part of the speech delivered during the farewell Hajj.

Context of this Segment “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Indeed, Allah is all-knowing and Acquainted.” 49/13

One Origin In spite of the racial, color and cultural differences that exist among humankind, their origin is one. Pride in lineage is foolish and pointless. All people belong to one family. They are all the children of Adam (alaihi assalaam). “O children of Adam, wear your best clothes in every masjid.” 7/31

Continued The Prophet (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) adopted the same approach. Hadith: “And nothing will fill the stomach of the son of Adam except dirt.” (B/M) –Man’s love for wealth and his desire to have more will never end until he is dead and buried.

Allah’s Wisdom and Diversity Diversity was mainly designed in order for people to know each other. This familiarity has two aspects: 1.Social Acquaintance. 2.Knowledge of family ties.

Social Acquaintance Imagine a world where all descendants of Adam are identical. The blessing of variety is pleasing to human senses and stimulating to the intellect. People will keep learning from their differences. Diversity is a great source of power.

Knowledge of Family Ties. They define the boundaries and limits of marriage. They determine family obligations and protect financial rights of the inheritance. Hadith: “Learn enough about you lineages to know you blood relatives and treat them accordingly.” (Tirmithi/Classified as saheeh).

Islamic Naming System Hadith: “He who knowingly attributed his fatherhood to someone other than his real father will denied Paradise.” (B/M) Hadith: “Whoever attributed his fatherhood to someone other than his real father or claimed a different lineage, then he has exposed himself to the curse of Allah, his angels and all people. And Allah will not accept from him any deed on the Day of Judgment.”

Islam and Sainthood Allah pointed out to Taqwa as the only factor which makes any man or woman superior to another. Hadith: Addressing Abu Dhar (May Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah (salla Allah alaihi wa Sallam) said: “Verily you are not better than a brown man or a black man except by having more taqwa than them.” (Ahmed)

Who is the Most Pious? Only Allah knows the answer because the home of Taqwa is the heart. It is not part of the sunnah to elevate people to specific stations of spiritual achievement and superiority over others, other than the Prophets. Ayah: “Do not claim yourselves to be pure, He is most knowing of he who fears Him.” 53/32 Allah knows best.