Alhamdulillah I am here, sitting on a beautiful beach in a foreign country, a cool breeze cutting through what otherwise would’ve been 30 degree heat. The noise of my family and others having fun in the background, the sea waves crashing gently onto the shore. It feels like the perfect place for me to be in, alhamdulillah.

As I relax on the sun-lounger I scoop up a handful of earth, stare at the infinite grains of sand, each one a different shape and shade. And I think about how we came into existence.

SubhanAllah. A truly amazing thing to wonder about and so important to remind ourselves.

‎إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى خَلَقَ آدَمَ مِنْ قَبْضَةٍ قَبَضَهَا مِنْ جَمِيعِ الْأَرْضِ فَجَاءَ بَنُو آدَمَ عَلَى قَدْرِ الْأَرْضِ فَجَاءَ مِنْهُمْ الْأَحْمَرُ وَالْأَبْيَضُ وَالْأَسْوَدُ وَبَيْنَ ذَلِكَ وَالسَّهْلُ وَالْحَزْنُ وَالْخَبِيثُ وَالطَّيِّبُ

“Verily, Allah the Exalted created Adam from a handful which He took from the earth, so the children of Adam come in accordance with the earth. Some come with red skin, white skin, or black skin and whatever is in between: thin, thick, dirty, and clean.”

Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2955

Alhamdulillah for Islam, a religion of peace and unity.

A religion that recognises and celebrates race and diversity but does not see a difference of colour. 

All praise is due to Allah swt, alhamdulillah!

‎وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ خَلْقُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَأَلْوَانِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّلْعَالِمِينَ

“Among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Verily, in that are signs for people of knowledge.”

The Quran 30:22

Some people however, claim not to be racist and yet when it comes to their own business dealings or perhaps a marriage proposal or any other personal matter, they are suddenly “weary”.

Why are muslims “weary” when it comes to personal matters. Where is the trust and tawaqul (hope in Allah swt)? 

I have witnessed this “undercover” (and sometimes blatant) racism within the muslim community far too many times and yet we are clearly told in the Quran by our Creator Allah swt as well as taught extremely clearly by our beloved Prophet Muhammad S.A.W that any kind of discrimination related to race is prohibited (haram).

Abu Dharr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

‎انْظُرْ فَإِنَّكَ لَيْسَ بِخَيْرٍ مِنْ أَحْمَرَ وَلَا أَسْوَدَ إِلَّا أَنْ تَفْضُلَهُ بِتَقْوَى

“Behold! Verily, there is no good in red skin or black skin, but rather only by virtue of righteousness.”

Musnad Ahmad 20885

The above hadith is clear in teaching us that we should not judge someone by the colour of their skin but look closely at their character. 

So why is that over 1400 years later some muslims still think their race is more superior than others, whether it be Arab, Pakistani, Indian or any other. They think themselves above others purely because of cultural background. 

I have personally experienced racism from within my own community and I am fed up of it. 

Enough is enough! 

Attitudes need to change and judgements need to made purely on a persons character and behaviour NOT the shade of their skin colour, what language they speak or where they originate from.

Allah says to us:

‎يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ

“O people, We have created you male and female and made you nations and tribes that you may know one another. Verily, the most noble of you to Allah is the most righteous of you. Verily, Allah is knowing and aware.”
The Quran 49:13

Alhamdulillah for Islam.

A religion where every race is welcome but where no one is judged by the colour of their skin. 

Alhamdulillah!

May Allah swt guide us, open up our hearts, save us from discriminating against others on the basis of race and skin colour and enable us to become His perfect slaves. Aameen. 

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