Reflections on Black History Month

Throughout Islamic history there have been prominent black Muslims that contributed a great deal to the advancement of Islam. They were Sahaba, leaders, scholars, and warriors. Among these great Muslims were: Bilal ibn Rabah(ra), Al-Najashi, MalcolmX and more (really too many to go into, so just three famous ones for now). The color of their skin held no place in their position in Islam, however race has always been an issue of division throughout recorded history. Islam came to end division and prejudice based on race and established that the only difference in one man from another was his faith in Allah and piety. In the last sermon by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as he was nearing his death stated: "All mankind is from Adam and Eve, 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 a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood…." (Ahmad).

It is amazing and truly beautiful to witness something like hajj where people of all colors and all walks of life gather together wearing similar white garments to worship Allah. Such a thing happens nowhere else in the world and is truly a testament to the greatness of Islam, Alhamdulillah. In spite of Islam's clear purpose to unite people of different backgrounds, a racial divide is still prevalent in our communities. It is apparent in our masjids and in our social gatherings. Just think back to how diverse your friends are or the people you would invite to your house. It is a natural tendency for people to feel comfortable with and to associate with people that are similar to them. Often we base our acquaintances on similarities in age, language, and ethnicity. I don't feel as if the majority of us harbor any type of negative feelings toward Muslims of other ethnicities, but nonetheless there is a wall that needs to be destroyed. Each individual ethnic group within the Muslim community feels isolated by the other and vice versa. It's an unfortunate occurrence that we all need to personally root out within ourselves and change.

Allah says in the Qur'an: "Ohumanity! We have created you from a single male and female and have made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another (not that you may have pride over one another). Verily the most honorable of you in the sight of Allah is the one most pious."(Qur'an, 49:13)

Among the Prophet's (peace be upon him) companions were men from many different backgrounds, for example: Bilal the Abyssinian, Salman the Persian, Suhayb the Roman, and Abdullah the Hebrew (may Allah have mercy on them). They all originally spoke different languages and weren't native to the region, yet were still equally treated by the Messenger (peace be upon him). Diversity is one of the strengths of our Ummah, and its ignorance and arrogance that lead to racism. We are all the creation of Allah, stemming from Adam and Huwa, the blood of every Muslim is the same. Shaytan finds ways to separate ourselves from our brothers and sisters in faith which is a tie that runs as strong as kinship, if not stronger. May Allah strengthen and unite the Ummah. Ameen.