Equality In Islam: A Brief Review

One of the greatest values set forth in the Noble Qur'an is human equality. No one is better than any one else, all are created equal, by the word of God. This may sound an old-time cliché but it highlights the foundation on which the early Muslim state was built. Early Muslims set the highest example of emancipation. A black companion of the Prophet Muhammad, Bilal Ben Rabah, was among the closest associates to the Prophet and a brief reading into his biography will show how a religion can bring change and cause people to act in a different way than they used to do before. And it is not applicable to Muslims only, but to all members of the human family, as the Prophet was sent as a mercy for all human kind, not to a certain group of people or for Arabs only as it may be thought by some in the West.

Allah says" O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware." (49:13).

It is this form of addressing, O mankind, to denote that every human being is meant by the rights and obligations to follow. A universal principle for human rights and the core of any modern human rights instrument is enshrined in this verse. The one who is the best in conduct is the noblest in the sight of Allah. An Arab is no better than a non-Arab except in piety. The universality of human rights is bolstered in this verse, revealed almost 1400 years ago, and is perfectly applied in Islam.

Let this verse be our springboard for further reading in the basic of Islam and for a more healthy inter-religion dialogue. May Allah guide us all to straight path.