Prejudice and discrimination are attitudes and resulting actions that cause people to be treated differently. Many Muslims today actively fight against prejudice and discrimination in all its forms.
What does Islam say about prejudice and discrimination?
Islam first spread throughout the Middle East absorbing different nationalities, customs, classes and religions. Later, it spread through Asia, India, Africa and the Balkans. Prejudice and discrimination were not common in Muslim societies due to the diversity of their inhabitants. This tradition of tolerance is reflected in the teachings of Islam.
Tolerance
Tolerance towards non-Muslims within Islamic societies stems from the Prophet Muhammad’s teaching that all ‘People of the Book’ should be treated with respect. This meant followers of other monotheistic religions who have a sacred text given to them by God, and at the time included mainly Christians and Jews. It says in the Qur’an:
And do not dispute with the followers of the book…except those of them who act unjustly, and say: We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you, and our God and your God is One, and to Him do we submit.
Qur’an 29:46
Justice
The Qur’an teaches that justice applies to all humankind, of all faiths:
O you who believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witness in justice, and do not let the hatred of people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is [fully] aware of what you do.
Qur’an 5:8
Equality
All people, regardless of their origin, are equal in Islam and the only thing that distinguishes them is their level of commitment to their religion. It is reported by Al-Tirmidhi in one Hadith that the Prophet Muhammad said:
O mankind, indeed we have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Aware.
Qur’an 49:13
Harmony
The Qur’an states that people should be fair with each other to help achieve a balanced and harmonious society:
Allah does not forbid you from showing kindness and dealing justly with those who have not fought you about religion and have not driven you out of your homes. Allah loves just dealers.
Qur’an 60:8
Value of the individual
The quote below shows that non-Muslims’ beliefs should be respected and that forcibly converting people to Islam is considered wrong.
There shall be no coercion in matters of faith.
Qur’an 2:356
Racism
Racism in any form is considered unacceptable and wrong. Muslims believe that all people share in a common humanity. They believe that racism, whether as prejudice or discrimination, undermines the dignity of people.
