Assigning Important Positions
Prayer in Islam is the most important deed and it had the most value during the time of the Prophet. Calling for congregational prayer with the Prophet is a very noble action. Al-Mu’azzin, the one who calls for prayer, is a very honorable person, let alone the Mu’azzin of the Prophet. That was Bilal! He had such a beautiful voice and the Prophet assigned him such a task for the quality voice he had.
An environment in which race plays no role in assigning responsibilities and only skills and qualifications are considered is an environment where racial discrimination has no place. Five times every day, a black man demonstrates that publicly in front of everyone calling people to prayer.
Condemning Racist Actions
Although the ideas were clear, people continued to carry some traces of the wrong ideas they grew up on. In a conflict between Bilal and another great companion of the Prophet, Abu Dharr, the latter told Bilal, “O son of a black woman.”
? Read Also: Seerah Of Prophet Muhammad – Conversions Of Omar & Hamza Plus Boycott
When Prophet (PBUH) heard about this comment, he rebuked Abu Dharr and told him, “O Abu Dharr, you are a man who still have traces of ignorance.“
Abu Dharr, realizing how severe his mistake was, asked the Prophet for forgiveness and he looked for Bilal to apologize. The word was an aggressive word and so was the form of apology. Abu Dharr put his face on the ground in front of Bilal telling him to step on it to retaliate.
Bial, in return, kisses his face and they hug while their eyes are full of tears. It is the assertive condemnation of the Prophet that established such a norm: there is no place for racism in this environment.
Muslim Rituals Are Anti-racism
Rituals such as prayer are live demonstration of equality. There is no preference in lining up for prayer: no preference based on race, clan, wealth, or political status.
Pilgrimage is another demonstration of equality between people despite their background. In fact, pilgrimage is a yearly enforcement of the idea of equality through a very large event that the whole world experiences. Pilgrimage experience is what made someone like Malcolm X change his idea of black supremacy and embrace Islam and its concept of equality.
Conclusion
It is safe to conclude that The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his companions created anti-racism environment and promoted equality through action and practice.
Racism will probably continue to infect societies and discrimination will continue to exist. It is, however, the duty of every free individual, group, and nation to fight it and put an end to it.
In Islam and its guidance is a cure to all of humanity’s problems no matter how tough. Racial discrimination is no difference.
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