In the name of God, the most gracious, the most merciful

Racism is a fatal disease and a very dangerous matter. Whenever it spreads in the community, it divides them into groups and parties. The racists act according to their emotions rather than their minds. Islam totally disapproves of this and strongly condemns it.

Islam teaches us that the origin of all mankind is one; all of them belong to Adam and Adam was created from dust. Allah Says (what means): { 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 noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted. } [Quran 49:13]

Allah made different groups and tribes only to allow them to know one another, and not to stimulate boasting or fighting between them. The difference of languages, colors, nationalities and wealth are not criteria to boast and show off. Indeed, the supremacy and superiority are based only on piety (Taqwa, God fearing) and this is something between Allah and his slaves and no one knows its extent except Allah Alone. The location of piety is the person's heart and Allah Alone knows what the hearts conceal. Allah Says (what means): { …then it is truly from the piety of the heart.} [Quran 22:32]

The Prophet ﷺ, said: “The piety is here, (and while saying so), he pointed towards his chest thrice. It is a serious evil for a Muslim to look down upon his Muslim brother. All things of a Muslim are inviolable from his brother in faith, his blood, his wealth and his honor (should be respected)." [Muslim]

In fact, the differences of languages and colors are among the wonderful signs of Allah that proves His Might and Greatness. The Prophet ﷺ, said in his last sermon: “There is no preference of an Arab over a Non-Arab, or a white over a black, or a black over a white, except by the (degree) of piety.” [Ahmad]

In another Hadeeth the Prophet ﷺ, said about racism: “Leave it (that call) as it is a detestable thing.” [Reported by Imaam al-Bukhari]

And he (ﷺ) said: " Indeed, Allah does not look at your bodies or your appearances, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds. ". [Muslim].

Al-Ma'rur b. Suwaid said:

We went to Abu Dharr (Ghifari) in Rabadha and he had a mantle over him, and his slave had one like it. We said: Abu Dharr, had you joined them together, it would have been a complete garment. Thereupon he said: There was an altercation between me and one of the persons among my brothers. His mother was a non-Arab. I reproached him for his mother. He complained against me to Allah's Apostle (ﷺ). As I met Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) he said: Abu Dharr, you are a person who still has (in him the remnants) of the days (of Ignorance). Thereupon I said: Allah's Messenger, he who abuses (other) persons, they abuse (in return) his father and mother. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Abu Dharr, you are a person who still has (the remnants) of Ignorance in him They (your servants and slaves) are your brothers. Allah has put them in your care, so feed them with what you eat, clothe them with what you wear. and do not burden them beyond their capacities; but if you burden them (with an unbearable burden), then help them (by sharing their extra burden).

Sahih Muslim 1661a

Therefore, racism is totally rejected by Islamic teachings. Muslim scholars and reformers have always denounced it. It has always been the weapon of foolish and arrogant people; by using these hateful feelings they always cause much harm to mankind as a whole.

Actually, the founder of racism is Iblees (Satan) who objected to Allah's Order when ordered him to prostate to Adam. He claimed: {[Satan] said, "I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay."} [Quran 7:12]

So, Allah punished Satan by driving him away from His Mercy and Blessings. Therefore, whoever is affected by this disease should fear Allah and try his best to get rid of it, seeking refuge with Allah.

The best way that could help one to get rid of this disease is to ponder over the Quran and Sunnah, and to read the biography of the companions of the Prophet ﷺ

Now let's reply to some doubts about racism in Islam:-

1. "You should listen to and obey, your ruler even if he was an Ethiopian (black) slave whose head looks like a raisin."

"Narrated Anas: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Listen and obey (your chief) even if an Ethiopian whose head is like a raisin were made your chief.".

Sahih al-Bukhari vol. 1, no. 662 and vol. 9, no. 256

As for the Ahaadeeth about the obligation of obedience to the ruler, they should be understood within that context - that is, the principle of equality. These Ahaadeeth highlight that whoever assumes the reins of power should be obeyed regardless of his color or race. They do not imply contempt but a blessing. They do not imply racism but rather eliminate racism so that bigoted people do not take it as a pretext to rebel against a black person if he becomes the ruler.

The Hadeeth means that the black color is not an impediment or a defect but rather that obedience is also obligatory to a black ruler, as it is to a non-black one, as soon as he assumes authority. The basic requirement is that he governs the affairs of people in accordance with the Sharee‘ah of Allah, The Exalted. The Prophet ﷺ, said in the Farewell Hajj: "If a black slave with a mutilated nose is appointed to govern you, and he leads you according to the Book of Allah the Exalted, then listen to him and obey." [Muslim]

An-Nawawi may Allah have mercy upon him said: "Scholars underlined that the Hadeeth means that as long as the Muslim ruler adheres to the teachings of Islam and calls people to the Book of Allah, it is incumbent on Muslims to obey him."

Also, the Hadeeth which was referred above does not suggest that all black people have raisin-like heads; rather, it means that Muslims are obliged to obey the Muslim ruler placed in authority over them even if he looks like that.

2. "I heard the Apostle say: Whoever wants to see Satan should look at Nabtal!' He was a black man with long flowing hair, inflamed eyes, and dark ruddy cheeks…. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said that after Gabriel descended upon him and informed him that a dark-skinned man with wild hair, sunken cheeks, and eyes as red as two pots of saffron would sit with him, with a liver thicker than that of a donkey, who conveys his words to the hypocrites, and he was asked to be cautious of him. These were the characteristics of the one being described.".

"The Notable Figures of the Qur'an p 965"

As for this Hadeeth about Nabtal, it has not been cited by any of the Sunan compilers (Abu Daawood, An-Nasaa'i, At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah). It has been cited only by Ibn Is-haaq in his book Al-Maghaazi. It was quoted from him in some books about the occasions of the Quranic revelations (Asbaab An-Nuzool). The author of As-Saheeh Al-Musnad min Asbaab An-Nuzool (a collection of authenticated Ahadeeth concerning the occasions of the Quranic revelations) did not list the Hadeeth among the Saheeh Ahadeeth cited in this chapter. Even if we assume that it is Saheeh (authentic), the Prophet ﷺ, did not dispraise Nabtal because of his color or appearance but rather his impiety and ill manners.

3. "Abud Darda' reported God’s messenger as saying, “God created Adam when He created him and struck his right shoulder and brought forth his offspring white like small ants. And he struck his left shoulder and brought forth his offspring black as though they were charcoal. Then He said to the party on his right side, ‘To paradise, and I do not care’ and He said to the party in his left shoulder, ‘To hell, and I do not care’.”.

Mishkat al-Masabih 119.

With regard to the Hadeeth reported by Abu Ad-Dardaa' -may Allah be pleased with him- it is Dha‘eef (weak); Al-Arnaa’oot classified it as Dha‘eef in his revision of Imaam Ahmad's Musnad. Even if we assumed that the Hadeeth is Saheeh, it does not imply contempt of black people and does not indicate that all black people will go to Hell. It rather describes that the faces of the inhabitants of the Hellfire will be blackened because of their sins and disbelief. Al-Munaawi said in his commentary on the saying of Ibn Mas‘ood: "A slave (of Allah) continues to lie until a black apot is scratched on his heart, until his whole heart becomes black": "He described it as black because black is the color of disbelief; Allah, The Exalted, described the faces of the disbelievers in the Hereafter as 'black'; He says (what means): { "On the Day [some] faces will turn white and [some] faces will turn black. As for those whose faces turn black, [to them it will be said], "Did you disbelieve after your belief? Then taste the punishment for what you used to reject." } [Quran 3:106]" [Faydh Al-Qadeer]

In brief, it is impermissible to interpret the Ahadeeth out of their context in the light of some incorrect ideas that settle in some people's minds. They are to be understood on the basis of what the just Sharee‘ah presents and according to what is intended by it.

Allah Knows best.