Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Allah (swt) created humans as “the most valuable being on Earth”[1]  and given them natural honour, dignity and respect. No one has the right to belittle another person based on their race or any other reason. Since we do not have the choice to determine our race or skin colour at birth, condemning or looking down on someone for this reason is an act of disrespect toward Allah (swt). Islam acknowledges race as a reality but teaches that our diversity is a sign of Allah’s power. However, in the eyes of our Creator, what truly matters is not our race but the sincerity of our faith and our sense of responsibility. Two esteemed companions, Abu Dharr al-Ghifari and Bilal al-Habashi, once had a harsh exchange of words. Abu Dharr (ra) insulted Bilal, a former Abyssinian slave, by belittling him based on his skin colour, calling him “the son of a black woman.” Bilal (ra) was deeply hurt. This was the same Bilal who had suffered severe persecution for his faith and remained steadfast in his devotion to Islam. Unable to bear such words, he brought the matter to the Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Racism was a trace of the pre-Islamic ignorance (jahiliyyah). However, the Prophet (saw) had taught that all people—regardless of color, race, language, or gender—are equal, like the teeth of a comb. Calling Abu Dharr (ra) to him, the Prophet (saw) warned him: “O Abu Dharr! Are you insulting him because of his mother? You are still carrying traces of jahiliyyah within you.” [2] Abu Dharr (ra) was devastated. Filled with regret, he repeatedly sought Bilal’s forgiveness. Overcome with remorse, he humbled himself and removed every trace of pride, arrogance and discrimination from his heart. 

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Racism is a disease of ignorant societies. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) warned against this toxic mindset centuries ago, as it destroys peace and brotherhood among people. He stopped the outdated customs of the pre-Islamic era (jahiliyyah) and made his stance clear by declaring: “Listen carefully! All matters of the Jahiliyyah period are under my feet!” [3] Racism is the act of prioritising and excessively emphasising one’s race, lineage, or ancestry—using it as a means of claiming superiority over others. In other words, racism is a system that reduces a person’s entire identity to their racial background, disregarding their character, values and deeds. Because of racism, countless men and women, young and old, have been displaced from their homelands and stripped of their basic rights to life and dignity.

Dear Jama’ah!

A racist is a “colourblind” person who sees the world only in black and white. A racist always seeks someone to alienate, enslave or exploit. A racist lacks love and compassion. A racist is cruel, merciless and selfish. Today, one of the greatest obstacles to brotherhood is the mindset of racism and discrimination. Sometimes, this mentality manifests as seeing one’s own race, ancestry, tribe, nationality or even hometown as superior. Unfortunately, this way of thinking replaces social harmony with hatred and anger, justice and mercy with oppression and injustice, unity and solidarity with division and discrimination. In the noble verse we recited at the beginning of this khutba, Allah (swt) states: “O mankind! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Indeed, the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Surely, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” [4] Being from a different race, nationality or social class does not determine superiority. A person’s honour and worth are not based on ethnicity, which they did not choose, but on the values and character they develop through their own effort and sincerity. Let us conclude with the words of our beloved Prophet (saw): “Whoever calls to racism, fights for racism, or dies under a racist banner has died the death of ignorance (jahiliyyah).” [5]

May Allah (swt) grant us a life free from racism. May He make us a community of brothers and sisters with united minds and hearts, shared purposes and emotions, common joys and sorrows. Ameen.

[1] Surah Al-Isra, 17:70

[2] Buhârî, İman, 22

^[3] Müslim, Hac, 147

^[4] Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13

^[5] Müslim, İmâre, 57

Khutba – Racism: A Wound to Human Dignity