Islam rejects racism and ethnic pride
“Our differences are not defects, rather, our diversity is what makes us strong.”
Racism is a form of arrogance condemned by Islam; Allah created human diversity for mutual recognition, while taqwa rather than ethnicity determines nobility, so Muslims must actively include those facing prejudice.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Defines racism as kibr, or arrogance, especially when judging marriage prospects by ethnicity.
- Explains Qur'anic teaching that Allah created nations and tribes for recognition, not boasting.
- Uses the Prophet's final sermon and teachings to establish human equality and taqwa as the true measure.
- Distinguishes hidden taqwa from visible religious presentation and challenges Muslims to remove racism from their community.
- Illustrates the harm of stereotyping through examples involving Abu Dharr, Bilal, and Malcolm X.
- Presents diversity in language and skin color as a divine sign and source of communal strength.
- Calls listeners to include marginalized Muslims, welcome newcomers, and speak against injustice.
In the khateeb's words
“And that, my dear brothers and sisters, in one word, is kibr, arrogance.”
“But so that you could recognize each other. So that you could understand each other. Benefit from each other's strengths.”
“We only consider those good deeds to be the ones that will be in our good deeds on the Day of Judgment. Those which no one saw. That's taqwa. Who are you when no one is looking?”
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches that racism comes from kibr, or thinking we are better than other people. Allah created people with different languages, colors, countries, and backgrounds so we can know one another and benefit from one another, not so we can boast. A person's true honor comes from taqwa, meaning sincere awareness of Allah shown in private and public choices. We should not judge whole communities by a few bad experiences. Instead, we should welcome new Muslims and people who face racism, include them in community life, and speak up when we see injustice.
- What is one way our family can help someone feel welcome this week?
- Why do you think Allah made people different from one another?
- How can we avoid judging a whole group because of one person's actions?
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