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WHAT DOES ISLAM SAY ABOUT RACISM?


Racism is not allowed in Islam, for the Holy Qur’an speaks of human equality in the following terms.
“O mankind, We  have  created you from a male and a female and have made you into nations and tribes for you to know one another. Truly, the noblest of you with God is the most pious. Truly, God is All- Knowing, All- Aware.”      (Qu’ran, 49: 13)
Islam rejects certain individuals or nations being favored because of their wealth, power, or race. God created human beings as equal who are to be distinguished from each other only on the basis of their faith and piety. A pious person is a believer who abstains from all kinds of sins, perform all good deeds that God commands us to do, and fears and loves God.
Islam is  a  religion of justice.
God has said: “Truly God commands you to give back trust to those to whom they are due, and when you judge between people, to judge with justice...” (Qur’an,4: 58)
And He has said: “...And act justly. Truly, God loves those who are just.” (Qur’an, 49: 9)
We should even be just with those who we hate, as God has said: “... And let not the hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety”. (Qur’an, 5: 8)
The Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U) said: “People, beware of in justice, for injustice shall be darkness on the Day of Judgment.”              (Al-Bukhari H.N: 2447)
And those who have not gotten their rights in this life will receive them on the Day of Judgment, as the Prophet (P.B.U)  said: “On the Day of Judgement, rights will be given to those to whom they are due (and wrongs will  be  redressed..”     (Muslim H.N: 2582, Musnad H.N: 7163)

Islam: A Mercy To Mankind:
Islam is the last religion revealed by Allah (s.w.t.) to Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) to be disseminated to the whole world. The Prophet did convey the Message of Allah to all at that time. He also instructed his followers to do the same, till the Day of Judgment.
Islam means peace, submission in peace to Allah. Who is the source of Peace? One has to make a Pledge of- Allegiance to Allah, and to demonstrate obedience and allegiance to Allah. Through this pledge, Muslims will attain peace, tranquility, happiness, justice and equality to all irrespective to color, race, nationality, ethnic background, creed, social status or faith.
The Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.)  As A Mercy:
Allah, (s.w.t.) sent Prophet Muhammad as Mercy to the whole world including people, animals, plants, angels, jinns, beasts, birds, fishes, etc. Allah (s.w.t.) says about Prophet Muhammad in Surah Al-Anbiyaa’ (The Prophets) the following: “And We have sent you (O Muhammad) not, but as a mercy for the 'Âlâmîn (mankind, jinns and all that exist”.   (Qur’an: 21:107)
Since Prophet Muhammad was sent as a Mercy, he was chosen by Allah, trained by Allah, supervised by Allah, guided by Allah and controlled by Allah to be a role model to all. In this respect, Allah says in Surah Al-Ahzab (The Confederates) the following: “Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.” (Qur’an :33:21)
The Mercy of the Prophet to all was derived from the source of Mercy namely Allah (s.w.t.). As all of us are aware the source of Mercy is definitely Allah. He chose for Himself 99 Beautiful Names, among which are: Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim: The Most Merciful and the Ever-merciful. Allah is the source of Mercy, and Allah selected Prophet Muhammad as a Mercy to the whole world. Since Islam is the selected religion of Allah to all to be guided, therefore the teachings of Islam if applied and practiced will be a source of Mercy to all of us.

Mercy In The Holy Qur’an:  
The word Mercy may mean piety, compassionate, grace, doing good, helping others, be sympathetic with others, etc.
This word of Mercy is mentioned in the Qur’an more than 300 times in sixty (60) different Surahs and in (32) different forms.
Even Allah revealed Surah in the Qur’an with the title of Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful).
Since the source of Mercy is Allah, all of us should try our best to be merciful.
Our mercy should be directed to our dealings in life towards one another, as well as towards non-Muslims, and all other living creatures.
Allah hates those who are proud, aggressive, high, conceited and arrogant.
Allah likes those who are be kind to other people, to extend his personal help, his personal services and hispersonal time, effort, knowledge, and money to all those who need you.
If you do so, remember that Allah loves those people tremendously, Remember that Allah will make your life a happy one, and that you will go to paradise in the Hereafter.

Mercy In Islam:
This concept of mercy can easily be understood in our daily activities through the teachings of Islam in theory and in practice.
Islam is a total way of life and a complete system to live by and to enjoy life physically, socially, culturally, economically, spiritually, politically and so on.
In every aspect of life there are rules and regulations prescribed on us so as to enjoy life and to live in peace and harmony.
Islam is the religion of moderation, built on justice, peace, brotherhood, selflessness, forgiveness, trust, humbleness, truth, honestly, generosity, and hospitality.
It is the religion of caring and sharing with others who are less fortunate than us. It teaches respect of    parents, elders, teachers and scholar. It demands taking care of the orphans, the captives, and those who have bankruptcy.
It encourages helping all those who want to get married from the Zakat budget, and so on and so forth.
A religion such as Islam that carries all these rules and regulations in the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet, does deserve to be followed.
Moreover, it demands from its followers to be practiced individually and collectively, as well as privately and publicly.
Islam is the true and last religion of Allah. It is the religion of mercy and moderation. 
 It is a practical religion that can be practiced anywhere in the world by the future  generations to come till the Day of Judgment
Allah (s.w.t.) reaffirms that Islam is the chosen religion of Allah. Whoever chooses any other religion, it will not be accepted.
Allah (s.w.t.) says in Surah Al-Imran the following: “Truly the religion in the Sight of Allah is Islam”           (Qur’an :3:19)
We should realize that we are Muslims first, last and forever. Allah called us Muslims without the addition of any Prefix or Suffix Allah says in Surah al-Hajj: “It is He has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation-Qur’an” (Qur’an :22:78)
Also Prophet Muhammad said: “All prophets are brothers, and their religion is same”
If Muslims try to practice its teachings, they are the beneficiaries of its message. If they are good examples to others, non-Muslims will be ready to accept Islam. Many non-Muslims are agnostics.
They are looking for a better religion to follow. They are looking for role models in life to imitate, to emulate, and to follow.
We hope that the Muslims of today will practice the Message of Islam in their private and public life.
We pray to Allah (s.w.t) that many of us as Muslims will be good examples to the non-Muslim around us.
We pray to Allah (s.w.t.)to make us witnesses (Hujjah) for Him in the Day of Judgment that we assumed our responsibilities and delivered our obligations to all mankind.
If we do so, you will be loved by Allah; we will enter Paradise and we will have the best of what is in Paradise.

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