Equality of Mankind in the Quran

Qur’an is guiding everyone since last 1440 years to treat fellow human beings with equality. Equality of mankind is big social issue around the world today. Quran offers incredible view on this subject, even if an ordinary person contemplates on this advice he/she will soon realize the futility of prejudice and arrogance. Counsel given by prophet on this subject is also very persuasive.

God Almighty says in Chapter 49 verse 13,

O people! We have created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most honorable of you in the sight of Allah is that [one] who fears Allah. Indeed, Allah is Omniscient (All Knowing), and All-Aware. 49:13

Above verse addresses the entire humanity with opening remarks, O people……so it is clear that this verse is for entire mankind, in fact this guideline is for all people on the earth and for every to whom this message reaches.

The verse further says, We have created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another…..

This portion has three points,

First point is that God created us and we not here simply by an accident or by a chance only.

Second point is that ….Allah says we made you into tribes and nations, so this social system of different tribes, different race, different regions, different languages, is created by Allah.

Third point, God established this system of different nations and tribes and are there are some reasons behind this and one of the reasons is that we identify each other, deal with each other and develop better appreciation of each other.

The verse further says and this is very important point that,  The most noble among you in sight of Allah is the one who is most God fearing (those who act as per His guidelines).

We normally see people take pride in their race, language, nation, culture and consider themselves superior based on these elements. Quran rejected this approach and said that God does not approve these criterions. We all are from one male and female so all are from same root, and created equal. The noble amongst you in the sight of Allah is the one who is most righteous and most God fearing.

If we have to compete with each other, we should compete on the basis of virtues and noble values, considering oneself superior to others because of any other criterion is an act of ignorance.

By this verse, Quran has established norms of equity and established that no one can claim superiority just because of their race, language, nation, culture; color of skin or anything like that.

In the last portion of this verse, Allah says He is giving this benchmark based on His knowledge which most superior and all encompassing, so the verse ends with a reminder, “Indeed, Allah is all knowing, and All-Aware means He has complete knowledge, awareness, and understanding of all his creations.”

He knows their inner side; He knows their qualities. By the virtue of this verse Quran has firmly established a system of equality and dignity for all humans, and defied the fanaticism of false superiority in all forms and shapes.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) also emphasized this value of equity.

Prophet once said to his companions, “all of you are descendants of Adam and Adam was created out of clay. Those who seek pride in ancestry should desist.”

On the occasion of the Farewell Pilgrimage, Prophet Muhammad addressed the gathering, and said: ‘O people, be aware: your God is One. No Arab has any superiority over a non-Arab, and no non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab, and no white has any superiority over a black, and no black any superiority over a white, except on the basis of piety. The most honorable among you in the sight, of Allah is the one who is the most pious and righteous of you.

This world will be a much better place if this equality is practiced by entire humanity.