All Human Beings are Equal

One who is superior in moral character is also superior in position to one who is lacking in moral fibre. It is one’s inner character, not outwardly pleasant appearance, which counts in the eyes of God.

According to a tradition, the Prophet of Islam, while preaching the sermon on the occasion of the Final Pilgrimage observed: “O people, no Arab is superior to a non-Arab and no non-Arab is superior to an Arab, no white is superior to a black and no black is superior to a white, except in religiosity and God-consciousness.” (Musnad Ahmad 23489)

The Creator of all human beings is one and the same. All human beings are the children of Adam and Eve. As such, all human beings are equal.

The human races are apparently dissimilar. For instance, some are white and some are black. But all these differences are solely of appearance. In reality, there is no difference between one and another.

This concept of human equality is in accordance with Islam as well as with nature. Furthermore, a good society can be built only by giving an equal position to all human beings. In a society where there is no equality, peace and prosperity will not flourish. Such a society will be eternally beset by tension and conflict.

The difference between one person and another is based not on race or colour or language. It is based rather on character. It is the individual who is superior in morality who is superior to others. One who is superior in moral character is also superior in position to one who is lacking in moral fibre. Regardless of how outwardly pleasant he might seem, in the last analysis, it is character which counts.