Islam’s stance on xenophobia
The ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa have led to the killings and wanton destruction of properties and have also led to widespread condemnation.Though Muslims in South Africa are among the minorities, the universality of Islam can go a long way to stop the violence, heal the wounds and prevent recurrence.Allah says: “O mankind, we […]
The ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa have led to the killings and wanton destruction of properties and have also led to widespread condemnation.
Though Muslims in South Africa are among the minorities, the universality of Islam can go a long way to stop the violence, heal the wounds and prevent recurrence.
Allah says: “O mankind, we created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and made you in to tribes and nations so that you may know each other (not that you despise each other). Verily, the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is he who is most righteous of you.” (Surah Hujurat, chapter 49 vs 13).
The message of the above chapter clearly shows that man has basis to discriminate against each other despite the inevitability of mutual and healthy albeit permitted contest for earthly gains.
Discrimination in all forms is sinful, unacceptable to Allah, and which He clearly states in Glorious Qur’an: “(Shaytan -Satan) said: “I am better than he (Adam), You created me from fire, and You created him from clay.” (Allah) said: “Then get out from here, for verily, you (Shaytan) are outcast.” (Surah Sad chapter 38 vs 76-77).
Mankind should therefore not allow the Devil to make them rebellious and discriminate against each other, even when they know there is one death for all.
In what is taken as his farewell message, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said in the Uranah valley of Mount Arafat on 9th Dhu al-Hijjah, 10 AH (equivalent to 9 March 632): “All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Verily the most honoured of you is the most righteous… Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.”
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also did not tolerate discrimination even in the heat and thick of battle fields.
According to some traditions Salman’s Al-Farsi (Salman the Persian) whose original name was Rouzbeh was captured as a slave and brought to Medina. Prophet Muhammad is said to have bought him and manumitted (freed) him.
He is also famed for his role in the Battle of the Trench (Khandaq) after his idea of digging a great trench around the city of Medina to defend the city against the army of 10,000 Arabian non-Muslims.
It was narrated that during the battle, one of Muhajirun (Emigrant of Makkah) said “Salman is one of us, Muhajirun”, but this was challenged by the Muslims of Medina (also known as the Ansar [the Helper]). This led to a lively argument between the two groups until Prophet Muhammad arrived at the scene and heard them. He (PBUH) was reportedly amused by the claims but soon end the argument by saying: “Salman is neither Muhajir nor Ansar. He is one of us. He is one of the People of the House.”
In his last week Jummah khutbah (sermon), the founding leader of the Cape Town Islamic Educational Centre, Moulana Sayed Imraan Shah Ziyaee, reportedly used the gathering to discuss the subject of xenophobia with worshippers.
He cited verses of the glorious Qur’an and hadith (saying of Prophet Muhammad), and urged worshipers to denounce extremism, and saying that South Africans need peace, security, and humanity more now than ever before.
Renown Sheikh Abdul Malik Mujahid in an article also listed knowledge, seeking Allah’s help, not retaliating with hatred, sincere repentance to Allah, watching the tongue, avoid ethnic and sinful jokes, sharing joy and sorrow, speaking the language everyone understood (when is forms of groups), defending yourself and the abused group, and standing up for justice among others as way of tackling discrimination.
One of the fallout of discrimination is injustice and Allah says in one divine (qudsi) Hadith: “O my servants, I made injustice forbidden on Myself and I made it forbidden amongst you; so do not commit injustice to one another.”