Principles of Islam
22. Human Equality
~ 62 ~
may have a diversity of skin colorings and other
distinctive racial characteristics, but that is only so
that they may be easily distinguished from each
other. By Islamic standards, this is designed to
facilitate social and national interaction.
The sole basis of superiority in Islam is
taqwa
– the
earnestness with which one leads a God-fearing life;
as such, it bears no relation to colour or race.
Physical attributes certainly have their effect on the
social interaction of this world, but in the Hereafter,
no value is attached to them. There, the only things
which count are inner qualities, for upon them
depends the essential excellence of man’s distinctive
character. That is why, according to a hadith, God
sees the heart and not the body. He reserves a place
in Paradise only for those found deserving in terms
of their inner worth.
According to Islam, all greatness belongs to God.
God as the Supreme Being is ineffably superior to
all men. While there is this infinitely great
difference between God and man, there is no
difference whatsoever between man and man.
