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The American Muslim on Equality, Slavery and Faith
Jeremy Henzell-Thomas writes about William Wilberforce and the the bicentennial of the abolition of the slave trade in The American Muslim online magazine. He argues that the abolitionists most successful tactic in changing public opinion was a simple faith-based appeal to the equality of mankind through the image of a kneeling slave with the inscription: “Am I not a Man (or Woman) and A Brother (or Sister)?” This belief in equality, he says, is something that Christians and Muslims share:
In Qur’an 49:13, God advises us that we have been made into nations and tribes so that we may come to know one another and that there is no superiority of one over another except in taqwa, that consciousness and loving awe of God which inspires us to be vigilant and to do what is right. This verse is an implicit condemnation of all racial, national, class or tribal prejudice (’asabiyyah), a condemnation which is made explicit by the Prophet Muhammad: He is not of us who proclaims the cause of tribal partisanship, and he is not of us who fights in the cause of tribal partisanship, and he is not of us who dies in the cause of tribal partisanship. When asked to explain what he meant by tribal partisanship, the Prophet answered, It means helping your own people in an unjust cause.
This verse establishes the brotherhood of man on the broadest foundation. It teaches that God does not judge men or women on their appearance, social standing, wealth, or stated affiliation, whether tribal, national, or religious, nor even on their skill or intelligence, but only on their striving to be faithful to an innate sense of what is true, just, right and good. This is within the reach of every human soul, and not the preserve of any privileged or exclusive group.
The Prophet affirmed to us that All creatures are God’s children, and those dearest to God are the ones who treat His children in the best way.
As I read this, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the question about Barack Obama: Is he a Muslim? Which is immediately followed by “no, he’s Christian.” As if that conveyed a level of comfort much deeper than if the response had been, “why yes he is a Muslim.”
Former Sec. of State Colin Powell exposed the bias underlying the question about Obama’s faith when he endorsed the Democratic candidate. About time.