Islam and Egalitarianism

When General Colin Powell, an African-American of rather humble origins, was appointed as the Joint Chief of Staff of U.S. military, the appointing president rejoiced by stating that such rise of a minority was possible "only in America." Gen. Powell's selection was no small feat by any standard. Also, despite the past history of slavery in America and suffering of so many people, it shows pluralistic strength and dynamism for the society to move ahead. However, "only in America"? Is the example of Gen. Powell unique?

Long before this American experiment and experience, leveling many an artificial bases for discriminating against people, came the final prophet and messenger of Islam - in succession, according to Islam, to Abraham, Moses, Jesus and so on - with a clarion call for the humanity to advance on the path of equality. Despite the subsequent historical experience, Islam has been categorical in its pristine principle of egalitarianism and set critical milestones in that direction.

During his Farewell pilgrimage, his address carried a decidedly universal tone--one final time. "O PEOPLE, your lives and your property shall be inviolate until you meet your Lord." It is unfortunate that many Muslims have forgotten this important principle and guidance, even though they are not supposed to be self-centered (i.e., concerned about only the Muslim community); rather they are supposed to have been "created for mankind" Quran: 3.110

Even though he himself was from an Arab background and the initial recipients of his message were the Arabs, once and for all, he demolished the artificial bases for any ethnic or racial pride by proclaiming that the Arabs had no superiority over the non-Arabs, or vice versa. The Quran is unequivocal in this regard as it addresses not the Arabs, the Muslims or the believers, but the mankind (an-nas) in the following verse: "O humankind! reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, his mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;- reverence Allah, through whom ye demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs (that bore you): for Allah ever watches over you." Quran: 4.1.  Notably, as indicated in this verse, the Quran does not subscribe to or endorses such views that the fall of humankind from the heavenly favor was due to women's evil transgression, as exemplified, according to some, in Hawa (Eve).

Islam also repudiates vulgar forms of nationalism that artificially aggrandize one's own people over others on no moral basis. Various demarcations of people based on groups, tribes, ethnicities or nationalities are quite alright, as it is natural for the humanity as a social entity. However, that is primarily to know each other in terms of our lineage, not to aggrandize oneself. Islam further reinforces this universality on the basis of not a man (Adam), but a man and a woman (Adam and Eve) and educates us that there is no virtue based on race, color, language, geographical location, wealth, or gender. Islam offers only one criterion for assessing ourselves. Taqwa (God-consciousness that makes people humble, caring and morally upright). "O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you (atqakum). And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). Quran 49.13

After shattering the false and unjust foundation of the hierarchical society of the Arabs by embracing people together under one faith, irrespective of their color, race, gender, language, age, wealth, status, even at his death, the Prophet Muhammad left a remarkable and noble challenge and legacy for those that came after him.