Beyond Color: The Triumph of Character Over Prejudice
Epigraph: "Judge a man not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character." — Martin Luther King Jr.
Throughout history, Black people have often been treated as slaves or as if they were children of a lesser God—oppressed, marginalized, and denied their rightful place in society.
However, it was Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who, for the first time in history, elevated the status of Black individuals based on character rather than race. A striking example is that of Bilal ibn Rabah, an Ethiopian slave who rose to become Islam’s first muezzin—the caller to prayer. Despite the presence of many noble and learned non-Black companions of the Prophet, it was Bilal who was chosen, solely for the strength of his faith and integrity. His selection sent a powerful message that piety and virtue, not race or lineage, determine a person’s true status.
Even centuries later, racism continued to stain societies across the world. A stark reminder of this occurred in 1936, when American track star Jesse Owens won four Olympic gold medals in Berlin, defying Nazi Germany’s racial ideology. Yet upon returning home to the United States, Owens faced the same deep-seated prejudice that had long plagued Black Americans. At a banquet held in his honor at a prestigious hotel, he was not allowed to enter through the front door, as it was reserved for white guests. Instead, the Olympic champion—the pride of his nation—was asked to use the back entrance through the kitchen alley, his achievements overshadowed by the color of his skin.
God, however, is clear in His message. The Qur’an (49:13) states:
"O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most honored of you in the sight of God is the most righteous of you. Indeed, God is All-Knowing, All-Aware."
This divine proclamation leaves no room for racial superiority. The measure of true honor is piety and righteousness, not race, wealth, or social status.
Echoing the same universal truth, Martin Luther King Jr., a tireless advocate for racial justice, delivered his iconic message to the world:
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
His words, much like the teachings of the Qur’an, remind us that true greatness is defined by moral character, not ethnicity. It is time humanity embraces this truth and judges individuals by their virtue, dignity, and contributions to society, rather than the color of their skin.
— Aamir Yazdani
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