Islam & Racial Discrimination (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)
Revision Note
Muslim Teachings About Racial Discrimination
The nature of racial discrimination
Racial discrimination is being treated differently, often negatively, on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic origin or immigrant status
Racial discrimination is illegal in the UK, and the Equality Act of 2010 protects the rights of people so that discrimination on racial and other grounds is outlawed
Unfortunately there are still some issues with racism in the UK.
This has led to unfair treatment of some people and examples of injustice which could lead to conflict and civil unrest
Muslim teachings about racial discrimination
Islam teaches that all racial discrimination is wrong
All humans were created equal by Allah and so have equal worth in His eyes
This is known as the sanctity of life
‘People, We created you all from a single man and a single women, and made you into races and tribes so that you should get to know one another. In God’s eyes, the most honoured of you are the ones most mindful of Him: God is all knowing, all aware.’ (Qur’an 49:13)
This teaching shows that although there are different races and tribes, humans have been created from the same single man and woman and are equal
They are meant to develop a better understanding of each other
Diversity is not inequality
It also shows that it is the people who are most mindful of Allah are the most blessed - it has nothing to do with race or tribe
Allah sees all humans as equal and looks past the differences that cause inequalities between humans, such as colour or ethnicity
‘And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours’ (Qur’an 30:22)
Muslims have a role model in the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in working to end racial discrimination
In the Prophet’s time, slavery was commonplace and Muhammad (pbuh) worked to end the system. He sought justice for slaves
For example, he made Bilal, an Abyssinian slave, the first Muslim to lead the call to prayer and taught the others to accept him and anyone as their leader:
‘If an Abyssinian slave is appointed over you and he conducts your affairs according to the Book of Allah, you should listen to him and obey his orders.’ (Hadith - Sahih Muslim)
Malcolm X and Divergent Responses to Racial Discrimination
Malcolm X’s work against racial discrimination
Malcolm X by Ed Ford, Public Domain
Malcolm X was an African-American Muslim who campaigned against racial discrimination in the USA
He became a minister for the radical organisation the Nation of Islam (NOI) and promoted black culture and pride
Malcolm X spread the idea that black people needed to live separately in a black people’s state
He believed in self-defence and taught his followers that although they should not start violence, they had the right to defend themselves if attacked
Malcolm X changed his attitudes towards white people after attending the Hajj in 1964
He wrote to his wife about his experience of the pilgrimage, explaining how tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over the world and from all racial backgrounds had gathered to perform the same rituals in a spirit of brotherhood and unity
This experience led Malcolm X to abandon his earlier views. He said:
‘Because of the spiritual enlightenment which I was blessed to receive as a result of my recent pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca, I no longer subscribe to sweeping indictments of any one race … I wish nothing but freedom, justice and equality, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all people.’ (Malcolm X, from The Autobiography of Malcolm X)
This change of opinion ultimately cost Malcolm X his life
He was shot dead by members of the Nation of Islam after leaving the organisation
This was a result of his change of heart which had led to him saying that all races should live together
Malcolm X is seen by many as a martyr, because he died championing the cause of racial equality
Worked Example
Explain two Muslim beliefs about racial discrimination
(4 marks)
One Muslim belief is that racial discrimination is wrong because Allah created every human being equal, an idea which is explained in the Qur'an 49:13 (2 marks)
Another Muslim belief is that racial discrimination is wrong because the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught that people should treat all races the same, just as he did (2 marks)
Examiner Tips and Tricks
‘D’ type evaluation questions are designed to test your ability to articulate arguments both for and against the statement. Look out for the bullet points in these 12-mark questions which tell you what to include in your answer. You can tick them off as you cover the requirements, to ensure you have done what the examiner has asked you to do.
For example, you may be asked to evaluate a statement like this:
‘Every Muslim should stand up to racial discrimination.’
Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against.
In your response, you should:
refer to Muslim teachings
refer to different Muslim points of view
reach a justified conclusion
In this example, you could use your study of Malcolm X as an example of a Muslim who was prepared to use violence in certain circumstances against racial discrimination
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