Muslims and Racism, Asabiyyah is a Disease of the Soul

“Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong.”  ― Muhammad Ali How does Islam view racism? The Holy Qur'an cuts the very roots of racism in these words: 'O mankind! We have created you from a single male and female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know each other. The most honorable of you in the sight of Allah are surely the righteous." (Al-Hujurat: 13) Thus Islam stresses the absolute unity in variety of the human race. The Prophet (peace be upon him) declared: "O people! You are all from Adam and Adam was made of dust. No Arab is to be preferred over a non-Arab except by virtue of his piety." He also said: "Allah does not look at your shapes or your colors but He looks at your hearts (intentions) and your deeds. Creatures are the dependants of Allah and the closest among them to Allah are indeed the most useful to His dependants."

So you think you are superior to others because you belong to a different ethnic group, or you speak a different language, or you are from a different country or you belong to a specific family, group, clan or race. And you will support others on the basis of their language, ethnicity, relationship, origin.even though they do injustice, commit crimes, in the name of tribalism, racism, nationalism or any other ism, other than their moral superiority, good qualities or for justice. And you will not help or support other human beings because they do not belong to 'your' group, country, clan, race, family. Even though they are oppressed, denied their rights, they deserve to be supported, they are on truth. Are you aware that this type of fanatic behavior is known as Asabiyyah or Prejudice? Do you know what Islam says about Asabiyyah or Prejudice? The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "Whosoever possesses in his heart Asabiyyah even to the extent of a mustard seed, God will raise him on the Day of Resurrection with the (pagan) Bedouins of the Jahiliyyah (the pre-Islamic era). " Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "Whosoever practices Asabiyyah (against someone), Allah (SWT) shall wrap around him a fold of Fire." The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "One who calls towards Asabiyyah is not from us, one who fights for Asabiyyah is not from us and the one who dies on Asabiyyah is not from us." The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "Best among you is the person who defends his tribe till they do not commit a sin." Thus, remember that the superiority is only on the basis of pure intentions and sincere and lofty deeds. Asabiyyah is a dangerous condition for an individual and the society. It is an evil trait, inspired by satanic forces. One must ponder seriously about its consequences in this world and hereafter. A true believer annihilates his own will in the Will of his Lord. He is free from all traces of ignorant Asabiyyah's and thick and dark curtains of blind Asabiyyah's would not obstruct his vision. When called to deliver justice and utter the word of truth, he puts a firm foot on the head of all associations and ties, sacrificing all ties of kinship and customary affinities at the altar of the aims and orders of his Lord. He supports truth and justice under all circumstances. So if you love or hate someone, or support or are against a group of individuals or a nation, think wisely for a while, what has motivated you for it. If it is other than promoting truth and justice or help of oppressed or preventing aggression and tyranny, than give up your support of the people you are associated with. It will be certainly difficult for you to take a bold step and give up love, friendship, and affinity of your relatives, friends and colleagues. But your decision to give up blind Asabiyyah will not only save you from the fire of hell, but also motivate others to do the same