Advocating Muslims

By: Danielle Crissey

As with most religions there is a desire to not only live in peace with others, but to also
to help those who are in need or those who are less fortunate than others - no matter the race
or religion of the person in need. This idea is true in Islam and it is know that, “An important
Hadith (saying) of the Prophet is that religion is not what one formally or ritualistically practices
but how one deals with others” (Bassiouni, 2012). Religion, specifically Islam, is about so much
more than just stating you are a Muslim but it is about advocating for justice for those who are
oppressed or discriminated against.
In the religion of Islam it doesn’t matter your race, it is your, “responsibility to fulfil the
commands of The Almighty [this] applies equally to all regardless of race, colour or creed”
(Ebrahim, 2017). Racial injustices seen across the world, especially in America, are not
supported by individuals of the Muslim faith. The Islamic faith is founded in justice which is
evident when in the Qur’an (55:7) it states “God raised up the heavens and established the
Scales of balance” which some believe is translated to mean God created justice. From the very
basics of beliefs, “the starting point for any type of justice is rooted in one’s spiritual quest to
love God and be God’s beloved.” (Kahn, 2020). Muslims have a desire to serve God with their
whole heart and to do that they believe in assisting those who are oppressed. I find it very
interesting that Muhammad, in his lifetime, freed 63 slaves (Kahn, 2020). This fact alone is
proof that Islam is based on the belief of justice for all and racial equality. Muhammad also
once delivered a message and is quoted stating, “Verily, there is no superiority of an Arab over
a non-Arab nor a non-Arab over an Arab. There is no superiority of a white over a black nor a
black over a white. Only piety causes one to excel” (Aḥmad). There is no benefit for anyone
based on their skin color, all are equal to one another. It is evident that equality of all is rooted
in Islamic beliefs.
Islamic beliefs stand for the right to life, the right to freedom, the right to justice, and
the equality of human beings, among other beliefs (Bhat, 2019). These rights may seem very
basic but they are very important in the Islamic religion and provide insight into how they
choose to live their lives. Muslims believe these rights are not just for them but for everyone,
even their enemies. Discrimination and injustices of other races is not acceptable in Islamic
beliefs as it is stated in the Qur’an (4:135), “Stand out firmly for justice, as witness to Allah,
even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be against rich or poor.”
True Muslims would stand against their family in order to stand up to injustices to others.
One of the result of racial injustices that we have seen in America is the Black Lives
Matter movement. It is not surprising to learn that many Muslims are in support of the BLM
movement (Muslim Advocates). Muslims will always be advocating for those individuals who
are marginalized in society, as it is their duty to advocate. They will never stop standing in the
gap for those who don’t feel they have a voice because Muslims believe that if God hears the
oppressed than so should his followers (Khan, 2020). As long as there are people facing
injustices there will be Muslims speaking out for them.
The beliefs of Muslims aren’t that different from my beliefs. Muslims believe in helping
those who are oppressed or facing injustices and I believe the same. I believe that we should
help those in our communities who are less fortunate and Muslims believe the same. Muslims
believe in backing groups that advocate for marginalized individuals in society and I agree that
we should all do our part in making sure that everyone feels safe and that everyone feels like
they belong. I find it interesting that even though we all have different ways of living, believing
and worshiping, both Muslims and Christian beliefs are all grounded in loving one another.
Most people are inherently selfish and we all face difficult choices at one point or
another in our lives. Some of us even believe that we have nothing to offer one another. What
we need to realize is that, “All the experiences of life provide human beings with opportunities
to embody virtues that emulate the Divine attributes, such as being compassionate to those in
distress, giving generously to those who are needy, advocating on behalf of the oppressed, and
so on” (Nazir, 2020). Islam is rooted in the concept of helping one another and advocating for
those in need or those facing racial injustices…or injustices of any kind. It is part of their belief
system and it something that they need to do in order to be pleasing to God. Once all people,
all religions, have that same realization, injustice will be an idea of the past.
Sources:
Khattab, Dr. Mustafa. The Clear Qur’an. www.Quran.com.
Ebrahim, Iqbal. (2017) Social Teachings of Islam. Weekend Post.
https://www.weekendpost.co.bw/25772/columns/social-teachings-of-islam/
Bassiouni, Cherif. (2012) The Social System and Morality of Islam. Middle East Institute.
https://www.mei.edu/publications/social-system-and-morality-islam.

Khan, Nazir. (2020) Divine Duty: Islam and Social Justice. Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research.
https://yaqeeninstitute.org/read/paper/divine-duty-islam-and-social-justice.

Musnad Ahmad, Musnad Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak (Hadith 239).

Bhat, Bilal Ahmad. (2019) Social Justice in Islam and Human Rights. Research Gate.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339016328_Social_Justice_in_Islam_and_Human_R
ights

BLACK LIVES MATTER, An American Muslim Community Statement Against Police Violence.
Muslim Advocates. https://muslimadvocates.org/police-violence-statement/