Racism is one of humanity’s oldest wounds, yet over fourteen centuries ago, Islam offered its cure. At a time when tribal pride and class divisions ruled Arabia, the message of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) declared something revolutionary. It was a message that all human beings are equal in the sight of God.
Among the earliest to embody this transformation was Bilal ibn Rabah (RA). He was an Ethiopian slave who rose from chains to become one of Islam’s most honored companions. His life is not just a historical tale, but a timeless lesson that faith, not race, defines human worth.
Equality: The Heart of Islam’s Message
The Quran’s message on equality is direct and profound:
“O mankind! We created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. The most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous.” (Qur’an 49:13)
This verse dismantled centuries of racial and tribal superiority. It taught that diversity is not a cause for division but a sign of divine design. Islam’s foundation rests on the concept of Taqwa, which means God-consciousness, as the only true measure of greatness.
The Prophet (PBUH) reaffirmed this principle in his final sermon, saying:
“No Arab has superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black over a white — except by piety and good action.” (Ahmad)
Fourteen centuries before modern human rights, Islam proclaimed that all humans share the same origin and dignity.
Who was Bilal ibn Rabah?
Bilal’s journey is the living embodiment of Islam’s moral revolution. Born in slavery to an Abyssinian mother, he was among the first to accept Islam. His declaration of “Ahad! Ahad!”, which means “One God! One God!”, enraged his master, who tortured him under the blazing desert sun.
When a renowned companion of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Abu Bakr (RA), bought Bilal’s freedom, the Prophet welcomed him not as a former slave but as a brother. In one of the most symbolic acts in history, the Prophet appointed Bilal as the first muezzin (caller to prayer) of Islam. His voice, echoing across the rooftops of Medina, became a call not only to worship but to equality and liberation.
In a society obsessed with lineage, this was revolutionary. The Prophet (PBUH) chose Bilal not out of pity, but for his faith, courage, and beautiful recitation. It was Islam’s way of saying that piety, not privilege, elevates a soul.
The Prophet’s Fight Against Racism
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not merely preach equality, but he also practiced it. His life is filled with examples of confronting prejudice directly.
Once, Abu Dharr al-Ghifari (RA), a close companion, insulted Bilal by calling him “the son of a black woman.” When the Prophet heard this, he rebuked Abu Dharr, saying:
“You are a man in whom there is still ignorance.” (Bukhari)
Abu Dharr was so humbled that he placed his face on the ground, vowing not to rise until Bilal forgave him. This moment became a defining moral lesson that racism has no place in a believer’s heart.
The Prophet (PBUH) often reminded his followers that brotherhood transcends color, tribe, and class. His mosque in Medina was a community where Persians, Africans, Arabs, and freed slaves prayed side by side, which was a living model of unity.
A Glimpse from the Farewell Sermon
In his Farewell Sermon, the Prophet (PBUH) delivered what could be called humanity’s first anti-racism charter:
“All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black over a white — except by piety and good action.”
These words erased every racial and tribal distinction that divided humanity. The Prophet’s message was not political, but spiritual. He reminded people that we all come from the same soil and return to it, and that arrogance based on race or color is a disease of the heart.
Lessons from Bilal for Today’s World
Centuries later, racism continues to plague societies and sometimes even within Muslim communities. The story of Bilal (RA) serves as a mirror, urging Muslims to reflect: have we upheld the Prophet’s vision of equality, or allowed ignorance to return in new forms?
Bilal’s rise from bondage to honor teaches us that Islam is not just a religion of ritual but a movement of moral reform. His legacy calls every believer to fight prejudice, not through anger, but through character, compassion, and justice.
True faith demands that Muslims stand against racism, whether it appears in hiring practices, marriage preferences, or social interactions. To remain silent in the face of discrimination is to betray Bilal’s legacy and the Prophet’s message.
Final Words
When Bilal climbed the Kaaba to call the Adhan after the conquest of Mecca, it was more than a moment of victory. Ultimately, it was a declaration that no race or nation owns faith. His voice rising over the Quraysh tribe, who once enslaved him, symbolized the triumph of equality over arrogance.
Islam’s message against racism is not a reaction to modern movements, but a part of its original revelation. Bilal’s legacy reminds every believer that standing against discrimination is not activism, but a kind of worship.
In a world still divided by color and class, Bilal’s voice continues to echo from the minarets of history, calling humanity to the same truth: we are one, and we belong to the same Creator.
