Equality, anti-racism: Humanity as one family (Final part)

THERE is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, nor of a white over a black, except by piety.

This is perhaps one of the earliest and clearest condemnations of racism in history.

Fourteen centuries before the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), the Prophet proclaimed human equality as a divine truth.

The Qur’an confirms:

“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. Verily, the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous.” (Qur’an 49:13)

Moral lesson and global impact
The farewell sermon’s anti-racist ethos remains revolutionary. It inspired civil rights leaders such as Malcolm X, who after performing Hajj wrote that Islam revealed to him a “spirit of unity that erased colour from the equation of faith.”

In a world struggling with systemic racism, ethnic nationalism, and xenophobia, this prophetic statement offers a moral reset, inviting all humanity to embrace shared origin, purpose, and dignity.

Brotherhood, unity and social responsibility

“Every Muslim is a brother to every other Muslim. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly.”

This principle emphasises social trust, justice, and empathy. The Prophet also said:

“The Muslim is the brother of another Muslim; he does not wrong him, nor forsake him.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

Moral lesson and modern application
In an age of loneliness, social division, and digital isolation, this call to fraternity is vital. Islam presents society as a moral community (ummah) bound by compassion and justice.

Even for non-Muslims, this principle offers a framework for civic solidarity, a reminder that community welfare depends on mutual care and responsibility.

As Karen Armstrong (2011) argues, “The Farewell Sermon represents a global ethic of compassion, a reminder that empathy is the foundation of civilisation.”

The final guidance: The Qur’an and Sunnah

“I leave behind me two things; if you hold fast to them, you will never go astray: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah.”

The Prophet concluded by entrusting humanity with divine guidance. The Qur’an and Sunnah remain living sources of wisdom — calling to justice, mercy, and humility.

Allah says:

“If you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger.” (Qur’an 4:59)

Moral lesson for all humanity (Part 4)
The Prophet’s emphasis on divine revelation reminds both Muslims and non-Muslims that moral renewal begins with reconnecting to higher values, such as truth, honesty, justice, and service.

In a time when materialism and moral relativism dominate, the Farewell Sermon calls humanity to re-anchor itself in divine ethics.

The subtle obedience to Shayṭān
The Prophet هيلع هللا ىلص ملسو ’s phrase, “but he is content to be obeyed in smaller matters,” reveals an important truth: Shayṭān rarely begins with major sins. Instead, he seduces believers through minor disobedience and internal division — envy, gossip, backbiting, or neglecting small acts of worship.

Allah says:

“And do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.” (Qur’an 2:168)

Imam al-Ghazālī (d. 1111 CE) explains in Iḥyā’ ‘Ulūm al-Dīn that Shayṭān works “step by step, whispering in the heart until disobedience feels natural and righteousness feels burdensome.” This gradual corruption transforms spiritual negligence into societal decay.

In today’s world, these “smaller matters” may include spreading false information, harbouring prejudice against fellow Muslims, or allowing political or ethnic loyalties to outweigh faith. The Prophet foresaw this danger and warned that Shayṭān thrives wherever believers are distracted by worldly divisions.

How these lessons benefit Muslims and non-Muslims alike
While the sermon emerged from an Islamic context, its principles are universal.

• For Muslims, it serves as a blueprint for faith, governance, and social conduct, urging us to live ethically in every domain.
• For non-Muslims, it offers a shared moral framework, one that transcends creed and culture. Its emphasis on life, equality, justice, and compassion mirrors the ethical teachings of other faiths and philosophies.

In a polarised world of religious intolerance and social fragmentation, the Farewell Sermon is not merely a relic of sacred history; it is a living manifesto of universal moral order.

Summary
The Farewell Sermon of Prophet Muhammad is not just an address to the seventh-century Arabs, it is a moral constitution for all humanity, regardless. Its teachings on the sanctity of life, economic justice, gender equality, anti-racism, and spiritual accountability remain unmatched in relevance.

As Professor Seyyed Hossein Nasr (2015) aptly observes, “It is a universal proclamation of the sacred, calling man to live responsibly as God’s vicegerent on Earth.”

Conclusion and recommendation
The moral decline and divisions of our modern world from inequality and racism to corruption and conflict stem from our collective departure from divine ethics.

The Farewell Sermon reminds humanity that peace is not achieved through power, but through moral conscience, compassion, and justice. Muslims must embody these values daily in our families, communities, and governance systems. Non-Muslims can embrace the universal wisdom of its message fostering empathy, equality, and respect.

Let us all regardless of faith commit to living by this prophetic charter of peace. For when we uphold the sanctity of life, truth, and justice, we fulfill the very purpose of our creation.

Allah said:

“And we have not sent you, O Muhammad, except as a mercy to the worlds.” (Qur’an 21:107)

Thank you.

By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai

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