WEBVTT 00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:08.699 A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah. 00:00:08.699 --> 00:00:13.699 Equality and differentiation, and the reality of each. 00:00:13.699 --> 00:00:19.859 Absolute equality is impossible according to both the Shari'ah and reason. 00:00:19.859 --> 00:00:24.859 As for equality in matters where it is possible, it is a right and a form of justice. 00:00:24.859 --> 00:00:30.890 It is the Shari'ah that clarifies where equality is required and where it is not permissible. 00:00:30.890 --> 00:00:40.890 Equality in freedom, justice, and all other general rights and duties is preserved and protected by the Shari'ah. 00:00:40.890 --> 00:00:47.890 As for everything else in which differentiation occurs, its standard is determined by its nature. 00:00:47.890 --> 00:00:53.049 The standard for differentiation in the sight of Allah the Exalted is piety (taqwa). 00:00:53.049 --> 00:01:00.049 “O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware.” (49:13) 00:01:00.049 --> 00:01:05.049 “O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware.” (49:13) 00:01:05.049 --> 00:01:09.049 “O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware.” (49:13) 00:01:09.049 --> 00:01:12.049 The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:01:12.049 --> 00:01:16.049 "Indeed, there is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, 00:01:16.049 --> 00:01:19.049 nor of a non-Arab over an Arab, 00:01:19.049 --> 00:01:21.049 nor of a fair-skinned person over a dark-skinned person, 00:01:21.049 --> 00:01:24.049 nor of a dark-skinned person over a fair-skinned person, 00:01:24.049 --> 00:01:26.049 except through piety." 00:01:27.049 --> 00:01:31.400 “O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware.” (49:13) 00:01:31.400 --> 00:01:34.400 As for differentiation in roles and positions, 00:01:34.400 --> 00:01:39.560 the criteria for them should be competence and trustworthiness. 00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:42.560 One of the two women said, "O my father, hire him." 00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:47.689 “One of the two women said: O my father! Hire him! For the best (man) that thou canst hire in the strong, the trustworthy.” (28:26) 00:01:47.689 --> 00:01:50.689 As for differentiation in provisions, wealth, and poverty, 00:01:50.689 --> 00:01:55.689 as well as understanding, perception, and other predestined matters, 00:01:55.689 --> 00:01:59.689 these occur according to the predestined will and wisdom of Allah. 00:01:59.689 --> 00:02:04.689 “Is it they who apportion thy Lord's mercy? We have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of the world, and raised some of them above others in rank that some of them may take labour from others; and the mercy of thy Lord is better than (the wealth) that they amass.” (43:32) 00:02:04.689 --> 00:02:08.689 “Is it they who apportion thy Lord's mercy? We have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of the world, and raised some of them above others in rank that some of them may take labour from others; and the mercy of thy Lord is better than (the wealth) that they amass.” (43:32) 00:02:08.689 --> 00:02:12.689 “Is it they who apportion thy Lord's mercy? We have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of the world, and raised some of them above others in rank that some of them may take labour from others; and the mercy of thy Lord is better than (the wealth) that they amass.” (43:32) 00:02:12.689 --> 00:02:18.719 Allah the Exalted said, recounting the words of one of His prophets in describing Talut: 00:02:18.719 --> 00:02:24.719 “Their Prophet said unto them: Lo! Allah hath raised up Saul to be a king for you. They said: How can he have kingdom over us when we are more deserving of the kingdom than he is, since he hath not been given wealth enough? He said: Lo! Allah hath chosen him above you, and hath increased him abundantly in wisdom and stature. Allah bestoweth His Sovereignty on whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.” (2:247) 00:02:24.719 --> 00:02:28.719 “Their Prophet said unto them: Lo! Allah hath raised up Saul to be a king for you. They said: How can he have kingdom over us when we are more deserving of the kingdom than he is, since he hath not been given wealth enough? He said: Lo! Allah hath chosen him above you, and hath increased him abundantly in wisdom and stature. Allah bestoweth His Sovereignty on whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.” (2:247) 00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:31.719 "And Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing." 00:02:31.719 --> 00:02:34.849 Through this Islamic concept of equality, 00:02:34.849 --> 00:02:37.849 the pride taken in lineages was invalidated, 00:02:37.849 --> 00:02:39.849 and it was counted among the practices of the Age of Ignorance (Jahiliyyah). 00:02:39.849 --> 00:02:43.849 Nationalism became a call of the Jahiliyyah, 00:02:43.849 --> 00:02:46.849 while people in the world today 00:02:46.849 --> 00:02:50.849 still suffer under the burden of racial discrimination.