Equality

(1) Introduction:

“It is Allah Who created you from a single soul

and then created, of like nature, his mate.” (Al-A’raf)

All men and women are equal in the eyes of God. Islam upholds inherent equality of mankind in general
and of both gender in particular. The very fact that every human child at his/her birth is equally endowed
with a Self or Personality entitles every individual as a human entity to equal esteem and respect. There
is no distinction allowed in Islam on the basis of birth, family, race, community, nationality, religion or sex.
From the private and social domain of family to public domain of political affairs every man and woman
is bestowed with same amount of rights and duties. Though there are variances of capabilities, abilities,
determinations, wealth, color and so on, but none of it matters as far as Allah is concerned. The only
difference which Allah identifies is the standard of Taqwa, Goodness and Spiritual excellence.

He is most honored among you who is most upright. (Tirmidhi)

(2) Meaning of Equality:

i. Literal meaning:

The word ‘equality’ is originated from a Latin word aequalis which mean even or level.

It means the state or quality of being equal; correspondence in quantity, degree, value, rank, or ability.

ii. General Meaning:

Equality is about ensuring that every individual has an equal opportunity to make the most of their lives
and talents.

It is also the belief that no one should have poorer life chances because of the way they were born, where
they come from, what they believe, or whether they have a disability.

(3) Different types of equality and instances of their importance in light of Quran and Sunnah:

i. Natural Equality:

Natural equality rests on the principle that nature has created every one as equals. It implies that all
humans are born free and equal and are endowed with equal gifts and talents. It is rather an ideal and
not an immediate reality. This ideal should be attained in a society as far as possible.
1. Allah created all human beings from single pair of male and female, thus all are equal:

“O mankind! We created you from a single pair of a male and a female…. Verily, the most honored among
you in the sight of God is the one who is the most righteous. And God is All Knowing, All Aware.” (al-
Hujurat)

2. There is no inequality among human beings on the basis of color or region:

“No Arab is superior to a non-Arab, no colored person to a white, or a white person to a colored person
except by Taqwa.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

3. God did not make a single human being or a single nation, His vicegerent on Earth or in best form,
but He dignified all human beings:

“And when you Lord said to Angels, I am going to place, in earth a Khalifah.” (al Baqarah)

“Certainly, We created man in the best form” (Al-Tin)

ii. Social Equality:

It means that all citizens are entitled to enjoy equal status in society and no one is entitled to special
privileges. There may be rational distinction in the society with regard to occupation and professions, but
the feeling of inferiority and superiority should not be attached to these.

1. Holy Prophet (PBUH) disallowed inequality btw Children on the basis of their gender:

“Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not favor his
son over her, God will enter him into paradise.” (Ibn-e-Hanbal)

2. Islam not only give equal right of marriage and divorce to both men and women but also bestowed
both of them with rights on each other:

“Verily there are rights in favor of your women which are incumbent upon you and there are rights in
favor of you which are incumbent upon them.” (Khutba-e-Hajjatul Wida)

3. Equality btw all persons of society no matter how much privileged status a person has:

Holy Prophet PBUH is the most regarded being created by Allah. Nothing in God’s creation can stand in
his comparison no matter what aspect of life it. But when construction of Masjid e Nabvi started the
Prophet (SAS) personally took part in the construction activities of this mosque. He was reciting the
following while carrying the stones with his own hands:

O Allah, the good done for the Day of Judgement is the real good.

Likewise, Holy Prophet PBUH also took part in digging of ditch at the instance of Ghazwah e Khandaq.

4. Holy Prophet strictly prescribed against encroaching the rights of non-Muslims:

“Beware who will show cruelty to non-Muslim community, encroach on their rights, impose on them
unbearable restrictions or take away from them something against their will, I will speak against this
person on the day of Judgement.” (Abu Dawood)

iii. Political Equality:

Political Equality implies that everyone has equal access to the avenues of power. All citizens whatever
may be their differences in status, education and wealth should have an equal voice in the management
of public affairs and in holding public offices. Universal adult franchise is the expression of political
equality.

1. Islam gave equal right to both men and women to participate in Public Affairs:

Instance of Hazrat Umar (R.a) and women from the book “Rights and Duties of Women in Islam”.

2. Charter of Medina: A great example of equality of political rights to all human beings regardless of
their religion or creed

In 622 AD, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) migrated to Medina and founded Islam’s first city-state in Medina. A
large number of Jews and idolaters were already living in Medina. Soon after establishing the city-state
the Holy Prophet (PBUH) concluded the Charter of Medina. It was a written agreement that comprised 52
articles. The Muslims, Jews and idolaters were signatories to it. Charter of Medina is a great example of
equality of political rights to all human beings regardless of their religion or creed.

iv. Economic Equality:

Economic equality involves a certain level of income and removal of gross inequalities of wealth. Economic
equality is the prerequisite for the existence and enjoyment of political, social and legal equality. It does
not mean equal distribution of wealth, which is not practical, but prevent the concentration of wealth in
a few hands. Economic condition of an individual essentially influences his political condition. It means
that there should be equal opportunity to all citizens in matters of availability of consumer goods, wealth
and property. Similarly, everyone should have the same facility for jobs, work and in industry. There
should be equal wages for equal work.
1. Islam also gave Right of Inheritance to women, a right of which women were deprived of before
Islam:

“To men belong a share of that which parents and near kindred leave and to women a share of that which
parents and near kindred leave.” (An-Nisa)

2. Right to basic needs is also available to all citizens of an Islamic state no matter what their gender or
what they believe:

A basic standard of life includes the minimum essentials necessary for survival, such as food, clothing,
shelter and medical attention. Anyone deprived of these necessities is entitled to receive aid in order to
meet their needs. It is the duty of every Muslim with adequate means to give from their wealth, in order
to eradicate poverty from society. Describing the righteous believers in the Quran, God reminds that they
are those who give a “rightful share of their wealth to the beggar and the deprived” (ad-Dhariyat)). The
Islamic state is also obligated to spend from its treasury to support the poor and disadvantaged.

v. Legal Equality:

Legal equality or equality before law is fundamental to legal justice. Legal equality implies that all are alike
in the eye of law and that are entitled to its equal protection. The rich and poor, the high and low should
all be treated alike. No distinction should be made between humans on the ground of social status,
religious faith or political opinion. In short, Legal equality or equality before law implies absence of
discrimination.

1. No matter how high the status of a person is everybody is equal in front of law:

A woman belonging to a high and noble family was arrested in connection with theft. The case was
brought to the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon HIM), and it was recommended that she might be spared the
punishment of theft. The Holy Prophet (Peace be upon HIM) replied:

"The nations that lived before you were destroyed by Allah because they punished the common man for
their offenses and let their dignitaries go unpunished for their crimes; I swear by Him Who holds my life
in His hand that even if Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad, had committed this crime, I would have
amputated her hand."

2. There is no place for injustice in Islam, regardless of gender, religion or creed:

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against
yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both.” (An-Nisa)

(4) Impacts of Equality:

i. Equal societies have more stable economy.

ii. Equality discourage violence and crime, and encourage rule of law.
iii. In more equal societies people live longer, are less likely to be mentally ill or obese.

iv. People in more equal societies are more likely to trust each other, more likely to engage in social or
civic participation.

v. Equality promotes participation in public affairs and stable political system.

vi. Equality in work place foster loyalty, commitment and enthusiasm of workers.

vii. Equality btw children increase their confidence and equality among husband and wife decrease
domestic violence and create an environment of peace in home.

viii. Societies with equality in education have higher literacy rates and are more advanced than their
counterparts with less inequality.

(5) Conclusion:

O people, your Lord is one and your father Adam is one. (Musnad Ahmad)

Equality is a basic element in the value system of Islam. Islam teaches that in the sight of Allah Almighty,
all people are equal. Though there are differences of abilities, potentials, ambitions, wealth and so on yet,
none of these differences establish the status of superiority of one man or race over another. All human
beings are born out of wombs of their mothers and all have to die and be buried in the earth. Both the
beginnings and ends of their journeys are also same. Equality gives rise to a strong economy, a stable
political system and a peaceful society. Without it there would be violence, goofiness and dishonesty. So
every human being should strive for it both in their private and public lives.