SHAH ALAM - Islam emphasises non-discrimination and equality, teaching that no race, colour, or gender holds superiority over another, as diversity is a reflection of God's power and a sign of His wisdom.
By returning to the Quran's principles and values, Muslims can reaffirm their role as a community that upholds equality and rejects discrimination, celebrating humanity's diversity as a divine blessing.
Warisan Ummah Ikhlas Foundation (WUIF) chief research officer Fazrul Ismail said during the time of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Islam emphasised principles of inclusivity, justice and equality for all, regardless of race, religion, or background.
He said in Makkah and Madinah, diverse communities coexisted harmoniously, with Islam embracing this diversity.
Fazrul said the Prophet’s approach to spreading Islamic teachings, or dakwah, respected the beliefs and cultural identities of others, never resorting to coercion but fostering mutual understanding and respect.
"Take Bilal Bin Rabah as an example, an Ethiopian and a black man. Before Islam, in the era of jahiliyyah (state of ignorance), black individuals were often viewed as second or third-class citizens.
"However, with the arrival of Islam, racism, gender bias and religious discrimination were abolished, as Islam promotes the value of justice, a principle that encapsulates the essence of the Quran in one word," he said when met at the #SavingTheUmmah programme held at the MyQuranTime Studio, here, today.
He stressed the importance of Muslims engaging with the Quran beyond mere recitation, emphasising the need to understand and apply its values in daily life.
He also highlighted that this disconnect diminished the integration of Islamic teachings into real-world actions, noting that embracing the Quran’s principles can build a non-discriminatory and just community.
Fazrul said a crucial lesson from Islamic history was the need to uphold justice, even in challenging situations.
For instance, he said during the Prophet’s time, a Muslim had falsely accused a Jewish man of theft and planted stolen armour in his home to evade suspicion and when the truth was revealed, the Prophet defended the Jewish man and condemned the Muslim for his dishonesty, demonstrating Islam's unwavering commitment to justice for all, regardless of religion.
"For the Muslim community, we need to acknowledge when Allah mentions that the whole world glorifies Him, recognising His power and our equality as His creation.
"We must strive to fight injustice, regardless of race or religion and always respect and acknowledge each other as equals in the eyes of Allah SWT,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ibn 'Ashur Centre founder Dr Sohaib Saeed said Prophet Muhammad (SAW) laid the groundwork for an inclusive society through the constitution of Madinah.
He said this agreement promoted unity among Madinah's diverse communities by encouraging Muslims to set aside tribal identities, like those of Aws and Khazraj (the two Arab tribes in Madinah) and embrace a shared identity as brothers in faith, a transformation eloquently captured in the Quran.
"You were on the edge of a pit of fire and He saved you from it. And by His grace, you became brothers.
"It was a tremendous blessing that they emerged from a period of bloodshed and disharmony, with Islam providing the foundation for community, harmony and shared purpose.
"The constitution of Madinah exemplified inclusivity, offering peace and unity to all who chose to live together harmoniously, even if they did not embrace the religion," he said when met today.
Sohaib noted that breaches of agreements, such as the actions of the Bani Qurayza who allied with enemies during the Battle of Ahzab, disrupted community harmony and required decisive measures to safeguard society.
He emphasised that Islam upholds the universal bond of humanity, teaching that all people are created by Allah and that true superiority lies in taqwa (piety) and God-consciousness.
He said the Quran beautifully highlighted diversity as a sign of Allah's creative power and purpose for humanity.
"Among ourselves, there is no superiority based on colour, gender, or any other distinction that divides people.
"The diversity among human beings reflects the creative power of God and serves as a sign of the Creator's intention for us.
"If God had willed, He could have made us all the same, but instead, He created us differently so we could recognise, celebrate, and delight in these differences," he said.
Dr Sohaib pointed out that diversity in ethnicity, culture and religion is a reflection of Allah's wisdom and should be celebrated rather than suppressed.
These differences offered opportunities to appreciate the Creator's greatness, while freedom of faith highlighted the importance of conveying Islam's message through exemplary actions before words.
He highlighted that Islamic principles foster harmony among people of different beliefs, as exemplified by the Madinah mode, a thriving pluralistic society built on mutual respect and collective well-being.
This openness to coexistence remained central to the Islamic ethos, promoting solidarity among people while honoring their individual convictions.
"Who are we to destroy what Allah has created? Our duty is to respect people's choices in religion and convey the message through our actions first and our words second.
"By embracing diversity and upholding justice, Muslims can exemplify the universal message of Islam—a message that values unity, inclusivity and respect for all of Allah's creation," he added.
During the #SavingTheUmmah programme organised by WUIF, the focus was on the importance of aligning words with actions, a harmony essential for strengthening the Muslim community.
Meanwhile, Fazrul noted that when the ummah achieved harmony, even minimal effort could foster unity among Muslims.
"We won't be quick to judge others as deviant or destined for hellfire. As humans, we are imperfect, unlike Allah, who is the Most Perfect, Subhanallah," he said.
The event featured notable speakers, including Sohaib and TV host, radio announcer and qari Jalal Zaiki.
The inspiring discussion explored the deep wisdom of Surah Al-Saff, covering topics such as the dangers of corrupt intentions and prayer as a model for ummatic unity, among others.