Is Islam an Arab religion

Is Islam an Arab religion?

By Sami Zaatari

One of the most common misconceptions amongst non Muslims is that Islam is an Arab religion, that Islam is for Arabs only, a religion made by an Arab, and to serve for the Arabs. However so this is far from the truth, Islam is not an Arab religion, nor was it made for the Arabs only, Islam is for all of mankind. There is not a single Quranic passage, or hadith which states that Islam is for Arabs only, or that Islam is an Arab thing or custom, this is not found within a single Islamic source.

The prophet Muhammad himself stated in his farewell address saying:

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over a white - except by piety and good action.

So the blessed prophet Muhammad states that no Arab is better than a non Arab and vice versa. He goes on to say that one is only better by ones good deeds and piety, for instance someone who prays and fasts, is better than someone who does not pray and fasts. Hence the fact that an Arab has no superiority over a non Arab shows that Islam is not an Arab religion, because if it was then Arabs would be the most superior people on this planet, but that is not the case.

Secondly, the blessed prophet Muhammad was sent as a prophet for mankind, not the Arabs alone, his message and what was revealed to him was a universal message, not a message which was specifically for the Arabs alone:

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YUSUFALI: We have not sent thee but as a universal (Messenger) to men, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most men understand not.

So as you can see Allah states that the prophet Muhammad was sent as a messenger to all of mankind, it does not say that he was sent to the Arabs only. The Noble prophet Muhammad himself said that he was sent to mankind, not to his nation only:

Volume 1, Book 7, Number 331:

Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah:

The Prophet said, "I have been given five things which were not given to any one else before me.

1. Allah made me victorious by awe, (by His frightening my enemies) for a distance of one month's journey.

2. The earth has been made for me (and for my followers) a place for praying and a thing to perform Tayammum, therefore anyone of my followers can pray wherever the time of a prayer is due.

3. The booty has been made Halal (lawful) for me yet it was not lawful for anyone else before me.

4. I have been given the right of intercession (on the Day of Resurrection).

5. Every Prophet used to be sent to his nation only but I have been sent to all mankind.

It can't get any clearer than that, the prophet himself states that he has been sent for mankind, not the Arabs only.

Many more Quranic passages and authentic hadiths could be shown to further prove that Islam is a universal message and that the prophet Muhammad was sent as a prophet unto to mankind, but these few sources are enough to establish the point, hence there is no need to make this short article a 50 page article to look impressive as some of the idol worshipers do such as on the answering-Islam website.

And Indeed Allah Knows Best and has sent the Quran for Mankind and has established Islam as the religion for Mankind!