Addressing “Superior Race” Nonsense

Quranic Verse and Context

The verse I cite is from the Holy Quran, Surah As-Sajdah (The Prostration), which discusses the creation of humanity and the signs of God’s power and mercy. The full context of the surrounding verses (32:6-9) reads:

Such is He who knows all that is beyond the reach of a created being’s perception, as well as all that can be witnessed by a creature’s senses or mind: the Almighty, the Dispenser of Grace,
who makes most excellent everything that He creates. Thus, He begins the creation of man out of clay;
then He causes him to be begotten out of the essence of a humble fluid;
and then He fashioned him in accordance with what he is meant to be, and breathes into him of His spirit: and [thus, O mankind,] He endows you with hearing, and sight, and feelings as well as minds: [yet] how seldom are you grateful!

This passage emphasizes that God created humans from humble origins (clay and water), shaped them, and imbued them with His spirit, granting them faculties like hearing, sight, and intellect. It is the heavenly spirit that makes humans great, not the humble origins of the material world. The reminder that “rarely are you thankful” underscores the ingratitude of humanity despite these divine gifts.

The concept of a “superior race” is fundamentally at odds with the Quranic worldview, which asserts the unity and equality of humanity under God.

Divine Creation and Equality:

The Quran repeatedly affirms that all humans are created by God, with no inherent superiority based on race, ethnicity, or lineage. For instance, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13), it states: “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.”

Enduring deeds that build, foster peace, end ongoing never ending wars, heal the wounded, etc., not our DNA. This verse directly refutes the idea of racial superiority by emphasizing that nobility is based on righteousness (taqwa), not on physical characteristics.

The Divine Breath:

The act of God breathing His spirit into humanity (as mentioned in 32:9) is a profound statement of of what makes us great. It suggests that every human being, regardless of race or background, is a recipient of the Divine breath. To claim superiority over another race is to diminish this divine gift, to insult the very essence that makes us human.

This breath is not selective; it is universal. Thus, no race can claim exclusivity or superiority over another, as all are recipients of the same divine favor.

The hadith that asserts an Arab is not superior to a non-Arab is found in the Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad, upon him peace and blessings. This sermon, often referred to as the Farewell Sermon, states that:

“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”. 

Gratitude and Responsibility:

The verse’s reminder that “rarely are you thankful” challenges humans to recognize and appreciate the gifts of creation. Ingratitude manifests in many forms, including racism and discrimination, which deny the worth of others created by the same God. A godly person, aware of this, would strive to honor all of God’s creation, not demean it.

Analogy to Attacking Art or a Child

Let me bring closer to home. Consider the following reflection:

Attacking Art of an Artist: If someone were to deface or criticize the art of a renowned artist, the artist would naturally feel insulted because the art is an extension of their creativity and identity. Similarly, when individuals attack or demean other races, they are, in effect, insulting God’s creation. God, “He fashioned him” as the ultimate Artist, has fashioned each human being with care and purpose. To claim that one race is superior is to suggest that God’s craftsmanship is flawed or uneven, which is blasphemous.

who makes most excellent everything that He creates

Attacking a Child of a Mother or Father: Parents are deeply protective of their children because they see them as part of themselves. To harm a child is to harm the parent. In the same way, a godly person recognizes that all humanity is God’s “creation,” shaped by His hands and breathed into by His spirit. Attacking another race is akin to attacking God’s own creation, an act that, while it cannot harm God, reflects a profound misunderstanding of our shared origin and purpose.

Insulting God Indirectly: Although one cannot harm God, the intention behind such actions is clear. It is an affront to the divine order, a rejection of the unity and equality that God has established. A person or group who truly knows God would see every human as a reflection of His creation, who makes most excellent everything that He creates, deserving of respect and dignity, not derision, dehumanization, or domination.

Conclusion

The “superior race” nonsense is not just socially destructive but theologically untenable within the Islamic framework. The Quran’s teachings, as exemplified in 32:9 and other verses, remind us of our common origin, our shared divine breath, and our collective responsibility to be grateful and just. A godly person, understanding this, would never attack another race or people as lesser, for to do so is to insult the very Creator who fashioned us all. Just as an artist cherishes their work or a parent their child, so too must we cherish humanity as God’s greatest creation, recognizing that our differences are not divisions but opportunities to know one another better, as God intended.

Fadwa Wazwaz | Fəd-wə Wəz-wəz | Author of “God Intervenes Between A Person and Their Heart: Key Lessons from the Prophets” and “Love Is Deeper Than Words: Key Lessons from the Prophets.” The author’s work centers on exploring Islamic teachings, philosophy, ethics, and the Israeli colonialism in Palestine.