Islam and Blackness by Jonathan A.C. Brown

The relationship between Islam and Blackness is complex and multifaceted, encompassing both theological ideals of racial equality and historical and contemporary realities of anti-Black racism within Muslim communities. This connection has a rich history, particularly within Africa and the African diaspora.
Islamic texts and teachings on equality
Islamic scripture and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad emphasize racial equality and the unity of all humanity.
The Quran: The verse 49:13 reminds humanity that God created different nations and tribes “so that you may know one another, not despise one another”. It states that the most honored person in God’s sight is the most righteous.
The Prophet’s Farewell Sermon: Prophet Muhammad explicitly stated that no Arab has superiority over a non-Arab, nor a white person over a black person, except by piety.
Early Muslim community: The Prophet’s community included prominent Black figures who were highly respected, such as Bilal ibn Rabah, an Ethiopian former slave and one of the first converts to Islam. He was chosen to be the first muezzin (caller to prayer), a position of great honor.
Black history within Islam
Black people have been part of the Muslim world since its inception.
Early Islamic history: Some of the earliest followers of the Prophet Muhammad sought refuge in the Christian kingdom of Aksum (modern-day Ethiopia) to escape persecution in Mecca.
Islam in Africa: Islam has been present on the African continent since the 7th century and is the predominant religion in North Africa, the Sahel, and West Africa. It was spread peacefully through trade and the work of missionaries, and led to the formation of powerful Islamic empires like the Mali and Songhai.
Islam in America: Historians estimate that up to 30% of the enslaved people brought to the Americas were Muslim. Many of these African Muslims, like Omar ibn Said and Bilali Muhammad, left written accounts documenting their faith and resistance.
Challenges with anti-Blackness in Muslim societies
While Islamic theology is egalitarian, a history of anti-Black racism exists in some Muslim communities.
Historical context: Some scholars note that while early Arabian society judged status by tribe rather than skin color, the expansion of the Islamic world led to the adoption of racial hierarchies and stereotypes from Greco-Roman and Persian cultures. This sometimes entangled the concept of Blackness with enslavement in certain regions.
Debate on textual interpretation: Scholars like Jonathan A.C. Brown have addressed claims that anti-Black racism is inherent in Islamic scripture and tradition. Brown argues that this anti-Blackness is not essential to the faith but was incidental, arising from specific historical and cultural contexts.
Contemporary issues: Many Black Muslims experience racism within Muslim communities today. Racism and white-centric norms can be present in mosques and other Islamic spaces. Black Muslim women, in particular, may face overlapping biases related to racism, Islamophobia, and sexism.
Black Muslim identity in America
In the 20th century, a uniquely Black Muslim identity reemerged in the United States, often linked to movements for social justice.
African-American Muslim movements:
Moorish Science Temple of America: Founded in 1913, Noble Drew Ali taught that Black people were of Moorish origin and that Islam was their true faith.
Nation of Islam (NOI): Founded in the 1930s, the NOI combined Black nationalism with distinct Islamic practices. Key figures included Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali.
Transition to mainstream Islam: After leaving the NOI, Malcolm X embraced Sunni Islam after his pilgrimage to Mecca in 1964 and advocated for universal racial equality based on mainstream Islamic teachings. This was a pivotal moment that led many African-American Muslims toward mainstream Sunni Islam.
Invisibility and intersectionality: Despite representing a significant portion of the U.S. Muslim population (about 20%), Black Muslims can be made to feel invisible. Their experiences are shaped by the intersection of systemic racism faced by all Black Americans and the Islamophobia experienced by many Muslims.