Islam and Equality

• Nation of Islam


  African American movement that believed that black people needed to racially isolate and to rebuild their communities
• Nation of Islam's most controversial ideas


  • Racial separation
• Malcolm X


  Civil rights activist, one of the most famous members of the Nation of Islam and mentor to the boxer Muhammad Ali. However he left the Nation of Islam in 1963 after becoming disillusioned with the behaviour of its leader.
• Muhammad Ali


  Black American heavyweight boxer, often celebrated as a human rights activist and as a campaigner for black civil rights. On April the 28th 1967 Ali refused to join the American Army, citing religious reasons for his refusal to fight and became a conscientious objector.
• Conscientious objector


  Someone who refuses to fight in a war because they believe it is unjust, or because they are a pacifist (don't believe in violence). There may be religious reasons for them not fighting. They may also have personal reasons such as needing to look after their family.
• Islam: '"O People it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah's trust and with His permission."'
• Islam: '"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"'
• Islam: '"Whoever follows a path in pursuit of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise."'
• Aisha (Muhammad's third wife), did not only possess great knowledge but took an active part in education and social reform. Men and women came from far and wide to benefit from her knowledge. Her house became a school. Aisha is one of the four persons who transmitted more that 2000 sayings.
• Islam: '"Whoever teaches some knowledge will have the reward of the one who acts upon it, without that taking away from their reward in the slightest."'
• Islam: '"I heard the Messenger of Allah say: 'Whoever comes to this mosque of mine, and only comes for a good purpose, such as to learn or to teach, his status is like that of one who fights in the cause of Allah."'
• In early Islamic history women were students and teachers of Islam and held positions in the court of law and assisted men in battles. (Khawla bint al-Azwar, was an Arab Muslim warrior, she has been described as one of the greatest female soldiers in history)
• 5 Pillars of Islam

  • Shahadah: Declaration of faith
  • Salah: Obligatory prayer
  • Zakat: Charity
  • Sawm: Fasting in the month of Ramadan
  • Hajj: Pilgrimage to Makkah
• The 5 Pillars of Islam are important because they are the foundation of Muslim life and help guide Muslims in their daily lives and spiritual practice.