Does nationality REALLY matter?

Question

Since, America is a national Republic what nationality are black people. Please don't tell me African -American because every nation is of african descent except Europeans?

Answer 1

Allaah explains the reason for our variety as different races and peoples:

"O' mankind, We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Indeed the most honourable of you in the sight of Allaah is the one with the most piety"
(Surah Al-Hujjarat 49:13)

It is clear from this verse as to how humanity should act towards one another. We have been created like one huge beautiful garden with many different types of flowers in it. Each flower is clearly distinguished from the other, yet they all belong to the same garden. This unity of the nations can only be achieved when people recognise that it is Islam which will bring the different peoples of the world under one banner. And it is within this banner that people can achieve true piety and thus excel themselves in the sight of Allaah.

The teachings of Islam cut racism from its very root. By looking at the sayings and actions of the last Messenger, Muhammed (saws), we can see how racism was truly obliterated with the advent of Islam. The Prophet (saws) said: "Indeed there is no excellence for an Arab over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab, nor a White person over a Black one, nor a Black person over a White one, except through piety"[8].A statement like this tells us that this man, Muhammed, was truly a recipient of Divine inspiration. His words were not empty like the words of so many leaders today. Rather, he was always the first to lead by example, and this is why we find that during his lifetime so many different types of people accepted Islam. From amongst the Prophet's companions we find that he had an Ethiopian companion by the name of Bilal. Bilal had been a slave before he accepted Islam, and as a result his standing in Arabian society was worse then the animals. However, upon Bilal's conversion to Islam, the force to combat the disease of Iblis, became known to all. Bilal was given a status like no Black slave had been given before. He was given the immense honour of being the first person to call the Adhaan (call to prayer) in Islam's glorious history. More importantly however, he was accepted as an equal and a brother by the Prophet and his companions.

Through its teachings and practical implementation by the Prophet and his companions, Islam has spread to every corner of the known world. You will not see a more assorted group of people than the Muslims. From China to Spain, Siberia to Australia - never has there been such a wide body of people all united under one banner - the banner of Islam.

The Prophet (saws) said: "Whosoever fights under the banner of the blind, becoming angry for nationalism or calling to nationalism or assisting nationalism and then dies, he dies the death of the pre-Islamic days"[9]. This statement of the Prophet makes it clear that the consequences of involving ourselves in nationalism (which is a form of racism), is dying upon disbelief. And whosoever dies upon disbelief will undoubtedly taste the Fire of Hell. Through such statements, Islam totally isolates all forms of racism which can occur amongst humanity. It is indeed sad, that people cannot observe such beautiful advice, for if they did then maybe all the bloodshed caused by nationalism, ethnic cleansing etc. can be avoided.

The rites and injunctions of Islam also help to overcome racism. An example of this is the prayer of the Muslims. When Muslims pray in congregation, they are commanded by Islam to join together their ankles and shoulders to those next to them. Whether a man is a king, a leader, a stave, a judge or even a beggar, this command is incumbent upon every Muslim. Thus Blacks, Whites, Arabs, Indians, Malays and all other races: are truly united by worshipping their Creator. This unity is not only confined to the prayer, but to the whole of ones life, to the extent that Muslims try to fall under the saying of their beloved Prophet who said: "The example of the believers in their mutual love and mercy is like the example of a body; if one part of the body feels pain, then all the body suffers in sleeplessness and fever "[10]. It is evident that a Muslim follows this example set by the Prophet, when he/she feels distress at the situation of the Muslims around the world, be they from Africa, Palestine, Kashmir, Bosnia etc. Unity amongst such a wide range of people, can only be created by Islam.

Another rite which has helped so many to eradicate racism from their lives, is the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca), which is obligatory upon every Muslim at least once in a lifetime. The Hajj brings together the peoples of the world, all at one time of the year, in one place. Anyone who has witnessed this annual rite of Islam, will truly testify that there is nothing quite like it. The breathtaking view of millions of people gathered together, all for the purpose of worshipping Allaah, is unforgettable. It was this rite of lslam which changed the life of the famous Black nationalist-turned-Muslim, Malcolm X[11]. Describing his experiences he said: "Never have I witnessed such sincere hospitality and overwhelming spirit of true brotherhood as is practised by people of all colours here in this ancient Holy land.... There were tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. They were of all colours, from Blue-eyed blondes to Black-skinned Africans. But we were all participating in the same ritual, displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had led me to believe never could exist between the White and non-White. America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem"[12].

The words of Malcolm X can be added to; it is not only America which needs to understand Islam, but rather the whole world. Islam has brought so much to the lives of so many, that it is inconceivable that racism could be defeated without it. From the moment the Prophet preached his message of unity under the worship of Allaah, did the light of hope shine forth in this World of darkness. Honour has been given to all those who have entered Islam. Throughout the ages, those who normally would have been downtrodden were rescued and dignified by Islam. Today, this is still continuing. People who were clearly racist (like Malcolm X) have been humbled and overwhelmed by the truth of Islam. British National Party members, Ku Klux Klan members, members of the Nation of Islam and many others from racist organisations, have all become united under the banner of Islam. It is now up to the people of the world to choose; do they want to stay in the darkness of racism or do they want to be illuminated by the light of Islam?

Either way, Islam will still be, the ONLY solution for racism.



Footnotes:
8 Authentic - Reported by Ahmed
9 Reported by Muslim - Eng Trans. Vol.3 p.1029-30, No.4555
10 Reported by Muslim - Eng Trans. Vol.4, p.1368, No.6258
11 Malcolm X was born as Malcolm Little in 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. After spending time in jail he joined the Nation of Islam and changed his surname to indicate his detachment from White superiority. Malcolm's powerful oratory skills brought international recognition for the Nation of Islam. However, upon discovering that Elijah Muhammed had impregnated 2 of his secretaries, Malcolm's faith in this man who claimed to be a messenger of God, was shaken. In 1964 Malcolm made the Hajj which was to show him true Islam. He changed his name to Malik al-Shabbaz, and formally renounced the Nation of Islam. This renunciation led to his assassination in 1965.
12 Taken from his biography by Alex Haley.

Answer 2

How do you, first of all, consider that EVERY nation is or african descent except for Europeans? The American Indian, for example, comes from an Asian descent...neither African nor European. And allow me to mention this: One of the reasons why the issues involving "blacks" continue to the present day because, in case you never noticed, you can't even have a five-minute conversation with a black person without him or her bringing up the matter of their color. I have even put this to a test covering a number of months...and it's IMPOSSIBLE to have a conversation with a black person without that person bringing up the issue of their color. THEY, and not the others, are the ones who keep the issue of "color" hot and in the frying pan. If you doubt me, (and you're not black), put it to the test yourself...it's impossible.

Answer 3

My nationality is American because I was born in United States of America. My race is Black. I've never cared for the term "African-American." I'm not from the continent of Africa. I've never even been to Africa. I don't ever want to go to Africa. Heck, people native to that continent don't even call themselves African! If they are from Egypt, they called themselves Egyptians; if they're from Kenya, they call themselves Kenyan, Ethiopia = Ethiopians, etc. I am proud to be an American and I'm not going to be politically correct and call myself an African-American because it's an inaccurate term.
I would say nationality is important to the U.S. Census Bureau or U.S. Dept. of Justice or other staticians because it can serve a useful purpose in American society in terms of -- just to name a couple -- marketing of goods & services and in terms of legal injustices, respectively. In those respects, it does matter.

Answer 4

I'm not sure what your question really is. However, I think you're wrong. Not every nation is of african decent except Europeans. There are also many Asian nations. So, include your chinese-americans, italian-americans, and native-americans please.

Answer 5

darling in my view, america is mixed up with so many countries from all over the world. i really think it is wrong to refer to certain people as black people cuz there are so many other related races who are not white and are accepted. i think that the words black people and white people shouldn't be used but what could we do? you can make a difference. show an example, instead let us refer to others inmore reasonable words and you know things would change.

Answer 6

WE'RE SUPOSSED TO AMERICANS, BUT THERE IS ALOT OF DISCIMINATION AND RACISM AGAINST US, EVEN FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT FROM THIS COUNTRY,NOT ALL white PEOPLE ARE PREJUDICE, THEY GET EDJUCATED AND EASY NON PHYSICAL JOBS,SOME ARE PHYSICAL WORKER THOUGH.THAT'S NOT THE POINT THOUGH, YOUR NATIONALITY IS THE COUNTRY THAT YOU ARE BORN IN.

Answer 7

are you saying europeans come from another planet, like mars? in my case that would explain alot.

Answer 8

NATIONALITY DONT MATTER ILL BANG YA ALL