Are there social classes in Islam?

 

 

Praise be to Allaah.

Human societies have known all kinds of class systems.
In some societies there is a class of princes, a class of warriors, a class of farmers and
a class of slaves, and based on this there is a lot of oppression, abuse and trampling on
people’s rights. But the sharee’ah or law of Allaah does not recognize such
systems at all. Islam gives equal rights to all, rich and poor, noble and ignoble. The
basic principle on which people are differentiated in Islam is mentioned in the Holy
Qur’aan, in Soorat al-Hujuraat (interpretation of the meaning):

“O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and
made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most
honourable of you with Allaah is that (believer) who has al-taqwa [i.e., is one of the
muttaqoon or pious]. Verily, Allaah is All-Knowing, All-Aware”

[al-Hujuraat 49:13]

The Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “O
people! Verily your Lord is One and your father [Adam] is one. An Arab is no better than a
non-Arab, and a non-Arab is no better than an Arab; a red man is no better than a black
man and a black man is no better than a red man – except if it is in terms of taqwa
(piety)…” (Reported by Imaam Ahmad, 22391; al-Silsilat al-Saheeh,
2700).

This is the principle on which society is based in
Islam. This is the global human society which mankind is trying to attain through its
far-fetched ideas, but is failing to do so, because they are not following the one
straight path that will lead them there, the way to God, may He be glorified, and because
they are not standing under the one banner that could unite them, the banner of God, may
He be exalted.

People live on this earth connected by all kinds of relationships, all
of which carry some weight or have some attraction in their lives… these include
lineage, power, wealth, etc. From these stem other connections, practical, economic, etc.,
where people have different positions and levels of status with regard to one another. So
some people have more status than others in worldly terms… Then Islam comes and says:
“the most honourable of you with Allaah [God] is that (believer) who has al-taqwa
[i.e., is one of the muttaqoon or pious]” so it ignores all the values that carry
weight in people’s lives, and replaces them all with this new value that is derived
directly from the Revelation and is the only one that is recognized in the standards of
God. This is piety and consciousness of God, which is manifested in the worship of God
lone, with no partner, no son, no equal… obeying what He commands and avoiding what
He forbids, seeking His pleasure and Paradise, and fearing His punishment and Hell-fire.

Allaah is All-Seer of His slaves.