ISLAM’S DISDAIN FOR AFRICANS
By Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute
Originally published: July 1, 2015
Abstract
This essay examines the racial dynamics embedded within Islamic historical development and doctrine, focusing particularly on Islam’s historical relationship with Africans and people of African descent. It challenges the claim that Islam is a religion of the Black race or originated in Africa. Drawing primarily from Islamic canonical sources such as the Qur’an and Hadith—specifically Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim—this study demonstrates that the origins, leadership, and teachings of Islam neither arose from Africa nor favored the African people.
1. Introduction
In recent decades, certain Muslim advocates have attempted to persuade African Americans that Islam is inherently a Black religion and that Prophet Muhammad himself was Black. Such claims are strategically directed at Black communities but seldom presented to White audiences. This rhetoric serves a propagandist aim: to appeal to racial identity rather than theological truth.
It is crucial to clarify from the outset that this analysis does not endorse racial prejudice of any form. The acceptance or rejection of Islam—or any religion—should rest upon its theological, ethical, and spiritual merits, not on racial or ethnic identity.
2. Africa Was Not the Cradle of Islam
Islam was born in the 7th century A.D. on the Arabian Peninsula, geographically located in Asia. The Red Sea separates Asia from the African continent, thus distinguishing them as two distinct regions both racially and geographically. Islam, therefore, is not an African-born faith.
By contrast, Christianity had already reached Africa centuries earlier. St. Mark, the Jewish author of the Gospel of Mark, evangelized in Egypt during the first century. From Egypt, Christianity spread throughout North and East Africa. Figures such as St. Moses the Black and St. Tekle Haymanot of Ethiopia became prominent African saints. The New Testament itself records early African participation in Christianity, such as Simon Niger (Acts 13:1) and the Ethiopian eunuch baptized by Philip (Acts 8:26–40).
When African slaves were later brought to the Americas, the majority had either been Christians or practitioners of traditional African religions, not Muslims.
3. Muhammad Was Not Black
Prophet Muhammad was an Arabian of Asian descent, not a Black African. Numerous authentic Hadiths confirm that Muhammad was light-skinned or white in complexion.
For example:
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Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, Hadith 63 records: “While we were sitting with the Prophet, a man came and asked, ‘Who among you is Muhammad?’ We replied, ‘This white man reclining on his arm.’”
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Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 2, Hadith 122 describes him as “a white man,” while Vol. 2, Hadith 141 mentions “the whiteness of his armpits was visible when he raised his hands.”
These authentic narrations leave no doubt that Muhammad was not of African origin nor of dark complexion.
4. Muhammad Owned Black Slaves
Islamic historical records reveal that Muhammad owned and traded Black slaves. Among them were Bilal, Abu Hurairah, Usama ibn Zayd, and a servant boy named Rabbah.
Even today, in Arabic-speaking regions such as Saudi Arabia—the birthplace of Islam—the term “ʿAbd” (عبد), literally meaning “slave,” is often used to describe Black individuals, reflecting a persistent racial hierarchy.
In Sahih Muslim (Vol. 7, p. 83), Muhammad is reported to have sold a Black slave for 800 dirhams. Moreover, Islamic law distinguished between the punishments of free men and enslaved women, treating the latter as property rather than persons of equal worth (Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 8, Hadith 821–822).
5. Islam’s Degrading View of Black People
Islamic scriptures and Hadiths contain numerous derogatory references to Black people. For instance, Muhammad referred to Black individuals as “raisin heads” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, Hadith 662; Vol. 9, Hadith 256).
Another Hadith records Muhammad saying, “Black people steal when hungry, and when they are full, they commit fornication” (Sahih Muslim). In another narration, he instructed followers to obey even “a slave with a flat nose” (Sahih Muslim, Vol. 9, pp. 46–47)—a phrase widely interpreted as a racial insult referring to Black people.
These statements reveal a theological framework that, historically, did not view Africans as equals but rather as inferior subjects.
6. Islam and the Absence of Freedom and Equality
Even if one were to assume incorrectly that Islam originated in Africa or that its Prophet was Black, these facts would still not make Islam a suitable faith for people of African descent—or for anyone who values liberty and equality.
Islamic law (Sharia) fundamentally contradicts principles of human freedom and civil rights. The Qur’an itself declares:
“Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him” (Surah 3:85).
Islamic jurisprudence limits the rights of women, endorses slavery, and mandates religious conformity. Examples include:
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Men are superior to women (Surah 2:228).
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Women’s testimony is worth half that of a man (Surah 2:282).
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Women inherit half the share of men (Surah 4:11).
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Men may beat their wives (Surah 4:34).
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A man may have up to four wives simultaneously (Surah 4:3).
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Muslims must fight non-Muslims until they submit (Surah 9:5).
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Muslims must not befriend Jews or Christians (Surah 5:51).
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Apostates must be killed (Surah 9:12).
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Theft is punished by amputation (Surah 5:38).
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Adultery is punished by flogging (Surah 24:2).
Islamic governance also rejects the separation of religion and state (Surah 2:193) and forbids opposition to religious authority (Surah 4:59).
7. A Call to African Americans
To African Americans who are told that “Islam is the religion of the Black man,” such claims are deceptive and racially manipulative. If Islam truly valued Black lives, then why are Black Christians in regions such as Sudan being enslaved and slaughtered by their Muslim counterparts to this very day? (See: U.S. State Department Report, International Religious Freedom, May 26, 1993).
By contrast, Jesus Christ came to liberate humanity from every form of bondage—spiritual and physical alike. The Apostle Paul writes:
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
8. Conclusion: Know the Truth and Be Free
The distinction between Islamic doctrine and the teachings of Jesus Christ is profound. Islam subjugates; Christ liberates.
“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
“Stand firm, then, and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1–2).
Know the truth. Follow the truth. Share the truth.
By Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute
Orlando, Florida
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