We only own what was given to us freely
If modern life in a climate emergency and multiple genocides means we could be among the last to ever believe, then it may be that we understand the struggle against injustice better than the early Muslims did.
"An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab. A white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have any superiority over a white. [None have superiority over another] except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves. Remember, one day you will appear before God and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone. O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me, and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O people, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example, the Sunnah, and if you follow these you will never go astray. All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and it may be that the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O God, that I have conveyed your message to your people."
— from Muhammadﷺ's final speech, 10 years after hijra, Mount Arafat, 6 March 632. Full speech here or here.
In my own words:
- Racial supremacy is a scam. We are all siblings, kindred.
- We only differ in the quality of our reason and actions.
- We only own what was given to us freely.
- The final faith will be a collective struggle for justice, no longer centered around an individual spiritual figurehead.
- If modern life within the climate emergency and multiple ongoing world genocides means we are now some of the last to ever believe, then it may be that we understand what is worth struggling for more than those before us did.
- At the very least, we are still obligated to the sociopolitical project where we struggle for a world where orphans are not abandoned and widows not hungry or afraid.
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Liy is a Southeast Asian Muslim knowledge worker and poet sharing their lifelong learning from the imperial periphery. If you're new here (hello!) or need a refresher, start here for house rules. Here I maintain curated lists as a love language for others. Now is my present-day context including from my 5-year old note system. Consider subscribing for free to login and leave comments— I write slowly and send out emails rarely. If you valued what I made, tell me over DM (if we know each other) or tip me with a message— that sends a clear signal of appreciation ✨
