I typed into google 'islam interracial marriage' and the first thing that came up was "is interracial marriage allowed in islam..."
It comes to a point where it gets a bit humorous that people think Islam doesn't accept interracial marriages. I mean is it not common knowledge that everyone is equal? Rich, poor, intelligent, illiterate, WHITE, BLACK, we are all equal. So why is it many question it and some are against it? Does racism come into this, or is it something else?
I personally believe the whole culture v. religion comes into this (surprise surprise!!). Traditionally some or most African, Asian and Arab communities prefer if they themselves and their family members 'stick to their own'. If human kind, as we know it is supposedly equal then why this divide and split? Why has there been so much tension and drama involved around the subject of interracial marriages?
Let us see what Islamic scriptures say on this matter...
"O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware." [49:13]
The quote refers to nations and tribes, this gives me an impression that the tribes should mix freely. There is no comment made about keeping marriage exclusive to ones own culture, and many advocates of intercultural marriage refer to this.
When this is pointed out to people that are not too pleased with the notion of interracial marriages, some of these people point out that the tribes in Arabia during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) only married their children within their own tribes. They show examples of Ali (r.a) and Fatima (r.a) and suggest why they married? They base their reasons on tribe/culture. I cannot really agree nor disagree to this. I just don't know. Was their marriage partly based on the reason they were from the same tribe? Or was that not relevant and purely coincidental?
Another point I want to look at is 'dawah'. As a Muslim it is our duty to spread the word of Islam, regardless of race. When one converts or reverts to Islam, Muslims naturally feel pleased. But how is that person able to prosper in Islam when there are many people not allowing or considering them for marriage? Islam may seem like a strict religion, but my opinion is that it is a fair religion and nothing is made difficult. It is some of the people amongst society today that have taken it upon themselves to disregard these teachings and accepting human beings for being just human!!
Truth is we can all sit and say we'd let our sons/daughters, family members and friends marry as they wish. But when it comes down to it, would we really? Or would we just follow the traits of our family members in the same wrong beliefs?
Nice to see an acknowledgment of interracial marriages in Islam because as you said, most people probably don’t even think they are allowed. It is, as you said, another sad example of culture overshadowing religion. Personally I feel the biggest threat to traditional Islamic teachings is when cultural practices in Muslim households are used in favour of Islamic values i.e. it being taboo to marry out of the culture. On a more positive note, what with Islam being the fastest growing religion in the West and a majority of the Muslims in the West now coming to terms and opening up a little more i.e. losing that tight grasp on culture, there will and are loads of cross race marriages. Realistically, what is a bi-racial relationship because since when did different colours mean different races? From a Muslim view particularly, how can there be divisions when everyone is human? o.0
ReplyDeleteAnyway, interesting blog, keep it up =]
Faith Draper,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. I agree with what you said regarding the growth of Islam changing the mode of interracial marriages. The more time goes on, the more it will become acceptable. And again, good point regarding Islam and bi-racial, again I have to agree with you there, but sadly there is division and no matter how much Islam flourishes I believe division will always be there.
I agree, division will always be there. Some Muslims don't even see everyone as equal, they rank certain groups of people higher than others and take pride in themselves by sticking to their own race. Other Muslims might see everyone as equal but would still not allow interracial marriages, scared of what people may say. This again is a pride issue and is sure to stick around for a very long time. However, I see more interracial marriages taking place now and I believe people are becoming more accepting of it than ever before which is a positive change.
ReplyDeleteSnra,
DeleteAn interesting and valid point you have addressed regarding ranks within casts in certain cultures. Yes, I have to agree with you, people are afraid of what the community will think.
I read somewhere that apparently there will come a time where no single race exists and everyone is mixed-raced, possibly too early too say for the Muslim community.
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ReplyDeleteIslam is a beautiful religion and it would never discriminate people due to the colour of their skin. Some Muslims mistake Islamic teachings with their cultural beliefs which is very wrong. The most important thing for me is that people understand the value of marriage before they get married. Race has nothing to do with it.
ReplyDeleteI am a bengali and i have always had a thing for afro-carribean women. I don't know its always been my sexual preference. I am married to my beautiful nigerian wife temendai for 2 years now and our skin colour has never been an issue. There is cultural and language clash between us as sometimes i have no idea what she is saying but love universal language. Islam teaches us about equality between all races.
ReplyDeleteMokhlis Gulamuddin-raja,
DeleteThank you for sharing your opinions. It is nice to see inter-racial marriages within the Muslim community but unfortunately this is not the situation for all.
Assalam alaykum
ReplyDeleteI'm a product of interracial marriage (half Chinese, half Indonesian). And alhamdulillah I'm in an interracial marriage myself (my husband is Pakistani). Both me and my husband were born and raised to be practicing muslims. Our families put religion before race/culture and as a result, the perceived cultural differences never became an issue for us as a couple. I have seen and felt other people staring when my husband and I go out together. I'm kinda used to it because my family and I used to get the same curious looks when we went out. My husband on the other hand finds it amusing. Then again, you don't normally see a yellow oriental face in a headscarf in England. Anyway my point is, if the two parties are able to put the deen above culture, beauty,etc, then insha'Allah the marriage will work out. One should really choose a spouse for his/her iman and righteousness and then love that spouse for the sake of Allah :)