August 2000: Page 1, 2, 3

Submitters Perspective

Page 2

Racism

Cont’d from page 1

The First Racist

Racism is defined as “belief in the superiority of a particular race; prejudice based on this (racism), antagonism towards other races” (Oxford American Desk Dictionary, 1998). This definition of racism is correct in its content but incorrect in terms of the word being defined. As previously stated, humans are one species or one race. An accurate definition of racism among humans would read, “belief in the superiority of a particular group, antagonism towards other groups.” This is an example of intra-species prejudice wherein one group feels superior to another group within the same species. The ‘human racist’ assumes a posture of believing that he or she is a member of a superior “species” of humans.

The first expression of racism did not take place on earth. Consistent with the literal definition of the word race, the first expression of racism was between species, not among members of the same species. The first racist thought and act took place in the presence of God. In the Quran, we learn that Almighty God commanded the angels to bow down to the physical body of Adam. Satan, an angel at that time, refused to bow down to Adam’s body. Satan ‘reasoned’ that since God created him of what he opinioned are superior qualities and elements, he should not bow

down to a creature created from mud.

Your Lord said to the angels, “I am creating a human being from aged mud, like the potter’s clay. Once I perfect him, and blow into him from My spirit, you shall fall prostrate before him. The angels fell prostrate; all of them, except Iblis (Satan). He refused to be with the prostrators. (15:28-31)

Almighty God knew why Satan refused to prostrate, but the angels did not know. God asked Satan why he did not obey His command.

He said, “What prevented you from prostrating when I ordered you?” He (Satan) said, “I am better then he; You created me from fire, and created him from mud.” (7:12)

He said, “O Iblis (Satan), why are you not with the prostrators?” He said, “I am not to prostrate before a human being, whom you created from aged mud, like the potter’s clay. He [God] said, “Therefore, you must get out. You are banished. You have incurred my condemnation until the Day of Judgement.” (15:32-35)

Banished by God for his racist arrogant act, Satan asked for respite until the Day of Resurrection. He declared that he will mislead and send the entire human species astray.

He said, “My Lord, respite me until the day they are

resurrected. He said, You are respited. Until the specified day and time. He said, My Lord, since you have willed that I go astray, I will surely entice them on earth; I will send them all astray.” (15: 36-39)

In the idiom of the language of divine revelation, Satan can be deemed “The father of all racists.” In other words, Satan’s arrogance and sense of superiority over Adam (human beings) is the genesis of an individual’s thoughts of being better than or superior to his or her fellow humans. Satan was the first racist, and the first creature to defy God’s commands. Thus, it stands to reason that racism is a gross sin. Satan was wrong on all accounts. He was blinded by his arrogance and racism into believing he was superior to Adam. Such thoughts of superiority were blasphemous in themselves. He refused to obey God’s command. He blamed God for his arrogance and defiance. He then stated he would “get back” by misleading the humans.

In contemporary psychological language, Satan is non-compliant, externalizes or blames others for his failings, needs a scapegoat to project his anxieties and weaknesses on to, and is in denial of the truth. Among his other pathologies, Satan suffers from a neurotic condition known as a superiority complex.

Cont’d on page 3