Warning Against the Error of Those Who Say That Islam Is a Religion of Equality

The Shaykh : I would like to point out here a term that some people use, intending good by it, while others use it intending evil. It is their saying: "The Islamic religion is a religion of equality." This is a lie about the Islamic religion. The Islamic religion is not a religion of equality; the Islamic religion is a religion of justice, which is giving every person what he deserves. If two people are equal in their right, then they are equal in what follows from that right. But if there is a difference, then no, it is not possible to say that the Islamic religion is a religion of equality, ever. Rather, it is a religion of justice, as Allah the Exalted said: This phrase, "the Islamic religion is a religion of equality," may be used by some people intending evil. For example, they say: "There is no difference between the male and the female; the religion is a religion of equality. Give the female the same rights you give the male, appoint her to positions of authority, give her a voice in elections, let her drive cars, let her do what men do. Why? Because the Islamic religion is a religion of equality." The socialists say the religion is a religion of equality; it is not possible for one to be very rich and another very poor; we must take from the rich and give to the poor because the religion is a religion of equality. They intend evil by this word. Since this word may be intended for good and may be intended for evil, the Islamic religion is not described by it, but rather it is described as the religion of justice which Allah commanded: It did not say equality. It is not possible for two people to be equal if one is blind and the other sees, if one is knowledgeable and the other ignorant, if one is a worshipper and the other an open sinner, if one is beneficial to the people and the other evil. They cannot be equal. Justice is correct: For this reason, I wanted to point this out, because many people, among modern writers or others, use this word without realizing its meaning, and without realizing that the Islamic religion can never bring about equality in every aspect despite differences, ever. If it ruled with equality while there is a difference, it would be a religion that is not straight, because it is not possible to make equal two people between whom there are differences, ever. But if they are equal in every aspect, then justice is to give each of them what is given to the other, and they are equal, because that is justice. In any case, this word is something a student of knowledge should be aware of, and he should also be aware of other words that some people use without knowing their meaning or their purpose.