Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Reflections from an Islamic View
Written by Saud Iqbal, Muslim Writers Guild of America

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an American Holiday in which Americans honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., a renowned activist for American civil rights. His strong personality, along with his nonviolent activism, spearheaded a massive movement which led to many groundbreaking legislative reforms in the United States.

MLK Day stands as a commemoration of a man who dared to dream, so much so, most people associate the day with his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, which was delivered at the steps in Washington DC, sharing his dream for civil rights, economic rights, and ending racism. 

But did you know this dream was also dreamed over 1400 years ago? In fact, not only was it dreamed, but a beautiful teaching from God Almighty Himself was revealed to give equal rights and racial equality for all mankind, and for all times. This was the religion of Islam, which was revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the champion of peace and equality.

The Universal Dream

In his monumental 1963 speech, MLK said:

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

This sentiment was also proclaimed over 1400 years ago, in the remote desert of Arabia, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in his Final address to his followers stated,

“O people, your Lord is One, and your father (Adam) is one. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have superiority over an Arab; neither does a white have superiority over a black, nor does a black have superiority over a white—except by piety and good action.”

If we compare these two monumental statements, we see that MLK’s dream perfectly aligns with the teaching of Islam. But as we look further, this dream is a command given by the Almighty Allah in the Holy Quran as well. As stated in chapter 49, verse 14 states:

“O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable among you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you.”

It is amazing to see the similarities in the Holy Quran and MLK’s speeches, as if divine revelation precedes human rhetoric.

Marching for Freedom

Martin Luther King Jr. was also known for his peaceful protests against injustice, such as the right to vote, desegregation, labor rights, and other civil rights. He famously stated,

“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.”

When we look at the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) we see that he and early Muslims were extremely persecuted and were taught by Almighty Allah to persevere with patience and prayer. Chapter 4, verse 136 of the Holy Qur’an states:

“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives.”

What an amazing and invaluable teaching given in the 7th century, in which we are seeing the similarities in the modern world.

The Ahmadiyya Movement

Martin Luther King Jr. was not the only voice of the American Civil rights movement. Many activists and groups rose during that era, promoting unity and peace. One such Movement came from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which played a pivotal role in promoting racial harmony in America. With its motto “Love for All, Hatred for None,” many African Americans were influenced by the peaceful teaching of Ahmadiyyat and joined the movement in large numbers.

The Universal Dream Realized

The dream of Martin Luther King Jr. and Islamic teaching are very similar, both emphasizing the need for unity, peace, and justice. But in Islam, it is not just a dream, it is a living obligation. So as we celebrate MLK day, let’s remember that his dream resonates far beyond the steps in Washington DC. It is commanded in the word of Allah in the Holy Quran, and every Muslim tries their best to uphold those commandments. In the heart of every Muslim, the belief is that righteousness, not race, or anything else, is the true measure of a person. 

May we heed the words of both Martin Luther King Jr. and the Almighty Allah, to keep working hard to establish peace and harmony in this world.