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The Moakha system created by the Prophet (saw) to bring people closer

Sure, Islam isn’t racist; almost any Muslim will tell you.

But Islam’s very strong stance against racism and prejudice wasn’t just demonstrated in words and principles (Quran 49:13). It was also evident in the Prophet’s (saw) establishment of the Moakha system.  

Sûrah al Hujurat 49. 13
"O Mankind, We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is he who is the most righteous of you" 

About six months after the Muslims of Makkah had left their homes, livelihoods and in many cases, their families, for the sake of Allah and migrated to Madinah, the Prophet established a system that would bring together Muslims of two different cities and different tribes, races and ethnic backgrounds.

The Muslims who had left Makkah were called Muhajirs, migrants who had left their homes for the sake of Allah. They were now homeless and more or less penniless in Madinah. They needed help.

Enter the Muslims of Madinah. They became the Ansars (helpers) of their Muhajir brothers and sisters in faith.

They were not just "roommates"

Moakha with the same root as 'akh' in Arabic means a system of making people brothers. The Prophet paired one Muhajir with one Ansar. They were not just temporary roommates. They became brothers, in the truest sense. Not only did the Ansari Muslim provide the Muhajir Muslim with food, shelter, and clothing. He offered him consolation, support and true Muslim fellowship.

Although there were no set rules, every one of the Ansar who got a Muhajir as his brother gave an equal share in his property and belongings to his Muhajir brother.

In the bad old days of Arab tribal enmity and prejudices, the Moakha system was truly revolutionary. It gave the Muhajirs a chance to rebuild their lives in their new home, while creating a deep bond of love and affection between Muslims of two very different cities.

The regional differences between people, languages and culture, despite smaller distances as compared to today, were great.

So it was perhaps strange for people at the time to think of an Arab and a non-Arab living together as brothers. Just as it is even today in some places strange to see whites and blacks living together peacefully, but not as mere roommates-rather, as brothers.

For instance, Bilal ibn Rabah, an African Muhajir and an ex-slave, was paired, as a brother, with Abu Rawahah Abdullah ibn Abdul Rahman. And they were brothers, not mere "roommates". A black man and an Arab. Who could have imagined this state of affairs in the pre-Islamic tribal Arabia?

They used to even inherit from each other

This brotherhood was even more important than the blood relationship, since it was based on faith, not genetics or blood.

This existed to such a degree that initially, the Muslim brothers in Moakha would inherit from each other. However, later on, this practice was abrogated.

The Moakha system is clearly an example of Islam’s solid commitment to the establishment of a brotherhood based not on color, language, race or ethnicity, but purely on faith. Muslims today need to remember this system and our community leadership should be proactive to implement the Islamic ideals.

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