Caste system pre-Islamic Arabian society:

Before the advent of Islam, the Arabs considered the non-Arabs, inferior (Ajmi) to them. Even Arab people pride on their own tribes. The Quraish tribe was servant of Kabah, so prided on them. But their attitude was not like Indian caste system. They were marrying with different tribes. They used to do all kind of works. We can find such evidences in pre- Islamic era. Till now they use job titles with their names, like Haddad, (blacksmith/ ironsmith) Zayyat (oil presser), Najjar (carpenter), Hazza (shoes maker), Khayyat (tailor) etc. There were two classes in pre-Islamic Arabic society i.e. free and slave. The free man could take benifits (physical relations) with slave woman but revers was not allowed. By this example we can say that pre-Islamic Arabian society was divided into a society of upper and lower class, in other word it was based on class not caste. A famous antheropologist Dr. Ghaus Ansari writes:
The pre-Islamic Arabian society was devided into tribes and clans; social grades within the clan or tribe were unknown. Although rivaliries between different clans of the same tribe or between different tribes were quite common, and although inter-clan or inter-tribal fueds were also frequent, yet the the conception of superiority or inferiority of one clan or tribe in comparision to another clan or tribe was unknown in the sense it has come to acquire in existing plural socities.1

Caste and Islam:

Islam is an egalitarian religion. It does not believe in casteism, racism or any kind of discrimination on the basis of nation, family, caste and creed. The Holy Qur'an itself says in Surah (chapter) Al-Hujrat:
O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [i.e. one of the Muttaqin (pious - see V.2:2)]. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.2

The Holy Quran also says:

The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion). So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allah, that you may receive mercy.3

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is said to had declared:

There are two things which can lead people to infidelity, one is weeping loudly on the dead body and another one is to consider others as low on the basis of their birth (caste). 4
1

Ansari, Ghaus: Muslim Caste in Uttar Pradesh (A Study of Culture Contact),Pub, The Ethnographic and Folk Culture Society, Lucknow, U.P.1960, Ch. 4,: Caste and Islam, p.28 2 The Holy Quran, Surah Al-Hujrat, Verse: 13, (The Holy Quran,49:13).English tran. By: Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali, Ph.D. & Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan, pub. Dar-us-Slam, Reyaz, K.S.A, online edition http://www.dar-us-salam.com/TheNobleQuran/index.html 3 The Holy Quran ,Surah Al-Hujrat, Vrese: 10.( The Holy Quran,49:10) 4 An-Nesa Puri, Muslim bin Hajjaj Al-Qasheri: As-Sahi Ma Sharah-e-hi An-Nawwi.( Hadith Collection by Imam Muslim), Reyasat Al-Idarat Al-Buhoos Al-Islamiah. Kitabul Iman, Babo Itlaq Ismil Kufr Ala AtTan Fin-Nasab W An-Niyahah.Vol.I, Part II, p.75.

A great Islamic scholar and Muhaddith Iamam Nawwi, put this hadith under the chapter of Declaring of some one as low on the basis of caste will lead people to infidelity.5 The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said in the Hajjat Al-weda (Farewell Pilgrimage/ the last Haj of the Prophet PBUH) in Makka [Mecca]:
There is no superiority of Arab over non-Arab, of non-Arab over Arab, of white people over black people, of black people over white people. Superiority is only on the basis of piety.6

This concept of equality found an expression much later in Article 1 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR), 1948 which declared:
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.7

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) married Zainab Bint-e- Jahash Rz.8 (the daughter of his real aunty from paternal side) with his free slave Zaid bin Harthah Rz. and Zabayah Bint-e- Zubair Rz. (the daughter of his real uncle from paternal side) with Miqdad Kindi Rz. (whose family profession was weaving).9 After that he said:
I married Zaid bin Harthah Rz. with Zainab bint-e-Jehash Rz. and Zubaah bint-e-Zubair Rz. with Miqdad, Rz. that people should know that the biggest superiority is the superiority of Islam.10

Even prophet made free a slave lady whose name was Juwairiyah bint Al-Harith and married her. Juwairiyah was among the booty that fell to the Muslims from Bani Al-Mustaliq. She was a portion of Thabit bin Qais bin Shammas share. He made her a covenant to set her free at a certain time. The Messenger of Allh (Peace be upon him) accomplished the covenant and married her. He also had two concubines. The first was Mariyah, the Coptic (an Egyptian Christian), a present gift from Al-Muqauqis, vicegerent of Egypt. The second one was Raihanah bint Zaid An-Nadriyah or Quraziyah, a captive from Bani Quraiza.11

An-Nawwi, Muhiuddin sharf: Sharhus Sahih Le Muslim, Kitabul Iman, bab-o- Itlaq-e-Ismil Kufr Ala attan fin Nasab w An-neyahah ala almyyit, pub. Reyasat-o-Idaratil Bohooth al-Islamiayh, 1/2/75 6 Ash-Shaibani, Ahmad Bin Hambal, Al-Musnad, (Compendium of hadiths) Al-Maktabt Al-Arabia,AlMaktab Al-Islami,Vol.V,p.411 7 http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml 8 Rz. Means raza Allaho anho / anha (May Allah be pleased with him /her.) 9 Al-Aazmi, Habibur Rahman: Ansab-o-Kafayat Ki sharyee hathiayat (Caste and kafa in the light of Islamic teachings), Al-Majma Al-ilmi, Markaz-e- tahqeeqat W khidmat-e-Ilmiayh. Mau Nath Bhanjan, Mau , UP, India ed. 1st 1999, p.68. 10 Al-Khurasani, Saeed Bin Mansoor bin Shaibah Al-Milli: Kitabus Sunan, bab-o-Ma Jae Fil Munakehah, Al-Majlis al-Ilmi (Samlak Dhabel, India, ed. 1st ,edited by: Habibur Rahman Al-Aazmi,p.146-147 Hadith No. 585.
11

Al-Mubarakpuri, Saifur Rahman, Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar),Topic, The prophetic household,pp.216-217, http://www.biharanjuman.org/Ar_Raheeq_al_Makhtum.pdf, accessed on 19.05.2011.

The prophet had grazed goats of Makkan (Meccan) people for few rupees.12 His wives Zanab bint Jahash Rz. and Maimoonah Rz. had done occupation of leather cleaning.13 There are many great companions of prophet who got confirmation of getting paradise in this world i.e. Abu Bakr As-Siddique, Umar, Uthman, Ali, Zubair bin Awwam, Sayeed bin Zaid, Abu Obaidah bin Jarrah, Talhah bin Obaidillah and Abdur Rahman bin Awf (may Allah be please with them). But no ones name came in the Holy Quran. If any ones name came that he is a slave Zaid bin Harethah Rz.14 On the day of Makkah (Mecca) victory, the prophet ordered Bilal Habshi Rz. (an African slave who was an Ethiopian born and was equal to Indian dalit) to call Aazan, on the roof of Kabah, and he offered his soulders to make ladder to ride on the roof of Kabah. Before it, he already made him muwazzin of prophets mosque at Madinah.

Islam in India:
Islam started to spread in South Indian by Muslim traders. Arab Muslims came into North Indian in 711 A.D. (92 A.H.). Aftre two and half centuries of the entrence of Arab Muslim in North India, non Arab Muslims came here. When Islam came in India, because of these teachings of equality and brotherhood, many Hindus, especially Dalits and other low castes, embraced Islam being victims of the Hindu caste system. As late as the early twentieth century, a Christian scholar T.W. Arnold remarked about the conditions of Dalits and low castes thus:
[] In Travancore, certain of the lower castes may not come nearer than seventy four paces to a Brahman and have to make a grunting noise as they pass along the road, in order to give warning of their approach.15

Arnold writes about the spread of Islam in Bengal, quoting from Sir W.W.Hunters Book The religions of India and another book Wise (p.32):
To these poor people, fishermen, hunters, pirates and low-caste tillers of the soil, Islam came as a revelation from on high. It was the creed of the ruling race; its missionaries were men of zeal who brought the Gospel of the unity of God and the equality of men in its sight to a despised and neglected population [] It brought in a higher conception of God and a nobler idea of the brotherhood of man. It offered to the teeming low castes
12

Al- Bukhari, Abu Abdullah Mohammad bin Ismaeil: Al-Sahi (Sahihul Bukhari), Darus Salam, Reyaz, K.S.A. ed. 3rd 2000, Ch. Kitabul Ijarah, Babu Raa Al-Ghanam ala Qarareet, Hadith No.2262. Al-Qazweni, Abu Abdullah Mohammad bin Yazid Al-Rabei bin Majah: Sunan Ibn Majah, Darus Salam, Reyaz, K.S.A. ed. 3rd 2000, Abwab At-Tejarat, 5- Bab Al-Sanaat, Hdith No.2149. 13 Al-Nesapuri, Abu Al-Husain Muslim bin Hajjaj Al-Qushairi: Al-Saheeh (Saheeh Musim) Darus Salam, Reyaz, K.S.A. ed. 3rd 2000, Kitab An-Nikah, Bab: Nudb Man Raa, Fawaqat fi Nafsehi , ila An Aatiya Imratahu Aw Jariyatahu, fayuwaquha. Hadith No. 1403 Al-Asqalani, Ahmad bin Hajr: Al-Isabah Fi tamyeez As-Sahabah, loaded on http://www.aleman.com/Islamlib/viewtoc.asp?BID=397 Harf: Az-za, bab Zikru Man Ismoha Zainab, Name No. 470. Ahmad bin Hambal: Al-Musnad, Hadees Abi Salmah bin Abd Al- Asad, Vol. 4, hadith No.15751. 14 The Holy Quran, op.cit, Surah. Al-Ahzab, Verses: 37 (Quran:33:37). 15 Arnold, T. W.: The Preaching of Islam, Low price publication, Delhi, ed. 2nd 1913. p.269.

of Bengal, who had sat for ages abject on the outermost pale of the Hindu community, a free entrance into a new social organization.16

Arnold further adds:

It is this absence of class prejudices which constitutes the real strength of Islam in India and enables it to win so many converts from Hinduism. 17

The first Prime Minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, says about the spread of Islam in India:
The impact of the invaders from the north-west and of Islam on India had been considerable. It had pointed out and shown up the abuses that had crept into Hindu society the petrifaction of caste, untouchability, exclusiveness, carried to fantastic lengths. This idea of brotherhood of Islam and of the theoretical equality of its adherents made a powerful appeal, especially to those in the Hindu fold who were denied any semblance of equal treatments. From this ideological impact grew up various movements aiming at a religious synthesis. Many conversions also took place but the great majority of these were from the lower castes, especially in Bengal. Some individuals belonging to the higher castes also adopted the new faith, either because of a real change of belief, or, more often, for political and economic reasons. There were obvious advantages in accepting the religion of the ruling power.18

Islam spread in India due to its message of equality and brotherhood. The majority of Indian Muslims are descendants of untouchables and low caste converts, with only a small minority tracing their descent to Arab, Iranian and Central Asian settlers and invaders. Although Islam is fiercely egalitarian in its social ethics, insisting on the radical equality of all believers, Indian Muslim society is characterized by numerous caste-like features, consisting of several castes like groups (jatis, biraderis). Muslims who claim foreign descent, such as the Sayeds, Sheikhs, Mughals and Pathans, claim a superior status for themselves as ashraf or noble. Descendants of indigenous converts are commonly referred to as ajlaf or base or lowly and arzal or Dalits.

Origin of casteism:
Now the question is that if there is no existence of casteism in Islam then how and when casteism started reflecting in lives and culture of Muslims especially Inian Muslims? According to the Holy Quran, the founder of casteism, is Satan Iblis(his real name is Azazeel). When Allah ordered angles and Jinns, to bow down in front of Adam (may peace be upon him). The angles bow downed in front him, but Iblis

16 17

- Ibid, pp.279-80 - Ibid., p.291 18 - Nehru, Jawaharlal: The Discovery of India, Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund, Teen Murti House, New Delhi, 1982, p.265.

refused it. When Allah asked him that why didnt you do it? He replied to Allah showing his creation (caste) superiority. The Holy Quran says:
(Allah) said: "What prevented you (O Iblis) that you did not prostrate, when I commanded you?" Iblis said: "I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire, and him You created from clay [i.e., earth]."19

In one place the Holy Quran quotes his argument:

[Iblis (Satan)] said: "I am better than he [him], You created me from fire, and You created him from clay."20

The nature of fire is to go to up and nature of clay is to go to down. This was the argument of Satan. Allah didnt like his caste based argument and sent him out from paradise. Allah says:
(Allah) said: "(O Iblis) get down from this (Paradise), it is not for you to be arrogant here. Get out, for you are of those humiliated and disgraced."21

In fact, the Arab world free from caste based superiority and inferiority but it was divided into a society of upper and lower class in pre- Islamic era, as already highlighted above. When Islam started spreading in the land, it by rule prohibited any kind of discrimination on the basis of tribe, clan, caste or class and declared it as haram (prohibited). Islam proclaimed equality among every human being. It emphasized on the deeds of a person to decide ones nobility, no one was high or low except on the basis of good deeds and bad deeds. But after the periods when Arabs were led by the prophet (PBUH) and rightly guided caliphs Abu Bakr As-Siddique Rz. and Umar Al-Farooque Rz., this illegal thing raised its head in Arab society again. Some scholars say that in the period of Usman Rz. a Jew Abdullah bin Saba embraced Islam and he started tribe based discrimination among Muslims. He objected on Hazrat Usmans ability to get caliphate on the basis of tribal affiliation and argued that since Ali Rz. was cousin of prophet (PBUH) and belonged to his family, he was more suitable of the post. His thoughts spread among whole of the Persian area like a wild fire and infected the already jealous people of the area who had problems with Arab. As a consequence of this, Usamn Rz. was murdered.22 But a famous antheropologyst Dr. Gaus Ansari says (as already mentioned) that Arabian society was free from caste based superiority or inferiority. It has democratic system to form a government. It infected by caste system or monarchy because of social intercourse with other cultuers. In his word: The idea of equality among Muslims was practicable only in the then prevailing conditions of Arabia. In the course of expansion of Islam and its contact with other complex cultures the democratic form of political organisation and social equality within the community gradually disappeard. The very structure of Islam itself in this process became the victim of social discrimination. At the time of the expansion of Islam, as we have already mentioned, there
19

The Holy Quran,op.cit. Surah al-Araf:verse No.12, ( The Holy Quran,7:12.) Ibid, op.cit. Surah Sad, Verse No. 76. ( The Holy Quran,38:76.) 21 Ibid, op.cit. Surah al-Araf, verse No.13. ( The Holy Quran,7:13.) 22 Hashmi,Qazi Mohammad Tahir Ali : Kufu wa Nekah Bela Tamyeez-e-Zaat Paat, (endogamy and Marriage without seeing caste) Quoted in Moin, Mazhar: Islam Aur Zaat Paat( Islam and Casteism) pub.Adbistan 43, Reti Gun Lahore Pakistan,p.358
20

were two strong empires in the Near and Middle East, - Byzantine and Persia. The cultural achievement of the peoples, the Byzantine and the Persian, were also far more advanced than those of the tribal Arabian. Both these empires had the tradition of strong monarchies; after the contact with these people the tribal form of democracy could not long endure within the complex of Islam. Soon after the death of the four Caliph the democracy of Islam was overthrown by the monarchy. The Caliph Muawiya (661-680 A.D). altered the Republican Caliphiate into a monarchy, though the title of Caliph was retained. From that time the caliphate became a hereditary office rather than elective one; Caliph monarchs aquiated autocratic functions and eveloped a similar form of rule. Within the fall of the Republican Caliphate social equality was automatically reduced to the status of a mere concept or ideal: the practice of social inequality returned to its previous condition. Islamic society in Persia remained divided. In this region Islam was accepted as a religion, yet the ideas of Islam, as far as social reforms were concerned, could not be substantially enforced and put into practice. The pre-Islamic social hierarchy, for example, continued even though an overwhelming majority of the Persian had embraced Islam. In Persia, though Islam came as the religion of conquerors (Arabs), it was moulded in due course of time to the standars of the conquered (Persians). The Islam of Arabia was overcome by Persian influence; the Caliphate became more a revival of Iranian despotism and less an Arabian Sheikhdom.23 In fact Iran was fully coloured by caste system before Islam. Iranian Arya and Indian Arya were living as one community. Iraian society was divided in four groups from the period of Awesta. These groups were religious group, army group, public and slaves. This was similar to Indian caste system. In the period of Sasanians (from 3rd century to 7th century) the society was dived in four groups. There was only one changing that the 3rd group public became government servants and new 4th group emerged as farmers and shepherds.24 Dr. Mohammad Umar writes that the concept of Islamic brotherhood and equality bow downed in front of Iranian social stratification.25 It was Iran where the Shouobiyah movement was launched against Arab Muslims. The followers of this movement preferred pre-Islamic Iranian history, traditions etc. on Islamic teachings.26 It was Iran where many scholars supported caste system. Dr. Ghaus Ansari writes: the divison of Persian society into four majour groups has been continuous since the Avestan period. These four classes, of priest,
23

Ansari, Ghaus: Muslim Caste in Uttar Pradesh (A Study of Culture Contact), op.cit. Ch. 4,: Caste and Islam, Top. Islam: from equality to Inequality, pp.28-29. 24 Umar, Mohammad: Hindustani tahzeeb Ka Musalmanon Per Asar (The Influence of Indian Culture on Muslims), Directot publication division, Wazarat-e-Ittelaat W Nashriyat, Hokoomat-e-Hind, ed. 2nd 1975, pp.72-73. 25 Ibid. p.73. 26 Mahnamah Maarif (knowledges Monthly), Azamgarh,June 1928AD, Vol.21,Issue No.6.

warrior, commoner, and serfs, correspond almost identically to Indian varnas. In Sasanian Persia (3rd to 7th century A.D.) society remained divided into the same four classes except that the third group was composed of the bureaucracy instead of the commoner, and the fourth group was that of peasants and shepherds.The Sasanian Dynasty came to an end with the advent of Islam in 650 A.D. Islam, though proclaiming the message of equality and universal brotherhood, had to surrender in the face of the established and deep rooted institution of social segregation in Persia. Even the reputed Muslim scholars of Persia, like Nasir-ud-Din at-Tusi preached the division of society; his classification of society remained the same as it was during the Sasanian period. In his book Akhlaq-i-Nasiri (which was finished shortly before the fall of the Caliphate), at-Tusi considers that each of the social classes should be kept in its proper place. A seventeeth century work, Jami-i-Mufidi, again retains the same four-fold division of society, but it puts forward a slight change in giving precedence to warriors at the top and reducing the relative rank of priests to that of second in the hierarchy.In addition to these philosophers, the noted statesman of Persia, Nizam-ul- Mulk, in his Siyasat Nama, instructs his subordinates to maintain the people in their proper ranks.27 We understood from above discussions that by contact of Muslims with Persian society, caste based discrimination started among Muslims. The incident of Usmans murder marked the promoting of tribal based confalicts/discriminations among Muslims. Subsequently it increased and gripped majority of followers of Ali Rz, who are also known as Shia, They started to give baseless importance to Ahle Bait/Sayeds,( sons of Ali Rz. through Fatimah Rz. daughter of Prophet Mohammad P.B.U.H.). The Shia even Sayeds also started to claim that Sayeds are sons of the prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.). According to Shiits theology, if a Sayed girls nikah (marriage) has been done with non Sayed with permission of her and her parents. Even in this condition her nikah will be invalid. Sayed girls nikah should be with Sayed only.28 Casteism among Shiats is visible everywhere. An alim (religious scholar) belongs to the Sayed caste will wear black turban, but an alim belongs to other caste cant wear black turban. He will wear the turban of different colour. In fact the Shia sect is based on the superiorty of ahl-e-bait (Sayeds). I saw in India and Iran the people were saying: Allahumma salle ala Mohammad wa ala aal-e-Mohammad. Oh Allah, put peace on Mohammad (PBUH) and his line age (ahl-e-bait/ Sayeds). They stressed on the word of aale (ahl-e-bait/Sayeds) too much. We can see the evidence of caste system in Umayid period. For example: 1. The governor of Iraque Hajjaj bin Yousuf ordered that no non-Arab can
27

Ansari, Ghaus: Muslim Caste in Uttar Pradesh (A Study of Culture Contact), o.cit, Ch. 4: Caste and Islam, Top.: Islam in the land of caste,p. 29. 28 Al-Baseet Qouted in Al-Aini, Badruddin Abu Mohammad Mahmood bin Ahmad: Al-benayah fi Sharhil Hidyah(known as Al-aini Sharhul Hidayah),pub.Nawal Kishoor Lucknow.Vol.2 p.102.

be an Imam in Kofah.29 2. The governor of Basrah Bilal bin Abi Burdah whipped a great non Ararb aalim (religious scholar) Abdullah bin Awn because he married an Arab lady.30 3. A Bedouin of Bano Sulaim (name of a tribe) married his daughter with a non-Arab new Muslim. Mohammad bin Basheer Al-Kharji went to Madinah and complained to the governor of Madinah Ibrahim bin Hisham bin Ismail bin Hisham bin Mughirah. The governor separated between wife and husband and whipped that new Muslim and shaved his beard and eyebrow.31 I think this reaction is due to the attitude of Persian people/Shouobiyah movement against Arab and participation of non-Arabs in the wars against Umayyid caliphate in support of ahl-e-bait/ Sayeds. The Abbasid dynasty finds its root of establishment in caste system itself. The main campaigner of this dynasty was Abu Muslim Khurasani, (Khurasan: a city in Iran) who already had a grudge against the teaching of Islam. Nafs Zakiyah one of Ali Rz.s Family - accepted this fact. He, once in his letter to Abbasid Caliph Mansoor, wrote:
The caliphate is our right. You claimed it through us. You took the support of our shias to gain it. You got it through our behalf only.32

Even Caliph Mansoor recognizes the facts that the Abbasid movement raised the honour of Ahle Bait (Sayed/the family of Ali Rz. through Hazrat Fatima the daughter of Prophet Mohammad P.B.U.H). He replied to Nafs-e-Zakiah: The caste system was on its highest of peaks, during this period. Even Abbasids and Fatmites (people of Ahle bait) commented on each other caste on a regular basis, trying to prove one another of a lower status.34 The three imams Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Shafyee, and Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, used to live in the remote areas of the city of Prophet Madinah where caste system ran in every vein. It even reflected in their fatwas. But as Imam Malik lived in the heart of Madinah, he took his stand totally against casteism.35 Compilation of Fiqh was started during the Abbasid period and so one can find a numerous fatwas dominated by caste system.
.We. [Abbasid movement]. raised the superiority of the elders of Ahle Bait.33

29

Al-Undulusi, Abu Umar Ahmad bin Mohammad bin Abde Rabbehi: Al-Iqdul- Farid, Loaded on http://www.al-eman.com/islamlib/viewtoc.asp?BID=195 Vol.2 p.233. 30 Ibn Sad, Al-Imam Mohammad: At-Tabqat-ul- Kubra,Dar-o-Bairoot, 1958 AD,Vol.7,p.263 31 Al-Asfahi, Abul-Farj:Al-Aghani (The songs), Loaded on http://www.al3ez.net/vb/showthread.php?13543-%CD%E3%E1-%DF%CA%C7%C8%C7%E1%C3%DB%C7%E4%ED-%E1%E1%C3%D5%DD%E5%C7%E4%ED Vol.14 pp.335336. 32 Nadwi, Shah Muinuddin:Tareekh-e-Islam (The History of Islam) ,pub. Darul Musann-e-Feen, Azamgarh, UP, 1983AD, Vol.3, p.35. 33 Ibid, Vol.3 p.40. 34 Ibid, Vol.3, pp.35-39. 35 Mahnamah, Burhan (Monthly Evidence), Delhi, February, 1973 AD Vol.7, Issue No. 2, pp.122-123. Monthly Maarif (knowledge / information), Azamgarh, June 1928AD, Vol.21,Issue No.6.

Still we can find casteism /tribalism among Arab. Dr. Yosuf Abdullah alQaradawi a known Qatar based Egyptian Islamic scholar-, writes about the caste system in Egypt. According to him:
If any girl is married in other caste / tribe, the people used to say that the crocodile ate her.36

Once he writes that when he was caught by Egyptian police because of his affiliation with an Islamic organization Ikhwanul Muslemoon( Musllim brotherhood) the head of intelligence of Al-Mahallatul Kubra Mohammad Shadeed ordered him to put his shoes on his turban. He told him that the turban is symbol of Islamic education and humiliation of it (turban) is humiliation of Islam. But the intelligence head laughed loudly abused him and told one of his men to put the shoes on his turban. Dr. Qaradawi asked him that he can do, if this is black turban. The intelligence head didnt reply him.37 This incident shows us the importance of Sayed in Egyptian society, because, the black turban is symbol of Shia Sayed as mentioned earlier. He also writes that in Qatar and Kuait there are Muslim tribes (in Kuwait their name is Bedouin and in Qatar their name is Al-Hawlah) who are living there without citizenship. They are facing a lot of problems for marriage, haj and travel.38 Still some of Arab has feeling of Arab nationalism or superiority of Arab. When Saddam Husain was hanged up in 2006, an Indian journalist Mrs. Burkha Datt asked a person in Baghdad how do you feel? He replied it is bad, he (Saddam Husain) was an Arab and he was a Muslim.39 He used Arab word before Muslim and Islam. Arab were in opposition of Ottman caliphate because of they were non- Arab. By this way Ottman caliphate was destroyed. Mr. Dileep Karanth writes under the sub-heading of Caste in the Islamic World:
We have already seen from the examples of the Ashraf's practices regarding marriage, or admittance to mystic brotherhoods, etc., the Ashraf also retained their own stereotypes and prejudices which cannot be traced solely to Hindu influence. But that is not the whole story. Even if the caste structure was largely a relic from the pre-Islamic past, new castes also sometimes came into existence. The Maratha Bugtis in Balochistan are an interesting case of what may be a caste forming even under Islamic rule. There is a clan claiming descent from Marathas captives of war brought back by members of the Bugti tribe, who served the armies of Ahmad Shah Durrani (Abdali) after the fateful battle of Panipat. In time they underwent 'Bugti-ization'and became Muslims. Although for all practical purposes they may now be considered Bugtis, and are even in the forefront in education and employment, they were once considered little better than bonded labour. They could not own or buy land. Up to two
36

Al-Qaradawi, Yosuf Abdullah: Ibul Qariyah wal Kuttab, Malamho Seerah W Maseerah, (The son of village and elementary school, features of life) , Darush Shorooq, Cairo,Egypt, ed.1st 2004, Vol.2, p.358 37 Ibid, Vol. 1 pp.355-356 38 Ibid, Vol. 2 p.101 39 NDTV 24 *7

generations ago they could be 'bought' for twenty or thirty rupees. Their women were fair game for Bugtis. The Maratha Bugtis took jobs as unskilled labourers, which their tribal overlords disdained. Over the years they have come to occupy higher positions, and their prosperity is resented by the Bugtis.40 It is interesting to note that this caste-like phenomenon has endured for more than two centuries, even in a region largely devoid of Hindus. The Maratha Bugtis were not alone in their position as a group living in the Islamic world, with their inferior position determined by heredity. The Haratin41 or Harratin of southwestern Morocco and Mauritania are "a socially and ethnically distinct class of workers". They are descended from slaves, but are now serfs, "without the privileges of freedom". (One of the people who is trying to help them to become independent is Abdel Nasser Ould Yessa, whose life and work is discussed at the following web site: http://www.iabolish.org/act/abol/profile/yessa1.htm) The facile practice of regarding all hierarchies in the Islamic world as a substratum from pre-Islamic societies does not always work. Hierarchies (in other words, castes) exist even in places like Yemen and the rest of the Arabian peninsula. As a perusal of the informative entry on "Bedouin" in the Encyclopedia Britannica42 reveals, Bedouin society in twentieth-century Arabia was also divided into various groups. While the nomads have been settled after the formation of the modern states, the societal hierarchical and patriarchal structure has been retained. The Bedouin tribes were classified on the basis of the species of animal on which they depended. Camel nomads were highest in prestige. They were spread on extensive territories in the Sahara, Syrian and Arabian deserts. Sheep- and goat-herding nomads, rank below, and live closer the cultivated zones in Jordan, Syria and Iraq. The noble tribes are proud of their ancestry, and are divided into "Qaysi" (northern Arabian) or "Yamani" groups. In addition to the noble elements, the Bedouin society also includes vassal tribes, which are "ancestorless" (i.e., tribes whose heredity is not prestigious). These groups are subservient to the noble tribes and include professional groups such as artisans, blacksmiths, entertainers, etc. Caste-like phenomena are attested in other regions of the Arabian Peninsula, even among the sedentary populations. Paul Dresch has studied the situation in Yemeni tribal society at the beginning of the twentieth century.43 He observes that two groups of people are widely regarded as
40

Marginality and Modernity: Ethnicity and Change in Post-Colonial Balochistan, Paul Titus, (ed) , Oxford University Press, Karachi, 1996, pp. 54-55.Qouted in http:// www. infinityfoundation.com /mandala/h_es/h_es_karan_caste.htm 41 "Haratin" http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=40019 Qouted in http:// www. Infinity foundation. com /mandala/h_es/h_es_karan_caste.ht 42 <http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=14268> Qouted in http:// www. infinityfoundation.com /mandala/h_es/h_es_karan_caste.htm 43 Tribes, Government, and History in Yemen, Paul Dresch, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1989, p. 117. Qouted in http:// www. infinityfoundation.com /mandala/h_es/h_es_karan_caste.htm

not belonging to the tribe, but are still endowed with rights and obligations. The first of them is the Sayyids a group claiming descent from the prophet, and the Qadis. (The Qadis are also a group defined by heredity. While elsewhere in the Islamic world the title Qadi refers to judges, in Yemen it only denotes a member of this class, whether judge or not. The Qadis or mashaykh are also said to be descended from the Prophet Hud. The mashaykh do not enjoy as much prestige as the Sayyids.44) Below the tribesmen rank the 'weak' people (dua'fa) (sing. da'if). Weak people have no prestige. They include people of various trades, some respectable and some not so respectable. Artisans and merchants in the traditional towns tend to be highly organized into castelike guild groups that are ranked largely according to the nature of their craft. In many areas those who ply so-called respectable trades are sharply differentiated from the bani khoms, or sons of the five, practitioners of the five despised trades of barber, bloodletter, butcher, bath attendant, and tanner. In the Hadramaut artisans who handle clay, such as masons and potters, also fall into the despised group, as do sweepers, fishermen, and some others, depending on locality. Poor farm laborers also occupy a low status, but it is higher than those of the despised crafts. The akhdam, in many areas the lowest group, are so isolated from society that they have been compared with the untouchables of India. Found especially along the Tihama coast and in southern Yemen (Sana) but also in the Hadramaut, they are often distinguished socially by their Negroid appearance and often follow the despised trade of sweeper. The akhdam appear to be descendants of slaves, although not all former slaves occupy such degraded positions. Slavery existed in the territories of the Aden Protectorate until the 1930s and persisted in Yemen (Sana) until 1962.45

The Sayyids in Yemen did not allow intermarriage with other Yemeni castes. This superiority was challenged only by expatriates in Singapore in 1905, and again under the Irshadi movement in Java in 1915.46
The second part of the question as to how Indian Muslims adopted this Casteism in their society is yet to be answered. The Indian Muslim history states as I mentioned earlier brieflly that Arab Muslim traders landed in South India i.e. Kerala, Malabar etc. The army of Raja Dahir (king of Sindh) captured seven Islamic ships which were coming from Sarandeep to Iraque and there were Muslim male and female in it. Because of this Mohammad Bin Qasim attacked north India in 711 A.D. (92 A.H.) and captured Sind and its adjoining places.47
44

Area Handbook For The Yemens, Richard F. Nyrop, et al., 1977, p. 74. Qouted in http:// www. infinityfoundation.com /mandala/h_es/h_es_karan_caste.htm 45 Area Handbook For The Yemens, Richard F. Nyrop, et al., 1977, p. 77. Qouted in http:// www. infinityfoundation.com /mandala/h_es/h_es_karan_caste.htm 46 Tribes, Government, and History in Yemen, Paul Dresch, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1989, p. 27. Qouted in http:// www. infinityfoundation.com /mandala/h_es/h_es_karan_caste.htm 47 Farishta, Mohammad Qasim: Tareekh-e-Farishta(History of Farishtah), Urdu tran. by Abdul hai Khaja

The Arab Rule was on Sind till 995 AD.48 I didnt read any evidence of the existence of caste system among Muslims, during that time. If some one knows about it, please let me know it. After the conquering of Sind by Arab Muslims there was no further Muslim invasion on India for over two and half centuries. After two and half centuries a fresh series of attacks were launched against India by the non Arab kings i.e. Mahmood Ganzanwi and Sahahabuddin Gauri. After that Muslim kingdom was established in India by Qutbuddin Aibak the slave of the king Sahahabuddin Gauri. Even no caste system existed in the period of these three non Arab Muslim rulers i.e. Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi, (d.18, April, 1030AD) Sultan Shahabuddin Ghauri (d.16 March, 1206AD) and Sulatan Qutbuddin Aibak (d.12 Oct.1210AD). Its noticeable that Sultan Mahmood Ghaznawi appointed his slave Ayaz the governor of Punjab, and gave the title of Raja (king) to a Hindu barber and appointed him his army chief. Sultan Shabuddin Ghauri appointed his slave Qutbuddin Aibak the governor General of India. Qutbuddin Aibak appointed his slave Shamsuddin Iltutmish governor of Gwalior, Barn (Buland Shahar) and Nazim (manager) of Badayun. He even freed him and married his daughter to him. The casteism among Indian Muslims was actually started by slave of slave Shamsuddin Iltutmish [d.10 April 1236AD] (Shamsuddin Iltutmish was slave of Qutbuddin Aibak and Qutbuddin Aibak was slave of Shabuddin Ghauri.) 49 It is already mentioned above that in the Abbasid period, the compilation of fiqh (jurisprudence) was started, and there are many caste based fatawas in it. When the non-Arab Muslim rulers conquered India, the Muslim scholars, Sufis etc followed their path and entered along with them. They brought a totally new tradition, culture and literature. Among many books, Fiqh books (jurisprudence books) also came with these scholars. The Hanafi Fiqh was the official book for religious matter. The Indian land was already diseased by caste based society, making it the best suitable place for the caste based fatawas. As a result Muslims inherited casteism in their society as well, like Hindus.50
M.A. Maktab-e-Millat Deoband, UP. 1983, Vol.2, pp. 885-886, Mubark Puri, Qazi Athar: Khelaft-e-bano Umayyah Aur Hindustan,( Umayyid Caiphate and India) Nadwatul Musannefin, Urdu Bazaar, Jame Masjid Delhi-, 1st ed. 1395 H.A., August 1975 AD. P.96-97, 100. Najeeb Aabadi, Akbar Shah Khan: Ayina-e-Haqeeqat Noman,(The mirror of reality) Tahqeeq-oTakhrij:Abdur Rasheed Bastawi, pub.Shaikh Al-Hind Academy, Darul Oloom Deoband,ed. June 1997AD. Vol. 1 Part. 1, pp.111-124 Ikram, Shaikh Mohammad,: Aab-e-Kauthar, (Kaurthar Water) Adbi Duniya, No.510,Matya Mahal, Delhi, ed. 5. pp.23-24. Al-Yaqoobi, Ahamd bin Abi Yaqoob: Tareekh-e-Yaqoobi, Dar-o-Bairoot,1960AD, Vol. 3, p.34 Al-Belazri, Ahmad bin Yahya: Fotooh Al-Buldan, Tahqee W Taleeq: Abdullah Anis Al-Tabbakh W Umar Anees Al-Tabbakh, Dar Al-Nashr Lil Jameyeen 1957 AD, Vo. I, Part.5, p.615.

Ansari, Ghaus: Muslim Caste in Uttar Pradesh, op.cit, Ch.3: Rise and expantion of Islam, top. Islam in India, .pp.24-25
48

Najeeb Aabadi, Akbar Shah Khan, Ayina-e-Haqeeqat Noman,(The mirror of reality), op.cit,. Vol. 1 Part. 1, pp.171. 49 Ibid, Ch.1, 2- 3 and 5, Vol.1 part 2 p.579. 50 See, Umar, Mohammad: Hindustani tahzeeb Ka Muslamano per Asar (The influence of Indian culture

Dr. Ghaus Ansari writes: When Islam came to stay in India in the twelt century A.D. its social organization had already changed. Although the conception of equality and brotherhood remained as an ideal as an ideal it exists to this day in practice there have been social grades within Muslim society. The twelth century Muslim conquerors of India were distinctly divided into priests (including missionaries), nobility (ruling families and administrators) and all the others (including soldiers, merchants, artisians etc). Muslim priesthood in India in its early stages was not hereditary while the rule of succession among nobility was generally from father to son. Gradually the Muslim priesthood also aquired the rule of hereditary succession in India. Sons began to succeed fathers; thereafter, Astane and Takiye (seats of preaching and spiritual guidance) became a family monopoly.51

on Muslims,op.cit. pp.71-105.) Ansari, Gaush: Muslim Caste in Uttar Pradesh, ch. 4, caste and Islam, topic: Islam in the lands of caste, op.cit. p.30.
51