4. LIBERTY, EQUALITY, FRATERNITY

4. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity ~ 151 ~ The truth is that, in temperament and physique, human beings display many differences, be they inherited or acquired. For instance, one is black, another white, one is rich, another poor, one rules, another is ruled. These differences exist, according to the Qur’an, as a matter of identification (49:13) and for the sake of differentiating one from another and not for the purpose of discrimination. One might put it that these differences are a matter of classification, so that the world may be properly organized. This does not mean then that some are of high, while others are of low status. These differences exist only to facilitate the structuring of the activities of a world, which exhibits so great a diversity. Just as man had formed unrealistic concepts regarding physical phenomena under the influence of superstitions born of polytheistic beliefs, similarly, unrealistic concepts about human beings also gained universal currency. Over the centuries, these concepts came to form part of the traditions of the peoples of the world. For instance, it was this concept of inequality, which led to the formation of the caste system in certain societies. It was believed