The Obsession With White Skin

[Maryaam]

Most playboy girls have blue eyes.

And here we go.....

[Nimra]

One question is, why are the muslim men being accused of racism? Does that mean once you become muslim your opinion changes? Seems odd to me. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and so if a man prefers a dark complexion then he likes dark girls. If a man likes a light complexion then that's what he likes. It seems a bit out there to try and classify if something like this is right or wrong. Both complexions have their own beauty. As a matter of fact, if most men prefer lighter skinned girls, then why is it that most models are tanned Brazilians? Allah (swt) has given the world variety so that men and women can choose whichever suits them.

+1

Its all personal preferences.

Usually these preferences grow from the environment and people we live with.

There is no hard and fast rule. Its all individual preferences though society one lives in have great impact on an individuals preferences.

[truthseeking]

As salam alaikum.

Bismillah Ar Rahman Ar Rehem.

Being a white woman living in an area of the world where being white is seen as something high class, its really bothers me. I get apporached by people saying ohh ur white and blahh blah...to be honest..i dnt find any beauty in being white as can be and i dnt find the logic in women buying tons of white foundation to plaster on their skin daily.

Allah has said in quran " I have made you of different tribes and nations so you may know one another." meaning we should marry from any race, mix with people of different races and not be racist.

Im soo sick of people staring at me for being white..there are days when i want to get black shoe polish and rubb it on my face and go out just so people will stop commenting. I have no pride in knowing the sick things that anglo saxon and other white raced ethnic groups have done to others around the world.

InshaAllah soon muslim men and women will open their ears to Allah Swt words in Quran and start practising Islam not the racist culture that was fed to them by their ancestors of jahliyya.

White skinned people are not superior than others.

Allah forgive me if i have said wrong.. Allahu alim.

[truthseeking]

All of these hadith quoted above about blue eyes virtue are "WEAK" and yet many of the posters are acting like they are to be followed and saying the truth. did you guys not notice the ratings? This just goes to prove my point. Many Shi'as will use any excuse to justify their racism. There is too much culture embedded with Shi'as and this culture is often backwards. The Prophet (s) who was from the Hejaz was clearly not white or blue eyed, he was not Persian, Lebanese, or Turkish or European. These hadith are clearly fabrications (as seen by their "daeef" rating above) to justify the racism of many muslims at the time. No wonder black americans are always converting to Sunni.

Dear Chatting...

i dont know if ur muslim or not..but ive read ur words and i find them rather rude. How u say" many shia use any excuse to justify their racism" is out and out rude. I was a sunni of 8 yrs also a minority in the country BUT never once did i have an racist comments said to me by any shia male or female ... i know shia who are married to dark skinned sisters, asian skinned sisters and fair skin sisters... tell me plz where do racism come into this ? Ive lved with shia for 20 years.. i think you really need to be carefull of accusations you make here without knowing the mass of people you talk of. Yes there is good and bad in everything of all faiths, nationalities etc etc but you cant go around finger point at a group of people because of a few wrong doers in a certain group.

Please refrain from making racist comments and generalisations about any person or group of people..judge yourself before others.

peace

[Hameedeh]

Beauty is, more often than not, associated with physical appearance. Along with height, shape, face and form, colour of skin is regarded as an exceedingly important feature of beauty.

This holds true for most people, but especially so for Muslims. Whether Arab or Asian, Muslim men seek fair-complexioned wives - perhaps in the hopes the offspring will inherit this physical characteristic.

It is possible that this age-old obsession with white skin is a legacy of colonial rule: and it is also probable that preference for white skin reflects a deep-seated inferiority complex and, thus, a crisis of identity.

Rejecting or accepting a person based upon no more than appearance - in particular skin tone - is a clear sign of Jaahiliyah, ignorance. One hopes Muslim men will re-think their criteria when considering prospective brides.

Generally speaking, Muslims are as guilty of racism as are other peoples and nations. An unfortunate truth, especially in light of the fact that the Message of Islam is known to be universally applicable, intended for all peoples of all times - and not confined to, or reserved for, an elite group.

Physical differences amongst humankind represent both a test and a sign from Allah SWT - but ultimately, these differences too are deceptive and illusory. Allahu 'Alam.

Surah 30, Ar-Rum, Verse 22

And of HIS Signs are the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variation in your languages and complexions. Verily, in this are Signs for people of knowledge.

(bismillah)

(salam)

This topic is getting obnoxious. Someone said about white skinned women: "Allaah SWT thinks that is what beauty is." Allah is JUST, so would not favor a white skinned person over any other person, nor a blue eyed person over a brown eyed person. It is the TAQWA a person has that is the criteria for choosing a spouse. People have gone very far off the topic that the OP started with. She was saying ^ that Allah SWT has made us all the way we are, and Muslim men should not accept or reject a bride because of their race or shade of skin color. :'(

[abba]

Beauty is, more often than not, associated with physical appearance. Along with height, shape, face and form, colour of skin is regarded as an exceedingly important feature of beauty.

....

So I take it that you are not fair skinned?? ;)

[Basim Ali]

Right. So what I take from this is that blue eyed, white people (Europeans, Americans etc) are more 'virtuous', 'blessed' and 'beautiful' than non-blue eyed people. No conditions. :dry:

You want to throw in a fake Hadith about how virtuous blondes are, too? :lol:

And we also have a hadith about marrying women of average skin colour.

From al-Faqih, Vol. 3, Chapter on the appreciable morals and attributes of women, pg. 387-8 and al-Kafi, Vol. 5, page 335:

" ÞÇá ÃãíÑ ÇáãÄãäíä Úáíå ÇáÓáÇã : ÊÒæÌ ÓãÑÇÁ ÚíäÇÁ ÚÌÒÇÁ ãÑÈæÚÉ ÝÅä ßÑåÊåÇ ÝÚáí ÇáÕÏÇÞ "

From the footnotes on the hadith:

(1) ÇáÓãÑÇÁ: áæä Èíä ÇáÈíÇÖ æÇáÓæÇÏ

http://www.mezan.net/books/manlayahdraho/fakeeh3/html/ara/books/faqih/faqih-3/a123.html

http://www.alkadhum.org/other/mktba/hadith/alkafe05/14.htm

Al-Sam'ra' means not too white and not too black (brown).

wa (salam)

[Çåá ÇáÈíÊ]

And we also have a hadith about marrying women of average skin colour.

From al-Faqih, Vol. 3, Chapter on the appreciable morals and attributes of women, pg. 387-8 and al-Kafi, Vol. 5, page 335:

" ÞÇá ÃãíÑ ÇáãÄãäíä Úáíå ÇáÓáÇã : ÊÒæÌ ÓãÑÇÁ ÚíäÇÁ ÚÌÒÇÁ ãÑÈæÚÉ ÝÅä ßÑåÊåÇ ÝÚáí ÇáÕÏÇÞ "

From the footnotes on the hadith:

(1) ÇáÓãÑÇÁ: áæä Èíä ÇáÈíÇÖ æÇáÓæÇÏ

http://www.mezan.net/books/manlayahdraho/fakeeh3/html/ara/books/faqih/faqih-3/a123.html

http://www.alkadhum.org/other/mktba/hadith/alkafe05/14.htm

Al-Sam'ra' means not too white and not too black (brown).

wa (salam)

So, the "neutral skin colour" girl hates doing the dowry? How does this Hadith make any sense?

This is one thing which irritates me. In our faith, we can't be sure of the authenticity of any Hadith, ever. Especially, this one! Hence the reason why I opened up a thread on "is Islam complete in essence?" and no one could really clarify.

Whilst we're at it, let me "make up" a Hadith - ÊÒæøÌ ÇáÔÞÑÇæÇÊ. Çäø åä ÇáÍÓäÉ

[Basim Ali]

(salam),

^What? :huh:

You didn't like the hadith favoring white-skinned women, and you don't like this one either. I see that you're complaining. I don't know what gave you the impression that I was trying to 'please' you... I wasn't. I was merely pointing out a fact that it is not just white women who are favored in our books (as some of us thought that showed blatant racism).

I didn't quite get what you said about the dowry bit. The Imam (a) is saying if you do not like the woman (whom you marry) with the characteristics he describes, he (the Imam (a) ) will pay the woman her mahr (see second link to hadith in al-Kafi); like more of a challenge sort-of.

[Nader Zaveri]

(salam)

(bismillah)

Yes we have a whole chapter in Wasaa'il dedicated to to the recommendation of marrying tan/brown (ö ÇáÓóøãúÑóÇÁö). I didn't mention this, because the main issue I had with the OP was that they said that the obsession with white skin was due to colonialism. I showed that Qur'aan and aHaadeeth, which occurred pre-colonialism, has mentioned fair-skinned and white-skinned females as houri for men in paradise and they are recommended to marry.

(salam)

[El Cid]

Attraction isn't really a choice either, it just happens without us even knowing it.

[Dina]

(salam)

(bismillah)

Yes we have a whole chapter in Wasaa'il dedicated to to the recommendation of marrying tan/brown (ö ÇáÓóøãúÑóÇÁö). I didn't mention this, because the main issue I had with the OP was that they said that the obsession with white skin was due to colonialism. I showed that Qur'aan and aHaadeeth, which occurred pre-colonialism, has mentioned fair-skinned and white-skinned females as houri for men in paradise and they are recommended to marry.

(salam)

'Alaykum As Salaam Brother,

I appreciate your contributions, thankyou for them. It would seem, however, that you have misunderstood and misinterpreted both the piece as well as its purpose. The following is a brief clarification:

It is possible that this age-old obsession with white skin is a legacy of colonial rule: and it is also probable that preference for white skin reflects a deep-seated inferiority complex and, thus, a crisis of identity.

If you read through the above, you will observe that I have made no categorical statement about colonialism and its effects. I merely suggested that the obsession with white skin may have its roots in colonial rule.

You are suggesting that the recommendation to marry white-skinned females has its source in the Qur'an. With the greatest of respect, I reject that supposition as utterly ludicrous and absolutely contrary to the Message of Islam, and the life-example of the Prophet (pbuh) You have not provided a single Verse from the Qur'an in order to substantiate your claim. What you have done, however, is to completely ignore the Verse quoted in the piece, which clearly states that the differences in languages and complexions evident amongst humankind, constitutes a "sign" from Allah SWT. You are so intent upon proving your assertion, that you have completely failed to address this Verse and its Message.

Regarding the word "Hur" - this surely has to be one of the most misinterpreted/mistranslated words from Kitaab-Allah Ta'aala. The Arabic word Hur is not gender specific, in other words, it is not referring exclusively to females. Rather, it is the plural of Ahwar - male - and Haura - female. It does not mean "white skin" nor does it have anything to do with skin tone. The following is its real meaning:

Ahwar (m), Haura (f), plural Hur -

having eyes with a marked contrast of white and black, (also, said of the eye) intensely white and deep black

(Hans Wehr, A Dictionary Of Modern Standard Arabic, edited by J.Milton Cowan. Pg 212)

Verses which deal with matters relating to Al-Ghayb - the Realm beyond perception - cannot be interpreted or understood in a literal sense. Descriptions of the Hereafter fall into the category of Al-Ghayb, naturally. Only Allah SWT Knows their true meaning.

I maintain my position in respect of the subject of this piece: many Muslims are so obsessed with white skin that they are apt to reject their darker skinned co-religionists. If marriage is simply confined to outward appearance, then its innermost purpose has been lost. Wa Llahu 'Alam.

As Salaamu 'Alaykum

[Alyssa Lynn]

I also think white skin is favored by most people. There's also white privilege but that's a whole other topic. My husband is from Pakistan and married me (a white American girl). He was a foreign exchange student at my high school where we met. His friends and family were very thrilled about my skin color. Saying I am "fair and lovely". It is flattering but I had to laugh thinking "well all the girls over here would say I'm white and pasty, and always going tanning!" I personally am attracted to brown men over white men. But you know, I wish people would love themselves for who they are. It's okay to be attracted to certain types of people. I really love the Pakistani culture and the people are very beautiful now that I've been exposed to it. I want my kids to be beautiful regardless of being dark like their father or lighter like me. I know they will be beautiful. Everyone should appreciate the way God mad them.

[Quranist]

Beauty is, more often than not, associated with physical appearance. Along with height, shape, face and form, colour of skin is regarded as an exceedingly important feature of beauty.

This holds true for most people, but especially so for Muslims. Whether Arab or Asian, Muslim men seek fair-complexioned wives - perhaps in the hopes the offspring will inherit this physical characteristic.

It is possible that this age-old obsession with white skin is a legacy of colonial rule: and it is also probable that preference for white skin reflects a deep-seated inferiority complex and, thus, a crisis of identity.

Rejecting or accepting a person based upon no more than appearance - in particular skin tone - is a clear sign of Jaahiliyah, ignorance. One hopes Muslim men will re-think their criteria when considering prospective brides.

Generally speaking, Muslims are as guilty of racism as are other peoples and nations. An unfortunate truth, especially in light of the fact that the Message of Islam is known to be universally applicable, intended for all peoples of all times - and not confined to, or reserved for, an elite group.

Physical differences amongst humankind represent both a test and a sign from Allah SWT - but ultimately, these differences too are deceptive and illusory. Allahu 'Alam.

Surah 30, Ar-Rum, Verse 22

And of HIS Signs are the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variation in your languages and complexions. Verily, in this are Signs for people of knowledge.

I am white skin,and my wife is brown skin(but she is momeena for sure and very submissive to Allah and his orders and still she is trying to be more submissive).....so please avoid generalization it all depends on the person and the level of taqwa and yakeen he has for Allah subhanu.

[King]

I also think white skin is favored by most people. There's also white privilege but that's a whole other topic. My husband is from Pakistan and married me (a white American girl). He was a foreign exchange student at my high school where we met. His friends and family were very thrilled about my skin color. Saying I am "fair and lovely". It is flattering but I had to laugh thinking "well all the girls over here would say I'm white and pasty, and always going tanning!" I personally am attracted to brown men over white men. But you know, I wish people would love themselves for who they are. It's okay to be attracted to certain types of people. I really love the Pakistani culture and the people are very beautiful now that I've been exposed to it. I want my kids to be beautiful regardless of being dark like their father or lighter like me. I know they will be beautiful. Everyone should appreciate the way God mad them.

Your story melts my brown heart.

[Christianlady]

Beauty is, more often than not, associated with physical appearance. Along with height, shape, face and form, colour of skin is regarded as an exceedingly important feature of beauty.

This holds true for most people, but especially so for Muslims. Whether Arab or Asian, Muslim men seek fair-complexioned wives - perhaps in the hopes the offspring will inherit this physical characteristic.

It is possible that this age-old obsession with white skin is a legacy of colonial rule: and it is also probable that preference for white skin reflects a deep-seated inferiority complex and, thus, a crisis of identity.

Rejecting or accepting a person based upon no more than appearance - in particular skin tone - is a clear sign of Jaahiliyah, ignorance. One hopes Muslim men will re-think their criteria when considering prospective brides.

Generally speaking, Muslims are as guilty of racism as are other peoples and nations. An unfortunate truth, especially in light of the fact that the Message of Islam is known to be universally applicable, intended for all peoples of all times - and not confined to, or reserved for, an elite group.

Physical differences amongst humankind represent both a test and a sign from Allah SWT - but ultimately, these differences too are deceptive and illusory. Allahu 'Alam.

Surah 30, Ar-Rum, Verse 22

And of HIS Signs are the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variation in your languages and complexions. Verily, in this are Signs for people of knowledge.

Hello Dina,

The color of one's skin has been an issue where many people have been treated unjustly, all around the world and in many different beliefs, sad to say.

God, who is the Creator, has made a remarkably awesome diversisty in all forms of life. The diversity is a vital part of beauty! If all flowers were the same color, same size, same everything, we would not have the lovely array of botanical beauty we have today. Thank God, He has made diversity, and skin color is just another diversity God has made.

Sadly, people have judged others on the color of their skin for a long time. However, hopefully more and more people will learn that God loves people of all skin colors, and that each skin color is beautiful!

Thanks for your thread. I think it is very interesting.

Peace and God bless you

[asphyxiated]

I don't mean to sound racist or demeaning at all, but I too think attraction to lighter skin may be innate to human nature. This is a huge generalization and I know it does not apply to everyone, not by a long shot, and I'm not saying darker skinned girls are not attractive. However, I find that white men like lighter skinned women (not pale, but still white), Arab men like lighter skinned Arab or white women (partly why Lebanese women are famous for beauty), I think even a lot of African men prefer African ladies with lighter complexion or simply other European women. For a long time I thought the reasons were social - perhaps lighter skin is a sign of colonialism and the First World, or perhaps (living in the West) many of us have been socialized into preferring fairer-complexions, but I find that even men living in the Middle East, Iran, South Asia, China, and Africa have all generally (but not always) preferred lighter skins. Even ancient literature seems to indicate this preference for fairer complexions. Perhaps there is an evolutionary reasoning behind it. By the way, you can still be "black" or "brown" and have a fairer complexion, so this isn't just Europeans and white Arabs we're talking about.

This is not to say darker complexions are worth less, or unattractive - there are may other characteristics that can make a woman beautiful, including ones that have nothing to do with her looks. However, if I saw two women that were identical in looks and personality, I would probably honestly prefer the lighter skinned one slightly more.

And this isn't male shovenism either. Many women prefer darker men, or taller men, and these are all things no one has control over.

(salam)

I think your assessment is correct and I said as much in my first post. There is a lot of evidence to suggest that men have, throughout the ages, preferred lighter skin women. At the same time, women seem to prefer darker skinned men. Of course, lighter and darker are relative and they rarely signify the extremes (pale white skin or very dark sub-Saharan skin). I'm very honest about my preferences. Based on anecdotal evidence and experience, I tend to attract the same kinds of women. It is unfortunate that most of them do not have an Islamic background or else I would be married by now.

Nevertheless, there are always cultural elements involved. We should not forget that people in the West risk skin cancer and other diseases by going to tanning salons in order to appear darker. There's a wide enough medium in there for many kinds of people, but it also excludes many others.

[ShiaBen]

Qaim had an interesting post.

I wanted to add to that.

I think it might also have to do with the perception of physiological traits, not just the complexion.

So for example, most light skinned people (at least from what I've noticed), have thinner noses than darker skinned people.

And most people I know love thinner noses, and not broader/bigger/fatter ones.

So I think when it comes to physiology, a lot of the desired traits, are more likely to be found in people with lighter skin, than darker skin.

[Propaganda_of_the_Deed]

Grass is greener on the other side, you get light skinned women disliking their "pasty" skin and risking skin cancer to add a colour with tanning and adding tan sprays etc, meanwhile women of colour add whitening lotions and other chemicals so they can appear more "beautiful". I think it's an inferior complex though for non-whites, especially seeing as ever since the days of colonialism, white equated to superiority, if it aint white, it aint right so to speak. Many people just like something different to their own colour skin, it isn't simply a stereotype to say for example, white women like black guys, and vice verca. That isn't to say there are just as many who prefer their own.

The world is increasingly becoming a smaller place, and there is more inter-mixing than ever before in human history, what I do know though, is that the white coloured people are in decline, namely because of lower birthrates than immigrants and non-white communities, especially in Europe, but I think it's safe to say that most people in the future will be beige o_o

This product is very popular among black and brown women... notice how happier she gets as she becomes lighter XD

What's extra sad is that this product also has a range for men now.

[kim.tinkerbell]

Lol I remmber there was a time where I wished I was dark..

Then you move on lol....

Cultural people usually love fair and some girls actually believe in whitening products. But I cant believe that people reject people for their skin colour....

[JawzofDETH]

well done sister,

i applaude you for raising your voice against Man's world.

The issue of racism in Muslim communities is not gender-biased.

It's on both sides. I also appreciate the subject matter, but your'e

changing it to something it's not.

Edited January 23, 2012 by JawzofDETH

[Hussien]

I believe its a simple case of will to power- In our childhood we think that our fathers are the strongest man in the world and hence we try or hope to become our fathers. In case of the affinity towards white-skin likewise because the white-skinned people are the most powerful in the world. With power comes leisure, comfort and other privileges that human beings are naturally attracted to. Now that West's power is declining, the desire for Asian traits are becoming more and more popular.

[y3qub]

Just as men can be very demanding of physical appearance in women, so too can women be of men. And yes, I agree that much of the issue is the cause of men controlling the image of women in the public sphere (i.e. through the media).

The issue of white/pale skin complexion can can attributed in part to Western imperialism, but also to class structure. In most cultures, the wealthy have traditionally valued pale skin as a way of reinforcing class structure (i.e. wealthy people stay indoors and do not labour outside, thus their skin remains in its so-called natural state.

We should appreciate beauty as God (exalted and glorified be He) made it. That is all.

[AlphaMale_ASAD]

Honestly I always believed dark skin to be a symbol of power and manliness. When I was younger I wanted to be dark skinned because I felt having light skin was a sign of weakness.

[yellow billed magpie]

(salam)

(bismillah)

I don't think it is colonialism since we have Qur'aanic evidences and hadeeth to imply that even 1400 years ago white skin was an attraction. We have hadeeth that it is recommended (mustaHabb) to get married to a "white skinned" person.

When Allaah SWT describes the Houris (virgin maidens) that men are promised in heaven, Allaah SWT says:

كَأَنَّهُنَّ الْيَاقُوتُ وَالْمَرْجَانُ

[surah al-RaHmaan (55) : Verse 58] - "They are like rubies and corals"

According to both Sunni and Shee`ah mufassireen these refer to the Houris and they say:

و قوله (كَأَنَّهُنَّ الْياقُوتُ وَ الْمَرْجانُ) قال الحسن: هن على صفاء الياقوت في بياض المرجان. و قيل: كالياقوت في الحسن و الصفاء و النور. و قال الحسن:

المرجان أشد اللؤلؤ بياضياً و هو صغاره

and He SWT "They are like rubies and corals" al-Hasan said: "they are fine like rubies and white like corals. And others say: Like rubies in beauty, fineness, brightness. and al-Hasan said: al-Marjaan (corals) is extremely pearly white, and they are young

• 
  Source:
• al-Toosi, al-Tibyaan fee Tafseer al-Qur'aan, vol. 9, pg. 48
  

كَأَنَّهُنَّ الْياقُوتُ وَ الْمَرْجانُ في حمرة الوجنة و بياض البشرة و صفائهما

"They are like rubies and corals" with red cheeks, and white complexion and fineness

• 
  Source:
• FayD al-Kashaanee, Tafseer al-Saafee, vol. 5, pg. 113
  

«وَ الْمَرْجانُ [58]»: في بياض البشرة.

"And the corals" (meaning) the white complexion"

• 
  Source:
• Muhammad bin Murtada al-Kashaani, Tafseer al-Mu`een, vol. 3, pg. 1450
  

كَأَنَّهُنَّ الْياقُوتُ وَ الْمَرْجانُ في حمرة الوجنة و بياض البشرة و صفائهما.

"They are like rubies and corals" - in red cheeks, and white complexion and fineness

• 
  Source:
• al-Kashaani, al-aSfee fee al-Tafseer al-Qur'aan, vol. 2, pg. 1247
  

Allaah SWT promised the houris for men in paradise, so by this we can assume that men at that time were attracted to white skinned women. Or you can assume that is what Allaah SWT thinks that is what beauty is. We also have hadeeth that says that it is recommended to get married to white skinned women.

20 - بَابُ اسْتِحْبَابِ تَزْوِيجِ الْبَيْضَاءِ وَ الزَّرْقَاءِ

"Chapter on the recommendation to marry white skinned and blue-eyed (people)"

• 
  Source:
• al-`Aamulee, Wasaa'il al-Shee`ah, vol. 20, ch. 20, pg. 58
  

(salam)

Salam-maybe someone on this thread can answer the question I have asked on other threads-When Houris are concerned, its always in reference to men-is this just a generalization for mankind, or is it directed towards men in particular, cuz Im wondering what will be available for women when they get to heaven...Thanks!

[hasanhh]

Beauty is, more often than not, associated with physical appearance. Along with height, shape, face and form, colour of skin is regarded as an exceedingly important feature of beauty.

This holds true for most people, but especially so for Muslims. Whether Arab or Asian, Muslim men seek fair-complexioned wives - perhaps in the hopes the offspring will inherit this physical characteristic.

It is possible that this age-old obsession with white skin is a legacy of colonial rule: and it is also probable that preference for white skin reflects a deep-seated inferiority complex and, thus, a crisis of identity.

Rejecting or accepting a person based upon no more than appearance - in particular skin tone - is a clear sign of Jaahiliyah, ignorance. One hopes Muslim men will re-think their criteria when considering prospective brides.

Generally speaking, Muslims are as guilty of racism as are other peoples and nations. An unfortunate truth, especially in light of the fact that the Message of Islam is known to be universally applicable, intended for all peoples of all times - and not confined to, or reserved for, an elite group.

Physical differences amongst humankind represent both a test and a sign from Allah SWT - but ultimately, these differences too are deceptive and illusory. Allahu 'Alam.

Surah 30, Ar-Rum, Verse 22

And of HIS Signs are the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variation in your languages and complexions. Verily, in this are Signs for people of knowledge.

There is a sahih hadith --which I am not looking up-- in sahih Bukhari I think where the Prophet(saws) said -paraphrase/near quote- "if the blackest Ethiopian is appointed over you you will obey him"

[kadhim]

Regarding the ahadith that Nader Zaveri posted. It would require a fuller contextual analysis, but I wonder if this recommendation simply intended to encourage men not to be afraid to marry women from different ethnic backgrounds? People tend to want to marry people who look like them, and in Arabia of that time, a pale, blue eyed woman would have been a rare "foreigner." Perhaps some explanation along these sorts of lines.

[Luminary]

It's probably a "by default" feeling in every man, put in at the time of manufacture. Most of the shades of Blue woman-eyes r nothing less than magical, like the sea and the sky..

[shiaaliibrahim]

The sister is correct and every explanation otherwise is just an excuse. A man who has love for himself naturally desires a woman that looks like him. The same skin color and tone. If he has self hate, which he can be aware of or not, than he prefers a woman from a group he considers superior. For a man or woman who truly loves themselves than their attractions will be driven by internal characteristics and skin color and tone will be less important. Let me repeat, if your first requirement is physical, than a person with healthy self love will select from among people that look like themselves.

[Ali Musaaa :)]

Our Imams (as) are narrated to have hard quite a darker complexion as their mothers were generally African, as a lot of the Imams married African woman :)

[Suzanne Smith]

I think this is a generalisation.

I am an Arab and I've observed that this is mostley true of arabs who live in the middle-east - that fairer skin is more appealing. However, the opposite seems to be more true of men who live in the west, at least in my experience. In fact this is true of every culture not just 'muslims', as you suggest. White people find non-whites exotic, darker people find lighter people different and appealing, etc.

As an arab man, ehen I was looking to get married my preference was definately not for a women with 'white' or pale skin. I found pale women much less attractive than those with darker complexion. As an arab man those women of classic arab, mediterranean or south american complexion were always my preference and not paler and pastier women.

That's sad how you think you're speaking against racism yet need to insult people with a porcelain complexion as pasty. Is there much in Islam against hypocrites?

[abu-khadijah]

I'm glad someone brought this topic up!!!  In my humble opinion, among some Muslim groups this is a problem.  The wife of a friend of mine actually made dua for a fair/white skin child.  I couldn't believe it.  I thought to myself what a waste of a dua, of all the things you should pray for, this is your priority! Subhanallah :cry:.  This hurt me because I expect so much more from Muslims.

[guest050817]

My imams a.s had dark skinned mothers! The mother of my awaited imam is a dark skinned woman according to accounts.

[IQRA07]

Well not all Muslims are Arabs or Asians. I do not look for white skin but then again I am Black.

[~ThePond~]

Historically speaking, in America there was also this assumption that fair skinned women were somehow innately submissive, docile, and weak. Many men believed that fair skinned women represented the sort of submissive wife that men could easily overpower and gain control over. Dark skinned women were not perceived as having these characteristics, and were stereotyped just like fair skinned women. Dark skinned women were assumed to be more masculine or more domineering. Currently there is still this horrendous stereotype of the domineering "controlling" black woman. The stereotype goes beyond the generally okay concept of the strong black woman, and just flies off into horrible stereotype land.

Yet I think every man and woman has a "natural" disposition to certain physical appearances, whether they be light or dark skin. Personally, I have always struggled with my physical appearance because I have always been labeled as "pasty" white, and as an American woman living in the West, tanned skin is more preferred. I am often at the butt of the joke and people always say "oh my God you're sooo white" (and not in a good way)

Though as a fair skinned Muslimah, I prefer darker skin and more "Arab" features (though there is no generality in the Arab appearance). I guess for me most Muslims I knew were gulf Arabs and maybe my associate with these features were erroneously assumed to represent Muslims. Obviously I know the majority of Muslims are not Arab. My husband is from Saudi Arabia, and for him, he has a preference for fairer skin. But I think some people are right about the "exotic" obsession. Living in America, his features are perceived as "exotic" or foreign and less common; whereas, him, coming from Saudi Arabia, fair skin is generally less common.

It's also funny that people talk about the tall, dark, and handsome complex. Personally I actually prefer shorter men because I prefer men who are little "chunky(?)", lol. Like I don't like skinny men, and most tall men, at least in America, are very lean and skinny. But then again, many American women prefer tall men, and more lean "soccer player" built men.

And like how someone else said, sometimes skin tone generates certain features that are more common for the particular skin tone. I love very dark eyes, which are found more commonly in dark skinned people. Just as my husband prefers blue eyes, which I have and usually more common in lighter skin.

And I actually find Arab women to be the most beautiful women. I was always jealous of their olive skin tone, and their big, beautiful eyes. So for me I don't understand why an Arab man would prefer a non Arab woman, lol. And I did know i few Arab men who preferred darker skinned Arab women. It's all a matter of taste. Al hamdullilah for diversity :)