this one from Banū Tamīm, this one from Quraysh, that one from Khuzaʿah, and so on.

Allah fashioned these tribes so that we might recognize one another—not so that some of us would glory over others, saying, “I am an Arab and you are a non-Arab; I am qabīlī (of noble tribal stock) and you are khaḍīrī (of non-tribal lineage); I am wealthy and you are poor.” Such boasts belong to the days of ignorance—Allah forbid. He created these categories solely for mutual acquaintance, not for vainglory. Hence the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Allah has removed from you the conceit of the pre-Islamic era and its pride in forefathers. People are either a pious believer or a wretched sinner. You are all the children of Adam, and Adam was created from dust.”

In Islam, merit is determined by piety; the most honored of us before Allah are those who are most mindful of Him. Whoever possesses greater taqwā is, in Allah’s sight, more noble.

At the same time, we must acknowledge that certain tribes or peoples are superior to others. The people among whom the Messenger (peace be upon him) was sent are the best of peoples; the Arab nation is the finest of nations, for Allah has said, “Allah knows best where to place His message” (al-Anʿām 6:124). The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: “People are like ores of gold and silver; the best of them in the pre-Islamic era are the best of them in Islam, provided they gain understanding.”

This does not entail denigrating the human race as a whole; it is only boastfulness that is