Zanj

Bismihi ta'āla

This is an interesting topic that many of our scholars have addressed. I would like to share some quick points:

1. Our principle is we are all the same, and equal, and our virtue over others is only in taqwa. 

2. Not every narration mentioned is to be taken as authentic. Many narrations are fabricated.

3. There are Arabic expressions that one understands on face, but linguists and experts have explained it carrying different meaning that the meaning commonly used. for example, "shadid al-sawad", does not mean extremely black, it means someone who does not die their hair, even though they are of old age. Or a "qawm of jinn" this does not mean they are jinn, but they hide in mountains, do not socialise, so "jinn" here does not mean the jinn creature, but the literal meaning of "concealing and hiding". 

4. There are narrations about the people of Kufah, or the people of Esfahan and not loving Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). If authentic, it could be referring to a group of people, or a certain situation, or specific for a time, not generalising and forever. 

5. The word "zinj" has numerous meanings, and does not only mean "black people". In principle, our Islamic values condemn such an attitude, and is categorically rejected, so therefore, it must be referring to something else other than what is commonly taken as its meaning.

And Allah knows best