Social class in the Muslim world

Contrary to Qur'anic worldview and Islamic teaching in general, some Muslim communities around the world still apply a system of social stratification that has similarity to the caste systems.
Middle East and North Africa
Traditional caste relationships have continued in many places, including the institution of slavery.
Algeria
In Algeria, Desert Berbers and Arabs usually have a rigid caste or class system, having social ranks ranging from nobles to an underclass of menial workers (commonly ethnic Africans).
Yemen
Al-Akhdam also known as Al-Muhamasheen, "the marginalized ones" is a social group in Yemen, distinguished from the majority by its members' Negrito-like physical features and stature. They are considered to be at the very bottom of the societal ladder and are mostly confined to menial jobs in the country's major cities.
In Indian subcontinent
Sources indicate that the castes among Muslims developed both because of Hindu casteism effect on Indian Muslims.
Some data indicates that the castes among Bengali Muslims have never been as rigid as among Hindus. An old Bengali saying also goes "Last year I was a Julaha (weaver); this year a Shaikh." However, other scholars disagree with this thesis (see criticism below).
Stratification
In North India, most of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal, some Muslims are classified as Ashrafs, Ajlafs and Arzals. Ashrafs claim a superior status derived from their aristocratic ancestry.
Barani was specific in his recommendation that the "sons of Mohamed" "be given a higher social status than the low-born . His most significant contribution in the fatwa was his analysis of the castes with respect to Islam. The term "Arzal" stands for "degraded" and the Arzal castes are further subdivided into Bhanar, Halalkhor, Hijra, Kasbi, Lalbegi, Maugta, Mehtar etc. They are relegated to "menial" professions such as scavenging and carrying night soil.
Arzal
Arzal is the working class destined to labour and provide services to all others.
Interaction and mobility
In Bihar state of India, cases have been reported in which the higher caste Muslims have opposed the burials of lower caste Muslims in the same graveyard. The rate of endogamous marriage among cross cousins and parallel cousins for example, is less than two thirds.
Social class in Pakistan
Some of the different qoums are not permitted to intermarry or live in some of the same community. The Quoms who deal with human emissions are ranked the lowest.
Criticism of the system
Muslim scholars have termed the caste-like features as a "flagrant violation of the Qur'anic worldview."

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