Islam and humanity

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Islamic teachings on humanity and human welfare have been codified in its central religious book known as the

revealed by God for the humankind. These teachings have often been exemplified by Islamic prophet Muhammad as displayed in his sayings and practices
. To the Muslims, Islam is what the Quran has instructed to do and how Muhammad has put them into practice. Thus, the understanding of any Islamic topic generally rely on these two.

Social welfare in Islam

In Islamic tradition, the idea of social

religious life remains incomplete if not attended by service to humanity.[1] The following verse of the Quran is often cited to encapsulate the Islamic idea of social welfare:[4]

It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces towards East or West; but it is righteousness to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity, to fulfill the contracts which we have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God fearing (Quran 2:177).

Similarly, duties to

citizens while various non-government institutions in a civil society are to carry out public services and charitable works.[8]

Rights of various groups in Islam

Rights of the parents and relatives

In Islam, special importance has been attached to the service and rights of

his companions to be good and kind to their parents and to serve them in the best possible manner.[12] Insulting or misbehaving with one's parents has been declared a major sin.[13] Mother, however, has been given priority over father in terms of receiving respect and service from children. The high status of mother in Islam is best exemplified by the saying of Muhammad that "paradise is at the feet of your mothers". Similarly, importance has also been attached to the rights of relatives. A two-fold approach is generally prescribed with regard to the duties to the relatives: keeping good relation with them, and offering financial help if necessary.[14] Maintaining good relation with one's relatives has been emphasized, and severing ties with them has been admonished. It is said in the hadith, "The person who severs the bond of kinship will not enter Paradise."[15]

Rights of the neighbors

Gabriel kept on recommending me about treating the neighbors in a kind and polite manner, so much so that I thought that he would order me to make them my heirs.

Islam's most sacred book, the Qur'an, describes true followers of its prophet as "hard against disbelievers and merciful among themselves" (Qur'an 48:29). However, as seen in modern discuss, Muslims believe that regardless of a neighbor's religious identity, Islam tells the Muslims to treat their neighboring people in the best possible manners and not to cause any difficulty to them.[16][17] The Quran tells the Muslims to stand by their neighbors in the latter's everyday needs. Muhammad is reported as saying, "A man is not a believer who fills his stomach while his neighbor is hungry."[18] One typical hadith on neighbors reads as follows: Narrated Abu Shuraih: The Prophet said, "By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe!" It was said, "Who is that, O Allah's Apostle?" He said, "That person whose neighbor does not feel safe from his evil."[19]

Rights of children

proper mannerism, honesty, truthfulness, modesty, and generosity.[23] The Quran forbids harsh and oppressive treatment of orphaned children while urging kindness and justice towards them. It also condemns those who do not honor and feed the orphaned children (Quran 89:17-18).[24]

Muhammad has been described as being very fond of children in general. In one Islamic tradition, Muhammad ran after

Hussein, his grandson, in a game until he caught him.[25] He comforted a child whose pet nightingale had died.[26] Muhammad played many games with children, joked with them and befriended them.[27] Muhammad also showed love to children of other religions. Once he visited his Jewish neighbor's son when the child was sick.[25]

Rights of the minorities

Today,

minority rights in several Muslim countries are severely curtailed. As taught in the Qur'an (At-Taubah 9:29), Jews and Christians who are called "people of the book" are to be fought until they pay Jizya and "feel themselves subdued" where Islam has the upper hand. Historically, however, non-Muslim minorities have frequently enjoyed greater freedom in Muslim lands. This is evident from its early beginnings through later caliphates, included the Ottoman and Mughal Empires. These freedoms were enjoyed by the people of the Book, as well as by other non-Muslim peoples, many of whom still live in these lands today after over 1300 years of Muslim rule.[28][29][30][31] The protection of minority rights is regarded as imperative under Islamic law which is in harmony with other international laws for the minority.[32]

Repudiation of racial discrimination

In human history,

privileged or chosen class exists except those having piety or moral excellence.[36] A Quranic injunction forbids the Muslims to underestimate others. Assuming that there will be natural differences in social status and income among individuals which is the natural outcome due to the differences in personal talents and efforts, a sense of brotherhood towards fellow Muslims and a general sense of humanity towards every human being have been suggested to be cultured to further establish equality in society.[36]

Economic welfare

Zakat

In Islam, zakat is a form of compulsory alms-giving, and a religious obligation for those Muslims who are financially affluent.

redistribution of wealth and fosters a sense of solidarity amongst members of the Ummah.[40]

Sadaqah

Sadaqah means voluntary charity which is given out of compassion, love, friendship (fraternity), religious duty, or generosity.[41] Both the Quran and the hadith have put much emphasis on spending money for the welfare of needy people. The Quran says: 'Spend something (in charity) out of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before Death should come to any of you' (63:10). One of the early teachings of Muhammad was that God expects men to be generous with their wealth and not to be miserly (Quran %3Averse%3D1 107 :1–7).[42] Accumulating wealth without spending them to address the needs of the poor is generally prohibited and admonished.[43]

Moral behavior

Islamic tradition holds that moral qualities and good actions elevate the status of a man.[44] The Quran and the hadith serve as the primary source of moral and ethical guidance in Islamic theology. Both the Quran and the hadith often speak in emphatic manners to instruct the Muslims to adopt a morally good character. In particular, respecting parents and elders, having love for the younger, greeting people in correct manner, showing kindness to fellow people, caring for the sick, asking permission before entering into others' house, speaking the truth, and avoiding rude and false speech have been emphasized.[45] The typical Islamic teaching is that imposing a penalty on an offender in proportion to their offense is permissible and just; but forgiving the offender is better. To go one step further by offering a favor to the offender is regarded the highest excellence.[44] Muhammad said, "The best among you are those who have the best manners and character".[46] To the Muslims, the examples of moral virtues set by Muhammad and his companions serve as guidance both practically and theologically.

The Cairo Declaration on human rights

Adopted in

political affiliation, social status or other considerations". The Declaration especially emphasizes on issues like "preservation of human life", "right to privacy", "right to marriage", prohibition of forceful conversion, protection against arbitrary arrest and torture. It also guarantees presumption of innocence until proven guilty, "full right to freedom and self-determination
", and freedom of expression.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The Quran says in this regard: "Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and do good to parents. If any one of them or both of them reach old age, do not say to them a word of contempt and do not scold them, and address them with respectful words, and submit yourself before them in humility out of compassion, and say, "My Lord, be merciful to them as they have brought me up in my childhood"" (17:23-24).

References

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  3. ^ Anis Ahmad (1997). "Social Welfare: A Basic Islamic Value". Retrieved 20 January 2016.
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  10. ISBN 978-0-8160-5454-1. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help
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  11. ^ Cornell (2007), p. 97
  12. . Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  13. ^ Cornell (2007), p. 98
  14. ^ Al-Sheha, Abdur Rahman. Human Rights in Islam and Common Misconceptions. Riyadh. p. 65.
  15. ^ Sahih al-Bukhari, 8:73:13
  16. .
  17. ^ al-Sheha, Abdur Rahman. Human Rights in Islam and Common Misconceptions. Riyadh. pp. 74–5.
  18. ^ "Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 112". Archived from the original on 2016-07-28. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  19. ^ Sahih al-Bukhari, 8:73:45
  20. ^ I. A. Arshed. Parent-Child Relationship in Islam. Retrieved 2015-09-21
  21. ^ "The Rights of Children In Islam". Archived from the original on 2006-10-24. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
  22. ^ "Home". Mode TheReligion.
  23. ^ Campo (2009), p. 137
  24. Muhammad Taqi Usmani
    . Tafsir of 89:17-18
  25. ^ a b Yust, Karen-Marie (2006). Nurturing Child And Adolescent Spirituality: Perspectives from the World's Religious Traditions. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 72–3.
  26. ^ Phipps, William E (1999). Muhammad and Jesus: A Comparison of the Prophets and Their Teachings. Continuum International Publishing Group. p. 120.
  27. ^ Watt, William Montgomery (1974). Muhammad Prophet and Statesman. Oxford University Press. p. 230.
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  35. ^ ""Muhammad (prophet)"". Microsoft® Student 2008 [DVD] (Encarta Encyclopedia). Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation. 2007.
  36. ^ a b Hashmi (2009), p. 62
  37. , page XIX
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  42. ISBN 978-0-521-21946-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
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  45. ISBN 978-0-8160-5454-1. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help
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  46. ^ Sahih al-Bukhari, 8:73:56
  47. .