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THE COPENHAGEN POST 24 - 30 OCTOBER 2008
By Dr. Ratib Al Nabulsi
One of Islam’s most important characteristics is its humanity; this is highly evident in Islamic legislation and other facets of the religions as well. Islam promotes the concept of a human brotherhood and the equality of all humans. It maintains that all humans are the children of one man (Adam) and one woman (Eve) and we all share the same lineage, as stated in the holy Koran (women : 1): O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them twain hath spread abroad a multitude of men and women. Be careful of your duty toward Allah in whom ye claim (your rights) of one another, and toward the wombs (that bare you). Lo! Allah hath been a watcher over you. Following his prayers, the Prophet Muhammad used to say, “I am a witness that all people are brothers”. Through this statement, he underscored the brotherhood that exists amongst all people - not only Arabs or Muslims. Regardless of race, sex, class status or color we are all one, according to Islam. Although we are, in essence, one - our humanity and freedom of choice has created divisions. There are those who choose to know and serve God, fol-
Humanity and Equality in Islam low his path and abide by his laws, respecting all of God’s creation these individuals are intent on gaining eternal happiness in this life and the afterlife. And there are those who neglect God, slip away from his path and wrong God’s creatures, these individuals suffer miserably in this life and will experience more of the same in the afterlife. The human brotherhood is strengthened by the brotherhood of belief. Prophet Muhammad once said: “No one can be a good believer until he loves for his human brother all that he loves for him self.” The principle of equality is central to Islam`s sense of humanity. Holy Koran (Rooms: 13): O mankind! Lo! We have created you from male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! The noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware. In his farewell speech to the pilgrims before his death, the Prophet Muhammad addressed all Muslims in simple
words stressing the fun- of the victim, it is as damental principles of though he has taken the life of all mankind, conIslam saying: versely he who helps “ Oh mankind, your god save another human is (Allah) is one and your considered to have father (Adam) is one, saved all of mankind. there is no favoring for Holy Koran (The Table: any Arab over non-Arab 32): nor for Non-Arab over Arab, Nor for Black For that cause we (skinned) over Red decreed for the Children (white Skinned) except of Israel that whosoever in God’s piety. Oh killeth a human being other than Mankind, God has for declared inviolable to manslaughter or corrupyou, your each other tion in the earth, it shall blood, money and be as if he had killed all honor, therefore your mankind, and whoso blood, money and saveth the life of one, it honor is inviolable to shall be as if he had you till the day you meet saved the life of all him. Oh mankind, take mankind. Our messenmy advice and you shall gers came unto them of be happy, don’t old with clear proofs (of aggrieve, don’t treat Allah’s Sovereignty), but unjustly. Oh Mankind, afterwards lo! Many of the money of one is not them became prodigals lawful for another in the earth except with his own well Islam`s respect for the and full satisfaction” principle of human T h e p r o p h e t M u h a m - equality is evident in the mad once stood up as Muslim pilgrimage, durthe funeral procession ing which all Muslims, of a Jewish man passed regardless of their difby, to show his respect. ferences wear the same white cloth. This act demonstrated his belief in the equality Whether they are kings, business of all humans. His com- p r e s i d e n t s , panions asked him why men or just an ordinary he stood up, he said: person they all call in isn’t he a human like us. unity, with one voice “O It clearly states in Islam God (Allah) here I am! At that whoever takes the your service, here I am life of another human, t e s t i f y i n g y o u r u n i t y , regardless of the status, here I am testifying that creed, colour, sex or age t h a n k s a n d c r e d i t f o r
9 everything good is for you only. One of the greatest examples of equality in Islam is the equality in punishment for all wrongdoers - whether they are relatives of the Rulers or not, there is no difference in punishment. The Second Muslim’s Caliph (Omar Ibn Alkhattab) addressed his entire family and relatives when he assumed power over all the Islamic countries, saying, ``I have ordered the people with certain things and asked them to not do certain things and as you know people are like flocks of birds, if they see you doing something they will do just like you, therefore don’t embarrass me and do what I have told the people not to do, otherwise I will double the punishment for you,`` his comments made it difficult to be a relative to the Caliph. The great principles of humanity and equality are part of the divine laws God sent, through his messengers, to support all mankind. When we choose to overlook or disregard these laws, we suffer. God said in the Holy Koran (The Table: 66): If they had observed the Torah and the Gospel and that which was revealed unto them from their Lord, they would surely have been nourished from above them and from beneath their feet. Among them there are people who are moderate, but many of them are of evil conduct.
Sponsored by Tabah Foundation UAE. The views expressed in this paid-for submission do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Copenhagen Post.