The Holy Qur’aan Speaks: Social teachings of Islam

19 Oct, 2014 - 06:10 0 Views
The Holy Qur’aan Speaks: Social teachings of Islam

The Sunday Mail

By Umari Stambuli

In the Islamic value system, good social conduct and commendable manners occupy a prominent position. Of course, it is the obligation of every true Muslim to first declare and affirm his unflinching submission to Allah, the Lord, Creator and Sovereign of the universe.

His commands and injunctions, have to be complied with by a Believer, in all situations. The Believer does not recognise nor pay homage to any other deity. This is called Tawheed or Monotheism in the Islamic terminology. This right to be worshipped and obeyed vests with Allah Almighty and belongs to Him alone.

After duty to the One and only — The Creator — a Muslim must discharge his duty to his fellow human beings. We must pay head to the duty that we owe to other human beings beginning with parents, relatives, neighbours and going on to the community at large.

In this order of values, Islam requires its adherents to render all help and support to the people in distress. Great reward awaits those who help their fellow humans who are weak, disadvantaged and suffer any hardship. Allah the Exalted says in the Holy Qur’aan : “And do good, that you may prosper”. (Chapter 27, verse 77).

Helping the needy is a form Ibaadah (worship), and we get great reward in this world as well as in the next and it helps remove our problems of this world as well as those of the next.

Allah Almighty also declares: “And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw (yourselves) into destruction (by refraining from spending in the cause of Allah). And do good; indeed Allah loves the doers of good.”(Chapter 2, verse 195).

Ibn Umar, one of the close companions of Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) reports him as saying that one who fulfils the need and removes the difficulty of another, will get Allah Almighty’s help in his own difficulty.

Nu’man ibn Bashir, another companion, reported that the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) said, “The Believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffer, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever.”

Abu Hurairah, yet another companion, reported that Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) said: “He who does not show mercy to others will not be shown mercy (by The Almighty).”

The Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) was reported by his companion Jarir Ibn Abdullah to have said: “A Believer is the brother to a Believer. He should neither deceive him nor lie to him, nor should he neglect him (in time of need) . . .”

The Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) also gave a clear instruction to all his followers by saying: “Do not envy one another, do not harbour malice against one another and do not enter into commercial transaction when another person has entered into that (transaction); but be you, Oh slaves of Allah, brothers (to each other).”

For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please, contact: Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe (Council of Islamic Scholars) Publications Department, P.O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare, tel: 04-614078 or 614004, fax : 04-614003, e-mail: [email protected]

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