The Sunday Mail
By Umari Stambuli
In today’S world, people have developed varying ideologies with regards to the most important characteristic of a person.
For some it is the colour of their skin – whether he is black, white or brown; for others, it is his economic situation – whether he is wealthy or poor; yet others think it is his social or political situation, whether he is ruler or ruled.
There are others for whom it is his social standing as an aristocrat, middle class or working class, but quite surprisingly, for some, the most important fact about a person is his birth place and the language he speaks or the tribe he belongs to.
The most important characteristic of a person, however, is none of these.
In Islam, all these have no social, economic or political significance, rather they are merely taken as signs of the creative power of God to enable people to recognise one another.
The Almighty declares, “O Mankind! Indeed we have created you as male and female, and have placed you in nations and tribes that you may have mutual recognition.
“Indeed (however), the most honourable of you, in the sight of Allah (God Almighty) is the one who is most God-conscious. Indeed Allah is The All Knowing, The Well Acquainted” (Holy Qur’aan Ch 49 : v 13)
Hence, the most important characteristic of a person is whether he is conscious of his Creator, believes in Him and through that consciousness submits to Him at all times and in all circumstances.
Creation in a pure state
According to the Qur’aanic worldview, man is created by God in a naturally good pure state, free from sin. He does not bear sin or guilt of his parents or his ancestors. He starts off with a clean slate.
Although God Almighty created man in a naturally good state, He also created him with the capacity or power to do both good and evil.
He gave him the freedom to choose between doing good and doing evil.
The existence of good and evil therefore is closely connected with man’s freedom of choice and responsibility for his actions.
“Good” may be defined as whatever is pleasing to God Almighty and therefore beneficial to man. Whereas “bad/evil” may be defined as whatever incurs the anger of God and is therefore harmful to man.
To preserve the pure and sinless state in which he was born, one of man’s main tasks is to keep away from or ward off evil.
This is why the state of God consciousness (Taqwa) is repeatedly mentioned in the Holy Qur’aan as the most important quality a person should develop in this regard.
This means one must be conscious at all times not to over step the limits set by God Almighty. It works as a defence against evil and temptation, and keeps a person within the boundaries of his natural state.
Thus we see that man was created with a noble and natural purpose of acknowledging and worshipping God Almighty.
It is He (God Almighty) who has favoured man with the power of intellect and honoured him by making him His vicegerent or stewart on earth.
Man thus enjoys an essential nobility and greatness over other creation which is coupled with a great responsibility. (Holy Qur’aan) Ch4:v135).
