Islam invites all mankind to live together as a family of God where distinctions of race, colour, gender, religion or position are removed and all human beings live as brothers and sisters.
The holy Qur’an says: “O’ Mankind, We created you from a male and female and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other.”(49:13)
Prophet Mohammed said: “All creatures are God’s children, and those dearest to God are the ones who treat His children kindly. (Hadith)
All people are brothers and sisters and have one parenthood. They are from one and the same father and mother, Adam and Eve. They have one God and originally had one religion and spoke one language. There were no social prejudices, no differences between them and all of them were enjoying life equally. Their end is the same and their destination at their journey’s end is to God.
Qur’an says: “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 has spread abroad a multitude of men and women.” (4:1)
Qur’an commands all Muslims to have a good relationship with each other and with all human beings. “…and abstain from violating relations between people.”
And again, …Say kind things to other people.” (2:83)
It is clear that Islam calls for universal human brotherhood on the basis of respectful and sound relationships. Before God all people are equal. No preference is related to riches or nobles, power or influence, position or occupation.
Qur’an says: “The noblest of you, in the sight of God, is the best in conduct.” (49:13)
The Islamic constitution for all mankind acknowledges that all of us have one God, have one parenthood, have one end and the noblest of us, in the sight of God, is the best in conduct and good action.
So, good conduct is the basis of preference and is the main action that differentiates between good and evil. It gives whoever does it privilege over other human beings and is described in Qur’an as:
“…But righteous is he who believes in God and the last day and the angels and the Scripture and the prophets and gives wealth, for the love of Him, to kinsfolk and to orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and to these who ask and to set slaves free, and observes proper worship and pays the poor-due and those who keep their treaty when they make one and the patient in tribulation and adversity and time of stress. Such are they who are sincere.” (2:177)
One day a Muslim quarreled with a black person and called him “the son of a Negro.” When prophet Mohammed was informed of the incident he said to the Muslim person… “You are still being influenced by the traditions of days of ignorance.”
Qur’an says: “ The most honored of you before God is the most righteous of you.” (49:13)
Islam acknowledges human rights and affirms the dignity of mankind and universal human brotherhood.
Qur’an says: “Cooperate with one another for virtue and heedfulness.” (5:3)
Qur’an reminds Muslims of the unity of mankind by nature and origin. This helps in eliminating racial pride and prejudices and claims of ethnic superiority. It gives way to the growth of genuine feeling of human brotherhood among people of different religions.
Prophet Mohamed said: “None of you is a true believer until and unless he loves for his fellow men what he loves for himself.” (Hadith)
Every one is entitled to exercise his freedom of belief, conscience, and worship, freedom, equality and human brotherhood. A Muslim should consider all human beings as “brothers and sisters in humanity” and also obliged to be kind and fair to everyone.
People need relationships between each other. This is a part of our existence, an integral part or our life. Relationships should be based on love that binds people together.
Qur’an says: “Believers, whether men or women, must act as friends to one another.” (9:71)
One of the important aspects of a good relationship is the individual’s desire to be appreciated. ‘A pleasant conversation, a gift, an encouraging word, a pat on the shoulder or even a smile is some forms of appreciation. It always has a psychological effect on the individual’s spirits and can easily change their attitudes and influence their characters. This can lead to a good relationship and a cohesive brotherhood.’
It is not easy to establish or to maintain relationships. It requires time and effort, sincerity and sacrifice. Any established relationship needs maintenance to keep it going. Acknowledging that every one makes mistakes and some times people are feeling hurt by other’s actions intentionally or unintentionally. People should correct their mistakes once they realize them. This will improve the relationship and keep good friendships. It is a pity that some people are deceiving themselves by not admitting their mistakes and keep making them. People should not be harsh or cruel hearted. They should seek forgiveness and pardon each other. They also should admit their wrong doings and not always find unacceptable excuses which bring only unnecessary arguments. The right thing to do is feeling sorry when realizing what was done wrongly and apologizing for it.’
People should adjust themselves to each other, cope with the differences and accept each other as they are.
Qur’an says: “Repay evil with something that is finer and see how someone who is separated from you because of enmity, will become a bosom friend.” (41:34)
Some people are very sensitive to criticism and get easily upset. They feel attacked if a word they do not like is spoken. They immediately get defensive and hit back.
Qur’an says: “Practice forgiveness, command decency and avoid ignorant people.” (7:199)
All people go through periods of good times and bad times. It is human nature, part of life. Any problem that arises in a relationship can be solved peacefully if people are careful enough and sensible. This improves the relationships and brings people much closer to each other.
Authors Details: Fathy Fares C/o aymenf.sg-host.com
