In answer to the video "The Hateful World of Islam"
Correct behavior must be that of modesty and humility in society 17:37, restraining one's anger and pardoning men in the case of transient dissensions caused by the devil
3:134,4:149,17:53"speak that which is best; surely the Shaitan sows dissensions among them; surely the Shaitan is an open enemy to man"even when one's honor has been slandered with ignorance 24:22, never compromise one's uprightness of character and constancy in servitude to God, even moreso when confronting evil and hardships. This always results in a change for the better at least in one's own self and many times in the external conditions or the opposite party 13:22,41:34,42:40.
All prophets embodied that principle and the Prophet Yusuf's story exemplifies it at its best, as his forbearance during his ordeals and steadfastness upon the straight path, changed not only his circumstances for the better but also the conditions of those who once even opposed him. In 24:22 the believers are asked a rhetorical question; if they like that God forgives their faults, why do they not forgive other people's faults? The believer must make due allowance for human nature and not be too harsh with those who err
7:199"khud al aafuw/".They should therefore not ask for the hastening of evil instead of the good on anyone 17:11, including on one who is currently perceived as an enemy for he can very well reform himself and become a friend later 60:7 and even a brother in faith 3:103,8:62-3. The same principle is expounded in the HB in Solomon's wise utterings Prov25:21-2.
As is clear from 60:7-9, these verses are not speaking of enmity resulting in life-threatening situations or religious oppression for which a firm and harsh stand through the severing of all ties whether friendship or familial, and retaliation within prescribed limits is the full right and sometimes duty of every able believer.
This Quran, and as embodied by the prophet, calls Muslims to treating others, whether close or far "neighbors", from one's own people or not, as they themselves would like to be treated. It was a way of life of the prophet who taught the people the general axiom that
"Allah will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to mankind".
Whenever the Quran encourages fair treatment, it does so by instilling empathy
4:9"Let those who would fear for the future of their own helpless children, if they were to die, show the same concern for orphans, let them be mindful of God and speak out for justice".That type of imaginative role-reversal is a recurrent theme 4:36,42:23,83:1-6. Treating others even better than what is expected towards one's self, opens the possibility to create a positive change even in one's enemy 41:34,59:9. This shows how altruism in the Quran, although seemingly over empathetic, actually remains pragmatic by extending fair treatment even to one's enemies in certain cases. The prophet said
"Whoever would love to be delivered from the Hellfire and entered into Paradise, then let him die with faith in Allah and the Last Day and let him treat the people the way he would love to be treated".In another narration of the prophet, those who are able to show such selflessness are described as neither belonging to the prophets or martyrs, but the prophets and martyrs will envy them due to their status on the Day of Resurrection
"The best faith is to love for the sake of Allah, to hate for the sake of Allah, and to work your tongue in the remembrance of Allah. Mu’adh said, “What is it, O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet said: That you love for the people what you love for yourself, and you hate for the people what you hate for yourself, and that you speak goodness or remain silent".Many times the Quran starts or ends a passage about belief in the One God, with a statement about just dealings between men, always showing how faith and righteousness are inevitably linked to social interactions. The whole mission of the prophet Shuayb sent to Madyan is summed up thus
11:84"He said: O my people! Worship Allah, you have no god other than Him. And do not decrease from the measure and the scale".
From that perspective, the noble prophet Muhammad, like his predecessor, insisted on being fair in social transactions. He taught honesty in dealings to such an extent that should a storekeeper sell perishable goods in a wholesome state then the person who bought it from him and gives it in charity will earn him a reward similar to the one who gave the charity. And thus he would give advice such as forbidding
"the sale of dates till they were good (ripe), and when it was asked what it meant, the Prophet said, "Till there is no danger of blight".
Slaves were an integral part of the household to such an extent that, as with other members of the biological family, women were allowed to unveil in their presence 24:31. This of course was a ruling of convenience, given the frequent interaction with the male servants going about their various assisting tasks within the household. But it further contributed to their thorough integration within the family sphere, solidifying the various rulings of consideration towards them.
They had to be fed and maintained without any psychological injury and for the sake of Allah, not seeking benefits of any kind from them in return
76:8-10"And they give food however great be their own want of it to the poor and the orphan and the captive: We only feed you for Allah's sake; we desire from you neither reward nor thanks: Surely we fear from our Lord a stern, distressful day. So God will save them from the woes of that day, and give them radiance and gladness. So God will save them from the woes of that day, and give them radiance and gladness".What is remarkable here is that the Quran places even the need of the captive, regardless of his religion, above the need of the Muslim guardian himself. This is just one of the many passages that further dwarfs the judeo-christian notion of the golden rule.
So, even though the Quran does not pronounce an abstract concept like to “love your neighbour”, it does however articulate its reality and applications in a much more comprehensive manner, constantly interlinking worship of God with application of social justice.
In a hadith, the prophet describes how the angel Jibril admonished him for the sake of the neighbours
"Mujahid reported that a sheep was slaughtered for 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr. He asked his slave, "Have you given any to our Jewish neighbour? Have you given any to our Jewish neighbour? I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'Jibril kept on recommending that I treat my neighbours well until I thought that he would order me to treat them as my heirs.'"
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