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The
unity of mankind is conceived in the light of the common parentage of Adam and Eve. Every human
being is a member of the universal family established by them, and is entitled therefore to enjoy
the common benefits as he is enjoined to share the common responsibilities. When people realize that
they all belong to Adam and Eve and that these were the creation of God (Allah), there will be no
room for racial prejudice or social injustice or second class citizenship. People will be united in
their social behavior as they are united in nature by the bond of common parentage.
The
unity of humanity is not only in its origin but also in its ultimate aims. According to Islam, the
final goal of humanity is God. From Him we come, for Him we live and to Him we shall all return. In
fact, the sole purpose of creation as described by the Qur’an is to worship God and serve His
cause, the cause of truth and justice, of love and mercy, of brotherhood and morality.
With
this unity of origin and ultimate goal as the background of the social life in Islam, the relations
between the individual and society are based. The role of the individual is complementary to that of
society. Between the two there are social solidarity and mutual responsibility.
The
individual is responsible for the common welfare and prosperity of his society. This responsibility
is not only to the society but also to God. In this way the individual works with a sound
social-mindedness and genuine feeling of inescapable responsibility. It is his role to do the utmost
for his society and contribute to its common welfare.
On
the other hand, the society is also responsible to God for the welfare of the individual. When the
individual is able he is the contributor and society is the beneficiary. In return he is entitled to
security and care, should he become disabled. In this case he is the beneficiary and society is the
contributor. So duties and rights correspond harmoniously. Responsibility and concern are mutual.
There is no state to dominate the individual and abrogate his personal entity. Likewise, there is no
individual or class of individuals to exploit the society and corrupt the state. There is harmony
with peace and mutual security. There is a constructive interaction between the individual and
society.
Besides
the unity of humanity in origin and ultimate goal, and besides this mutual responsibility and
concern, the social life of Islam is characterized by cooperation in goodness and piety. It is
marked with full recognition of the individual and his sacred rights to life, property and honor. It
is also marked with an effective role played by the individual in the domain of social morals and
ethics.
In
an Islamic society the individual cannot be indifferent. He is enjoined to play an active part in
the establishment of sound social morals by way of inviting to the good and combating evil in any
form with all lawful means at his disposal. In so doing, not only does he shun evil and do good but
also helps others to do the same. The individual who feels indifferent to his society is a selfish
sinner; his morals are in trouble, his conscience is in disorder, and his faith is undernourished.
The
structure of social life in Islam is very comprehensive. Among the substantial elements of this
structure are sincere love for one’s fellow human beings, mercy for the young, respect for the
elders, comfort and consolation for the distressed, visiting the sick, relieving the grieved,
genuine feelings of brotherhood and social solidarity; respect for the rights of other people to
life, property, and honor; mutual responsibility between the individual and society it is a common
thing to come across Prophetic sayings that entreat us to fulfill our social obligations: “Whoever
relieves a human being from a grief of this world, God will relieve him from a grief on the Day of
Judgment.”
“None
of you is a true believer in Islam until and unless he loves for his fellow man what he loves for
his own self.”
*Excerpted
with some editorial changes from www.wamy.org |
