Removing Obstacles to Peace and Order in the Light of Sirat-e-Rasool - Part 2

Escalating Instability and Disorder, As Well As Its Solution In Light Of the Prophet's Biography Highlights 1. Unjustly interfering in the honour of others is the third major source of conflict and mischief in the world. 2. The Qur'an affirms all persons to be honourable and revered as human beings, regardless of their faith or nationality. 3. Interfering in one's religious affairs is the fourth key cause of international peace and order problems. 4. In a time of narrow-mindedness and prejudice, the Holy Prophet was the first individual in human history to raise the banner of religious and intellectual freedom. ... By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam 24 December 2021 Respect for Human Dignity The third important thing that causes strife and mischief in the world is to unjustly interfere in the honour of others. According to the teachings of the Holy Prophet, everyone is worthy of respect, whether he is ruler or subject, male or female, Muslim or non-Muslim, teacher or student, rich or poor, officer or subordinate, educated or illiterate, everyone deserves due respect. The Qur'an declares all people, regardless of faith or nationality, to be honourable and revered as human beings. Allah says in the Quran: “And We have certainly honoured the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.” (Surah Bani Isra'il/ 17:70) At one point, the Qur'an described the human body as the best stature. Allah says: “We have certainly created man in the best of stature” (Surat at-Tin/ 95:4) After considering these verses, it is clear that Fitna and mischief amongst people based on religion are not appropriate. Because of race, it is not appropriate to cause discord. It is not proper to consider someone honourable and dignified because of wealth, nor is it proper to consider someone degraded because of poverty; rather, who is devout and whose deeds are virtuous is the measure of good and evil, honour and dignity. Allah declares: “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.” (Surah Hajarat/ 49:13) This passage is addressed to all human beings, not just Muslims, and sends a clear message that there is no distinction between them and that they are all formed in the same way. They are split into tribes and families, but this does not mean that they degrade and fight with one another because of their tribal and family distinctions; rather, it means that they recognise one another and acquire a good understanding of one another. As a result, it is clear that every human being is appreciated by Islam, regardless of colour, ethnicity, sex, nationality, language, or religion. This is why, via his noble teachings, the Holy Prophet forbade any conduct that harms a person's self-esteem. The holy Quran says, “O People who Believe! Men must not ridicule other men for it could be that the ridiculed are better than the mockers, nor must the women ridicule other women for the ridiculed women may be better than the mockers: And do not insult one another, nor assign evil nicknames; how base it is to be called a sinner after being a Muslim! And whoever does not repent – then it is they who are unjust.” (49:11) This is another passage that gives believers rights over one another, declaring that it is banned and not permissible to ridicule others in words or actions that suggest looking down on one's human brother, as this is demonstrative of self-admiration on the mocker's part. It's possible that the one who is mocked is better than the one who mocks him, as is often the case because mockery is merely a mirror of a bad attitude and bad manners, as well as all other negative attributes. Allah says, “O People who Believe! Avoid excessive assumptions; indeed assumption sometimes becomes a sin, and do not seek faults, and do not slander one another; would anyone among you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? So you will hate that! And fear Allah; indeed Allah is Most Acceptor of Repentance, Most Merciful.” (49:12) Allah forbids suspicion and thinking ill of the believers in most cases because suspicion is a sin on some occasions. Suspicion based on facts and proof, as well as thinking ill of someone, can lead to them saying and doing a variety of criminal behaviours. That's because harbouring negative thoughts usually doesn't end there; rather, it continues until something incorrect is said or done. In the Farewell Sermon, the Holy Prophet said, “No Arab has any supremacy over a non-Arab, and no non-Arab has any superiority over Arab, and no white has any superiority over black, and no black has any advantage over white. Piety is the foundation of virtue and greatness.” Superstitious practises such as caste have no place in the teachings of the Holy Prophet. On the occasion of the conquest of Makkah, The Holy Prophet instructed Hazrat Bilal, a Black African, to stand on the House of God and call Azan. The people were taught that caste, creed, colour, and race don't matter. It is one's faith, belief, values, and clean character that count the most. Respect for Religion or Religious Freedom The fourth major reason for the problem of peace and order in the world is to interfere in one's religious affairs. The Holy Prophet was the first person in human history to raise the banner of religious and intellectual freedom in a time of narrow-mindedness and bigotry. The Quran says, “There is no compulsion in the Religion” (2:256) and “For you is your religion and for me is my religion” (109:6) In this regard, the Holy Prophet not only forbade coercion but also forbade any behaviour that could lead to tensions between the followers of different religions. This can be gauged from the fact that it is unlawful for a person to speak ill of any religious leader or religious figure, as it may lead to fights, quarrels, strife and riots between the followers of two different religions. Islam expressly forbids blasphemy against non-Muslim religions or deities. Allah is fully aware of the dangers that the misuse of other faiths poses to society's harmony, and He has advised Muslims to leave the final judgement to Him alone. “And do not insult those they invoke other than Allah, lest they insult Allah in enmity without knowledge. Thus We have made pleasing to every community their deeds. Then to their Lord is their return and He will inform them about what they used to do.” (6:108). The goal of Islam is to promote goodness to all of humanity and to establish a peaceful and secure environment for all of humanity. We see that the battle has been authorised to end oppression on occasion, but keep in mind that this was only intended to end oppression. It was discovered that Islam's goal is to create a society that is truly peaceful and secure, and that in order to do so, it is vital to act with justice and fairness toward all members of society. As a result, it is imperative that we take the pure biography of Allah's Messenger as an example and follow it. Only in this way can the world be free of violence and turmoil, and a climate of peace and security be established. ----- Kaniz Fatima is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam. Related Article: Removing Obstacles to Peace and Order in the Light of Sirat-e-Rasool - Part 1 URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/obstacles-peace-order-sirat-rasool/d/126025 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism