As a human community, certain rights and duties are imposed on human beings and it is the religious duty of every Muslim to uphold them, such as justice, honesty, love, compassion and kindness.
It is our national and religious duty to keep human society pure and clean from cruelty and persecution, lies and deceit, violence and coercion and harshness. These are the qualities through which we can create an ideal society. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said: Do not hold grudges against one another, do not be jealous of one another and do not turn your backs on one another, but be brothers to one another, servants of Allah.
One of the main reasons in our social life for the hatred, grudges and evils that are being born today is our unethical attitude towards others. Due to this, the spirit of compassion and self-sacrifice for each other has been removed from our hearts and we have become thirsty for each other’s blood, although Islam teaches us to live with good morals, high character and a spirit of sacrifice in all areas of our lives. Undoubtedly, good manners are something that one can adopt.
One of our moral evils in the present era is that people are always looking to find the faults and defects of others and as soon as they notice any weakness, they resort to ridicule and mockery. This is a very vile habit that is rapidly becoming embedded in our society. Islam has ordered us to hide and overlook the faults and shortcomings of our Muslim brothers and has expressed strong displeasure at exposing them. Therefore, the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said that whoever covers the faults of a Muslim, Allah will cover him on the Day of Resurrection.
The life of this world is a mixture of comfort and pain. Sometimes sufferings and hardships take hold and at other times comfort and happiness prevail. Living with patience and tolerance in difficult times is not only the glory of a believer but also his distinction.
At present, corruption, lawlessness, bloodshed, cruelty and the violation of the rights of others are common in societies across the world. The main reason for this is humanity’s disregard for those noble qualities that Allah has placed within human nature. Speaking the truth and hating lies, establishing justice and avoiding injustice, fulfilling promises and acting with trustworthiness are priceless virtues.
In every civilized nation, it is customary to greet one another to express love and harmony. Accordingly, Muslims have been commanded to greet and respond to one another to promote mutual affection. The foundation of truth in every word and action is harmony between the heart and the tongue. When this harmony exists, it is called truth; when it does not, contradiction appears and this is known as lying.
Respect for humanity is a quality upon which the continuity of human society depends. Human dignity means respect for humanity and sound collective affairs are directly linked to mutual respect. Islam not only teaches respect for humanity but strictly commands it. It places great emphasis on safeguarding human rights and avoiding harm to others. Respect is a core virtue of Islamic ethics and forms the basis of social relationships. According to Islamic teachings, every human being is noble.
One manifestation of respect in society is honoring elders. Respecting elders means acknowledging their status, listening attentively when they speak and not interrupting them. Women must be respected in society regardless of gender distinctions. Islam has granted women a high status and has commanded that they be treated with kindness and respect. If a woman is a mother, her obedience and service are obligatory.
In Islam, every human being is worthy of respect, even in a state of war, regardless of religion. Children and subordinates should be trained in Islamic values from an early age. When husbands and wives respect each other in front of their children, the home becomes illuminated with security, respect and blessings. Students should be taught respect in schools and madaris and reminded that politeness leads to success, while rudeness leads to loss. These are some of the principles of social reform which, if adopted in practical life, can help create a righteous and noble society. By correcting both our religious and worldly affairs, we can lead a peaceful and enviable life in this world.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Rawalpindi.
