Islamic Education encompasses all
aspects of life and guides the Believers in their relations and interaction
with fellow humans, both familiar persons and strangers. The ultimate goal of
social teachings of Islam is to train its followers in a way that they are able
to attract others to the fold of Islam. Thus, Islam wants that all those social
barriers be removed that divide humans into such groups and classes as might
engage in mutual hostility and unhealthy rivalry. The Quran in this regard
say:
"O mankind! We created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise each other); verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the one who is the most pious of you; and Allah has full knowledge, and is well acquainted.” (49:13)
The Quran, therefore, declares
the whole mankind a single family on the basis of common parentage.
The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ
for the same reason instructed the Muslims to act upon this Quranic commandment
by saying:
“Give food and greeting to those you know, and those you do not know."
It is to be noted that the
Islamic mode of greeting is unique in the way that it is a direct supplication
by the one who offers it, and the recipient, in turn, reciprocates in the same
way. The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ
himself was in the habit of taking initiative in extending greetings to others.
He also set several examples of showing kindness and cordiality towards his
guests, especially those who happened to be strangers.
Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ
had, in this regard, exclusively reserved a portion of the Mosque at Medina,
the Porch or Suffah, where strangers were accommodated quite comfortably. He
used to encourage his Companions to donate generously for the maintenance of
the Suffah. As a result of this, many notable Companions were taken care of,
the most glaring example being Abu Hurairah RaḍyAllāhu
'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him), the greatest name in the Hadith
literature.
Soon after the Hijra, the Holy
Prophet Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ established the matchless institute of the
Mawakhat (universal brotherhood between the Muhajireen and the Ansar) based on
common faith, regardless of one's nativity or nationality. This wonderful
mission was accomplished in line with the Quranic injunction that states:
"The Believers are a single brotherhood, so make peace between your two contending brothers.” (49:10)
Then in order to set an example,
the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ
declared 'Ali RaḍyAllāhu
'anhu as his brother. The institution of Mawakhat proved to be the strongest
binding force for the unity of the Muslim Ummah. Faith alone was declared
sufficient to unify strangers in the bond of fraternity. The Holy Prophet
Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ in this regard instructed:
"O servants of God! be brothers."
This again illustrates that mere
service of God (true submission before His will) is sufficient to bring
strangers closer to each other.
Finally, Islamic education
stresses adopting such ways and manners as can attract all to Islam as well as
towards each other. In this regard, a polite tone and a cordial way of
addressing others is an effective means of demonstrating this spirit of Islam.
The Quran, therefore, enjoins the Muslims to speak to all in a kind way:
"And speak kindly to mankind." (al-Baqarah 2:83)
The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ
further expanded the scope of this Islamic principle and Islamic teachings by
saying that:
"Even a kind word is a charity."
This simply shows us how
important and rewarding are many simple acts of our daily life. Indeed the
inherent benefits of apparently trivial acts and ways are far-reaching, as they
ensure the building of a society that is erected on the pillars of mutual love
and promoting welfare of all regardless of the degree of familiarity of its members
towards each other.
Read more:
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- Difficulties faced by Prophet
Muhammad ﷺ & early Muslims sets an example for
Muslims today
- The lifestyle of a Husband and aWife in Islam
- Islamic Research Methods used bymajor collectors to ensure Hadith is genuine
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