The Method of Islam (2/5)

5- Islam and Social interdependence:

Allah enjoined Muslims to co-operate with one another in material and moral fields. Some forms of this cooperation have already been explained in the chapter concerning Zakat. 

A Muslim is not only forbidden to cause harm to others, but he is also commanded to be positive and remove what acts others do that may cause harm to anyone. Removing a stone from a road, or a thorn from the shadow of a tree, although it may appear a trifle deed, yet it is a good action for which a man will be rewarded.

It is the duty of a Muslim to wish for his fellow-brother what he wishes for himself, and to dislike for him what he dislikes for himself. The Quran states:  

“Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression.” (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:2)

The Quran states also:

“The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion). So make reconciliation between your brothers....” (Surah Al-Hujuraat, 49:10)

“There is no good in most of their secret talks save (in) him who orders Sadaqah (charity in Allah's Cause), or Ma’ruf (Islamic Monotheism and all the good and righteous deeds which Allah has ordained), or conciliation between mankind; and he who does this, seeking the good Pleasure of Allah, We shall give him a great reward.” (Surah An-Nisa’, 4:114)

Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be on him, said: “None of you will be a believer till he wishes for his fellow-brother what he wishes for himself.”

In his magnificent farewell speech, which he made at Arafat before his death, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him said: 

“O people, your God is One, and your father is one, an Arab has no preference over a non-Arab, nor is a Blackman no privileged over a Whiteman, or a red man over a black man except by God-fearing. Have I informed you? The people answered ‘Yes you did.’”

“Your lives, your properties and your honour are as sacred as this day (day of Hajj) of this holy month in this inviolable city (Makkah) is”.

6- Islam and Domestic Affairs:

Allah commanded the Muslims to appoint from among themselves an Imam to be their ruler. Muslims should acknowledge the right of authority of their ruler. They should also unite in one nation and never disperse. They are not allowed to disobey their rulers or leaders except in one case, when the ruler orders them to commit a sin or an action contrary to the commandments of Allah.

Allah has commanded the Muslim to immigrate to an Islamic country if he cannot act on Islam in his own country, or declare openly there that he is a Muslim. Islamic countries are the countries ruled by a Muslim ruler and in which all affairs of the community are regulated by the Islamic Law.

Islam does not acknowledge territorial boundaries, national or popular relations, and nationalities, as these lead to separation and differentiation among people. There is no nationality for the Muslim except Islam. According to Islam, all mankind are Allah's bondsmen, and the whole earth belongs to Allah (not to any nation or a certain country), thus, the Muslim is authorized to migrate wherever he likes as long as he has committed himself to the Laws of Allah. However, if he abrogates these laws, the penalties stated therein should be inflicted on him. By executing the laws of Allah, and carrying into force the penalties which He commanded against those who commit certain crimes, the human community can establish security, Tightness, and protection of lives, properties and honour. The worst evils befall a community when it abandons these Divine laws.

Allah prohibited spiritual, alcoholic drinks, and drugs of all kinds to preserve for man the faculty of sense with which He endowed him. Whoever drinks wine any spiritual or alcoholic drink, or takes any drug is punished according to the laws of Allah by being flogged from 40 to 80 lashes. This preventive punishment guarantees a wide range of protection for people against all evils and crimes that arise out of alcoholic beverages.

Allah has prescribed retaliation to protect Muslims' lives. He commanded that reprisal and paying back injury for injury should be executed on the intentional murderers and aggressors who kill or wound others intentionally. The Muslim is authorized to practice legitimate self-defense against any aggression on his life, honour, or possessions.

Allah stated in the Quran:

“And there is (a saving of) life for you in Al-Qisas (the Law of Equality in punishment), O men of understanding, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:179)

Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, said:

“Whoever is killed while defending against an attack on his life, his honour, or his possessions is a martyr”.

Allah protected the Muslim's honour by prohibiting calumny and prescribing a punishment against slander and false accusations of fornication or pederasty.

Allah protected man's honour and prevented lineage confusion by preventing adultery and fornication, considering them to be one of the most grievous crimes and prescribing a severe punishment for adulterers and adulteresses.

Allah protected possessions by prohibiting stealing, deception, gambling, bribery and all means of illicit gains. He prescribed severe punishment for thieves and highway robbers, commanding that their hands should be maimed.

All these punishments are enacted by Allah, The All-Wise, The All-Knower. He knows better what suits His bondsmen and puts their society in order. He is The Most Merciful. These punishments not only expiate the sins of criminals but also protect the whole society against all kinds of evil. Islam's enemies criticize Islam for inflicting severe punishments against murderers, robbers and adulterers, but their criticisms are null and void because, by inflicting these punishments, Islam cuts off from the society a vicious spoilt member who, if not punished severely, will spread corruption and viciousness to other members and damage the whole community. Those who criticize Islam forget that they do not refrain themselves from killing innocents, and encourage all kinds of brutalities in order to achieve their malicious goals.

7- Islam and Foreign Policy:

Muslims and Muslim rulers are ordained to call people to Islam to deliver them from the darkness of anthems to the light of faith in Allah, and to rescue them from being immersed in the illusions of the materialistic life wherein they suffer deprivation of spiritual happiness.

One of the grave defects of man-made doctrines is that they preach man to be a good citizen and a useful member only of his own society, whereas, Islam ordains man to be good and useful to all mankind. This difference proves that Islam is perfect, magnanimous and superior to all manmade doctrines.

Islam has its own regulations of war. It demands from Muslims to prepare whatever force they can to protect themselves and their faith and to dismay the enemies of Allah and their enemies.

However, Allah authorized Muslims to conclude treaties with non-Muslim nations, on condition that these treaties should be in conformity with Islamic law.

Muslims are strictly prohibited to break the treaties which they conclude with their enemies, but they are authorized to abrogate them if the enemy violates these treaties or commits an act contrary to the conditions laid therein.

Muslims are ordained to call their enemies to Islam before fighting against them. If they refuse, Muslims should call them again to pay the tribute and submit to the laws of Allah. If the enemy refuses again, Muslims should fight them so that there may be no persecution and religion should be for Allah Alone.

Muslims are strictly commanded not to kill women, children, old men, and monks who do not participate in war against Muslims. They are commanded to treat prisoners of war kindly.

(Continued)