The Islamic teachings are the guidance for
the Muslim’s outlook on life. Muslims should do their best
to follow the Islamic rules in every aspect of life. It requires
a certain attitude and a particular behavior toward other people
in society.
A distinctive characteristic of human interaction is needed. Muslims
are expected to interact with everyone responsibly, sincerely
and in a meaningful way. Sincerity is needed to have a relationship
with other people. It leads the Muslim to behave in an open and
straightforward manner, and to try to be conscious of the duty
and obligation to society.
Islam’s
emphasis on fairness and good treatment to all human beings without
discrimination is very clear. It does not permit differentiation
in the treatment of other people on the basis of religion, colour,
race, sex or nationality.
Muslims,
who do not treat the minority equal, do not follow the Islamic
principles and are not consistent with the history of Islam.
When prophet Mohammed settled down in Medinah, he succeeded to
get all inhabitants, Muslims, Jews, Christians and pagan Arabs
to enter into some form of a social treaty.
The
prophet of Islam said: “Whoever hurts a non Muslim, I shall
be his complainant and for whoever I am a complainant, I shall
ask for his right on the day of Resurrection.” (Hadith)
He also said: “ Whoever persecutes a non Muslim or demands
work from him beyond his capacity or takes something from him
with evil intentions, I shall be a complainant against him on
the day of Resurrection.”(Hadith)
In
Islam the meaning of worship is applying not only to the religious
practices such as praying and fasting but everything Muslims do
in accordance of the Islamic principles, to satisfy their proper
needs and those of their society, is considered worship.
Islam determines the various acts of kindness and arranges the
responsibilities and rights of different relationships. In social
relationships, the responsibility of the Muslim lies firstly to
the family then relatives, neighbours, friends and all other human
beings.
Freedom
for the Muslims as well as for the non-Muslims is guaranteed by
Islamic law, which gives all citizens the right to complete equality
and considers their life and property sacred. When Omar, the second
Caliph, had learned that some Muslims had taken a piece of land
belonging to a Jew, and had built a mosque on it, he ordered the
demolition of the mosque and the land was given back the Jew.
Prophet
Mohammed said: “ One who hurts a non-Muslim, he hurts me
and one who hurts me, hurts God.” (Hadith)
Qur’an says: “… and argue with them in ways
that are best and most gracious.” (16: 125)
Again
the prophet said: “ Whoever relieves a human being from
a grief of this world, God will relieve him from a grief on the
day of judgment.” (Hadith)
So,
Islamic teachings concerning social responsibilities are based
on kindness and consideration of others. Muslims and non-Muslims
alike have the right to live in peace and harmony hence the Islamic
constitution ensures justice for all.
Freedom
of religious practice, conscience, association, citizenship, law,
are some types of guarantees that should be given to the non-Muslims
and to minorities living under the protection of an Islamic state.
A great deal on the rights of the non-Muslims has been emphasized
in Islam to be enjoyed without any interference, so that any Muslim
who violates these rights is considered to be wrong.
The
son of the Muslim governor of Egypt once slapped a native Christian
when he had raced ahead of him. When the complaint was brought
before Omar, the second Caliph, he ordered the son to be beaten
by the Christian.
Omar said to the governor: “ How could you make slaves of
these people who had been born free?”
Qur’an
says: “God does not forbid you, to act fairly towards those
who have never fought you over religion nor have driven you out
of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them.”
(60:8)
Islamic
teachings instruct the Muslims to respect and cooperate with the
followers of other religions and treat them equally provided they
reciprocate the same feeling.
In the Qur’an special attention has been given to the people
of the Book that is Christians and Jews, because their religions
are based on the heavenly book, Torah and Bible.
Qur’an says: “ Do not argue with the people of the
Book, unless it is in the politest manner.”(29:46)
When
Omar entered Jerusalem victoriously, he visited the Holy Church.
When the Muslims prayer was due, the Christian Patriarch asked
him to perform his prayer in the church. But Omar refused, saying:
“ I fear that once I have my prayer in this church, the
coming generations of Muslims would say that in this place Omar
had performed his prayer and therefore it has to be converted
to a mosque. I want the church to remain a church.”
Muslims
respect Jesus and acknowledge him as one of God’s messengers.
They never refer to him simply as ‘Jesus’ but always
add the phrase “peace be upon him” just as they do
for prophet Mohammed and prophet Moses.
Qur’an
says about Jesus: “ O’ Mary! God gives you good news
of a word from Him, whose name shall be Messiah, Jesus son of
Mary, honoured in this world and the Here after, and one of those
brought near to God.” (3:45)
And
about Moses, the Qur’an says: “ Also mention in the
Book Moses: For he was specially chosen. And he was a messenger
and a prophet. And We called him from the right side of Mount
(Sinai), and made him draw near to Us.” (19:51-52)
Moreover,
a Muslim is allowed to marry a non-Muslim, Christian or Jew, and
should give her the liberty to practice her religion without interfering
or questioning her going to the church or to synagogue or drinking
alcohol or practicing any other customs.
In addition to that, non-Muslims living in the Islamic states
have the right of practicing their own customs such as eating
pork and drinking alcohol, which are forbidden to Muslims.
Qur’an
says: “This day, are all things good an pure made lawful
to you. The food of the people of the Book is lawful unto you
and yours is lawful unto them. Lawful unto you in marriage are
not only chaste women who are believers, but chaste women among
the people of the Book revealed before your time.” (5:6)
