2. The value of human brotherhood is among the fundamental
teachings of Islam. According to the Holy Qur'an, nuclear
and extended families are a microcosm of universal
brotherhood. God says: "… but kindred by blood have
prior rights against each other in the book of
God…" (8:75)
• All of you are from Adam and Adam was created from clay…
3. Q1: Why did God create us?
a) He is the Creator, Evolver, Shaper, Provider, Lord, the
Most Gracious and the Most Merciful.
b) He is the Creator, Wise, Knower…. What would you
think of someone who claims to be a doctor yet he has
never cured any disease nor treated any patent?
c) to develop the living conditions on the earth as well as
to worship Him.
d) what is the aim of any innovator or inventor?
e) to develop the quality of our souls in order to prove
and improve ourselves.
4. Q2. Why are we different?
Ans.
(a) So that we can easily recognize each other and easily be identified.
(b) a human being is created in such a way that he likes diversification by instinct.
* People who prefer to marry certain nationalities to others…
5. (c) it is a test for mankind, God says: "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 honored of you in the sight of God is
(he who is) the most God-conscious.” (49:13).
• so that we can compete against each other in
developing the earth and doing other acts of
righteousness.
6. God says: “… the seal
thereof will be musk: and
for this let them compete
against each other those
who aspire (for the bliss
of the hereafter).
( 83:26)
7. Q3. What are the things that make people
arrogant and proud?
a) Color of skin, God says: "And among His signs is
the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the
variations in your languages and your colors; verily
in that are signs for those who know." (30:22)
b) wealth, God says: "Your riches and your children
may be but a trial. But in the presence of God is the
highest reward." (64:15)
8. c) the degree or prestige that one enjoys, Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) says: "Whoever humbles
himself while dealing with others, God will elevate
him to the highest spiritual ranks."
d) social status and a high post. God says: "It is He
Who has made you (His) agents, inheritors of the
earth: He has raised you in ranks, some above
others: that He may try you in the gifts He has
given you: for your Lord is quick in punishment –
yet is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (6:165)
9. e) tribe, God says: "… and We have made you into
nations and tribes so that you recognize each
other (not that you despise each other)."
(49:13)
f) ignorance, God says: "… ask those who posses
knowledge if you know not." (21:07)
g) stereotypes, "And pursue not that of which you
have no knowledge; for every act of hearing, or
of seeing, or of (feeling in) the heart will be
inquired into (on the Day of Reckoning.) (17:36)
10. Q3. What are the factors that can help
establish universal brotherhood?
(a) Equality: This value of equality is not to be mistaken for or
confused with identicalness. Islam teaches us that we are all
equal in the sight of God but not necessarily identical. We read
in the Holy Qur'an: "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 honored of you in the sight of God
is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God
has full knowledge and is well-acquainted (with all
things). (49: 13)
11. b) respect for all regardless of color, race, religion and
social status. (asking permission of a child to forgo
him in presenting milk…)
c) helping one another when in need (Whoever solves a
Muslim’s problem, God will solve one of his
problems on the Judgment Day)
d) love your neighbor as you love yourself: (Mathew 22:
37) + “You will not enter paradise until you
believe…”
e) to implement justice to all: God says: “… and let not
12. the hatred of others to you make you swerve to
wrong and depart from justice. Be just; that is
next to piety and fear God. For God is well-acquainted
with all that you do.” (5:8)
+ Story of Umar with the man who killed his
relative…)
13. Q5. What are the factors that can help unify mankind?
(a) All of them are created by one God.
(d) they are descendants of one couple, Adam
and Eve.
(c) all mankind belong to the human race.
(d) God is just and kind to all His creatures.
(e) all people are born equal in the sense that
non of them brings any property with him and
no one takes anything with him when he
dies.
14. (f) God judges every person on the basis of his
own merits and according to his own deeds.
(God does not look at your faces …etc.)
(g) God has conferred on man a title of honor
and dignity. We read in the Holy Qur'an: "We
have honored the sons of Adam; provided them
with the means of transportation on land and
sea; given them for sustenance good and pure
things, and conferred on them special favors
above a great part of our creation." (17: 70)
15. h) doing good to those who have wronged you.
(story of Prophet Muhammad, PBUH, with
the Jewish boy who used to throw garbage at
his door).
We read in the Holy Qur'an: "Nor can
goodness and evil be equal. Repel (evil) with
what is better: then will he between whom and
you was hatred become as if he were your
intimate friend." (41: 34)
16. Human Rights in Islam
Islam has laid down certain rights for
Muslims as well as non-Muslims who may be
living within the boundaries of an Islamic
state and these rights do necessarily form
part of the Islamic constitution. (When
Prophet Muhammad emigrated to Medina)
17. The Basic Human Rights in Islam
1. The right to life: We read in the Holy
Qur'an: "Whosoever kills a human being
( without any reason) like manslaughter, or
corruption on earth, it will be as though he
had killed all mankind." (5: 32)
2. The right to basic necessities of life: We
read in the Holy Qur'an: "And in their wealth
there is an acknowledged right for the needy
and the destitute, he who asked and he who
(for some reason) was prevented from
asking." (51: 19)
18. 3. The right of protection: non-Muslims have the
right of protection from inside and outside
aggression. After the Tartar commander had
agreed to free only Muslim prisoners of war, Ibn
Taymiyya insisted that non-Muslim prisoners of
war also be released because they were under
the Muslim protection. (Do you know who is
the bankrupt man?)
19. 4. Right of choosing religion: This is based on God's
commandment that reads as follows: "Let there be
no compulsion in religion. (2: 256)
In another verse we read: "Will you compel mankind
against their will to believe?" (12: 99)
5. Freedom of work and profession: Work and
profession are a birth right of every one. No one
should regard it as special for him and deny it
others.
20. Q6. What are the Islamic Laws regarding war?
Ans. War must either be of a defensive nature
or aimed at removing oppression,
wherever it may be - as it is nowadays
fittingly called a just cause. It must be
fought without harm to innocent civilians
or the environment. (49: 09)
21. Q7. Is an alliance with non-Muslims in a just cause acceptable?
Ans. Yes, an example for this is the Prophet
Muhammad's treaty with the Jews of Medina for the
joint defense of that city against the pagans of Mecca.
Another example is the reference by the prophet to a
treaty between the tribes of Mecca, long before his
mission as a prophet. Those tribes agreed to join
forces in order to protect the oppressed people.
22. Q8. What were prophet Muhammad's instructions to his companions during war?
• Ans. "You should only fight against your
enemy and not against women, children or the
elderly people. Monks, priests and other
religious people in their monasteries or houses
of worship should not be harmed, nor should
the trees that belong to the enemy be cut or set
on fire as a war measure. By no means should
animals be targeted or slaughtered except for
food."
