WASSIYYAH

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Humanity in Islam

Irrespective of faiths, cast, sect, cult, culture, and traditions; Humanity comes first above anything else. Whether a person is a believer or not, no one would deny the serving of Humanity except few unique ideology group that he or she believes "Stronger wins, and there is no place for weak, elderly or sick people in the world." However, believers of different faith put the Humanity at the paramount all time.

The practice of Humanity begins with as small as a smile, warmth salutations, kind word, passing positive thoughts or tidings, giving a hand to sick, giving respect the deserved one, the efforts we put as an employee or employer, fulfilling needs of family, relatives or friends. It does not cost money; rather demands patience, sincerity, and openness. Humanity work may also include being honest or ethical, sticking to the truth, and help anyone in distress. There is a limit to the messages, articles, books that influence the people. There is no other associations or platform than religions which enable uniting mass people. There are many associations, organizations, firms, and companies but their area of influence is limited to the area of their work or expertise. For example, an IT company govern the people who use their products which are time bound as well; on the other side, religions impact every moment of a believer and unite the masses in one ground. For example; Bible influenced billions of Christians; Holy Quran influenced billions of Muslims and similarly many other religions.


BELIEF

Muslims believe in a one all powerful and sustainer God, in Arabic called "Allah." The word "Allah" is Arabic word for God. Word Allah comprises two words; "Al" means "The" and "ilah" means "God." The same name "Allah" used for God in the Arabic Bible. Muslims believe in Holy Quran which gives the laws and commands for Muslims to follow, and the other big volume of scriptures are Books of Hadith. Holy Quran is the Muslim's Scripture which is not the only historical book of all previous prophets and books (i.e., Jewish & Christian's Holy books), but it has doctrinal messages which guide the believer in the right directions for achieving salvation. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) takes no credit for words in Holy Quran because the entire Quran text is revelations from God through Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Hadiths are reflections of the messages of Quran. For example; The Holy Quran commands praying five times a day but how and when to pray is recorded through Hadith revealed through Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Hadiths are the collections of revelations spoken by beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Prophet used to visit the cave, time to time for meditations and received the first revelation when he was 40 years old. There is a long history of struggle he had during conveying messages of Monotheism, peace, and equality to the idol worshipping Arab people who drowned into tribalism. Islam brought the practical approach to humankind through the code of conducts, principles, beliefs, and worships. Islam began 1400 years ago; as not a new religion but in continuations of monotheist Abrahamic religious traditions. The message delivered was the same message what Prophet Adam, Nuh, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and many other messengers provided in the course of history by the command of God.

Holy Quran 42:13 states that "He has ordained for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you, (O Muhammad), and what We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus - to establish the religion and not be divided therein. Difficult for those who associate others with Allah is that to which you invite them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns back (to Him),".

In summary, Islam brings monotheism belief, equality, modesty & security of women, social environment, Harmony in a community, kindness for parents, relatives, poor and sick people and Guidance in finance, economics, estate planning, politics, science and more.

Prophet

When we speak about Humanity in Islam, it gives some negative image to the people of other faiths that Islam is not peaceful religions due to the misunderstanding of religions, ignorance on facts, stereotyping by media and judgments call based on perceptions. The main problem is with the driver in a seat; not the car it self. Having the high-end car will not make the driving safe unless drivers have ethics and knowledge to drive a car. There is always black ships in every community, cultures, and religions which allow other people of a community to judge. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was a great symbol of Humanity. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the simple man, was recognized as truthful (called as "Amin" in Arabic) and for his honesty in the 40 years of his life before his prophethood. In the 40 years time, Prophet never complained or exchanged bad words with people around even though he was not happy with the customs, traditions, cultures built based on racism, inequality, and injustice. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not have any ambition to become king or leader of people; he was merely following the command from God.


Equality

One of the main reason why Islam spread so fast from east to west is the principle of equality. Irrespective color, cast or origin; Muslims meet and pray together by standing in the queue side by side five times a day. Another big gathering where millions of people gather for performing pilgrimage where there is no room for inequality or discrimination.

Beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "O people! Verily your Lord is One, and your father (Adam) is one. An Arab is not better than a non-Arab, and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab; a white man is not better than a black man, and a black man is not better than a white man – except in piety" (Reported by Imaam Ahmad, 22391; al-Silsilat al-Saheeh, 2700).


Invite to peace

Begin with knowing the meaning of Islam; the word Islam means "Submit or surrender." which comprises the word "Salam, " i.e., "Peace." The Islamic greetings "Peace and blessings up on you" used when meeting each other which emphases the importance of conveying the message of peace.

Holy Quran 2:208 states that “O You who believe! Enter absolutely into peace (Islam). Do not follow in the footsteps of Satan. He is an outright enemy to you.”


Goodness

There is nowhere in the Islamic scripture where any believer prohibited for doing good, instead emphasized to practice excellence all time. Holy Quran states in many places for limitless rewards on practicing goodness.

Holy Quran 3:135 States that "Those who spend in prosperity and adversity, and those who suppress anger and pardon men; and Allah loves those who do good.".

Holy Quran 3:149 states that "So Allah gave them the reward of this world, as also an excellent reward of the next; and Allah loves those who do good."

Holy Quran 4:126 states that "And who is better in faith than he who submits himself to Allah, and he is a doer of good and follows the religion of Abraham, the upright? And Allah took Abraham for a special friend".

Holy Quran 5:94 states that "On those who believe and do good works there shall be no sin for what they eat, provided they fear God and believe and do good works, and again fear God and believe, yet again fear God and do good. And Allah loves those who do good".

Holy Quran 7:57 states that "And create not disorder in the earth after it has been set in order, and call upon Him in fear and hope. Surely, the mercy of Allah is nigh unto those who do good.
Holy Quran 16:129 states that "Indeed, Allah is with those who are righteous and those who do good."

Holy Quran 19:97 states that "Those who believe and do good deeds — the Gracious God will create love in their hearts."

Holy Quran 39:35 states that "They will have with their Lord whatever they desire; that is the reward of those who do good.".

Holy Quran 55:61 states that "The reward of goodness is nothing but goodness."


Kindness

There is no limit in expressing kindness in Islam, and there are many ways expressing love and kindness through charity, taking care of parents, looking after orphans, helping wayfarer and so on.

Holy Quran 2:178 states that "It is not righteousness that you turn your faces to the East or the West, but truly righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the Prophets, and spends his money for love of Him, on the kindred and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and those who ask for charity, and for ransoming the captives; and who observes Prayer and pays the Zakat; and those who fulfill their promise when they have made one, and the patient in poverty and afflictions and the steadfast in time of war; it is these who have proved truthful, and it is these who are the God-fearing.".

Holy Quran 2:216 states that "They ask thee what they shall spend. Say: ‘Whatever of good and abundant wealth you spend should be for parents and near relatives and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer. And whatever good you do, surely Allah knows it well."

Holy Quran 4;37 states that “None among you is a true believer unless he loves for others what he loves for himself.”(Book of Hadith Sahih Bukhari) And again, the Holy Quran states in "And worship Allah and associate naught with Him, and show kindness to parents, and to kindred, and orphans, and the needy, and to the neighbor that is a kinsman and the neighbor that is a stranger, and the companion by your side, and the wayfarer, and those whom your right hands possess. Surely, Allah loves not the proud and the boastful."

Holy Quran 4:9 states that "And when other relations and orphans and the poor are present at the division of heritage, give them something there from and speak to them words of kindness."

Holy Quran 17:24 states that "Thy Lord has commanded, “Worship none but Him and show kindness to parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age with thee, never say unto them any word expressive of disgust nor reproach them, but address them with excellent speech".


No test - No reward

A frequently debated question; why people are suffering if there is a God and why God loves people to suffer?. It is as simple as that asking; Why do we have exams for school, college or universities? Why people are not allowed to obtain their degrees and jobs for free?. The reason being, everyone needs justice for the valuable work he or she does. Even though, we have extremely well justice system in majority parts of the world; it is not possible to give the hundred percent justice while living in this world. We know many people deserve money, status or comfort; but they do not have it, unfortunately. God gives the clear instructions in the scripture about the concept of tests and justice. About this;

Holy Quran 5:48 states that “We have appointed a law and practice for every one of you. Had God willed, He would have made you a single community, but He wanted to test you regarding what has come to you? So compete with each other in doing good. Every one of you will return to God, and He will inform you regarding the things about which you differed.”.


DEFENSE

Every country allocates the budget for defense to protect the citizen from outside threats or attacks. As time progressed, as usual, countries start becoming technological advance and begin competing because of ego or seeking leadership or looking to become wealthier. The evil motives of a politician played a role in transforming the equation of defensive war to compulsive war based on conditioned justifications. Watching the world history, War never happened without paying the price; it took millions of lives and cost billions of dollars over the course of history. There is a clear prohibition in Islam for oppressions, corruptions, waging war or crime against innocence.

Holy Quran 60:8 states that “Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly”. In another verse of

Holy Quran 2:205 states that “And when he goes away, he strives throughout the land to cause corruption therein and destroy crops and animals. Moreover, Allah does not like corruption.”

Holy Quran 5:32 states that "...whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land – it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely....".

Above mentioned quotes are the few taken from Holy Quran. Islam is nothing but spreading the message of peace. Islam established laws; if followed in entirety then corruption on the earth is eliminated. Every country, states or cities have laws and every citizen or resident obliged to follow without exceptions. These laws created for the safety and security of citizen, Unfortunately, As mentioned above, the defensive war concept, the idea of protecting the public is not working out nowadays. The laws are laws at the end but leaders or politicians who misuse by taking a law on hand.