Islamic General Principles Champion Comprehensive Peace
For peace to be true and comprehensive it must encompass all spheres of human activity fulfilling the needs of life in a balanced and just manner. Islamic laws and teachings include the following principles, legal precepts and guidance -- presented as examples only -- all of which aim at promoting such a universal and just peace.
Respect for the human life
Islam values all human life, and for its protection imposes the death penalty [Qisaas
] for premeditated and intentional murder of an innocent soul. Accidental and unintentional killing has a different penalty, which is called “Diyyah
” (blood-money), defined as a pre-determined sum of money, given to the heirs of the person killed, as a compensation money. This blood-money is by no means an equal for the loss of the person killed, but it is rather a financial compensation for the harm they suffer as a result of the loss of their loved one. Atonement (kaffarah
) is to be performed by the killer by emancipation of a slave, or observing a continuous fast for two consecutive months to expiate the sin of his mistake. If the murderer cannot observe this fast for a legitimate reason, he is obliged to feed sixty poor people a reasonably sufficient meal. This atonement is an act of worship by which the sinner seeks pardon and forgiveness from Allah Most Merciful for his unintentional sin of killing a human soul. All this is done to demonstrate the sacredness of the human life. Islam prescribes the severe penalty for killing a human soul intentionally since if a potential killer realizes that he or she will be killed in retaliation and penalty for the crime, perhaps they will think twice before committing murder. If the penalty were anything less than strict retribution, the criminals would continue boldly in their crimes. The same applies to all capital and corporal punishments, calledHudood
(boundaries) in Islam. Capital punishments in Islam are efficient and effective just penalties and successful deterrents for a very essential and noble reason to preserve and maintain security of the human life, as Allah, the Most wise and Almighty states in His Glorious Qur’an:
(
In Qisaas (Law of Equality in Retribution) there is Life for you, O men of understanding, that you may restrain yourselves (from transgression).
)
(2:179)
And Allah Most Beneficent said:
(
On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them Our prophets with clear signs, yet, even after that, many of them continued to commit excesses in the land.)
(5:32)
Furthermore, the hardened unrepentant criminal is threatened with the everlasting penalty in the Hellfire, a permanent abode of humiliation and endless torture, under the Wrath of Allah, the Almighty, in the Hereafter. Allah, the Wise and Almighty states:
(
If a man kills a Believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, to abide therein (forever), and the wrath and the curse of Allah are upon him, and a dreadful penalty is prepared for him.
)
(4:93)
Abu Bakrah (t
) narrated: “I heard Allah’s Messenger (p) saying:
“When two Muslims fight (meet) each other with their swords, both the murderer as well as the murdered will go to Hell-fire.”
I said: “O Allah’s Messenger! It is all right for the murderer, but what about the murdered one? Allah’s Messenger replied:“He surely had the intention to kill his companion.’”
(Bukhari)
Of course if one sincerely repents then Allah’s Mercy and Forgiveness encompasses all sinners.
Equality of human status
All humans are innately equal and this applies to both male and female alike. When Allah, the Almighty, created the first human, Adam, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, -- our great grandfather and the father for entire humanity -- he also created our grandmother Eve. Thus humanity is essentially one family and of one race from this honorable couple. Humans became distinguished thereafter by their belief and obedience or their disbelief and disobedience. Allah, the Almighty, states in the Glorious Qur’an:
(
O Mankind! Reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single Person and created its mate, and from the two of them scattered countless men and women; fear Allah, through Whom you demand your mutual rights, and reverence the wombs (that bore you), for Allah is ever watchful over you.
)
(4:1)
The Messenger of Allah (p) said:
“All people are the children of Adam and Adam is created from the dust.” (Ahmed)
Since dust is of different colors and traits, man also developed into different colors and traits.
The Prophet Muhammad (p) said:
“Allah has relieved you from the burden of ignorance with its pride in the
fathers
and the ancestors. You are all from Adam, and Adam is from dust. There is no difference between an Arab and a non-Arab, nor between a black man and a red man except in piety.”
(Abu Dawood)
All humans initially believed in the common faith of Islamic monotheism as revealed to Adam, and spoke the same common language. As Allah the Almighty states in His Magnificent Qur’an:
(
Mankind was but one Ummah (nation and community) but differed (later). Had it not been for a (definite) Word that went forth before from your Lord, their differences would have been settled between them.
)
(10:19)
Consequently man began to differ and the reasons for their differences include: multiplication of their numbers; emigrations to various areas of the earth; divergence of colors and other features of the human subgroups developing through time by environmental stimulus etc; development of local languages and dialects and many other factors.
Since Islam regards each human being, regardless of race, color, language, creed, faith, religion, or home country on an equal footing with other human beings in the trait of humanity, all human beings are equal before the Laws of Allah, the Almighty:
(
O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full Knowledge and is well-acquainted (with all things).
)
(49:13)
And in the traditions we read that Aishah, Allah be pleased with her, reported: The Quraish were much worried about the case of a Makhzumiyah woman who had committed theft and wondered who should intercede for her with Messenger of Allah (p). Some said Usamah bin Zaid (t
) was his beloved and thus he may dare do so. So Usamah (t
) spoke to him about that matter, and the Prophet (p) said to him,
“Are you interceding when one of the penal codes ordained by Allah has been violated?” Then he got up and addressed the people saying:“The people before you were ruined because when a noble person amongst them committed theft, they would leave him, but if a weak person amongst them committed theft, they would execute the legal punishment on him. By Allah, were Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad, to commit the theft, I would have cut off her hand.'”
(Bukhari & Muslim)
All human beings are also equal in terms of basic freedom and responsibilities. Omar bin al-Khattab (t
) made an eloquent statement on this fact some fourteen centuries ago when he declared to a sinning Muslim who arrogantly had wronged a non-Muslim: “Have you enslaved some people though their own mothers gave birth to them free?” Therefore, every human being, in the sight of Islam, is entitled to the following types of freedom, mentioned in brief examples as follows:
- Freedom of thought and opinion
.
Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, commanded the Muslims, to declare the truth, express honest opinion, and refrain from intimidating others as he is reported to have said:
“A person who knows the truth and does not declare it, is a mute devil” (Tirmidhi)
- Freedom of access to benefit from the wealth, minerals, and natural resources of the earth.
The Almighty Allah states:
(
It is He Who has made the earth manageable for you, so traverse through its tracts and enjoy of the Sustenance which He furnishes. (You will return) unto Him for the Resurrection.
)
(67:15)
- Freedom of access to lawful income and ownership.
Islam encourages all to work in beneficial trades and have a free access to lawful income. For instance in inheritance Allah, the Almighty, states:
(
From what is left by parents and those nearest related, there is a share for men and a share for women, whether the property be small or large, a determinate share.
)
(4:7)
- Freedom of learning and teaching. Islam advocates the freedom of learning for every member in the society
. The Messenger of Allah (p) said:
“Seeking knowledge is an obligatory duty upon every Muslim”
(Baihaqi)
In fact, Islam classifies the act of monopolizing essential, useful and Islamic knowledge, concealing it from others, and not sharing it with them, an unforgivable act that renders the doer to be the recipient of the Wrath of Allah, the Almighty, and His Penalty. Allah's Messenger (p) is reported to have said:
“A knowledgeable person who is asked to share his knowledge with others but refuses to do so and hides his information would have a harness of fire put on him on the Day of Judgment”
(Abu Dawood & Tirmidthi)
- Freedom of access to entitlement for leadership position in the society, if he possesses the necessary qualifications
. Ability and efficiency are the main criteria required for holding leadership position in the Islamic society, as opposed to color and race, for instance. Allah's Messenger (p) is reported to have said:
“If a person is assigned the charge of the Muslim affairs, then appoints a person on favoritism irrespective of his qualifications, he would deserve the Wrath and Curse of Allah. Allah, the Almighty, would not accept any of his actions and such a person would be in the Hellfire”
(Hakim)
Many more freedoms are guaranteed in the Islamic system, only some are mentioned above by way of examples.
Freedom is often a misused word, since real freedom cannot be achieved if man is a slave to his base desires - or a servant of the desires of others - and seeks to fulfill them by any immoral and unlawful means. The man is allured to this false freedom by the enticement of the Satan, the avowed enemy of all mankind, who in his jealous rage, hates the human race and has given his committed oath to Allah to wait with his troops in ambush to strike with their arsenal of weapons whenever and wherever possible. Allah, the Almighty said:
(
O Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you in the same manner as he made your parents to be expelled from the Paradise, stripping them of their garments to expose their shame. Indeed he and his tribe watch you from a position where you cannot see them (to entrap you). Indeed, We have made the Evil Ones friends only to those who disbelieve.
)
(7:27)
The unity and inviolability of the religion of Allah for all humans
As the universal and eternal religion of Allah for all men, Islam aims at eliminating all aspects of tribalism, nationalism, racism and party spirit leading to conflict. Islam is the religion of Allah that was taught to all men in its essentials of monotheism even though particulars of the law and guidance may vary according to man’s circumstances. The same basic message was given from Prophet Adam until the final Messenger Muhammad (p).
Allah, the Almighty, states in the Glorious Qur’an:
(
(Allah) has established for you the same religion that He has enjoined on Noah - (similar to) that which We have sent by inspiration to you - and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: namely, that you should remain steadfast in Religion, and make no divisions therein. The (way) to which you call them is severe on those who worship other than Allah. Indeed Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him).
)
(42:13)
Allah, the Almighty, also states:
(
We have sent revelation to you as We sent it to Noah and the Messengers after him: We sent revelation to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, to Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the Psalms. Of some Messengers We have already told you the story and of others We have not, and to Moses Allah spoke directly. The Messengers gave good news as well as warning, so that mankind - after the coming of the Messengers - should have no plea against Allah: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.
)
(4:163-165)
And Allah the Sublime says:
(
That was the argument and reasoning about Us which We gave to Abraham (to use) against his people: We raise whom We will, degree after degree: for thy Lord is full of wisdom and knowledge. We gave him Isaac and Jacob: all We guided: and before him We guided Noah, and among his progeny, David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses and Aaron: thus do We reward those who do good: And Zachariah and John, and Jesus and Elias: all are in the ranks of the Righteous.
)
(6:83-6)
The Lord sustainer of Man, Allah, the Omniscient and Almighty, sent them all with the same call:
(
O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other god but Him.
)
(11:50, 61, 84…)
Allah, the Almighty also says:
(
Say: We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ishma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to all the Prophets from their Lord: we make no difference between one and another of them: and we submit to Allah (in Islam).
)
(2:136)
As such, each and every Muslim is obligated by faith and creed: to believe in all the Prophets and Messengers; to believe in the Divine Books and Scriptures revealed and sent down to them; to respect and honor every Divine Law revealed by Allah, the Almighty, to any previous people; to believe in the brotherhood of the previous followers of the Book who welcomed the Mission of Muhammad (p). The Message of Islam which was brought by Muhammad (p) is the Final Divine Message to mankind, as Allah said:
(
Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the Last of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things.
)
(33:40)
Thus the final Divine Message of Islam as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, abrogates all previous messages. Abrogation by no means is a denial of the previous messages but that they are no longer in effect: henceforth only Islam is the religion acceptable to Allah, the Supreme Lord, as the Most Wise and Omnipotent said:
(
If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost.
)
(3:85)
Islam urges the followers of previous Divine Messages to believe in the Message of Islam, as revealed upon Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, as Allah, the Almighty, said:
(
So if they believe in the same as you believe in, then they have been [rightly] guided; but if they turn away, they are only in dissension, and Allah will be sufficient for you against them. And He is the Hearing, the Knowing..
)
(2:137)
And Allah, Most Great and Majestic said:
(
Those who deny Allah and His Messengers, and who wish to separate Allah from His Messengers, saying: ‘We believe in some but reject others’, And who wish to take a course midway: They are in truth disbelievers; and We have prepared for disbelievers a humiliating Punishment.
)
(4:150-151)
All forms of disbelief are categorically castigated by Allah:
(
As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, you should have no part in them in the least: their affair is with Allah: He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did. He that does good shall have (the reward) ten times as much to his credit: he that does evil shall only be recompensed according to his evil: no wrong shall be done unto (any of) them. Say: "Verily, my Lord hath guided me to a Way that is straight, a religion of right, the Path (trod) by Abraham, the true in faith, and he (certainly) did not associate other gods with Allah. Say: Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Lord and Sustainer of the Worlds; He has no partner: this am I commanded, and I am the first of those who submit to Allah (in Islam).
)
(6:159-163)
Islam also urges its followers to respect the feelings of those who differ with them in religion and condemns offensive language against those who differ with Muslims in faith as Allah commands:
(
Do not revile those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest they revile Allah in their ignorance out of spite. Thus have We made alluring to each people its own doings. In the end will they return to their Lord, and we shall then tell them the truth of all that they did.
)
(6:108)
Islam, therefore, commands Muslims to attract the non-Muslims towards their Faith with the beauty of its precepts, by the guidance of comely examples and behavior, as opposed to the Guidance that only Allah bestows on whom He will. The Almighty and Most Majestic said in the Qur’an:
(
Say, The Truth is from your Lord: Let him who will, believe and let him who will, reject and disbelieve: for the wrong-doers We have prepared a Fire whose (smoke and flames), are like the wall and roof of a tent, will hem them in: if they implore relief they will be granted water like melted brass, that will scald their faces: How dreadful the drink! How uncomfortable a couch to recline on!
)
(18:29)
Islam enunciates justice and dispenses it even to its Non-believers. Allah, the Almighty, states in the Glorious Qur’an:
(
Now then, for that (reason) call (them to the Faith), and stand steadfast as you art commanded, nor follow their vain desires; but say: ‘I believe in the Book which Allah has sent down; and I am commanded to judge justly between you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord: for us (is the responsibility for) our deeds, and for you (is the responsibility for) your deeds, there is no contention between you and us (in this). Allah will bring us together, and to Him is (our) final goal.
)
(42:15)
Islam gave man the full freedom of choice in terms of faith. They may accept or reject any faith or belief. Islam gave the freedom to the People of the Book and previous Scriptures to maintain their faith and practices. Islam forbids the dismantling of the churches and synagogues. Islam prohibits the breaking and destruction of the cross of the Christians. Allah's Messenger (p) is reported to have said concerning the people of the previous Scriptures:
“Leave them alone in terms of faith” (Tabari)
Islam gave the people of the previous Scriptures the rights as their law dictates, and to eat, drink and wear what their religion permits them to do. Islam also entitles the people of the previous Scriptures to practice the practices of their religion insofar as marriage, marital relationship, divorce and other relations are concerned.
To demonstrate a practical example, Omar bin al-Khattab (t
) the second Caliph, applied such provisions when he came to the Resurrection Church in Jerusalem, and the time for Muslims' prayer entered. Omar (t
) left the Church, went outside, and offered the prayer outside the Church, and informed the priest of the church, “Had I offered my prayer inside the Church, some Muslims could have claimed in the future that The Church is a place where Omar offered his prayer and taken that as an excuse to destroy the Church, and erect a Mosque, in its place.”[Reported from the History of Imam Ibn Jareer at-Tabari]
Similarly, Omar (t
) offered a pledge of trust as follows, “This is a pledge of security offered by Omar bin al-Khattab; the Leader of the Believers, to the inhabitants of Ilea, in terms of Peace. Omar gives them his pledge to have security and peace with their lives, wealth, churches, crosses and all their denominations. Their churches are not to be occupied, destroyed, reduced in size, nor to limit the Christian owned properties surrounding the churches. The crosses are not to be tampered with. The wealth of the Christians should not be encroached upon or possessed unlawfully, and that Christians will not be forced or compelled against their own will [i.e. to accept Islam].”[Reported from the History of Imam Ibn Jareer at-Tabari]
Encouragement of fruitful cooperation between Muslims and the People of the Book (Jews and Christians)
Cooperation is based on mutual interest and respect, and oriented to serve the best interests of the human society at large. Allah, the Wise the Almighty states as a general rule:
(
Aid one another in righteousness and piety, and do not aid one another in sin and rancor: and fear Allah, for indeed Allah is strict in punishment.
)
(5:2)
Islam exhorts upon its followers to have a meaningful and sincere dialogue with those who differ with their religion, as Allah, Most Wise orders:
(
And do not dispute with the People of the Book, except with means better, unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong and injury; and say: ‘We believe in the Revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; our God and your God is One; and it is to Him that we submit (in Islam).
)
(29:46)
In fact, the approach that Islam pursued to call people of other Faiths is a constructive and objective dialogue that brings people together to the Word of Allah, the Almighty, and to His Divine Message and Teachings, as Allah said:
(
Say: O People of the Book! Come to common terms of agreement between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah. If then they turn back, say: ‘Bear witness that we submit to Allah (in Islam).
)
(3:64)
Sincerity and purity in advising others
All of the Messengers of Allah gave sincere advice to their peoples, and sincere advice and purity of intentions are the distinguishing features of Islam. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, as narrated by Abu Hurairah (t
):
“Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, once inquired, 'Who, amongst you, would carry the following words of wisdom, act upon them, and teach them to others who would also act upon them?' Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, answered positively. Upon that Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, held the hand of Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, and counted five items, as follows: 1) Avoid all that is declared by Allah prohibited, thus you become the best worshipper of Allah, the Almighty; 2) Accept what had been predestined for you by Allah, thus you would be the richest man; 3) Be good to your neighbor, thus you would be characterized as a Believer; 4) Like for others what you like for yourself, thus you would be characterized as a Muslim; 5) Lessen your laughter, since too much laughter would cause the heart to die.”
(Tirmidthi)
Islam calls upon all Muslims to tender a meaningful, and sincere free advice to all people.
This point is based on a statement of Allah's Messenger (p):
“Islam is the religion of advice. The people inquired, ‘O Prophet of Allah! To whom should advice be offered? Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: To Allah, to His Book, to His Prophet, to the leaders of the Muslims, and to the general body of Muslims” (Muslim)
In explanation of this tradition, we can say:
A pure advice to Allah, the Almighty is to worship Him Alone, wholeheartedly; to reject and discard any rival set up to Allah, in idolatry; to commemorate the remembrance of Allah, the Almighty, by His Beautiful Attributes and Blessed Names; to accept fully that Allah alone is in charge of all the affairs of all creatures; to believe that whatever Allah, the Almighty, wills, would happen and whatever He does not, would never take place; and to follow the Commandments of Allah, and cease all actions that He forbade. A pure advice about Allah's Book is to firmly believe in the Divine Scripture to His Messenger, Muhammad (p); to accept all the laws therein. A pure advice about Allah's Prophet is to obey what he enjoined, shun away from what he refrained, believe his statements, love and respect him, and respond to his call, practices and instructions, and propagate them amongst people. A pure advice about Muslims' leadership is to obey the leaders as long as they do not call for, or impose any rules that disobey the commands of Allah and His Prophet (p); to assist them by guiding them to all the good points; not to rebel and fight against them so long as they apply Islam and its rules throughout their government agencies; and to offer them mature and the most pure advice kindly and gently. A pure advice for general Muslims is to guide them to the best in both their religious and worldly affairs; to assist them achieve their goals; to prevent any inconvenience against them; and to like for them what one likes for himself, and to hate to cause them any harm as one would hate to cause harm to his own soul.
Enjoining the good and forbidding the evil
Muslims are commanded to pursue every appropriate means that lead to enjoining good and forbidding evil, based on one's ability, knowledge, and position of authority, in order to secure peace, tranquility and stability in the society and community and counter against oppression, corruption and the spread of the "Law of the Jungle."
Allah, the Wise the Almighty states:
(
Aid one another in righteousness and piety, and do not aid one another in sin and rancor: and fear Allah, for indeed Allah is strict in punishment.
)
(5:2)
Allah's Messenger (p) said,
“Whoever sees evil should correct it by his hand; if not capable then let him correct it by his tongue; if one is not even capable of that then at least one should disapprove of it in his heart,”
(Muslim)
The Messenger (p) made a simile about those who do wrong and harm others by their sins:
“The example of those who observe the boundaries of Allah and those who do not is like a group of people who traveled in a ship. The sailors of the ship decided to split the riders so a portion of them rode on the upper deck while the other portion rode the lower deck. When the people of the lower deck wanted to get water from the river, they had to go to the upper deck and ask them. The occupants of the lower deck of the ship decided to drill a hole in the wall of their portion of the ship. If the people of the upper deck permitted them to execute their plan they would all sink and drown in the water. But if the people of the upper deck refused to let them drill a hole and restricted them they would all be saved”
(Bukhari)
Allah the Omnipotent and Omniscient informs us that His Wrath descended upon previous nations as a result of their negligence to enjoin good and forbid evil:
(
Nor did they forbid one another the inequities which they used to committ: evil indeed were the deeds which they did.
)
(5:79)
Islamic forms of worship encourage brotherhood and egalitarian values
All forms of worship in Islam are egalitarian in nature and promote brotherhood and peace. The shahadah (testimony of faith), salat, (prayer) zakat (alms and charity), saum (fasting), hajj (pilgrimage), amr bil-ma’roof wa nahi ‘anil-munkar (commanding the good and prohibiting the evil), jihad (exertion and struggle) are obligatory equally upon all those Muslims who are able to fulfill the requirements according to their abilities. To become a Muslim the simple rite is to declare the testimony of faith:LA ILAHA ILLALLAH MUHAMMAD-UR-RASULULLAH
(there is no god except Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah). In congregational prayer Muslims stand next to each other in rows without any class or other distinctions between them. Zakah promotes generosity and social cohesiveness between the richer and the poorer segments of the society. Fasting promotes realization of the basic needs of all humans, and control of these most basic physical desires. Hajj is the grand equalizer since all clothe themselves in simple white cloth and perform the same rituals in remembrance of the Prophet Abraham (u
) and glorification of the sacred precincts of Makkah. Commanding the good and prohibiting the evil and “Jihad” is by definition for the promotion and preservation of all that is good, wholesome and decent and combating of that which is all evil and morally corrupt.
Necessity of all to seek beneficial knowledge
The Omniscient Allah states:
(
Is one who worships devoutly during the hours of the night prostrating himself or standing (in adoration), who takes heed of the Hereafter, and who places his hope in the Mercy of his Lord, (like one who does not)? Say: Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those who are endured with understanding that receive admonition.
)
(39:9)
Allah's Messenger (p) said:
“Seeking knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim.”
(
Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, & Baihaqi)
Environmental protection and preservation
Islam commands Muslims to protect and preserve the environment and warns against wanton destruction and pollution.
The general rule is as Allah says:
(
Do not commit mischief on the earth after it has been set in order, and call on Him (Allah in prayer) with fear and longing: for the Mercy of Allah is always near to those who do good.
)
(7:56)
Also, Allah, the Almighty, states:
(
There is the type of man whose speech about this world's life may dazzle you, and he calls Allah to witness about what is in his heart; yet he is the most contentious of enemies. When he turns his back, his aim is to spread mischief everywhere through the earth and destroy crops and cattle. But Allah does not love mischief.
)
(2:205-5)
The most precious natural resources of clean pure water, air and fertile land are protected for the general good and utility. For instance, the Prophet (p) commanded for water conservation and preservation by asking the Muslims not to waste water during washing and ablution even when one is utilizing running river water, and he forbade washing of the parts of the body while making ablutions, more than three times saying:
"Whoever increases on that (more than three) does injustice and wrong."
(Nasa’ee)
And Allah's Messenger (p)forbade people to urinate in stagnant water.
(Muslim)
Islam
also forbids people to place any excrement, refuge, or garbage in the middle of the public passages, or in the choice shady places which people use for rest and recreation.
Social Welfare including support of orphans, the needy and destitute
Allah the Exalted and Almighty said:
(
Give full measure when you measure, and weigh with a scale balance that is straight; that is the most fitting and the most advantageous in the final determination.
)
(17:35)
The Messenger of Allah (p) said:
“The orphan's sponsor and I are in Paradise like these (and he held his two fingers, the index and the middle fingers, together, indicating how close they are).”
(Tirmidthi)
The Messenger of Allah (p) said:
“By Allah! One would not become a Believer until he likes for his brother what he likes for his own self”
(Muslim)
Principles of Endowment
Endowments in Islam are of two types:
Private Endowment
: This type is dedicated to the progeny of the person who offers such endowment. The progeny and family members of the grantor would be well off, and they would not need to ask others to donate to them. This type has a stipulation, however, that the funds of the endowment would be given to the public interest charitable work upon the death of the last person of the progeny of the donor.
Public and General Endowment
: This type is dedicated to charitable works, such as: building hospitals, schools, roads, public libraries, mosques, community centers, orphanages, elderly homes and other beneficial projects of general public interest for the community and the society at large.
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Author: Dr.Abdur-Rahman Abdul-Kareem Al-Sheha
