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Equality of Mankind
tread the same path in life if they share the same code of moral
behavior. On the basis of this fundamental tenet, Islam seeks to build a
principled and ideological society very different from the racial,
nationalistic and parochial societies existing in the world today.
member, possessing equal rights with everyone else. Those who do not
accept this creed, while obviously not being received into the
community, are treated with tolerance and humanity and guaranteed all
the basic human rights.
Islam does not look on adult celibacy simply with disfavor; it calls
on every young man to take upon himself the social responsibilities of
married life just as his parents did in their time. Nor does Islam regard
asceticism and lifelong celibacy merely as being of no benefit; it sees
them as departures from the nature of man and as acts of revolt against
the Divine scheme of things.
society and not vice versa as it is in most societies today. Hence, after
debarring certain blood relatives from entering into matrimony with one
another, it has legalized marriage with all other near and distant kith and
kin. It has removed all distinctions of caste and community, and
permitted matrimony of any Muslim with any other Muslim. It has urged
that the mehr (dower) should be fixed at a figure which can be easily
borne by both sides. It has dispensed with the necessity of priests and
register offices. In an Islamic society marriage is a plain and simple
ceremony which can be performed anywhere before two witnesses,
though it is essential that the proceedings should not be kept secret.
Society must know that the couple is now going to live as husband and
wife.
After the limited circle of the family, the next social sphere is that of
kinship and blood relationship. Islam wants all those who are related
through common parents, common brothers and sisters or marriage to
be affectionate, cooperative and helpful to each other. In many places in
the Qur’an good treatment of the near relations (Dhawi-al-qurba) is
enjoined. In the Hadith of the Prophet, blessings and peace be on him,
proper treatment of one’s blood relations has been strongly emphasized
and counted among the highest virtues. A person who cold-shoulders
his relations or treats them indifferently is looked on by Islam with great
disfavor.
But this does not mean that it is an Islamic virtue to favor one’s
relations. If such support or bias towards one’s relations results in
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You are the best community ever raised among mankind; your duty is to
command people to do good and prevent them from committing evil. (Al-
‘Imran 3: 110)
Do not think evil of each other, nor probe into each other’s affairs,
nor incite one against the other. Avoid hatred and jealousy. Do not
unnecessarily oppose each other. Always remain the slaves of Allah,
and live as brothers to each other. (Muslim)
This article has excerpts from a talk given by Maulana Abul Ala
Maududi.