Quranic Foundations And Structure Of Muslim Society
PART 1. FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES
TOWARDS ALL HUMAN BEINGS
I. Duties relating to the Happiness of Others.
II. Duties relating to the Moral Perfection of Others.
Chapter 1.
DUTIES RELATING TO THE HAPPINESS OF OTHERS
(1) DUTIES OF OMISSION
END: Abstinence from ill-wishing and ill-doing to fellow-beings:—
A. Comprehensive Commands;
B. Specific Command:
1. Duties of Love.
2. Duties of Respect
A. Comprehensive Commands relating to the duty of abstaining from all evil against fellow-beings:
(i) With regard to the duties of omission pertaining to the happiness of other individuals, in their capacity basically and purely as human beings, the Holy Qur’an has laid down certain comprehensive commands through which Muslims have been ordered to abstain from committing every conceivable form of evil against them. For instance:
“… and He (i.e., God) forbids lewdness and wickedness (i.e., all evil conduct) and infringement (of the rights of others). He exhorts you that haply you may be admonished.” (16:90).
“… and wrong not mankind in their things* …” (7:85).
*According to Baidawi, things imply ‘rights’ of human beings. (See his Tafsir, p.300).
“And those who break the Covenant of Allah after having pledged their word thereto, and sever that which Allah has commanded should be joined* and work mischief (i.e., cause moral corruption and material disorder) in the land: on them is the Curse and for them is the terrible Abode (i.e. Hell)” (13:25).
* According to the commentators of the Holy Qur’an, it refers to the non-fulfillment of duties which men owe to God and to parents, family, neighbors, community, country and fellow-creatures in general. (See Abdul Majid Daryabadi, op. cit. Vol. 1., n. 118).
“Say (O Muhammad): my Lord forbids only indecencies, such of them as are open and such as are secret, and sin, and infringement (of the rights of others) without justice…” (7:33).
“Work not confusion in the earth after the fair ordering (thereof), and call on Him in fear and hope. Lo! the Mercy of Allah is (always) near to those who do right,” (7:56).
“… and He has set up the Balance, that you transgress not the balance (of justice in your actions).” (55:7-8).
“… you shall neither wrong nor be wronged.” (2:279).
(ii) Wrong-doing has not been allowed even against worst enemies:
“… and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice…” (5:9).
(iii) Wrong-doing to anyone is so severely abhorred that even befriending the wrong-doer is most severely condemned:
“And incline not to those who do wrong, or else the Fire will seize you—and you have no protectors other than Allah,—nor you would then be succored.” (11:113).
to be continued . . . . .
Quranic Foundation & Structure Of Muslim Society In The End Times
