Is the Qur'an Relevant to Muslims only? - 2
By Dr Aslam Abdullah
Las Vegas, NV
Dignity of Human Beings
The Qur'an places great emphasis on the dignity of human beings regardless of their gender or race or even status. It says: “ We have bestowed dignity to the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favors, above a great part of our creation. (17:70)
The dignity comprises rights and duties. It means that all human beings are created equal by the One Creator, and no one is superior to another on the basis of his or her birth or family or tribe. It is only the divine that alone is the judge to decide who lived up to his/her dignified status accepting the dignity of the other. The dignity also means that human beings’ right to life, right to freedom of religion, right to freedom of lifestyle, right to labor, right to security and right to family are secured, even if that means that human beings would violate divine ideas in exercising free will.
The Qur'an does not want people to deprive others of these rights because of their color or gender or even religion. The Qur'an does not give preference to one over the other. The Qur'an does not say that only Muslims or who have faith in God deserve dignity or rights that are associated with dignity. It talks in a broader term and declares that no one has a right to deny humans their dignity that is a God-given right.
Not very long ago, the world had difficulty in realizing the validity of this Qur'anic message. People were discriminated on the basis of their ethnicity or gender or status and religious scholars and political experts were providing justification for such discrimination. A classic case of this denial of dignity can be found in India where scripturally a group of people were categorized as low castes or untouchables because of their birth in a particular social group. Even though, India has banned that in its constitution and legally such a discrimination is punishable, yet it is still practiced widely in the country. Even in the United States, we had the N words for African-Americans in vogue for several centuries and they are still uttered in several private sessions. But no one in the world today can argue for segregation and discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gende, etc.
The world has begun to realize the relevance of the Qur'an message on dignity in a better way. This message is relevant in our time more than ever before regardless of whether Muslims practice it or not because it certainly can inspire people of faith to stand with each other in defense of human dignity of all.
Universalization of Natural Resources
The third Qur'anic message relevant for humanity at large is its emphasis on the universality of natural resources. Earth, oceans, skies, water, and wind are for the benefit of all. No one can monopolize them for their exclusive use. No one can use their access to these resources to deny others the rights bestowed to them. Thus the Qur'an says:
It is He Who has created for you all things that are on earth; moreover His design comprehended the heavens, for He gave order and perfection to the seven firmaments; and of all things He has perfect knowledge. (2:29)
The distribution of these human resources in a manner that would ensure the dignity and oneness of humanity is a major challenge for human beings. Wars have been fought for land and access to natural resources such as water, land or gas without realizing that none of these natural treasures was created by humans, yet human beings have always fought over their greed to control them.
The Qur'an explains that the purpose to provide these resources is to ensure that human beings are not deprived of their basic needs for survival. It asks human beings not to use them to exploit fellow human beings. Our world today has about 1.6 billion people who sleep hungry every night. Our world has over 60 percent of the population that earns less than a dollar a day. Malnutrition is common and so is homelessness. People are deprived of drinkable water even though there are plenty of fresh water resources. People are still forced to live on streets and under open skies even though there is plenty of land to provide housing to everyone.
In religious circles everyone talks about removing poverty or at least ensuring that people's basic needs are addressed to. The Qur'anic message certainly gives guidance in this matter and invites people to work together to ensure that no one sleeps hungry and no one is homeless. The Qur'an addresses the issue of basic human needs in greater details in chapter verses 12 to 18 of chapter 90 when it explains “ and what is this steep uphill ascent? Who else can tell you better than the Almighty? So listen: The uphill ascent is that a human should not only look after himself. Wherever he sees a human neck caught in any kind of subjugation or bondage, he should free it. That is to say, the first and foremost thing to do is to establish a system where no one is subdued by or subjugated to another. Everyone walks with his chin up, with total physical and mental freedom. (He should not have to follow and obey any Law except that of Allah the Almighty.) And during the period when some people take over all primary sources of subsistence and create a state of general distress and hunger, this system should look after the needs of those who, despite living among other people, feel lonely and helpless; or of the needs of those who have to labor hard for a morsel. They are the auspicious and prosperous people on the right path, enjoying the pleasures of life.
Justice for all
Justice is the buzz world in modern vocabulary. The Qur'an not only emphasizes justice but also recommends a step above justice, i.e., working for the good of others at the expense of one's interest. On the other side are those who are also true to their faith. They always give preference to the needs of the newcomers, even if they themselves are indigent and living a life of hardship.” (60:9) The Qur'an reminds the people who are likely to achieve prosperity are those who change their personalities and no longer push others aside to selfishly fulfil their own needs. Realizing that the other person's need is more demanding they voluntarily allow them to fulfil it first.
The Qur'an recommends a simple maxim for justice: “O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well- acquainted with all that ye do. (4:135)
“O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do. (5:8)
Every human society accepts justice as its core value, yet we find that every human society violates its own declared values and promotes injustice on the basis of divisions that people have created among themselves. So much inequality, indignity and denial of basic human rights take place in our world simply because people tend to view justice for others as not binding. However, without adhering to justice, it is impossible to think of dignity, unity or universality of humanity.
Peace is the goal
The ultimate goal of humans in this world is to secure a peaceful human society so that a peaceful family can protect the interests of a peaceful individual for achieving his or her true potential in deliberating on the purpose of this life and preparing for a life that is eternal in every sense of the term. The unity of humanity, the dignity, the justice and the universality of human resources pave the path for peace. They liberate humans from the mundane and profane and take them to the realm of the sublime and sacred. They ensure that that human beings reconcile between their greed and their need.
Defining the purpose of his guidance the Qur'an says that “through which God shows unto all that seek His goodly acceptance the paths leading to peace and, by His grace, brings them out of the depths of darkness into the light and guides them onto a straight way. (5:16)
The Qur'an repeats the message several times that the purpose of human efforts is to enable humans to dwell in an abode of peace , “ theirs shall be an abode of peace with their Sustainer; and He shall be near unto them in result of what they have been doing. *(6:127) and explains “And [know that] God invites [man] unto the abode of peace, and guides him that wills [to be guided] onto a straight way.”
Thus, the message of the Qur'an is universal and eternal. The divine set the standards through messages delivered to human beings. It was left to individuals to seek the path of unity, dignity, universality, justice and peace, not the path to argue with each who is better than the other or who would qualify for the grace of God and who would not. Let the world not deprive itself of the benefits of the divine guidance because of the sectarian, myopic and often arrogant behavior on the part of some Muslim groups. Let the world make use of these values that are universal and would help everyone. Muslims should also not shy away from joining those who work for these values even if their proponents happen to be those outside the fold of Islam.
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