Equality in Islam 2
The most noble is the most righteous and most sincere person regardless of outer features. As the Prophet q said:
“God does not look at your bodies and your colors but at your acts and your hearts (outward deeds and inward intentions and sincerity respectively).”
Reported by Muslim no.2564.
All commands of obligation and prohibition are applicable to all without any distinction because of class, social status or race. God states in the Qur’an:
(Whoever
does righteousness – it is for his [own] soul; and whoever does evil [does so]
against it. And your Lord is not ever unjust to [His] servants.) [41:46]
The
differentiation between individuals in the sight of God is based on their
levels of piety, righteousness, and compliance to the Commands of God, the Most
Beneficent. God the Almighty states in the Qur’an:
(O
mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples
and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the
sight of God is the most righteous of you. Indeed, God is Knowing and Acquainted.)
[49:13]
All individuals are equal before the Islamic code of law and the appointed Muslim judge. The penalties, judgments and legal sentences are applicable to all races and classes of people without any distinction and without any privileged person acquiring immunity. One outstanding example will be cited here. A’isha reported that the Quraish were deeply concerned when a noble woman of the Makhzum clan stole, and God’s Messenger q wanted to apply the due punishment in her case.
The
Quraish consulted among themselves and said: ‘The best person to talk to the
Prophet q
about the Makhzumi woman thief is his beloved companion (and the son of his
beloved companion) Usamah ibn Zaid.’ Therefore they sent Usamah to speak to the
Prophet q to intercede on behalf of this Makhzumi woman. Upon listening
to Usamah, God’s Messenger q said, “O Usamah! Are you coming to intercede
concerning a punishment set by God?” God’s Messenger q stood up, as
soon as he q finished his conversation with Usamah and delivered a speech
saying: ‘The nations before you were destroyed due to the fact that when a
noble person among them would steal, they let him go unpunished, but if a poor,
weak and insignificant person among them stole, they would apply the punishment
on him. By God! If Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad q stole, I would
punish her myself.’ Reported by Bukhari no. 6406 and Muslim no. 9.
Furthermore,
none has the right to monopolize, abuse or appropriate national resources for
his personal interests. All members of the nation have the right to benefit
from the national resources, each according to just and equitable rights and
obligations. However, they will not be equal in terms of the work and the
benefit they contribute for the public good. The Islamic government must exert
every effort to secure job opportunities for its constituents and organize the
proper utilization of national resources. Islam declares all people equal in
terms of human values yet every individual is rewarded according to what he
presents to his society and community. The only distinction between people is
on the basis of service that they offer.
For
instance, Islam does not look at a hardworking individual and a sluggish individual
on equal footing in terms of pay and financial rewards. The Almighty states in
the Qur’an:
(And
for all are degrees from what they have done. And your Lord is not unaware of
what they do.) [6:132]
Collected from:- Human Rights in Islam (Abdur Rahman bin Abdul Kareem Ash-Sheha) Page: 18-21
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