May Allah strengthen our faith and commitment to His religion and may He increase our brotherhood, sisterhood and unity. The theme of this year's convention is "Muslims for human dignity."
Allah says: "Indeed, We have honored the children 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." (Al-Isra' 17:70)
Human Dignity is an important theme of Islam; it runs throughout all its teachings.
What is Dignity?
Dignity does not mean arrogance, self-conceit, haughtiness or false pride.
Dignity according to Islam is: Izzah (honor), Karamah (nobility), Qeemah (value), Shraf (distinction) Fadilah (virtue).
Dignity is:
To know your self
To know your real worth and value
To know your position in the creation of Allah
To know your role on this earth
To know your responsibilities towards yourself, your family, to other human beings and to the world at large.
Dignity is in moral excellence.Dignity is in giving rather than takingDignity is in justice not in injusticeDignity is in love, not in hateDignity is in faith in Îmân (faith), not in Kufr and faithlessness.
Islam stands for human dignity and honor and gives a very universal and comprehensive concept of dignity. It tells us that we must recognize our own worth and value, we must not loose this worth and value. It is a very precious gift of Allah. We must guard it. It tells us that we can increase our worth and value and we can loose it too. It teaches us the ways to increase our honor. It also tells us that we must promote dignity and honor among all people in the world.
Dignity of Human Beings:
Human beings are Allah's creation. He created this whole universe. He created everything visible and invisible. He created us, but we are not like any other creation of Allah. We are a special creation of Allah. In the very first revelation that came to our Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him, Allah said:
"Read in the name of your Lord who created, created man from a clot of congealed blood. Read and your Lord is most Bountiful. He Who taught (the use of) the pen. Taught man that which he knew not. (Al-'Alaq 96:1-5)
First Allah said, "He created" i.e. He created every thing. Then He said, "He created human being". After mentioning the general creation Allah mentioned His special and particular creation.
It is not only that He created human being, but He created our father Adam, the first human being, by His own two hands. (Allah) said: "O Iblis! what prevented you from prostrating yourself to one whom I have created with My two hands? Are you haughty? or are you one of the high (and mighty) ones?" (Saad 38:75)
We believe that Allah has hands, but He only knows the nature of His hands. Imam al-Razi explaining this ayah says, "The great King does not perform an action by His own hands unless He has His utmost attention directed to that action."
Allah could have asked angels to make us. He could have asked the jinns to make us. He could have simply said, "Kun" and we would have been created. But He created us by His own two hands. This is a special honor.
He gave human beings the best shape and form. Allah says, (Allah) said: "O Iblis! what prevents thee from prostrating thyself to one whom I have created with My hands? Art thou haughty? or art thou one of the high (and mighty) ones?" (al-Tin 95:4)
Not only that He created human being by His hands and gave humans the best form, but He further says, "I breathed into him my spirit." (al-Hijr 15:29; Saad 38:72)
He called the spirit of human being His spirit to give honor and dignity to the human spirit, perhaps in the same way, as He called the Ka'bah His house to give honor to that House.
He taught him all the names. "And He taught Adam the names of all things; then He placed them before the angels, and said: "Tell Me the names of these if ye are right." (al-Baqarah 2:31)
He made the angels to bow down to Adam. "And behold, We said to the angels: "Bow down to Adam:" and they bowed down: not so Iblis: he refused and was haughty: he was of those who reject Faith. (al-Baqarah 2:34)
He gave human being intellect and freedom of the will. (al-Nahl 16:78; al-Mu'minun 23:78; al-Sajdah 32;9; al-Ahqaf 46:26; al-Mulk 67:23)
He made human being His Khalifah and gave him the Amanah. (al-Baqarah 2:30; al-Ahzab 33:72)
He created the heaven and earth and all that is in them for the sake of human beings. (Luqman 31:20; al-Jathiyah 45:13)
For the sake of human beings He sent His Prophets and His books again and again. And He sent His best creation, Muhammad -peace be upon him, and He made His mercy for all the worlds.
This is the worth and value of human beings according to the Qur'an.
Care for Human Dignity in Islam:
Islam cares for human dignity and wants human being not to reduce it, not to loose it. He told them not to prostrate to anyone except to Him, not to worship anyone except Him, not to call anyone else God beside Him. Islam wants human beings to do the 'ubudiyah (worshipful service) only to Allah and not to anyone else.
Sometime people ask the question, "How can you put together Islam (submission) and 'Ubudiyah (service) with the concept of dignity?" They say, "Is it not a contradiction to make a claim of human dignity and then demand from the human beings to be the servants and to do the submission?" But we must understand that the indignity comes when you submit to the creatures like yourself or those that are below to yourself in worth and value. When you bow to Allah, it increases your dignity and honor. In Surah al-Hajj, Allah says that every thing in the heaven and earth bows to Allah. It is their honor, but those who are under disgrace they refuse to bow to Him. (see al-Hajj 22:18)
The great Muslim philosopher and poet Iqbal put the same idea in his words, when he said:Woh aik sajdah jise too giran samajhta haiHazar sajde se deta hai admi ko najat
(That one type of prostration that you find it so difficult to make, it liberates human beings from thousand other types of prostrations.)
Not only worship ('ibadah) but the whole Shari'ah of Islam came to promote the dignity and honor of human beings, all human beings, of all races, colors and gender.
Shari'ah: The Paradigm of Human Dignity:
Start with the Islamic teachings on Taharah cleanliness of the body, clothes and the places where they live. Islam urges human beings to be clean and pure.
Consider the laws of food that you eat. God forbade eating of blood, eating the meat of animals died of their natural death, pork or pig's meat or meat slaughtered as offerings in the name of other than Allah.
Consider the rules about dress: Islam teaches wearing modest dress that covers the whole body properly. It is a simple, but dignified dress.
Consider Islam's prohibition of drinking of alcohol.
Consider Islamic prohibition of adultery and fornication.
Consider the moral teachings of Islam: Islam forbids telling lies, cheating, deceiving, breaking the promises, fighting and quarreling.
Islam forbids only those things that destroy or decrease human dignity. All sins bring disgrace in this world and Allah's punishment in the hereafter, unless there is repentance.
Islam teaches us that we must observe honor and dignity in our family relations. Husband and wife must treat each other with love and respect. Children must be treated with dignity and kindness.
The poor should be respected. "So do not shout at those who ask (for help)" (al-Duha 93:10) The orphans should be helped, nay they should be honored. Allah rebukes those who dishonor the orphans. "Nay, but you honor not the orphans." (al-Fajr 89:17)
You must honor your guests; you must be good to your neighbors. You must be good to your employees. Give them their rights, be fair to them, give them their wages on time. The Prophet -peace be upon him- said, "Whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good words or keep silent. Whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his neighbor. Whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his guest." (Sahih Muslim, Hadith no. 67)
All human beings should be treated with justice. No racism, no prejudices, no calling of names. Remember: "The noblest of you in the sight of Allah are those who are the most pious among you." (al-Hujurat 49:13)
In its economics teachings Islam teaches fair dealing, equity and justice. No stealing, gambling, taking usury etc. Riba brings disgrace upon those who take it and those from whom it is taken.
In its political system, Islam teaches human rights, fair dealing, shura not dictatorship. Freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of movement. All these are aspects of dignity.
Even when dealing with enemies, Islam teaches us that we must be fair and should not transgress the boundaries of justice. Even in wars, Islam teaches that we should not harm the non-combatants: women, children, old people, monks and priests. Islam teaches the rights of the diplomats and emissaries even of the enemies side.
Our Responsibility:
Dear brothers and sisters, We are very close to the end of the 20th century. In this century human beings have made great progress in science and technology, but human relations have deteriorated considerably. People do not have much trust of each other now a days. Families are falling apart. Materialism, individualism, nationalism, racism, ethnocentrism are growing. Oppression and injustice is going on every where.
We Muslims have a duty to emphasize human dignity in our own practice. We must treat each other with dignity and respect and we must work to promote the dignity of all people. We must honor each other. We must show our concern on the indignity and disgrace by which our people are treated in Iraq, Kashmir, Palestine and in many other places. Unless we are care for ourselves for our own people, no one else will care for us. But we must not be only concerned about ourselves. We must be equally concerned for the dignity of others. No one will honor us unless we honor others as we seek honor for ourselves.
Let us take some practical steps in bringing moral dignity, social dignity, and economic and political dignity in the world. We must work for the dignity of all human beings, not only Muslims, but all human beings. Let us be fair in our dealings with all people. If we do this, then Allah will be pleased with us, and will honor us in this world and will reward us in the eternal life.
Finally, let me tell you, my brothers and sisters, one aspect of the dignity and honor of human beings in Islam is that it tells them that they will have life after death. Death is a negation and it is a dishonor. But Islam tells us that when we live in faith and righteousness, we shall be honored with an eternal life, with our meeting with Allah. We shall see Him and be very close to Him.
(Summary of the Friday Khutbah that Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi gave at the inauguration of the 35th Annual Convention of ISNA in St. Louis, Mo. on September 4, 1998. The Convention was attended by more than 18,000 Muslims of North America. Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi is President of ISNA)
Source:http://www.pakistanlink.com/religion/98/re-09-11.html
Allah says: "Indeed, We have honored the children 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." (Al-Isra' 17:70)
Human Dignity is an important theme of Islam; it runs throughout all its teachings.
What is Dignity?
Dignity does not mean arrogance, self-conceit, haughtiness or false pride.
Dignity according to Islam is: Izzah (honor), Karamah (nobility), Qeemah (value), Shraf (distinction) Fadilah (virtue).
Dignity is:
To know your self
To know your real worth and value
To know your position in the creation of Allah
To know your role on this earth
To know your responsibilities towards yourself, your family, to other human beings and to the world at large.
Dignity is in moral excellence.Dignity is in giving rather than takingDignity is in justice not in injusticeDignity is in love, not in hateDignity is in faith in Îmân (faith), not in Kufr and faithlessness.
Islam stands for human dignity and honor and gives a very universal and comprehensive concept of dignity. It tells us that we must recognize our own worth and value, we must not loose this worth and value. It is a very precious gift of Allah. We must guard it. It tells us that we can increase our worth and value and we can loose it too. It teaches us the ways to increase our honor. It also tells us that we must promote dignity and honor among all people in the world.
Dignity of Human Beings:
Human beings are Allah's creation. He created this whole universe. He created everything visible and invisible. He created us, but we are not like any other creation of Allah. We are a special creation of Allah. In the very first revelation that came to our Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him, Allah said:
"Read in the name of your Lord who created, created man from a clot of congealed blood. Read and your Lord is most Bountiful. He Who taught (the use of) the pen. Taught man that which he knew not. (Al-'Alaq 96:1-5)
First Allah said, "He created" i.e. He created every thing. Then He said, "He created human being". After mentioning the general creation Allah mentioned His special and particular creation.
It is not only that He created human being, but He created our father Adam, the first human being, by His own two hands. (Allah) said: "O Iblis! what prevented you from prostrating yourself to one whom I have created with My two hands? Are you haughty? or are you one of the high (and mighty) ones?" (Saad 38:75)
We believe that Allah has hands, but He only knows the nature of His hands. Imam al-Razi explaining this ayah says, "The great King does not perform an action by His own hands unless He has His utmost attention directed to that action."
Allah could have asked angels to make us. He could have asked the jinns to make us. He could have simply said, "Kun" and we would have been created. But He created us by His own two hands. This is a special honor.
He gave human beings the best shape and form. Allah says, (Allah) said: "O Iblis! what prevents thee from prostrating thyself to one whom I have created with My hands? Art thou haughty? or art thou one of the high (and mighty) ones?" (al-Tin 95:4)
Not only that He created human being by His hands and gave humans the best form, but He further says, "I breathed into him my spirit." (al-Hijr 15:29; Saad 38:72)
He called the spirit of human being His spirit to give honor and dignity to the human spirit, perhaps in the same way, as He called the Ka'bah His house to give honor to that House.
He taught him all the names. "And He taught Adam the names of all things; then He placed them before the angels, and said: "Tell Me the names of these if ye are right." (al-Baqarah 2:31)
He made the angels to bow down to Adam. "And behold, We said to the angels: "Bow down to Adam:" and they bowed down: not so Iblis: he refused and was haughty: he was of those who reject Faith. (al-Baqarah 2:34)
He gave human being intellect and freedom of the will. (al-Nahl 16:78; al-Mu'minun 23:78; al-Sajdah 32;9; al-Ahqaf 46:26; al-Mulk 67:23)
He made human being His Khalifah and gave him the Amanah. (al-Baqarah 2:30; al-Ahzab 33:72)
He created the heaven and earth and all that is in them for the sake of human beings. (Luqman 31:20; al-Jathiyah 45:13)
For the sake of human beings He sent His Prophets and His books again and again. And He sent His best creation, Muhammad -peace be upon him, and He made His mercy for all the worlds.
This is the worth and value of human beings according to the Qur'an.
Care for Human Dignity in Islam:
Islam cares for human dignity and wants human being not to reduce it, not to loose it. He told them not to prostrate to anyone except to Him, not to worship anyone except Him, not to call anyone else God beside Him. Islam wants human beings to do the 'ubudiyah (worshipful service) only to Allah and not to anyone else.
Sometime people ask the question, "How can you put together Islam (submission) and 'Ubudiyah (service) with the concept of dignity?" They say, "Is it not a contradiction to make a claim of human dignity and then demand from the human beings to be the servants and to do the submission?" But we must understand that the indignity comes when you submit to the creatures like yourself or those that are below to yourself in worth and value. When you bow to Allah, it increases your dignity and honor. In Surah al-Hajj, Allah says that every thing in the heaven and earth bows to Allah. It is their honor, but those who are under disgrace they refuse to bow to Him. (see al-Hajj 22:18)
The great Muslim philosopher and poet Iqbal put the same idea in his words, when he said:Woh aik sajdah jise too giran samajhta haiHazar sajde se deta hai admi ko najat
(That one type of prostration that you find it so difficult to make, it liberates human beings from thousand other types of prostrations.)
Not only worship ('ibadah) but the whole Shari'ah of Islam came to promote the dignity and honor of human beings, all human beings, of all races, colors and gender.
Shari'ah: The Paradigm of Human Dignity:
Start with the Islamic teachings on Taharah cleanliness of the body, clothes and the places where they live. Islam urges human beings to be clean and pure.
Consider the laws of food that you eat. God forbade eating of blood, eating the meat of animals died of their natural death, pork or pig's meat or meat slaughtered as offerings in the name of other than Allah.
Consider the rules about dress: Islam teaches wearing modest dress that covers the whole body properly. It is a simple, but dignified dress.
Consider Islam's prohibition of drinking of alcohol.
Consider Islamic prohibition of adultery and fornication.
Consider the moral teachings of Islam: Islam forbids telling lies, cheating, deceiving, breaking the promises, fighting and quarreling.
Islam forbids only those things that destroy or decrease human dignity. All sins bring disgrace in this world and Allah's punishment in the hereafter, unless there is repentance.
Islam teaches us that we must observe honor and dignity in our family relations. Husband and wife must treat each other with love and respect. Children must be treated with dignity and kindness.
The poor should be respected. "So do not shout at those who ask (for help)" (al-Duha 93:10) The orphans should be helped, nay they should be honored. Allah rebukes those who dishonor the orphans. "Nay, but you honor not the orphans." (al-Fajr 89:17)
You must honor your guests; you must be good to your neighbors. You must be good to your employees. Give them their rights, be fair to them, give them their wages on time. The Prophet -peace be upon him- said, "Whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good words or keep silent. Whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his neighbor. Whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his guest." (Sahih Muslim, Hadith no. 67)
All human beings should be treated with justice. No racism, no prejudices, no calling of names. Remember: "The noblest of you in the sight of Allah are those who are the most pious among you." (al-Hujurat 49:13)
In its economics teachings Islam teaches fair dealing, equity and justice. No stealing, gambling, taking usury etc. Riba brings disgrace upon those who take it and those from whom it is taken.
In its political system, Islam teaches human rights, fair dealing, shura not dictatorship. Freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of movement. All these are aspects of dignity.
Even when dealing with enemies, Islam teaches us that we must be fair and should not transgress the boundaries of justice. Even in wars, Islam teaches that we should not harm the non-combatants: women, children, old people, monks and priests. Islam teaches the rights of the diplomats and emissaries even of the enemies side.
Our Responsibility:
Dear brothers and sisters, We are very close to the end of the 20th century. In this century human beings have made great progress in science and technology, but human relations have deteriorated considerably. People do not have much trust of each other now a days. Families are falling apart. Materialism, individualism, nationalism, racism, ethnocentrism are growing. Oppression and injustice is going on every where.
We Muslims have a duty to emphasize human dignity in our own practice. We must treat each other with dignity and respect and we must work to promote the dignity of all people. We must honor each other. We must show our concern on the indignity and disgrace by which our people are treated in Iraq, Kashmir, Palestine and in many other places. Unless we are care for ourselves for our own people, no one else will care for us. But we must not be only concerned about ourselves. We must be equally concerned for the dignity of others. No one will honor us unless we honor others as we seek honor for ourselves.
Let us take some practical steps in bringing moral dignity, social dignity, and economic and political dignity in the world. We must work for the dignity of all human beings, not only Muslims, but all human beings. Let us be fair in our dealings with all people. If we do this, then Allah will be pleased with us, and will honor us in this world and will reward us in the eternal life.
Finally, let me tell you, my brothers and sisters, one aspect of the dignity and honor of human beings in Islam is that it tells them that they will have life after death. Death is a negation and it is a dishonor. But Islam tells us that when we live in faith and righteousness, we shall be honored with an eternal life, with our meeting with Allah. We shall see Him and be very close to Him.
(Summary of the Friday Khutbah that Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi gave at the inauguration of the 35th Annual Convention of ISNA in St. Louis, Mo. on September 4, 1998. The Convention was attended by more than 18,000 Muslims of North America. Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi is President of ISNA)
Source:http://www.pakistanlink.com/religion/98/re-09-11.html
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