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There Shall Be No Infliction Of Harm On Oneself Or Others - By Shaykh Ashraf Salah
There Shall Be No Infliction
Of Harm On Oneself Or Others
By Shaykh Ashraf Salah
Dear Muslims:
Since God (Allah) is the absolute and the sole master of men and the
universe, and since He has given each man human dignity and honor, and breathed
into him of His own spirit, it follows that men are essentially the same. In
fact, the only differences between them are such artificial ones as
nationality, color, or race. Thus, all human beings are equal and form one
universal community that is united in its submission and obedience to God
(Allah). The center of this universal brotherhood is the Islamic confession of
the oneness of God (Allah) that, by extension, includes the oneness and
brotherhood of humanity.
An Islamic state may be established
anywhere. While the state is geographically limited, the human rights and
privileges granted to humanity by God (Allah) are not. God (Allah) in the
Qur'an states that these are universal and fundamental, and that all
individuals are to enjoy and observe them under all circumstances.
Allah (SWT) says:
“O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for God (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 God (Allah).
For God (Allah) is well-acquainted with all that ye do”. (Qur'an 5:8). Human
blood is sacred in any case and cannot be spilled without justification.
Violating this rule is equivalent to killing all of humanity:
“..if anyone slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading
mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people”. (Qur'an
5:32).
It is not permissible to oppress women, children, old people, the sick
or the wounded. Women's honor and chastity are to be respected under all
circumstances. The hungry must be fed, the naked clothed, and the wounded or
diseased given medical treatment regardless of their pro- or anti-Muslim
sentiments and activities. In Islam, human rights are granted by God (Allah),
not by kings or legislative assemblies, and therefore they can never be taken
away or changed, even temporarily, for any reason. Every Muslim is required to
accept them and recognize the people's right to have them enforced and obeyed.
Dear Muslims:
One’s honor should also be protected, Allah (swt) says:
“O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: it may
be that the (latter) are better than the (former): nor let some women laugh at
others: it may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): nor defame
nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames
... Avoid suspicion as much (as possible) : for suspicion in some cases is a
sin: and spy not on each other, nor speak ill of each other behind their
backs”. (Qur'an 49:11-12).
Thus, Islam guarantees privacy:
“Do not enter any houses unless you are sure of their occupant's
consent”. (Qur'an 24:27) .
In Islam, as has been stated earlier, an individual's power and
authority is a trust from God (Allah). This is an awesome responsibility for a
person, for he must use this trust in a way that is acceptable to God (Allah)
or else suffer the consequences. This was acknowledged by Abu Bakr, who said in
his very first address : “Cooperate with me when I am right, and correct me
when I commit error. Obey me so long as I follow the commandments of Allah and
His Prophet (pbuh), but turn away from me when I deviate.
Dear Brothers And Sisters In Islam:
Islam also allows complete freedom of thought and expression, provided
that it does not involve spreading that which is harmful to individuals and the
society at large. For example, the use of abusive or offensive language in the
name of criticism is not allowed. In the days of the Prophet (pbuh), the
Muslims used to ask him about certain matters. If he had received no revelation
on that particular issue, they were free to express their personal opinions.
Moreover, Islam calls for freedom of Conscience and Conviction. God
(Allah) states:
“Let there be no compulsion in religion. (Qur'an 2:256)
Dear Brothers And Sisters In Islam:
Islam recognizes the right of the needy to demand help from those who
are more fortunate :
“And in their wealth and possessions (was remembered) the right of (the
needy), him who asked, and him who (for some reason) was prevented (from
asking)”. (Qur'an 51:19)
Also, Islam gives its citizens the right to absolute and complete
equality in the eyes of the law. According to the Islamic concept of justice,
absolutely no one is above the law, for all men are equal. This point was made
in a very dramatic fashion by the Prophet (pbuh) himself. One day, a woman
belonging to a high and noble family was arrested in connection with a theft.
The case was brought to the Prophet (pbuh) with the recommendation that she be
spared the mandated punishment for theft (amputation of the hand). The Prophet
(pbuh) replied : “The nations that lived before you were destroyed by God
(Allah) because they punished the common man for their offenses and let their
dignitaries go unpunished for their crimes. I swear by Him Who holds my life in
His hand that even if Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad (pbuh), had committed
this crime, I would have amputated her hand.”
Dear Muslims:
In the Holy Qur'an, Allah states :
“Who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation”. (Qur'an 42:38)
This procedure is known as shura, which is usually translated as
“consultation.” In practice, it means that the executive head of the government
and the members of the assembly should be elected by free and independent
choice of the people.
Lastly, Islam seeks to achieve the above-mentioned human rights and
many others through the provision of certain legal safeguards, but primarily
through calling upon individuals to transcend their lower animal-like instincts
so that they can go beyond mere ties fostered by the kinship of blood, racial
superiority, linguistic arrogance, and economic privilege. Islam urges man to
move on to a plane of existence where, by reason of his inner excellence, he
can realize the ideal of the brotherhood of man. May Allah (swt) bless, guide
and forgive us all (Ameen).
