The Five Necessities

 

The Five Necessities

1. Religion.

2. Soul.

3. Mind.

4. Honor (dignity).

5. Money (and whatever we own).

Beautifully, the Glorious Qur’an pointed out that whoever kills an innocent soul - “it is as if he had killed mankind entirely. And whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.” (5:32)

Concerning the freedom and protection of faith, the Glorious Qur’an states:

“There is no compulsion in religion…” (2:256)

Thus, Islam honors mankind and does not compel anyone to embrace its faith by force. This is the truth, beauty, justice, kindness, and tolerance of Islam when dealing with non-Muslims.

So, we have to be honest, objective, and fair when judging others. And let’s remember what Allah tells us in the Glorious Qur’an:

“…and let not the hatred of a people make you avoid justice.  Be just; that is next to piety…”

Nonetheless, concerning those unfair political and religious leaders, writers, historians, and  media people who unjustly accuse Islam and all Muslims of terrorism and claim that Islam was spread by force and sword, and those sick-minded and ill-hearted folk who depict Allah, the one true God and His last prophet Muhammad in the worst and ugliest images and cartoons, I wonder:

• Is this what is meant by freedom, and freedom of speech - is there not a double standard being used when dealing with Islam and Muslims? (For example, why are the terms ‘Christian terrorists’ or ‘Jewish terrorists’ never heard, although there is no shortage of atrocities being committed by people of those faiths?)

 

• Is anyone free to insult, curse and despise others and their beliefs, or accuse them all of terrorism?

 

• Is this how civilization, democracy, and freedom are taught to the younger generation in schools, colleges, and in society in general?

• Is it really the sword of Islam that makes thousands of wise, objective, sincere, and open-minded men and women around the world embrace Islam nowadays? (Many books, articles, and websites discuss why and how these brothers and sisters reverted to Islam. For example, I would recommend: Islam Our Choice, Portraits of Modern American Muslim Women – edited by Debra L. Dirks and Stephanie Parlove.  Available on the Internet). 

Furhthermore, according to recent American and Western reports, Islam is the world’s fastest- growing religion.

So, Why Islam?

 

Equality

“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 (Allah) is the most righteous of you. Indeed God (Allah) is Knowing and Acquainted.” (49: 13)

Confirming this wonderful concept of equality in Islam, Prophet Muhammad, in his last Sermon, said:

“O people, your God is one and your father is one. You are all from Adam and Adam is from dust.  An Arab is not superior to a non-Arab, and a non-Arab is not superior to an Arab. A white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have superiority over a white. You are all equal. Nobody has superiority over others except through piety and good action.”

Islam teaches us not to hate or put down others based on their race, color of skin or eye, or nationality.

Islam is a practical remedy for the racial conflict and discrimination which the world witnesses.

In Islam, blacks and whites are just brothers and sisters in the same human race. They are all from the same father, Adam, who was created from dust. Thus, we are all from earth and we will go back to earth and turn to dust again.

This is an important lesson that we can derive from the above quotes from the Qur’an and the Prophet’s last sermon.  And this was the lesson that Malcolm X learned when he went to Makkah to perform Hajj (pilgrimage).

So, why do some people feel or act with arrogance or false pride towards others?