Social Reformation from the Perspective of the Biography of the Prophet Muhammad Pbuh: Part 3
By
Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam
17 April
2023
Examining
Areas Of Social Reformation In the Light Of Sirat Al-Nabi
Main
Points:
1. Islam has
outlined clear principles of social justice. The establishment of a legal
system has inspired people to defend their rights.
2. Islam has
elevated humans to the highest level. This promotes equality and appeals to
harmony and unity. It holds that there is no superiority based on ancestry,
caste, or colour. In the line of justice, everyone is equal.
3. The last
sermon of the Prophet PBUH, which was intended for all humanity as the core of
social transformation, is very succinct and unambiguous.
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Islam has
outlined clear principles of social justice. The establishment of a legal
system has inspired people to defend their rights. The Holy Prophet (peace be
upon him) once said: "A person who is oppressed and killed while defending
himself is on the rank of a martyr." (Al-Sunan Al-Kubara 3/455)
Almighty
Allah has also commanded us to treat other people with justice, as He says in
the Quran:
“Indeed,
Allah commands to do justice and be good, and give relatives (their due), and
forbids from shameless acts, evil deeds and transgression. He exhorts you so
that you may be receptive to advice” (16:90)
This verse, which is the most complete verse
in the Holy Quran, contains the essence of the full spectrum of Islamic
teachings in a few words. The tradition of reciting this line at the conclusion
of the special sermon for Friday and the two Eids (Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha)
has therefore persisted since the blessed time of the most righteous elders up
until the present day.
According to Sayyiduna 'Abdullaah ibn Masud,
the verse "Indeed, Allah commands to do justice and be good" is the
most comprehensive verse in the Holy Quran.
According to tradition, Aktham Ibn Saifi, a
companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him), adopted Islam as a result of this
verse.
Abu Ya'la's book Maarifatus Sahaaba narrates:
Aktham ibn Saifi served as the leader of his
people. He made the decision to physically meet the Holy Prophet after learning
about him, his claim to prophethood, and his efforts to advance Islam. But his
followers advised him against going there personally because he was their
leader and the most significant individual in the group. Then Aktham suggested
that they select two tribal members to visit there, examine the situation, and
then return with a report for him. These two people said they had come from
Aktham ibn Saifi to know two things when they came before the Holy Prophet:
"Who are you and what are you?"
In response to the first query, the Prophet
(peace be upon him) stated: "I am Muhammad ibn 'Abdullah, and in response
to the second query, “I am a servant of Allah and His Messenger." Then he
recited verse 16:90, which starts with the words "Truly, Allah commands to
do justice and do good..." He was requested to repeat those statements to
them. The verse was repeatedly read out to them until they had learned it by
heart. The emissaries informed Aktham when they arrived back that they had
intended to learn his ancestry by asking the first inquiry. He did not,
however, pay any attention to this. He just felt it was enough to say his
father's name. But when they asked others about his ancestry, they learned that
he was of very high pedigree and nobility. The verse that the Prophet recited
in front of them was also brought up to the notice of Aktham, who immediately
responded, "This tells us that he bids morals which are high and forbids
morals which are low. Please embrace his faith as soon as you can to keep ahead
of the people and avoid falling behind as camp followers." (Abu Ya’la,
Maarifatus Sahaaba)
Similarly, Uthman ibn Maz'un says, "I
initially adopted Islam because others around me told me to. Islam had not,
however, become ingrained in my heart. Then there came a day when I was there
in the Holy Prophet's fortunate company. After some weird events, he said:
"The emissary of Allah came to me and this verse was revealed upon
me." Suddenly, indicators related to the descent of revelation on him
became clear.”
According to Uthman ibn Maz'un, after
witnessing this incident and hearing this verse, his faith was strengthened and
solidified in his heart, and his love for the Prophet of Allah eventually found
a permanent home there.
After hearing this verse, Walid ibn Mughirah
also went to share his impression with his people, the Quraish of Makkah,
saying: "By God, in it, there is a special sweetness and, above it, there
is a unique hallow of light, and leaves are going to sprout out from its roots
and fruits are going to show up on its branches - and this can never be the
speech of any human being."
Allah says in the Quran,
"When
you speak, be just, even if there be a relative, and fulfil the covenant of
Allah."
(6:152)
Islam has
elevated humans to the highest level. This promotes equality and appeals for
harmony and unity. It holds that there is no superiority based on ancestry,
caste, or colour. In the line of justice, everyone is equal. Islam considers
the unjust killing of a person to be the murder of all humanity. Allah says in
the Quran:
“Whoever
takes a life—unless as a punishment for murder or mischief in the land—it will
be as if they killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a life, it will be as
if they saved all of humanity.” (5:32)
Islam
forbids discrimination on the grounds of race, nation, tribe, religion, or
creed.
Allah says
in the Quran:
“O
humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female and made you into
peoples and tribes so that you may get to know one another. Surely the noblest
of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly
All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (49:13)
On the ninth of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th and
final month of the Islamic calendar, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
gave his final sermon, 10 years after Hijrah, in the Uranah Valley of Mount
Arafat. His message, which was intended for all humanity as the core of social
transformation, was very succinct and unambiguous.
He praised and thanked Allah and then said:
“O People, please pay close attention, as I
don't know if I'll ever see you again after this year. As a result, pay close
attention to what I am saying and convey it to everyone who is unable to attend
today.
“O people, just as you hold this month, this
day, and this city in high respect, hold each Muslim's life and possessions in
the same high esteem. Return the items to their respective owners that were
given to you. Do no harm so that no one may do you harm. Keep in mind that you
will meet your Lord and that He will account for your actions. You are no
longer required to pay any interest because Allah forbade you from receiving
usury (interest)...
“O people, although you do have some rights in
relation to your ladies, they also have rights in relation to you. Keep in mind
that you have only taken them as your wife with Allah's faith and approval.
They have the right to be fed and clothed with love if they uphold your right.
Women are your partners and devoted helpers, so treat them with respect and
kindness. Additionally, it is within your rights for them to never be unchaste
and to not make friends with anyone you disapprove of.
O people,
pay attention to what I say, worship Allah, perform your five daily prayers
(Salat), observe Ramadan's fast, and offer your Zakat. If you have the means,
perform the Hajj.
“Since everyone on earth descended from Adam
and Eve, neither an Arab nor a non-Arab is superior to the other. Similarly,
neither a white person nor a black person is superior to the other, with the
exception of piety (taqwa) and good deed. Recognise that all Muslims are
related to one another as brothers and that they form a single brotherhood.
Nothing belonging to a fellow Muslim shall be legitimate to a Muslim unless it
was given voluntarily. Therefore, don't treat yourself unfairly.
“Keep in mind that you will one day give an
account of your actions to Allah. Therefore, take care to stay on the righteous
path when I am gone.
Therefore,
O people, use good judgement and pay attention to what I say. The Qur'an and my
example, the Sunnah, are the two things I leave behind, and if you abide by
them, you will never go astray.”
References: Sahih Bukhari, Hadith numbers
1623, 1626, and 6361. In Hadith number 98, the Sahih of Imam Muslim also makes
reference to this sermon.
Imam
Tirmidhi mentioned this sermon in Hadith nos. 1628, 2046, and 2085.
The longest
and maybe most comprehensive account of this sermon has been provided by Imam
Ahmed bin Hanbal in his Masnud (Hadith no. 19774)
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Kaniz
Fatma is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam.
Previous
Article:
Social
Reformation from the Perspective of the Biography of the Prophet Muhammad Pbuh:
Part 1
Social Reformation
From The Perspective Of The Biography Of The Prophet Muhammad Pbuh: Part 2
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/social-reformation-biography-prophet-part-3/d/129583
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