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Islam has given laws based on the Book of
Allah, preached and practiced by the last Messenger of Allah which
guarantee the rights of human beings, their life and property, their
honor and prestige, security and peace. They guarantee social,
religious,
And
political rights to all citizens, irrespective of race, cast, creed or
color. All enjoy equal rights and equal freedom in an Islamic Society.
In the
wayward society of Arabia, women were treated as animals, life and honor
of none were safe. Men buried their daughters alive. No law existed and
men bowed before idols. In that society robbery was not considered as a
crime, trust had no sanctity and a man could loose all his possessions
including his wives and children through games of chance. It was Hazrat
Muhammad (pbuh) who brought about a marvelous change in the life of such
people.
He cast
kindness into their hearts and converted robbers into custodians.
People constantly fighting among themselves became brothers. They
learnt to stand side-by-side, shoulder-to-shoulder in a row while
praying. It was Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) who taught that all human beings
belong to one brotherhood and that they area all equal. He made life so
easier by his teachings of tolerance of other people’s views and
opinions, especially in matters of faith. The Quran says:
“Let there be no compulsion in religion.”
(2:256)
Everyone
in the Islamic society is free to practice his religion. The philosophy
of religious freedom is further explained in the Holy Quran:
“If it
had been the Lord’s will
They
would all have believed__
All who
are on earth!
Will you
then compel mankind,
against
their will to
believe.”
(10:99)
The
protection of life and property is fully guaranteed to every citizen in
an Islamic society.
“_____take not life, which Allah hath made sacred, except by way of
justice and law:
___”
(6:151)
And with regard to
property:
“And do
not eat up your property among yourselves for vanities, nor use it as
bait for the judges, with intent that ye may eat up wrongfully and
knowingly a little of (other) people’s property”
(2:188)
In an Islamic society, wealth should remain
in circulation. For this purpose, Islam has established the institution
of Zakat that is collected from the rich and distributed amongst the
poor of the society. Zakat is compulsory and, therefore, if one does
not pay it, he goes against the commandment of Allah and for him, is
prescribed a painful punishment.
As
regards the acquisition of wealth, Islam encourages all lawful means and
condemns the unlawful ones. Muslims are required to earn livelihood by
honest means; it regards beginning and unemployment as undesirable. Its
emphasis is on lawful and legal trade and it considers hoarding, games
of chance and gambling as illegal.
Yet
another feature of an Islamic society is justice that is to give every
deserving person his right. It is the duty of every individual member
of the society to co-operate with the society towards this end, to the
best of his ability.
In order
to eradicate evil, the Holy Prophet first attacked the basis of
corruption. He prohibited all alcoholic drinks and gambling in the
Islamic society. He encouraged people to adopt piety, goodness and
justice in their individual as well as social dealings. He also
discouraged slavery and used all possible methods to get rid of this
evil from society.
The
social system based on these principles has been working successfully
till the present times. In these comprehensive principles, the most
balanced Divine Guidance is given to mankind to purify their life and to
lay the foundation of a healthy, pious and chaste society in which
people can live in peace and happiness. These are the distinctive
features of the society set up by Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) that
provides honor, peace and security to every human being. |
Biography,
mission and the message of 
- the Prophet of Islam 