Author: Abdul Hameed Nowrozi
Responsibility and Duty Awareness in Islam (Part 8)
Responsibility Towards the Needy of Society
Poem: (Translated from Persian) Human beings are members of one another, for they are created from the same essence.
When one member suffers in this world, the others remain restless.
The Holy Qur’an not only insists on the need to help the needy but also emphasizes the importance of encouraging others to assist them. Failing to do so is described as an act that leads to being far from Allah and falling into divine punishment. In verse 34 of Surah Al-Haq’qa, the refusal to encourage others to help the needy is portrayed as a lack of faith in Allah. This matter highlights two important points: First, it is not enough to merely feed the poor; everyone has a duty to encourage others to perform this good deed, ensuring that this tradition spreads in the community. Second, not only the wealthy in Islamic society bear a heavy responsibility toward the poor; even those who lack the financial means and are unable to feed the needy cannot remain indifferent. Rather, they should encourage and motivate others to take care of the deprived and feed the hungry.
Unfortunately, some individuals not only lack a sense of responsibility toward the needy but also go as far as to humiliate them with their looks, words, and actions, which incurs the wrath of Allah Almighty.
Responsibility Towards Authoritarian and Arrogant Systems
The Holy Qur’an, in Surah Nahl, emphasizes the importance of sending a messenger to every nation. It introduces the content and basis of the calling of all prophets as “monotheism (Tawheed)” and “fighting the tyrants.” If the foundations of monotheism are not strengthened and the tyrants are not excluded from human societies, then no reform program can be effectively implemented.
Based on this principle, no Muslim is allowed to remain silent against the oppression of the tyrants or to join them. Accordingly, every Muslim has the duty to:
First: Never accept oppressor foreigners as friends, supporters, or helpers, and do not be deceived by their deceptive words and seemingly sincere expressions of affection. The severe damage inflicted on people of faith throughout history has often occurred in this way. The Holy Qur’an states:
«یا أَیُّهَا الَّذینَ آمَنُوا لاتَتَّخِذُوا الْکافِرینَ أَوْلِیاءَ مِنْ دُونِ الْمُؤْمِنینَ أَتُریدُونَ أَنْ تَجْعَلُوا لِلَّهِ عَلَیْکُمْ سُلْطاناً مُبیناً» “O you who have believed, do not take the disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. Do you wish to offer Allah a clear case against yourselves by doing so?”
Second: In verse 139 of Surah Al-Nisa, Allah Almighty warns Muslims not to seek their dignity in all aspects of life—economic, cultural, political, and so forth—through friendship with the enemies of Islam but to seek their support in Allah, who is the source of all honor. The enemies of Islam do not possess the means to grant anyone true honor, for when their interests change, they will abandon their closest allies and pursue their own agendas, as contemporary history vividly illustrates.
Third: In Surah Al-Imran, Allah commands Muslims to maintain secrecy in front of their enemies, warning believers not to disclose their private secrets to enemies and strangers. Unfortunately, some have neglected this warning and, as a result, have found themselves in numerous difficulties. Currently, there are enemies who purport to be friends and appear to favor Muslims, but their true intentions are revealed through their actions.
Fourth: Preparing to defend against the tyrants and oppressors is one of the most crucial duties of Muslims against oppressive governments. Allah the Exalted says: «وَ أَعِدُّوا لَهُمْ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ مِنْ قُوَّةٍ وَ مِنْ رِباطِ الْخَیْلِ تُرْهِبُونَ بِهِ عَدُوَّ اللَّهِ وَ عَدُوَّکُمْ…» “Prepare whatever you can of strength and warhorses to intimidate the enemy of Allah and your enemy!”
Fifth: Islamic teachings condemn all forms of communication that assist the plans of the oppressors and advance their sinister goals. The Holy Qur’an, in Surah Nisa, verse 60, criticizes Muslims who seek judgment from the rulers, highlighting that the consequence of turning to oppressors for help is to fall into a terrible abyss.
Addressing all Muslims, the Holy Qur’an makes it clear that relying on oppressors is a collective duty to avoid: «وَ لا تَرْکَنُوا إِلَی الَّذینَ ظَلَمُوا فَتَمَسَّکُمُ النَّارُ وَ ما لَکُمْ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِیاءَ ثُمَّ لا تُنْصَرُون» “And do not lean toward those who have wronged, lest the Fire touch you, and you will have no protector other than Allah, and you will not be helped.”
It is evident that relying on a tyrant leads to corruption and disorder, resulting in the weakness and incapacity of Islamic society, loss of independence, and a transition into a dependent and helpless state. Additionally, reliance on oppressors only strengthens them, enabling the expansion of oppression and the degradation of societies.
It should be noted that commercial or scientific relations with non-Muslim societies, when based on protecting the interests of Muslims and the independence and stability of Islamic societies, do not fall under the concept of reliance on oppressors and are not forbidden in Islam. Such connections have existed throughout the era of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and in subsequent eras.
Continues…
By admin2