Author: Abu Jurair
The Roles of the Prophet Muhammad, PBUH, in the Sphere of Civilization (The 16th and Final Part)
12. The Function of the Messenger of Allah, May Allah Bless Him and Grant Him Peace, in the Social Arena
There is no society in the world unless it consists of three dimensions:
The Highest Dimension: It is the parents who are owed divine rights, and we do not find in any civilization that they are given rights like those in Islam. Allah Almighty says: «وَقَضَى رَبُّكَ أَلاَّ تَعْبُدُواْ إِلاَّ إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ الْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلاَهُمَا فَلاَ تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّ وَلاَ تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلاً كَرِيمًا» Translation: “Your Lord decreed that you worship none but Him and do well to your parents. If one or both of them reach old age with you, do not say ‘Of’ to them, and do not drive them away from you and speak with them honorably.”
Inferior Dimension: This includes subordinates, such as women, children, and servants. Everyone is aware that before Islam, girls were buried alive, women were treated brutally, and they were not given inheritance rights. Regarding orphans, the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, says: “I and the guardian of orphans will be together in heaven.” Concerning slaves, as his last will on his deathbed, he said: “Do not leave the prayer and treat your slaves properly.”
Surrounding Dimension: The neighbor, The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: «وعن أَبي هريرة رضی الله عنه: أَن النَّبيَّ ﷺ قَالَ: واللَّهِ لا يُؤْمِنُ، واللَّهِ لا يُؤْمِنُ، واللَّهِ لا يُؤْمِنُ، قِيلَ: مَنْ يا رسولَ اللَّهِ؟ قَالَ: الَّذي لا يأْمنُ جارُهُ بَوَائِقَهُ» “Jibrael always came and emphasized to me about the neighbor; I thought that the neighbor would be my inheritor after my death.” Hazrat Abi Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, said: “Swear by Allah, a person does not become a believer, swear by Allah, a person does not become a believer, swear by Allah, a person does not become a believer, if his neighbor is not safe from his abuse.” Of course, the goal of a believer is to be a complete believer who lives in society; a chain of rights is necessary for him, and he has a chain of rights over others, including the six mandatory rights that are automatically charged.
In this context, the Prophet said: «حقُّ المسلم على المسلم ست: إذا لَقِيتَهُ فسَلِّمْ عليه, وإذا دعاك فَأَجِبْهُ، وإذا اسْتَنْصَحَكَ فانْصَحْهُ، وإذا عَطَسَ فَحَمِدَ الله فسَمِّتْهُ، وإذا مرض فعُدْهُ، وإذا مات فاتَّبِعْهُ»؛ ” Translation: Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, reports that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: The rights of a Muslim over a Muslim are six: when you meet him, greet him [the first right: giving greetings]; when you are invited, you must answer [the second right: accepting the invitation]; when he asks for a favor from you, you should be kind [the third right: giving advice]; when he sneezes, respond with ‘یرحمک الله’ Yar hamuk Allah [the fourth right: giving the answer to a sneeze]; visit him when he is sick [the fifth right: visiting him when he is sick]; when he dies, pray on his body [the sixth right: attending the funeral].”
He also spoke about respecting elders and having compassion for children: “There is no one among us who does not respect elders and have compassion for children.”
So why are the Islamic Ummah not people of growth and civilization today? While all the raw materials for the growth and civilization of Europe come from Islamic lands, they only ruled Islam in the dimension of worship and not in politics, economics, education, society, and ethics. Civilization cannot be derived solely from worship; it originates from thought, politics, and economics. Today, instead of fighting against non-believers, the Ummah is fighting amongst itself and is involved in jurisprudential differences and excommunication of each other. Political unity and geographical unity, which is a tenet of our religion, have been abandoned.
Conclusion
In general, it can be said that Islamic civilization during the Prophet’s era brought humanity back to the right path, and the slumbering Europe learned humanity from Islam and awoke. Therefore, the presence of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in Madinah and the formation of the government should be considered as his practical actions following the mission and invitation, fostering the civilization of Islam. The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, with the goodwill of the people of Yathrib, founded the initial principles and foundations of civilization and civility based on leadership, mutual understanding, rejection of tyranny, kindness, and human coexistence. The invaluable role of the Great Prophet may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in establishing and promoting Islamic civilization is a significant matter that necessitates extensive and deeper research. Therefore, it seems that this essential work should be pursued by experts to elucidate various aspects of his noble role.
References:
[1] Surah Al-Isra, Verse: 23.
[2] Sahih Bukhari, Hadith number 6005.
[3] Sunan Nasai, Sunan Kubra, 7063, Ibn Majah Hadith number 1625.
[4] Sahih Bukhari, Hadith number 6015, Sahih Muslim, Hadith number 2625.
[5] Sahih Bukhari, Hadith number 6016, Sahih Muslim, Hadith number 46.
[6] Sahih Bukhari, Hadith number 1240, Sahih Muslim, Hadith number 2162.
[7] Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith number 4943, Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith number 1920.
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