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One of Islam’s most important characteristics is its humanity; this is highly evident in Islamic legislation and other facets of the religions as well.
Islam promotes the concept of a human brotherhood and the equality of all humans. It maintains that all humans are the children of one man (Adam) and one woman (Eve) and we all share the same lineage, as stated in the holy Koran:
(( O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them twain hath spread abroad a multitude of men and women. Be careful of your duty toward Allah in whom ye claim (your rights) of one another, and toward the wombs (that bare you). Lo! Allah hath been a watcher over you.))
Following his prayers, the Prophet Muhammad used to say,“I am a witness that all people are brother”.
Through this statement, he underscored the brotherhood that exists amongst all people - not only Arabs or Muslims.Regardless of race, sex, class status or color we are all one, according to Islam.
Although we are, in essence, one – our humanity and freedom of choice has created divisions. There are those who choose to know and serve God, follow his path and abide by his laws, respecting all of God’s creation these individuals are intent on gaining eternal happiness in this life and the afterlife.
And there are those who neglect God, slip away from his path and wrong God’s creatures, these individuals suffer miserably in this life and will experience more of the same in the afterlife.
The human brotherhood is strengthened by the brotherhood of belief.
Prophet Muhammad once said:
“No one can be good believer until he loves for his human brother all that he loves for himself”.
The principle of equality is central to Islam`s sense of humanity.(( O mankind! Lo! We have created you from male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! The noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware.))
In his farewell speech to the pilgrims before his death, the Prophet Muhammad addressed all Muslims in simple words stressing the fundamental principles of Islam saying:“Oh mankind, your god (Allah) is one and your father (Adam) is one, there is no favoring for any Arab over non-Arab nor for Non-Arab over Arab, Nor for Black (skinned) over Red (white Skinned) except in God’s piety. Oh Mankind, God has declared inviolable to you, your each other blood, money and honor, therefore your blood, money and honor is inviolable to you till the day you meet him. Oh mankind, take my advice and you shall be happy, don’t aggrieve, don’t treat unjustly. Oh Mankind, the money of one is not lawful for another except with his own well and full satisfaction”.
The prophet Muhammad once stood up as the funeral procession of a Jewish man passed by, to show his respect.
This act demonstrated his belief in the equality of all humans. His companions asked him why he stood up, he said:
“ Isn’t he a human like us?”
It clearly states in Islam that whoever takes the life of another human, regardless of the status, creed, color, sex or age of the victim, it is as though he has taken the life of all mankind, conversely he who helps save another human is considered to have saved all of mankind.(( For that cause we decreed for the Children of Israel that whosoever killeth a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whoso saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind.))
Our messengers came unto them of old with clear proofs (of Allah’s Sovereignty), but afterwards lo! Many of them became prodigals in the earth Islam`s respect for the principle of human equality is evident in the Muslim pilgrimage, during which all Muslims, regardless of their differences wear the same white cloth.Whether they are kings presidents businessmen or just an ordinary person they all call in God (Allah) here I am! At your service, here I am testifying your unity, here I am testifying everything good is for your only.
One of the greatest examples of equality in Islam is the equality in punishment for all wrongdoers – whether they are relatives of the Rulers or not, there is no difference in punishment. The Second Muslim’s Caliph (Omar Ibn Al-khattab) addressed his entire family and relatives when he assumed power over all the Islamic countries, saying, ``I have ordered the people with certain things and asked them to not do certain things and as you know people are like flocks of birds, if they see you doing something they will do just like you, therefore don’t embarrass me and do what I have told the people not to do, otherwise I will double the punishment for you,`` his comments made it difficult to be a relative to the Caliph.
The great principles of humanity and equality are part of the divine laws God sent, through his messengers, to support all mankind. When we choose to overlook or disregard these laws, we suffer.
((If they had observed the Torah and the Gospel and that which was revealed unto them from their Lord, they would surely have been nourished from above them and from beneath their feet. Among them there are people who are moderate, but many of them are of evil conduct.))