Islam and humanity

In Islam, special importance has been attached to the service and rights of parents. Respecting and obeying one's parents has been made a religious obligation, and ill-treatment to them is forbidden in Islamic jurisprudence and Islamic tradition. With regard to the rights of parents, the Quranic injunction is to behave well with then, to take care of them especially in their old age, not to be rude to them, and to show highest respect to them.[9][10][n 1] This injunction is to be applied regardless of parents' religious identity, that is, a Muslim person is to respect and serve their parents whether they be Muslim or non-Muslim.[11] Hadith literature provides plenty of instances where Muhammad has commanded his companions to be good and kind to their parents and to serve them in the best possible manner.[12] Insulting or misbehaving with one's parents has been declared a major sin.[13] Mother, however, has been given priority over father in terms of receiving respect and service from children. The high status of mother in Islam is best exemplified by the saying of Muhammad that "paradise is at the feet of your mothers". Similarly, importance has also been attached to the rights of relatives. A two-fold approach is generally prescribed with regard to the duties to the relatives: keeping good relation with them, and offering financial help if necessary.[14] Maintaining good relation with one's relatives has been emphasized, and severing ties with them has been admonished. It is said in the hadith, "The person who severs the bond of kinship will not enter Paradise."[15]

Gabriel kept on recommending me about treating the neighbors in a kind and polite manner, so much so that I thought that he would order me to make them my heirs.

— Muhammad, 'Sahih al-Bukhari, 8:73:44

Regardless of a neighbor's religious identity, Islam tells the Muslims to treat their neighboring people in the best possible manners and not to cause any difficulty to them.[16][17] The Quran tells the Muslims to stand by their neighbors in the latter's everyday needs. Muhammad is reported as saying, "A man is not a believer who fills his stomach while his neighbor is hungry."[18] One typical hadith on neighbors reads as follows: Narrated Abu Shuraih: The Prophet said, "By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe!" It was said, "Who is that, O Allah's Apostle?" He said, "That person whose neighbor does not feel safe from his evil."[19]

Islamic law and the traditions of Muhammad have laid out the rights of children in Islam. Children have the rights to be fed, clothed, and protected until reaching adulthood; rights to be treated equally among the siblings; rights not to be forced by its step parents or its birth parents; and rights to education.[20][21][22] Parents are also responsible for teaching their children basic Islamic beliefs, religious duties and good moral qualities like proper mannerism, honesty, truthfulness, modesty, and generosity.[23] The Quran forbids harsh and oppressive treatment of orphaned children while urging kindness and justice towards them. It also condemns those who do not honor and feed the orphaned children (Quran 89:17-18).[24]

Muhammad has been described as being very fond of children in general. In one Islamic tradition, Muhammad ran after Hussein, his grandson, in a game until he caught him.[25] He comforted a child whose pet nightingale had died.[26] Muhammad played many games with children, joked with them and befriended them.[27] Muhammad also showed love to children of other religions. Once he visited his Jewish neighbor's son when the child was sick.[25]

Today, minority rights in several Muslim countries are severely curtailed. Historically, however, non-Muslim minorities have frequently enjoyed greater freedom in Muslim lands. This is evident from its early beginnings through later caliphates, included the Ottoman and Mughal Empires. These freedoms were enjoyed by the people of the Book, as well as by other non-Muslim peoples, many of whom still live in these lands today after over 1300 years of Muslim rule.[28][29][30][31] The protection of minority rights is regarded as imperative under Islamic law which is in harmony with other international laws for the minority.[32]

In human history, racial discrimination has long been a cause of injustice.[33][34] One important aspect of Islam is that it regards human beings as equal children of Adam. As a religion, Islam does not recognize the racial discrimination among people. In his Farewell Sermon, Muhammad repudiated the discrimination based on race and color.[35] Islam recognizes no distinction among human beings based on color, language or tribe. All are considered equal in receiving human rights and in discharge duties. According to Islamic teaching, no privileged or chosen class exists except those having piety or moral excellence.[36] A Quranic injunction forbids the Muslims to underestimate others. Assuming that there will be natural differences in social status and income among individuals which is the natural outcome due to the differences in personal talents and efforts, a sense of brotherhood towards fellow Muslims and a general sense of humanity towards every human being have been suggested to be cultured to further establish equality in society.[37]

In Islam, zakat is a form of compulsory alms-giving, and a religious obligation for those Muslims who are financially affluent.[38] They are required to pay one-fortieth (2.5%) of their total income or money each year to those Muslims who are poor and helpless. The Quran says: 'And woe to those who join gods with Allah, who practice not regular charity, and who deny the Hereafter' (41:6-7). Zakat is considered by Muslims to be an act of piety through which one expresses concern for the well-being of fellow Muslims,[39] as well as preserving social harmony between the wealthy and the poor.[40] Zakat promotes a more equitable redistribution of wealth and fosters a sense of solidarity amongst members of the Ummah.[41]

Sadaqah means voluntary charity which is given out of compassion, love, friendship (fraternity), religious duty, or generosity.[42] Both the Quran and the hadith have put much emphasis on spending money for the welfare of needy people. The Quran says: 'Spend something (in charity) out of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before Death should come to any of you' (63:10). One of the early teachings of Muhammad was that God expects men to be generous with their wealth and not to be miserly (Quran %3Averse%3D1 107 :1–7).[43] Accumulating wealth without spending them to address the needs of the poor is generally prohibited and admonished.[44]