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Read the excerpts from the book 'ISLAMIC HERITAGE' on this page.
EXCERPTS FROM THE BOOK 'ISLAMIC HERITAGE'
Mankind is weak by nature. With a limited power and intellect, man cannot solve the problems of life without seeking help from God. Consciously or unconsciously, he is aware that there is only One Superpower, who can deliver him from all the hardships of life. Whether he is religious or irreligious, sooner or later, he may find himself seeking help from the All Compassionate, who brought him into existence when he was nothing. A believer who has an absolute faith in His Oneness and Uniqueness, rejects attribution of partners to God, in whatever form or names. Ascribing partners to God is the worst type of sin in Islam.
Human beings, at times, are unmindful of their duties towards God. Whether in pleasure or affliction, they should remember His bounties. But the material allurements of life make them forget the real purpose of their creation. There are many grateful people, who remember God whenever they are blessed with bounties in life. But there are ungrateful ones too, who become so much indulged in the pleasures of life that remembering God is torturous for them. The Quran describes the attitude of the ungrateful transgressors, who beg Mercy from God when in trouble and affliction, but resort to their old style as soon as they are freed from their difficulties and agonies. Says the Quran, "When some trouble touches man, he cries unto his Lord, turning to Him in repentance, but when He grants him a favour from Him, he forgets what he cried and prayed for before, and he sets up rivals to Allah, thus misleading others from His way." (39:8).
Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) has said, "The most important traits which will lead my nation to Paradise are fear of Allah and good manners." God consciousness in all our deeds is the most important factor to build a healthy society. A person resorts to cheating, deception and treachery when he forgets that God is the witness of all his actions and thoughts. Even though he may be successful in deceiving others, he cannot deceive God. But if he fears God and behaves with others truthfully, then he would refrain from oppressing and usurping the rights of others. Upheaval and disturbances are created in society when people are deprived of their rights.
Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) has said, "The happiest among people is he who associates with kind people; he who does not oppress people when he deals with them; he who when he speaks does not lie; and he who when he promises does not betray; he is of those whose valour is perfected, whose justness is manifest and whose brotherhood is essential." The sanctity of truthfulness, trustworthiness, fulfilment of promises, fairness and justice, originate from the faith itself. To act otherwise, would be a flagrant violation of the principles of faith and religion. That is why when the Quran speaks of the believers, it also speaks of good deeds as part of the belief. Imam Ali says, "Fulfilment of promise is twin to truthfulness, and I know of no shield better than truthfulness."
Islam, through the principles of akhlaq or moral conduct has given cure for the spiritual ailments with which humanity is suffering. It has given cure for the cancer of immorality and racial or colour discrimination. The only mark of distinction in Islam is that of taqwa or uprightness and piety, which stems from the belief. The Prophet of God says, "You will see that the faithful, in their mercy for one another and in their love for one another and in their kindness towards one another, are like the body; when one part of the body ails, the entire body ails."
Islam places importance not only to human rights but also to human duties. The tendency of ignoring the sufferings of others so long as a person is happy in his home, is an un-Islamic attitude. In order to counter this tendency, the Messenger of Allah has defined, specified and explained the function of each individual member of the human family. Says the Prophet, "Every one of you is a shepherd, and every one of you will be questioned about those under him. The leader is a ruler and he will be questioned about his subjects; the man is a ruler in the family and he will be questioned about those under his care; the woman is a ruler in the house of her husband and she will be questioned about those under her care." Thus, Islam lays the foundation of mutual moral obligations and duties of each member of the family.
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