The whole world was suffering from various inequalities at the social level before the advent of Islam. In some places, racial hatred and class struggle were going on, while in others, violence and discrimination were found between men and women. Mountains of oppression and oppression were breaking down on the weaker sex. Man himself was bound in unbalanced systems created by humans. The lives, property, honor and dignity of ordinary people had no value. Man was not considered human, ordinary people were bound in the chains of slavery and oppression in such a way that they were like animals.
Equality in the human community
Islam was the first to break down this wall of inequality and oppression built between humans. Equality within human society and the participation of all in human rights was an important revolutionary concept of Islam, which changed the picture of the world. In pre-Islamic societies and civilizations, there was a lack of equality between all human classes.
The Jews considered themselves the children of Allah and the noblest of mankind; while they considered others to be inherently inferior and despicable. According to their religious book, the Talmud, the Jews were the best creatures on earth and other human classes could not be Jews themselves and could not be equal to them in any way.
The superpower of that time, the Roman Empire, had divided society into three parts:
(1) The nobility, who could not be sentenced to death for any crime except rebellion.
(2) The middle class, who could be sentenced to death for an extraordinary crime.
(3) The lower class, whose members were killed for minor crimes and thrown into a living fire. The Iranians viewed their nationality with great dignity and sanctity. They believed that they were superior to every nation and race in the world. They viewed the nations around them with great contempt and humiliation. They had suggested names for them that were insulting and derogatory.
Caste discrimination was also on the rise in India. The Indian society had formally formulated a code of laws, such as the ‘Manu Shastra’, which soon became the law of the land and a religious document. According to the Manu Shastra, the Brahmins were born from the head of Brahma (God); therefore, religious leadership and leadership were their official duties. Then there was the rank of the Chatris who were born from the chest of Brahma and were entrusted with the work of fighting and defense. In third place was the Vaishya caste, whose profession was agriculture and trade and they were born from the waist of Brahma. The most humiliated were the Shudras who were born from the feet of Brahma and who were entrusted with the work of serving the three above-mentioned nations. Tribal prejudice and organization were very strong in Arabia itself. The reason for this hostility was ignorance. Some families did not like to participate in customs and traditions with other families. During the rituals of Hajj, the Quraysh remained isolated from the general pilgrims. One class was made up of born masters, and the other was made up of people of lower status from whom serfdom was exacted.
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Terrible atmosphere of global darkness
In this terrible atmosphere of global darkness, the message was heard from the rocky valleys of Mecca that all human beings are equal in terms of their original creation. It was announced that all human beings are the creation of Allah, all are children of the same parents, no one is born inferior and no one is born noble:
: یَا اَیُّھَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوْا رَبَّکُمُ الَّذِیْ خَلَقَکُمْ مِنْ نَفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْھَا زَوْجَھَا وَبَثَّ مِنْھُمَا رِجَالًا کَثِیْرًا وَنِسَآءً.
Translation: O people! Fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul and created from it its mate and from them both spread many men and women. (Surah An-Nisa 1:4)
All human beings are born equal. There is no superiority or inferiority among them. There is no purity or impurity. Blacks and whites, Indians and Arabs, Aryans and Semites, Asians and Europeans, Easterners and Westerners, all are equal in status and have the same rights. There can be no distinction between them on the basis of race, color, homeland or language. Yes, Islam declared that if there is any criterion of greatness and superiority, it is only piety and piety.
: یَا اَیُّھَا النَّاسُ اِنَّا خَلَقْنَاکُمْ مِنْ ذَکَرٍ وَاُنْثَی وَجَعَلْنَاکُمْ شُعُوْبًا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوْا اِنَّ اَکْرَمَکُمْ عِنْدَ اللہِ اَتْقَاکُمْ اِنَّ اللہَ عَلِیْمٌ خَبِیْرٌ․
Translation: “O mankind! Indeed, we have created you from a single male and a single female, and have made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Indeed, the most honorable of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Aware of all things.” (Surah Al-Hujurat 13:49).
This verse states the great principle of equality, that the standard of honor and dignity of a person is not his nation, tribe or homeland; rather, it is piety. All people are created from one man and one woman, namely Adam and Eve (peace be upon them). Allah Almighty did not create different tribes, families or nations to show their superiority over each other; rather, their purpose is only to divide them among the countless people for mutual recognition. Islam has honored all humanity and has bestowed the crown of ‘honor’ on man, regardless of race or lineage. It is said:
وَلَقَدْ کَرَّمْنَا بَنِیْ اٰدَمَ وَحَمَلْنَاھُمْ فِیْ الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ وَرَزَقْنَاھُمْ مِنَ الطَّیِّبَاتِ وَفَضَّلْنَاھُمْ عَلٰی کَثِیْرٍ مِمَّنْ خَلَقْنَا تَفْضِیْلًا․
Translation: And indeed, we have honored the children of Adam and provided them with rides on land and sea, and We have preferred them over many of Our creation. (Surah Al-Isra 70:17)
At this voice of the Quran, the hereditary pride of the Arabs was shattered. Then the warlike and fierce people of the Arabs mingled with each other like a lion and a donkey. All their racial pride disappeared. Going forward, they established a historic brotherhood in Medina, which is a beautiful pattern in human history that will remain a milestone for the champions of equality and brotherhood throughout the world.
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) declared all humans as the family of Allah (Al-Khalq Aiyyal Allah: Bayhaqi, Shaab Al-Iman, Hadith 4921) and on the occasion of the Farewell Pilgrimage, in the presence of more than one hundred thousand companions, he declared: O people! Your Lord is one and your father is one.
Listen! There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab, nor a white over a black, nor a black over a white. If there is a criterion of superiority, it is piety and fear of Allah. The most honorable and best in the sight of Allah is the one who fears Allah the most. (Bayhaqi, Shab al-Iman, Hadith 4921).
The slogan of equality and universal brotherhood
Islam gave the slogan of equality and universal brotherhood in the human community and implemented it in practical form in the world. This is the reason why the outstanding scientific and intellectual works that the freed slaves have done throughout Islamic history are only a part of Muslims.
The democracy and equality that is resounding in the world today are entirely the religion of the environment that Islam created in the world. In Western countries, class and racial discrimination existed until the twentieth century and they could not be freed from it. In South Africa, this discrimination, which was imposed by the Europeans, existed until 1994 and its traces and evidences still remain today, seeing which humanity bows its head in shame.
The champion of democracy and equality
In America, which is the champion of democracy and equality, some states there still have laws based on racial discrimination and there are different degrees of citizenship and on this basis they are given concessions and facilities. In some states, marriage between white and black people is still not possible; if it is done, the marriage will be invalid and those who commit it will be punished. Racial discrimination in America was legally abolished only in 1965. Similarly, America, despite all its enlightenment, accepted a black person as president for the first time in its entire two hundred year history, and no woman has ever held this position. The result of this racial discrimination and discrimination is that in America, the proportion of black people in important government positions and jobs is very low in relation to their population.
Since the international community that was formed in Arabia under the auspices of Islam fourteen hundred years ago, this universal brotherhood and human equality can be observed in every era and every region. Despite the loud claims of a thousand sciences, arts, and civilizations, the West has failed miserably to eliminate racial discrimination from the hearts; But the history of Islam shows that Islam buried this evil forever in a short period of time.
Justice for Women
The second important achievement of Islam at the social level is to give women their legitimate rights and restore their rightful role in society. Before the advent of Islam, women were victims of oppression in society. The self-made rules of humans always treated them unfairly. In the ignorant society of Arabia, women were generally mistreated and their rights were violated. They were not entitled to the inheritance of relatives and relatives, but were inherited like goods and animals.
The condition of women in India was bad. Widows were considered deserving of scorn and reproach and were generally forced to be concubines with their husbands. In Greek civilization, the weaker sex was deprived of legal, moral, economic and social rights. In Roman civilization, women were considered outside the category of humanity. They were treated like animals. In England, weak and ugly girls were hanged. In Iran, women were considered a cause of shame and regret. Indeed! It was a cruel environment, the delicate gender was groaning under the burden of oppression, its moral and social rights were violated everywhere.
At such a time, Islam shook the conscience of humanity and gave women their natural and natural rights. The Quran declared: Live with women in a kind manner. Surah An-Nisa 19:4) And they have rights similar to those men have over them. Surah Al-Baqarah 228:2)
It was this revolutionary call of Islam that made the nations of the world realize that oppression of any creature is completely unjust. Islam honored women. It established the rights of a woman as a mother, wife, sister and daughter. The emphasis on good treatment of the mother was emphasized more than that of the father (Sahih Bukhari, Book of Manners, Hadith: 5514).
A virtuous wife was described as the best wealth in the world (Sahih Muslim, Book of Nursing, Hadith: 2668). The good news of Paradise was given for the education and training of daughters and sisters (Sunan Abu Dawud, Book of Manners, Hadith: 4481). The father, brother and husband were respectively entrusted with the responsibility of the woman’s maintenance and sustenance and, in addition, they were appointed as sharers in the property (Surah An-Nisa 7:4). The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said that the best of people are those who treat women with kindness. (Sunan Tirmidhi, Book of Nursing, Hadith: 1082).
In the historic sermon of the Farewell Pilgrimage, which he delivered, he made a special mention of the rights of women, emphasized the need to treat them well, and reminded them of their rights (Sunan Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Ridha, Hadith: 1083). Even in his last will and testament before his death, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) paid special attention to the full realization of women’s rights. (Musannaf Abdul Razzaq 436:5
In the same light of Islam, women’s rights also progressed in non-Islamic countries; but due to the lack of correct divine teachings and aversion to religion, Western civilization has abandoned the path of moderation. The short-sighted so-called intellectuals of the West have elevated women above their status and once again made them the target of oppression and oppression. They are being cheated under the guise of equality and freedom of women. It is being trumpeted that women should be blamed for the sins of men; But in practice, they were made into a public market commodity.
The nature of the relationship between men and women
A woman is the oppressed being in human history who was given the right rights and responsibilities based on her creative, psychological and natural requirements. In the world, man’s self-made ideas regarding the rights and duties of women and the nature of her relationship with men have always been the subject of excess or deviation, and as a result, the poor woman lived a life of humiliation.
Before Islam, there was great chaos in the relationship between men and women. The whole world was on the path of excess and deviation against nature. There was no stable system on the basis of which a marital relationship could be established. In Iranian law and society, there was no exception for any relationship for marital relations.
An unnatural and harsh reaction to this intense erotic tendency of Iran was that a ruler declared the mutual gathering of men and women as forbidden. Then Mazdak made all women lawful for all men, which plunged the whole of Iran into sexual anarchy and erotic crisis. Indian religion and civilization were dominated by elements that aroused sensual feelings and sexual inclinations. Lingam and Yoni (the private parts of men and women) were also included in the list of gods with importance. On the other hand, in contrast to this body worship and self-cultivation, there was a series of self-murder and asceticism and struggle (Jug and Tapshiya). In Arabia itself, adultery was not a bad thing and many methods of it were prevalent.
The world was divided between the two extremes of lust and celibacy
In short, the world was divided between the two extremes of lust and celibacy and lacked moderation and balance. Some individuals were engaged in self-murder and spiritual development, and the general population was flowing in the stream of sensuality and self-cultivation. In such an environment, Islam presented a social plan that was exactly in line with human nature, in which moral and social values were presented in a comprehensive manner with the allowance of human sensual feelings. It had moderation, balance, attractiveness and complete compatibility with human nature in every respect.
In the eyes of Islam, men and women are two essential parts of human society. Islam has given a very balanced law regarding men and women. In human rights, men and women have been given equal status and in social life, a distinction has been made between the two based on their physical requirements and abilities; the responsibility of raising children is placed on women and the responsibility of earning a living is placed on men. This is a very golden principle of social life, which includes the survival of the family system, the protection of moral values, and the protection of women from unbearable suffering.
On the other hand, some laws have been formulated in the world in which the status of women was like that of animals and property, they could neither own any property, nor dispose of it, nor did they have control over their wealth or their lives. In contrast, today’s Western society has declared women equal to men in all responsibilities. The physical weakness of women, the natural conditions and disorders that occur with them, and their effects on their nature, temperament, and decision-making power have been ignored. The result was that it was outwardly considered to be a support for women; but in the end, this freedom bound the entire society to immorality, moral anarchy, incurable diseases, and women themselves to unbearable duties.
The Importance of Society in Islam
Just as Islam has given importance to the life of the individual, has bestowed upon him freedom, equality and justice, it has not considered him separate from society. Along with the idea of the interests and rights of the individual, Islam has also given him duties and obligations as a responsible member of the wider society. Unlike the Western system, in the social system of Islam, the protection and survival of righteous collectivity and society is much more important than the protection and survival of the individual. Islam has presented an outline for the formation of such a righteous society and has put it into practice, in which goodness and virtue are given a chance to flourish and evil and wickedness are not given a chance to rise.
The general command of Islam is that in society, one should help each other in deeds of goodness and piety and not help one another in deeds of sin and injustice. (Surah Al-Ma’idah 2:5) Rather, it is encouraged to constantly enjoin good and forbid evil. (Surah At-Tawbah 71:9) Also, the Hadith states that whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand, and if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue, and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart, and this is the weakest level of faith. (Sahih Muslim, Volume 1, Kitab Al-Iman).
Islam has closed all the sources from which sexual evils spread in society. Shame and modesty were strongly emphasized and made a part of faith. (Modesty is a branch of faith, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 1, and Chapter on Matters of Faith) Both men and women were commanded to lower their gaze when they look at the opposite sex. (Surah An-Nur 31-30)
Adultery was considered one of the worst evils and the strongest feelings of hatred and contempt were created against it in society and the most severe punishments were announced for those who committed adultery. (See Quran 32:17 and 3:24) Free association between men and women was strictly prohibited. In normal circumstances, women were restricted to the confines of their homes and were prevented from going out unnecessarily. (And do not be proud of your houses, and do not be proud of the early ignorance: Surah Al-Ahzab 33:33)
Islam made marriage easy and encouraged it. Marriage was permitted to all except a few very close relatives. Similarly, caste and class differences were not an obstacle to marriage. It was especially disliked for young men to remain single. Widows and orphans were advised to remarry. Islam commands that when a girl reaches the age of puberty and a suitable relationship is available for her, marry her immediately!
Islam not only accepted the freedom, rights and self-respect of the individual; but also promoted it; but at the same time, it gave more importance to the society than to the individual; that is why the individual was not allowed to do such things that would have a negative impact on the overall moral and intellectual environment of the society.
Based on these reasons, Islam has not tolerated adultery, indecency, nakedness and moral degradation in any form; while in contrast, in today’s Western society, due to the centrality and importance of the individual, society is facing numerous moral and social evils. It is a matter of giving importance to the individual in society that in Western societies, the individual has been given complete freedom in dressing, living and adopting any lifestyle he wants.
Let alone nakedness, adultery with consent, since adultery by married people is not a crime. It is a miracle of the freedom of the same individual that same-sex and unnatural marriages are being considered legitimate and even as a punishment for the most serious crimes like murder, there is no provision in the country’s law for killing oneself.
Summary
In other words, if we examine human rights, human brotherhood and equality and social reforms in the pre-Islamic and post-Islamic periods, it will be clearly felt how the spring breeze of Islam perfumed and illuminated this garden of the world with its fragrant social teachings and reforms and how the human race gained the immense wealth of self-respect, equality and freedom thanks to this Islamic revolution. Wherever this social system remained in place in history under the influence of the Islamic revolution, the society was shining with the light of peace and tranquility and spirituality and morality.
Today, the so-called civilization of the West has started to badly affect this structure of a righteous society, as a result of which human society is once again going back to the dark ages, where only the self and the devil were the rule; therefore, it is necessary that we mold our society according to the divine instructions; so that then we can get that pure moral and spiritual peace.
