Forty Gems of Beauty — Page 65
65 world because the elders do not treat the younger ones with compassion and consideration, and the younger ones forget to extend respect to the elders which is their due, and thus a distasteful chain reaction of ‘status’ struggle is set off. Islam has, on the one hand, recognised equality of rights for all in the assignment of public offices and distribution of the means of earning wealth. On the other hand, by building a bridge of compassion and consideration of dutiful respect, it has linked all in one chain. Those who get an opportunity to excel others in the struggle of life are required to treat their less fortunate brethren with compassion and affection, so long as the latter are in that situation. As for those who lag behind, they are enjoined to pay dutiful respect to those who are ahead of them, as long as they continue in the position. By means of this golden injunction, our chief (May peace and blessings of Allah be on him) has cut at the root of unnecessary and unbecoming tension between the different layers of society. It is a matter of regret that few care to respect this injunction, and if someone comes into power because of one thing or the other, he loses his senses and loves to crush those who are beneath him. If then someone slackens behind in the race of existence, he is jealous of those who have outdistanced him so that he is ever-intent on destroying them and bringing them low to earth. Both these types are far gone off the course of Islam. Islam itself certainly does not create classes. But it does not shut its eyes to facts either and takes due note of the temporary distinctions which arise as a natural phenomenon due to differences in intellectual level or standards of personal industry. It resolves [these differences] in a similarly natural manner and takes proper measures to countermand their unpleasant consequences. This blessed observation of the Holy Prophet (May peace and blessings of Allah be on him) is a part of these measures. At the same time, Islam stresses the transitory character of these differences, pointing out that a class of people