Islam and Human Rights — Page 59
Social Values 59 immediately. 29 During a journey he noticed that an ant- heap had been set on fire. He admonished against it. 30 When he saw a donkey that had been branded on the face, he said that this was a cruel practice. If branding be necessary, the Prophet pointed out, it must be done on the leg, where the muscles are not so sensitive. No animal, he added, should be beaten on the face, as the face is the most sensitive part of the body. 31 Perhaps the most comprehensive direction within the domain of social values is: “Help one another in right eousnes and virtue; but help not one another in sin and transgression” (5:3). When the Prophet said on one occasion, “Go to the help of your brother whether oppres sor or oppressed,” he was asked, “We understand what is meant by going to the help of a brother who is oppressed, but how shall we help a brother who is an oppressor?” The Prophet replied: “By restraining him from oppressing others”. 32 The Prophet defined a Muslim as “one from whose 29 Abu Daud IV, Sect. :Good Behaviour, Ch. :On Slaughter of Ants. 30 Ibid. 31 Muslim II, Sect. :Dress and Adornment, Ch. :Prohibition against beating or branding an animal on its face. 32 Bukhari II, Sect. :Oppression, Ch. :Help you Brother.