Islam and Human Rights — Page 54
Isl am and Hum an R ights 54 with artificial cere monial, render social intercourse easy and agreeable. Islam lays great stress on cleanliness of body, clothing, dwellings, public places, and the like (74:5-6). Frequent ablutions and baths are prescribed. It is recognized that there must be diversity of all kinds in a healthy society, and that it is not only futile but harmful to covet that in which others excel. Each must exercise his or her own capacities and talents and strive to promote both individual and common good. All asking of favours should be from God alone (4:33). Begging is prohibited except in case of extreme need. Various aspects of good manners are insisted upon. “The true servants of the Gracious One are those who walk in the earth with dignity, and when they are addressed rudely they say:‘Peace’” (25:64). “Turn not thy face away from people in pride, nor walk in the earth haughtily; surely Allah loves not any arrogant boaster. Moderate thy pace when walking and soften thy voice when thou speakest” (31:19-20). The Muslim greeting, which is common throughout the Islamic world, is: “Peace be on you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. ” The Quran directs that one should greet one’s fellow beings with a better greeting than one receives oneself, or at least return the same