The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 36
Seal of the Prophets - Volume III 36 summary, on the one hand where Islām places all the children of Adam at one level in the matter of rights and the means of the acquisition of progress, and does not accept any unnecessary racial, ancestral, genealogical or individual distinction, on the other hand, it has not expunged the acquired greatness or success of individuals or peoples by way of compulsion and coercion. It has not deprived them of the fruits of their labour or good fortune. Albeit, it has of course employed such effective policies, whereby the downcast may be uplifted. It is this very lofty and moderate method which the world has overlooked, and so today, is falling prey to a variety of socio-economic problems. Furthermore, the capitalism and communism of today are but extreme products of these very problems, whereby one has taken on a form of excessive abundance, and the other has taken an approach of extreme deficiency. Fundamental Perspective on Islāmic Equality The essence and summary of the Islāmic philosophy on equality is comprised in a few Qur’ānic verses and Aḥādīth. Allāh the Exalted states in the Holy Qur’ān: َّ وَبَث زَوْجَهَا نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا مِّن خَلَقَكُم رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا اَيُّهَا يَا ً ء وَنِسَا كَثِيرًا رِجَالًا مِنْهُمَا “O Ye People! fear your Lord in mutual affairs. Fear him who created you from a single soul, wherefrom He created its mate. And from them twain spread many men and women. ” 1 In this Qur’ānic verse, Allāh the Exalted has led the attention of man to the eternal truth that they are the children of a single father, and the branches of a single tree, and has established the foundation of true equality in the world. Moreover, He has also informed us of the principle that irrespective of the difference which may come about between various peoples and classes as a result of circumstances, in mutual relations they should never overlook the fact that in their origin they are the progeny of a common forefather. If from amongst the sons of one father, some children acquire more wealth 1 An-Nisā’ (4:2)