The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 43
II - Brief Note on Islāmic Equality 43 very dear to me. ” 1 This was a result of that very blessed teaching. Thus, in Islām, people who were apparently of the lowest class have achieved the greatest possible heights. Furthermore, the poverty or genealogical lowliness of any individual never became a hindrance in his progress. As such, if one wishes to see further examples of this, refer to the chapter on the discussion of slavery in the second volume of this book. Brotherly Interaction in Social Gatherings At this point, it may be inquired that undoubtedly, in the work of offices and responsibilities, Islām has given teachings of true equality and has paved the way for equal success for all, yet despite this administrative equality, it was possible that there remained a rift amongst different kinds of people in civil affairs and interaction and that Islām did not remove this rift. Therefore, in response to this, Islām has very meticulously healed this rupture as well. As such, in addition to the Qur’ānic injunctions mentioned above that all Muslims are brothers and they should live together as brothers, 2 with relevance to the greatest means and greatest realm of social relations, i. e. , mutual invitations and feasts, the Holy Prophet sa states: شَر ُّ الطَّعَام ِ طَعَام ُ الْوَلِیْمَة ِ یُدْعی ٰ لَھَا الْاَغْنِیَاء ُ وَیُتْرَك ُ الْفُقَرَاء ُ وَمَن ْ تَرَك َ الدَّعْوَة َ فَقَد ْ عَصَی ٗ اللّٰه َ وَرَسُوْلَه “The worst and most detestable banquet is the one in which only the rich are invited and the poor are not. Moreover, one who refuses the invitation of his brother is disobedient to God and His Messenger. ” 3 In this blessed instruction, the Holy Prophet sa has expressed immense dislike for the fact that rich people only invited the rich to their banquets, etc. , and forgot the poor as if they were some other race. Moreover, in actuality, the spirit of equality begins to diminish more so in social affairs, because 1 Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābu Faḍā’ili Aṣḥābin-Nabiyyi sa , Bābu Zaid-ibni Ḥārithata. . . , Ḥadīth No. 3730 2 Al-Ḥujurāt (49:11) 3 Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābun-Nikāḥ, Bābu Man Tarakad-Da‘wata Faqad ‘Asallaha Wa Rasulahu, Ḥadīth No. 5177