Islam and Human Rights — Page 176
Isl am and Hum an R ights 176 organization of the first Islamic State, the provision of basic necessities for everyone was asssured. Not only was the State fully conscious of its duties in this regard, but individuals were also keen to perform their obligations towards the widow, the orphan, the needy, the captive, the debtor, the neigh bour and the wayfarer. Long before the general diffusion of prosperity had reduced the need and multiplied the resources, public as well as private, available for meeting it, the Prophet’s exhortations and his own example had so stimulated and sharpened the concept of human brother hood among the Muslims that sharing their all, even in the midst of adversity, became an outstanding Muslim characteristic. The Prophet had suggested that in case of extreme necessity it would be well to follow the example of the Ash’ari tribe “who, when confronted with shortage of provisions, collect all they have and divide it equally among themselves. So, they are of me and I am of them”. 76 The Quran bears witness that these exhortations were taken to heart by the Muslims. Of the Ansars of Medina and the early refugees settled in Medina it says: “Those who had established their homes in this city before the new comers and had 76 Bukhari II, Sect. :Oppression, Ch. :Sharing food.