Islam and Human Rights — Page 53
Social Values 53 if they were to leave them behind. Let them, therefore, fear Allah and always speak the straightforward word. Those who con sume the property of orphans unjustly only swallow fire into their bellies” (4:10-11). Younger people are admonished to show due respect and consideration for older people, and older people are exhorted to treat younger people with kindness and affec tion. The Prophet said: “He who does not behave kindly towards younger people and does not show due respect to older ones is not of us”. 18 Islam aims at merging all sections of society into a single community so that all persons may feel themselves to be members of the same family. A whole set of directions exhorts those who are better off to adopt simple ways of life and not to set up artifical barriers in the way of free social intercourse. For instance, the well- to-do are urged towards moderation in food and drink (7:32), and to shun all vanity (23:4). They should be neither stingy, holding back their wealth and substance from being shared by others, nor extravagant, indulging themselves and the members of their families without regard for others who also have a right to share in their wealth (25:58; 51:20). Simple ways of life, dispensing 18 Tirmidhi I, Sect. :Virtue, Ch. :Kindness towards the Young.