A Letter to a Dear One — Page 97
Muhammad Zafrulla Khan 97 The Holy Qur’ ā n says: I ãÃI¼«G±G¿M ö O ZGy « çG¿«G¥GÃM ö O Z G y « çG…M®HºM ö O Z |I − I …Gy £J ¿ « G ±M ä I ~ I ãM † G ¬I ö « G G ÂM ö O £I… G y I Ì°ÀG¨M ö O £I… I ÌI ä £R³ ö O ZGy I ÌHÀH¨M ö O Z I e£G¨M ö O ZGy « çG…M®HºM ö O Z |Id I e£G¨M ö O ZGy M âH¼H ¿ « G ¿M † G } M ÍG¼G¾G› £G›Gy I áÃI¤R± ö O Z I ãM…OZ G y [4:37] “… show kindness to parents, and to kindred, and orphans, and the needy, and to the neighbor that is a kinsman and the neighbor that is a stranger, and the companion by your side, and the wayfarer and those whom your right hand possesses…” There are also instructions to treat animals in a noble manner and to be kind to them. General Social Etiquette Islam has set out rules regarding table manners and etiquette for assemblies, etc. Every kind of social manners and regulations are explained. The believer is directed to spend life with dignity and good morals. The details of such matters are so explicit that small points like leaving space for late comers in assemblies and not to leave without the permission of the ‘chair’ are all explained. Upholding of dignity has been taken care of to the point that the Holy Prophet ( ” allall ā hu ‘alaihi wa sallam) enjoined not to eat in market places and not to walk around with just one shoe on; either be barefoot or have shoes on both feet. There is also instruction to keep roadways clean and tidy and to remove certain harmful things from them. Then there are different instructions and guidance for businessmen that are designed to ensure that justice is done to each person and that there is no deception. These guidelines are not sufficed to alert the consumer; but have made it a duty of the vendor to be honest in presenting his merchandise and not to carry out any kind of deception. Three reasons and motives have been given for setting up organizations, etc. The first is to promote the help of the needy, second is the intention of promoting knowledge and research. The third aim is of spreading peace and unity among humanity—be it on national or international level.