Ayesha Naseem, Blackburn
The social order in human society, though man-made, aims to guarantee all individuals their due rights and liberties. But it is organised in a way that it confines the same individuals to certain limits, often through the means of law, to create a world where discipline is maintained. Moreover, to help societies and nations prosper, individuals have a role to facilitate their growth and development. In other words, we are given the freedom to live a life of our choice and exercise the rights that protect us with the condition that we, as individual members of society, also fulfil our responsibilities to help the betterment of others. By working towards our own good and the good of others, a connection is established between an individual and the society they belong to; what matters then is one’s own effort to maintain a balance between the two.
In Islam, an individual’s spiritual development and one’s relation with their Creator is of great importance, but at the same time, believers are encouraged to offer their services to humanity and excel in secular matters like education and work. Beyond their identity as believers, Muslims as individuals are obliged to be loyal citizens of the countries they live in and to always act lawfully so the nation’s peace and stability can be maintained. For example people who use Islam’s name to justify terror not only disrupt the peace and harmony of a society, but they also go against the commandment of Allah the Almighty which instructs: ‘…create not disorder in the earth…’[i] Building a connection with one’s Creator and then striving to obey His commandments is an individual effort but it has the capacity to bring collective change if applied by the majority.
When it comes to man’s own rights, Islam does not prohibit spending and providing for oneself and one’s family, however it also does not allow the believers to neglect individual responsibilities towards fellow human beings. The Holy Qur’an states: “And worship Allah and associate naught with Him, and show kindness to parents, and to kindred, and orphans, and the needy, and to the neighbour that is a kinsman and the neighbour that is a stranger, and the companion by your side, and the wayfarer, and those whom your right hands possess…”[ii]
The Holy Prophet of Islam, (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) also encouraged his followers to be mindful, compassionate and kind towards all. Regarding the rights of one’s neighbours, it was narrated that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, must not put his neighbour to inconvenience…” (Bukhari and Muslim)
The worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad has stated:
“We…seek to remove the pain and suffering of God’s Creation and we always endeavour to do this to the best of our abilities within our limited resources. …No matter what type of suffering, we desire and seek only to help and remove the pain of the people of the world and to fulfil their needs without any discrimination of cast and religion. We seek to give peace of mind to those who are restless.”[iii]
Undoubtedly, the society in which we live today has some people who turn towards greed, and corruption in the name of exercising their rights, and in doing so, they usurp the rights of others. Without empathy, unity and willingness to protect those who are in need of support, humanity unknowingly edges closer to a moral and societal collapse. The role of the individual is therefore of incredible significance for any society and nation’s success. Even by managing to make someone happy by saying something kind, or by comforting another to ease their concerns and praying for them, we are fulfilling the rights of our fellow human beings. Societal harmony can only exist when everyone realises their responsibilities towards one another, and this can only happen when we learn to think about others the same way we think about ourselves.
[i] Holy Qur’an Chapter 7, Verse 57
[ii] Holy Qur’an Chapter 4, Verse 37
[iii] Address at Inauguration of Noor Mosque, January 2014 https://www.alislam.org/articles/illuminating-peace-in-crawley/
Voice of British Muslim Women 
Leave a comment