Notes on the Topic: Teachings and example of the Prophet on specific issues of Justice and Equality

Read Life in Makkah and Life in Madinah for your research.

Prophet Muhammad was the best example and the greatest leader who came to promote human welfare.
Allah sent him as a “mercy to the worlds.” As a Prophet and Messenger of Allah, his mission was to guide
human beings to the path of truth and salvation. He, however, did not limit his work to preaching faith and
prayers alone; he also emphasized helping all human beings, regardless of their races, colors or religions.
He was just and good to all human beings.

From the beginning of his mission until he left this world, Prophet Muhammad emphasized that all human
beings are one family, descending from the one and same father and mother, Adam and Eve. He spoke
against racial or color discrimination. He spoke against tribalism and against all kinds of prejudices. In the
society in which he was born such discriminations were common; but he always spoke against them and
reminded his followers to treat all people with respect.
He emphasized justice towards all people. He was just not only to Muslims, but also to non-Muslims. He was
just not only to his friends but also to his enemies. Allah gave him the message of universal justice:
O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to
you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to Piety: and fear Allah. For
Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.
(Al-Ma’idah 5:8)
Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him- preached this message and practiced it in the best way. Neither
in the time of peace nor in the time of war he did injustice to his enemies. Actually, in many instances when
he defeated his enemies in battles, he forgave them and let them go free.
He emphasized the human rights of all people. Before Prophet Muhammad there was no concept of universal
human rights; it was he who gave the world this idea that all human beings have some God-given and
inalienable rights. He spoke about the rights of life, right of basic necessities of life, right of property,
protection of honor, personal freedom, freedom of expression, freedom of conscience and conviction,
equality before law, the right of consultation. It was he who taught that women must be treated with
respect and honor. It was he who taught the dignity of workers and said that workers should be given fair
wages and paid promptly. It was Prophet Muhammad - peace and blessings of Allah be upon him - who
taught the first time in history that rulers are responsible before their people and they can be removed by
the people.
Prophet Muhammad taught kindness to family, love of children, respect of parents and elders and kindness
to neighbors. He told us that even if our parents or other relatives reject Allah’s message and continue in
their unbelief or idol worship, we should not mistreat them. We should not follow their wrong ways, but in
worldly matters we should be good to them. He told us that we should treat all our neighbors with care and
kindness. He told us, “He/she is not a believer who eats while his neighbor is hungry.” He did not distinguish
between a Muslim and non-Muslim in this humanitarian treatment of relatives and neighbors.
Prophet Muhammad was not only kind to Muslims; he was also kind and respectful to non-Muslims. He
listened to their arguments and answered them in the nicest manner. He criticized their misconceptions and
gave them the message of Islam, but never forced them to accept Islam. Some of his own relatives did not
accept Islam but the Prophet did not mistreat them even when he had full powers to do that. He rather
helped them whenever they were in need. He taught kindness to neighbors and to all relatives whether
Muslims or non-Muslims. Prophet Muhammad never allowed fighting any person or group unless they
attacked first. He urged peaceful relations, agreement and treaties and he reminded his followers to observe
all treaties and covenants as long the enemies observe them.
Humanitarian Example of the Prophet
Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him - also gave us a perfect example of a humanitarian leader.
In his early age, before Allah appointed him as His Prophet and Messenger, Prophet Muhammad was known
as an honest, trustworthy and truthful person. He was called al-Sadiq and al-Amin. It was due to his loving
and peaceful character that Quraish asked him to arbitrate in their dispute on who should place the Black
Stone in the wall of the Ka’bah when they were repairing its building. It was due to his humanitarian spirit
that he joined a group of noble people in Makkah who wanted to protect the widows, orphans or strangers in
their city. He joined the Hilf al-Fudul and even after he became the Prophet of Allah, he continued speaking
highly of this group, its humanitarian efforts and indicated his willingness to respond to them whenever they
would call.
When the leaders of various tribes in Makkah made life difficult for Prophet Muhammad; surrounded his
house and came to kill him; the Prophet did not leave his home without making sure that anything that he
had borrowed or kept as a trust with him must be returned to its rightful owners, although some of them
turned against him and became his enemies because of his message of Islam. This is a most unique
example of sincerity and honesty as well as of humanitarian spirit.
It is reported that after the Hijrah while the people of Makkah were still his enemies, it came to the attention
of the Prophet that they were going through shortage of food due to some famine; the Prophet immediately
sent some food for them from Madinah. This is another unique example of humanitarian spirit towards the
enemies, even when they are at war. Prophet Muhammad never allowed the starvation of any person, even
animals. He warned about Allah’s punishment of hell for a woman who kept a cat in some place, did not
allow the cat to go out nor gave her food or water. The poor cat died of starvation. On the other hand, the
Prophet praised a person who gave water to a very thirsty dog and thus received special blessings of Allah.
There are many examples of his compassion and kindness towards the animals.
As the leader of the community, in Madinah, the Prophet used to receive charity (Sadaqat and Zakat), but
he never used it on himself or his family. He was, however, very generous in helping the poor people. He
used to give with such a generosity that people used to say that he gives like a person who does not fear
poverty. Beside teaching and preaching the message of Allah, it was his mission to remove the suffering of
all people.
It is important for us Muslims to remember this humanitarian spirit of Islam. We should be kind and
generous towards all people. Because of the lack of understanding of the humanitarian nature of Islamic
teachings and humanitarian example of Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him - many Muslims today
think that our social work, relief work and humanitarian efforts should be only directed towards Muslims.
We lag behind in supporting the humanitarian causes here in America and around the world. This is against
the clear teachings and spirit of Islam. We should emphasize more and more humanitarian works. We
should establish institutions for the assistance of all poor people, regardless of their religions. We should
feed the hungry, provide clean water and clothes to those who are in need. We should establish medical
clinics for free treatment of all those who are sick and need our help and assistance. We should take care of
the senior citizens, orphans and widows to the best of our capacities. We should organize systematic relief
programs for those who are victims of natural or man-made disasters everywhere in the world. We should
establish educational institutions not only for Muslims but also for others. Just as da’wah is important;
humanitarian work is also very important. Actually no successful Da’wah work can be done without sincere
humanitarian work.