Islam and equality(II)
By Sulaimon Osho
That is why we are
asked in Qur’an
3:103 to hold fast to the cord of Islam and we should not be divided by whatever mundane or selfish tendencies, for we are brothers. It is likened to some people drowned and strugglling for safety in the rescue was stretched by providence and in which, they all hold fast to, for mutual support into safety in the rescue operation.
Whatever disunity or difference on the basis of tribe or otherwise should be suppressed and relegated to the background and become one. It is Allah’s favour that suppressed the civil and tribal feuds and dissensions that teared Yathrib apart before Prophet Muhammed (P.B.O.H) put his sacred feet on the soil in 622A.D. It then became the city of the Prophet, Medinah, Mannawara and unmatched brotherhood and pivot of lslam which manifests itself in the way and manner we worship Allah (S.W.T). In the mosque, nobody has a place except the Imam that will lead the prayers. All are equal. The rich will stand by the poor. The tall by the short.
The strong by the weak. The wise by the ignorant. The literate by the illiterate. Even the Imam, who must have been chosen on merits of religious knowledge and piety must not feel elevated above others, as any other person could be so chosen. And since Allah’s judgment is full-proof as its considers what is in the innermost heart and deeds, such an Imam who feels bloated will be so judged and punished accordingly. This goes to show that even in matter of Islamic justice, the law of equality prevails. All are equal as you cannot take the life of two slaves for the life of a wealthy or influential person, (Q,2: 178). Hence you should not deny the so-called minority.
Besides, in the compulsory month of Ramadan, fasting period equality manifests. For those, who can afford to eat ten times a day and for the indigent who cannot afford more than once a day, they will only eat at dawn and at sunset while fasting, which level them up. Other acts of worship during the fasting period are performed at the same time by everybody, which include prayer Tarawih after Ishai : recitation of the Holy Qur‘an ; attending lectures on Tafsir-I-Qur’an: and abstaining from heinous acts that may vitiate the fasting.
What of the annual hajj congregation in Makkah and Medinah where all men are equal from all parts of the world? It is a leveler to show that we are equal and one. They wear the same un-sewn dress for men, and the same sewn dress for women. They worship the same way, the same time, the same place without any prejudice of race, colour, caste, tribe or nationality. No doubt the annual largest congregation of people in the world or not less than five million worshippers manifests equality. It also manifests in the weekly Jumat service prayers and the two annual Eid prayers worldwide.
Also is the annual compulsory alms to the poor Zakat that is spee; lied in degree rate and aggregate on money and property. It manifests equality as it reminds the rich that the wealth is given as distribution to the less fortunate one. That the riches are for all and not for them and their families alone. That Allah (S.W.T.) that gives and takes has the power to change the tide if they refuse to distribute the wealth. And the indigent is reminded that they are not forgotten in their unfortunate condition. That the zakat is a leveller of riches among men. And that their condition will be changed for better if only the conditions of zakat could be strictly followed. Infact, there had been cases in the Caliphate Umar Bin Al-Khatab in the Islamic Empire, where there was no poor man to receive zakat and the proceeds had to be deposited in the state treasury.
Hence, if only the divine ordinance of equality could he fully implemented, there will be no room for oppression. And the divisive and condemned races chosen and gentile peoples among other castes will become meaningless and obsolete.
May Allah grant us the will, zeal and courage to imbibe the virtues of equality. (Amen).
(Concluded)
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