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to his own deeds. (6) God has conferred on man, man as such, a title of honor and
dignity.
Such are some of the principles behind the value of equality in Islam. When this
concept is fully utilized, it will leave no place for prejudice or persecutions. And when
this Divine ordinance is fully implemented, there will be no room for oppression or
suppression. Concepts of chosen and gentile peoples, words such as privileged and
condemned races, expressions such as social castes and second – class citizens will all
become meaningless and obsolete
The Concept of Brotherhood
Another fundamental element in the value system of Islam is the value of human
brotherhood. This value also is founded on the same principles which have been
discussed in connection with freedom and equality. Besides those foregoing
principles, human brotherhood in Islam is based on an unshakable belief in the
Oneness and Universality of God the worshipped, the unity of mankind the
worshippers, and the unity of religion the medium of worship. For the Muslim, God is
One, Eternal and Universal. He is the Creator of all men, the Provider for all men, the
Judge of all men, and the Lord over all men. To Him, social status, national
supermanship, and racial origin are insignificant. Before Him, all men are equal and
brothers of one another.
The Muslim believes in the unity of mankind with regard to the source of creation, the
original parentage, and the final destiny. The source of creation is God Himself. The
original common parentage is that of Adam and Eve. To this first parentage, every
human being belongs and of it he partakes. As for the final destiny, there is no doubt
in the Muslim’ s mind that it will be to God, the Creator, to Whom all men shall
return.
The Muslim believes in the unity of God’ s religion. This means that God does not
confine His religion or favors to any particular nation, race, or age. It further means
that there can be no contradiction or fundamental differences in the Religion of God.
When all this is interpreted properly, it will leave no ground for pretended supremacy
or presumptuous exclusivity. And when it is imparted into the human mind, it will
provide man with a clear concept and a solid basis of human brotherhood. Because
the Muslim believes in the Oneness of God, the unity of mankind, and the unity of
religion, he believes in all the Messengers and Revelations of God without
discrimination.
The Concept of Peace
To appreciate how Islam approaches the question of peace, one has only to consider a
few elementary facts about Islam. Peace and Islam are derived from the same root and
may be considered synonymous. One of God's names is Peace. The concluding words
of the daily prayers of every Muslim are words of peace. The greeting of the Muslims
when they return to God is peace. The daily salutations among the Muslims are
expressions of peace. The adjective “ Muslim” means, in a sense, peaceful. Heaven in
Islam is the abode of peace.
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