If an individual belongs to a most primitive or a savage tribe, even then Islam regards him as a human being. Allah Ta’ala makes categorical pronouncements regarding the dignity, honour and respect for the creation of the “… children of Adam …”. When one perceives some differences among the humankind, then it is only for us to know and recognise them. The Noble Quran also indicates that human beings are created in different tribes and nations so that they may know and understand each other.
But, the bottom line is that our Creator has created mankind as ONE Ummah.
It is thus incumbent upon us to regard every human being with great respect and reverence and not become judgemental.
After the verse of the Noble Quran which has been mentioned in connection with the right to life, Allah Ta’ala states: -
وَفَضَّلْنَاهُمْ عَلَىٰ كَثِيرٍ مِّمَّنْ خَلَقْنَا تَفْضِيلًا وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِي آدَمَ وَحَمَلْنَاهُمْ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ وَرَزَقْنَاهُم مِّنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ
“Indeed, We have honoured/dignified the children of Adam, carried them on land and sea, granted them good and lawful provisions, and privileged them far above many of Our creatures.” (Ch. 17; V. 70)
As believers, we need to quickly learn and accept that every human being is a unique creation of our Supreme Creator, Allah Ta’ala. It is thus obligatory upon a Mu’min to respect the rights and independence of another human being. We are also compelled to accept and believe that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim, and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood.
The sooner the Muslim community begins to acknowledge these indisputable facts, co-existence amongst human-kind will transcend into a more positive and purposeful paradigm.
Causing wanton harm, destruction and disgrace to another human being is greatly disliked by Allah Ta’ala. This fact is strongly emphasised in the Noble Quran.
ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًۭاأَحْيَا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَآ مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًۢا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍۢ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًۭا
"If anyone kills a person without a retaliation for a soul or without a retaliation for spreading mischief in the country, it would be as if he killed all the people: and if anyone saved a life, it would be as though he saved the life of all the people (whole of mankind)". (Ch. 5, V. 32)
Our beloved Nabi-e-Akram, Janãb-e-Muhammad Mustupha is reported to have stated: -
“O people! … The Arab has no superiority over the non-Arab nor the non-Arab over the Arab nor the white over the black nor the black over the white. The superiority in the presence of Allah is by piety and piety alone.”
