THE RELIGION OF HUMANITY: Islam’s Ethical and Spiritual Outlook

CULTURE OF COMPASSION in comparison. This awareness expresses itself through worship, God-consciousness (taqwa), humility, supplication, and turning to God (inabah). In Sahih Muslim, there is a narration from Iyad ibn Himar in which the Prophet of Islam said: “God has revealed to me that you must adopt humility, so that no one boasts over another, and no one oppresses another.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2865) This hadith clearly describes how a person should behave toward others. One must be humble before fellow human beings. Those who have more should not boast over those who have less. The strong should not oppress the weak. The awareness and inner state created by faith naturally lead one to recognize God as the Greatest and oneself as small in comparison. This same awareness cultivates a mindset of humility and respect toward all people, not arrogance or disdain. A HOME IN PARADISE The Prophet of Islam said: “I guarantee a house on the outskirts of Paradise for the one who gives up argument, even when they are right; a house in the middle of Paradise for the one who gives up lying, even when joking; and a house in the highest part of Paradise for the one who has good character.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith No. 4800)