MORAL AND ETHICAL DEVELOPMENT IN SOCIETY — Inter-faith Partnership

Semitic religions. A study of both branches of religions shows that in terms of moral teachings, there are great similarities between them, and likewise with Islam. For example: Mankind as one family Islam teaches that all mankind is a single family. The Quran declares: O mankind! Fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul. He created its mate from it and from the two of them spread countless men and women [throughout the earth]. THE QURAN 4: 1 It means that all men and women share a common ancestor. That is, all men and women are brothers and sisters to one another. There is complete commonality between different races and groups of people. The Prophet of Islam declared: Mankind is a divine family. Hadith-Al Baihaqi 6: 2528 The Prophet of Islam used to rise early in the morning and say after his morning prayer: “O God, I bear witness that all men and women are sisters and brothers to each other.” (Hadith-Abu Daud 1508) In terms of theology there are differences between religions; however, almost all religions preach similar moral values. These references quoted from Islamic scriptures, are the same teachings which you can find in other religions like Hinduism, Judaism, and Christianity, etc. Common teachings of this kind in all the religions provide the initial base of a good relationship between all men and women. In a family, all its members live with a sense of oneness, a sense which inculcates in family members the spirit of unity and harmony. This family culture is desirable on a global level among all nations and races. This kind of universal relationship is endorsed by almost all the religions. There may be some differences in belief, but in terms of social life, every religious individual—irrespective of his personal traditions— should live in society just as he is living in his family.