HUMAN VALUES THROUGH ISLAM

Islamic belief softens the hearts of its believers. When this penetrates people’s hearts, they will of necessity become kind and compassionate to others. They will see everyone with eyes of ‘love and compassion and feel this urge to serve others, and fulfill others’ needs. If even after adopting the beliefs of Islam, feelings of love and compassion do not well up in the heart of its adherent, he should rethink about his faith. He should ask himself—have Islamic beliefs truly found a place in my heart and mind? Can I fully practise my beliefs and succeed and mould myself entirely on the model of Islam? Umar Faruq, the second Caliph of Islam, had taken only one camel with him when he travelled on a journey from Madinah to Palestine. He realized that if he continued to ride the camel during the entire journey, it would be cruelty to the animal, and it must be given rest. Therefore, he decided to ride and walk by turns to give the camel periods of rest, until he reached his destination. If the true spirit of Islam is inculcated in a person, he becomes so compassionate to all living beings, that even at the cost of personal comforts, he extends a helping hand to others. According to a Hadith, “By God, he is not a Muslim who eats his fill, while his neighbour goes hungry.” This shows that a Muslim is one who is concerned with others’ hunger and thirst as he is with his own; who is concerned not only with his own person but with the whole of humanity. According to another Hadith, you should, “extend greetings to people, feed them and earn your place in heaven.” According to Islam, a person is worthy of heaven whose heart is eager for others’ peace and wellbeing, who is eager to share with everyone, whether it be food, clothes or medical help, etc. In short, one should share in people’s pain and suffering. Islam is a religion of humanity. Islam considers serving others as a great act of worship. According to the teachings of Islam, it is only in serving people that we shall have a share in God’s mercy. o All the teachings of Islam are based on two principles—the worship of God and the service to mankind.