The Same in Return

A tradition of the Prophet of Islam reported in books of Hadith reads: “A believer chooses for others what he likes for himself.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 13) This is a very comprehensive principle of social ethics. Everyone knows what kind of behaviour they like and what kind of behaviour they don’t like for themselves. This is what one should do with others. One should treat others as one would like to be treated and avoid treating others as one would not like for oneself.

This principle of social morality is so simple and natural that it is known to every man and woman. All that is needed is for everyone to be sensitive in this matter. The sensitivity one shows towards oneself should be the same shown towards others. If people grasp this simple moral principle, society will become one of goodness and peace.